Quick Overview
- 1#1: Google Calendar - A versatile web-based calendar for creating, sharing, and managing personal and team schedules with seamless Google integrations.
- 2#2: Calendly - Automated appointment scheduling tool that lets users book meetings based on real-time availability without back-and-forth emails.
- 3#3: Microsoft Outlook Calendar - Integrated calendar within Microsoft 365 for robust scheduling, task management, and collaboration in professional environments.
- 4#4: Fantastical - Natural language-powered calendar app for effortless event creation, parsing, and multi-calendar synchronization across devices.
- 5#5: Doodle - Polling and group scheduling tool that finds optimal meeting times by aggregating participant availability.
- 6#6: Acuity Scheduling - Customizable online booking system for service-based businesses to manage appointments, classes, and client calendars.
- 7#7: When I Work - Employee scheduling software for shift planning, time-off requests, and communication in hourly workforce environments.
- 8#8: Deputy - Workforce management platform for staff scheduling, time tracking, and compliance across retail, hospitality, and healthcare.
- 9#9: Homebase - Free employee scheduling app with time clocks, hiring tools, and team communication for small businesses.
- 10#10: Sling - Team scheduling software for creating shifts, managing availability, and reducing labor costs in service industries.
Tools were chosen based on feature richness, user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs, from individual use to enterprise-level operations, with a focus on practicality and performance.
Comparison Table
Effective schedule management is key to staying organized in daily and professional life, with a range of tools like Google Calendar, Calendly, Microsoft Outlook Calendar, Fantastical, and Doodle to choose from. This comparison table outlines critical features—such as integration, customization, and collaboration—to help readers quickly identify which software aligns best with their needs, whether for personal use, team coordination, or client bookings.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Calendar A versatile web-based calendar for creating, sharing, and managing personal and team schedules with seamless Google integrations. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Calendly Automated appointment scheduling tool that lets users book meetings based on real-time availability without back-and-forth emails. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Microsoft Outlook Calendar Integrated calendar within Microsoft 365 for robust scheduling, task management, and collaboration in professional environments. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Fantastical Natural language-powered calendar app for effortless event creation, parsing, and multi-calendar synchronization across devices. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Doodle Polling and group scheduling tool that finds optimal meeting times by aggregating participant availability. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 6 | Acuity Scheduling Customizable online booking system for service-based businesses to manage appointments, classes, and client calendars. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | When I Work Employee scheduling software for shift planning, time-off requests, and communication in hourly workforce environments. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Deputy Workforce management platform for staff scheduling, time tracking, and compliance across retail, hospitality, and healthcare. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Homebase Free employee scheduling app with time clocks, hiring tools, and team communication for small businesses. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Sling Team scheduling software for creating shifts, managing availability, and reducing labor costs in service industries. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
A versatile web-based calendar for creating, sharing, and managing personal and team schedules with seamless Google integrations.
Automated appointment scheduling tool that lets users book meetings based on real-time availability without back-and-forth emails.
Integrated calendar within Microsoft 365 for robust scheduling, task management, and collaboration in professional environments.
Natural language-powered calendar app for effortless event creation, parsing, and multi-calendar synchronization across devices.
Polling and group scheduling tool that finds optimal meeting times by aggregating participant availability.
Customizable online booking system for service-based businesses to manage appointments, classes, and client calendars.
Employee scheduling software for shift planning, time-off requests, and communication in hourly workforce environments.
Workforce management platform for staff scheduling, time tracking, and compliance across retail, hospitality, and healthcare.
Free employee scheduling app with time clocks, hiring tools, and team communication for small businesses.
Team scheduling software for creating shifts, managing availability, and reducing labor costs in service industries.
Google Calendar
specializedA versatile web-based calendar for creating, sharing, and managing personal and team schedules with seamless Google integrations.
Automatic event creation and suggestions from Gmail emails
Google Calendar is a powerful, web-based scheduling tool that enables users to create, edit, and manage events, appointments, and calendars with ease. It supports multiple calendar views, recurring events, reminders, and smart features like automatic scheduling suggestions based on availability. With robust sharing options and integrations with Gmail, Meet, and other Google Workspace apps, it excels in both personal and collaborative schedule making.
Pros
- Seamless real-time collaboration and sharing for teams
- Intelligent features like 'Find a time' and goal-based scheduling
- Deep integration with Google ecosystem for effortless automation
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options for views and themes
- Privacy concerns due to Google's data practices
- Web version has restricted offline access compared to mobile apps
Best For
Teams and individuals deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem seeking intuitive, collaborative scheduling without cost barriers.
Pricing
Free for all users; enhanced business features via Google Workspace starting at $6/user/month.
Calendly
specializedAutomated appointment scheduling tool that lets users book meetings based on real-time availability without back-and-forth emails.
