Effective time management is paramount for staying organized and productive as a professional juggling numerous commitments and impending deadlines.
In this context, leveraging tools such as Google Calendar and Calendly proves invaluable. However, given their comparable features and functionalities, determining the optimal choice can pose a challenge.
Therefore, in this article, we will thoroughly compare Google Calendar and Calendly, aiding you in selecting the most suitable tool for your appointment scheduling requirements. Prepare to revolutionize your time management approach.
Comparing Features: Google Calendar Appointment Schedule vs. Calendly
Google Calendar is a stalwart ally for millions globally. It is renowned for its user-friendly interface and robust features, rendering it a preferred option for individuals and enterprises alike. Its seamless integration with other Google services like Gmail and Google Meet streamlines daily workflow scheduling.
In contrast, Calendly adopts a contemporary perspective tailored to streamline the complexities of arranging meetings and appointments. It simplifies scheduling, empowering users to establish availability, share booking links, and synchronize calendars effortlessly.
Now, let’s delve into the distinctive features each platform offers.
Features | Google Calendar | Calendly |
Customizability | Offers limited customization options. | Offers advanced meeting customization options with the premium version |
Automatic email notifications | Individuals receive a notification on booking confirmation | Calendly also sent a notification on the booking confirmation |
Calendar Management | Unlimited calendar sync | Sync with one calendar for free