Workflows for automated multi-step processes like reminders, payments, and CRM updates post-booking
Calendly is a leading online scheduling platform that allows users to create shareable booking links for meetings, automatically syncing with calendars like Google and Outlook to show real-time availability. It eliminates email back-and-forth by letting invitees self-schedule within set rules, buffers, and time zones. Advanced features include team routing, workflows for follow-ups, and integrations with CRM tools like Salesforce.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with drag-and-drop customization
- Seamless integrations with 100+ apps including Zoom and Slack
- Robust team scheduling options like round-robin and collective events
Cons
- Free plan lacks key features like group events and reminders
- Higher tiers needed for advanced workflows and branding removal
- Occasional sync delays with certain calendars
Best For
Sales teams, recruiters, and consultants who handle high-volume external scheduling and need professional automation.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Essentials at $8/user/mo (annual), Professional $12/user/mo, Teams $16/user/mo, Enterprise custom (billed annually).
Microsoft Outlook Calendar
enterpriseIntegrated calendar within Microsoft 365 for robust scheduling, task management, and collaboration in professional environments.
Intelligent scheduling suggestions that analyze participant availability and propose optimal meeting times directly from emails or invites
Microsoft Outlook Calendar, accessible via outlook.office.com, is a powerful web-based scheduling tool designed for creating, managing, and sharing events, appointments, and meetings. It integrates deeply with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, enabling features like email-based event creation, attendee invitations, and real-time collaboration. Users benefit from cross-device syncing, time zone support, and advanced options like recurring events and resource booking, making it suitable for personal and professional scheduling.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Outlook email and Microsoft Teams for effortless meeting setup
- Robust sharing and collaboration tools with permissions and group calendars
- Reliable cross-platform syncing and mobile app support
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered for users outside the Microsoft ecosystem
- Advanced features require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
- Occasional sync delays with large shared calendars
Best For
Professionals and teams embedded in the Microsoft 365 environment seeking enterprise-grade scheduling with email and video conferencing integration.
Pricing
Free for basic personal use with a Microsoft account; full features via Microsoft 365 plans starting at $6/user/month.
Fantastical
specializedNatural language-powered calendar app for effortless event creation, parsing, and multi-calendar synchronization across devices.
Natural language event creation that parses casual phrases into fully formed events with smart suggestions for dates, times, and locations.
Fantastical is a premium calendar and scheduling app available primarily for Apple devices (Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Apple Watch) and Windows, designed to supercharge event creation and management. It excels at natural language input, allowing users to add events by typing phrases like 'Dinner with Sarah at 7pm Friday,' while integrating seamlessly with iCloud, Google Calendar, Exchange, and more. Additional tools include Calendar Sets for custom views, event templates, weather forecasts, and direct video call integration, making it a robust solution for personal and professional scheduling.
Pros
- Exceptional natural language parsing for quick event creation
- Stunning, customizable interface with multiple views and widgets
- Strong integrations with major calendars and services like Zoom
Cons
- Subscription model required for premium features; limited free tier
- Primarily optimized for Apple ecosystem, with less polish on Windows
- No native Android app, limiting cross-platform use
Best For
Apple ecosystem users who want an intuitive, powerful tool for natural language scheduling and calendar management.
Pricing
Premium subscription at $6.99/month or $56.99/year per platform; 14-day free trial available.
Doodle
specializedPolling and group scheduling tool that finds optimal meeting times by aggregating participant availability.
Group polling that instantly identifies the most popular availability slots from participant votes
Doodle is a straightforward scheduling platform focused on group coordination through interactive polls. Users create polls with proposed dates and times, share a link, and participants vote on their availability without needing an account. The tool analyzes responses to suggest the optimal meeting slots and supports calendar integrations like Google Calendar and Outlook. It's particularly effective for ad-hoc group scheduling rather than recurring or automated bookings.
Pros
- Extremely simple poll creation and sharing
- Participants vote without accounts or logins
- Automatic detection of best time slots with calendar sync
Cons
- Free plan includes Doodle branding on polls
- Limited advanced features like automated reminders or payments
- Less ideal for one-on-one or complex recurring schedules
Best For
Teams and groups needing quick polls to coordinate meeting times across multiple participants.
Pricing
Free Basic plan with branding; Pro at $6.95/user/month (billed annually) for unlimited polls and no ads; Business at $8.95/user/month with admin tools.
Acuity Scheduling
specializedCustomizable online booking system for service-based businesses to manage appointments, classes, and client calendars.
Advanced intake forms that collect detailed client information and trigger conditional logic for personalized scheduling.
Acuity Scheduling is a robust online appointment booking platform that enables businesses to create customizable scheduling pages for services, classes, and events. It automates client bookings, sends reminders via email/SMS, processes payments, and manages client data through intake forms and portals. Acquired by Squarespace, it offers seamless integration with calendars, payment gateways, and video tools, making it ideal for service-based professionals.
Pros
- Highly customizable booking pages and intake forms
- Strong integrations with Zoom, Google Calendar, Stripe, and Squarespace
- Automated reminders, payments, and client self-service portal
Cons
- No free plan, only a 7-day trial
- Advanced features like HIPAA compliance require higher tiers
- Reporting and analytics are basic in entry-level plans
Best For
Service-based businesses like coaches, therapists, salons, and tutors needing professional online booking without technical hassle.
Pricing
Starts at $16/month (Emerging plan) up to $49/month (Powerhouse), billed annually; 7-day free trial, no free tier.
When I Work
enterpriseEmployee scheduling software for shift planning, time-off requests, and communication in hourly workforce environments.
OpenShifts, which automatically notifies and allows eligible employees to claim open shifts in real-time
When I Work is a cloud-based employee scheduling platform tailored for hourly workforces in retail, hospitality, restaurants, and healthcare. It simplifies shift creation with drag-and-drop tools, availability management, and auto-scheduling based on employee preferences and business rules. The software also supports shift trading, time-off requests, in-app messaging, and integrations with payroll systems like QuickBooks and Gusto.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service and clock-ins
- Effective shift trading and OpenShifts for flexibility
Cons
- Advanced reporting and forecasting locked behind higher plans
- Pricing scales quickly with user count
- Limited customization for complex enterprise needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly shift workers needing straightforward, mobile-friendly scheduling.
Pricing
Essential plan at $2/active user/month; Pro at $3.50/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing (billed annually).
Deputy
enterpriseWorkforce management platform for staff scheduling, time tracking, and compliance across retail, hospitality, and healthcare.
AI-powered Auto Scheduler that generates optimized rosters based on demand forecasting, employee availability, and labor costs
Deputy is a workforce management platform designed primarily for shift-based industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare, offering intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling, automated rostering, and real-time shift notifications. It integrates time tracking, labor costing, forecasting, and compliance tools to streamline operations and reduce manual effort. The mobile-first app empowers employees to view schedules, request swaps, and communicate instantly with managers.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and skills-matching capabilities
- Robust mobile app for employee self-service including shift swaps and availability updates
- Advanced labor forecasting and compliance features to optimize costs and adhere to regulations
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for full feature access
- Steeper learning curve for complex forecasting tools
- Limited customization in lower plans for very niche industries
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare needing mobile-first scheduling and labor optimization.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Essentials, billed annually); Plus at $5.25/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Homebase
enterpriseFree employee scheduling app with time clocks, hiring tools, and team communication for small businesses.
OpenShifts, allowing employees to claim available shifts directly from the app to fill gaps quickly
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for small businesses, offering intuitive employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication tools. Managers can create drag-and-drop schedules, set employee availability, enable shift trades, and use auto-scheduling features to optimize labor costs. It also includes geofenced time clocks, messaging, and basic hiring tools to streamline operations for hourly workforces.
Pros
- Generous free plan for one location up to 20 employees
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and mobile app
- Integrated time tracking with geofencing
Cons
- Advanced reporting and forecasting limited to premium plans
- Scalability issues for multi-location or larger teams
- Customer support can be slow for free users
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, or service businesses with hourly shift workers seeking an affordable, easy-to-use scheduling solution.
Pricing
Free for 1 location (up to 20 employees); Essentials $29.95/mo/location (20 employees); Premium $59.95/mo/location; Enterprise custom.
Sling
enterpriseTeam scheduling software for creating shifts, managing availability, and reducing labor costs in service industries.
Real-time labor cost forecasting that automatically calculates expenses based on schedules and wage rates
Sling is a user-friendly employee scheduling software tailored for shift-based businesses like restaurants and retail. It enables drag-and-drop schedule creation, shift trading among employees, availability tracking, and real-time labor cost forecasting. The platform also includes team messaging, time clock, and task management to streamline operations.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited users and schedules
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface and mobile app
- Built-in labor cost tracking and shift reminders
Cons
- Advanced reporting and integrations locked behind premium paywall
- Limited customization for complex enterprise needs
- Customer support primarily email-based with slower response times
Best For
Small to mid-sized shift-based businesses seeking a cost-effective, straightforward scheduling tool without high costs.
Pricing
Free forever plan for core features; Premium at $2/active user/month (billed annually).
Conclusion
The reviewed tools span diverse scheduling needs, from personal organization to team collaboration and workforce management. At the top is Google Calendar, celebrated for its versatility, seamless Google ecosystem integrations, and robust scheduling features. Calendly and Microsoft Outlook Calendar stand as strong alternatives—Calendly for automated meeting booking and Outlook for deep Microsoft 365 integration—each offering unique strengths to suit varied user demands.
Explore Google Calendar to leverage its streamlined, all-in-one approach for effortless schedule management, whether for personal tasks or team coordination.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
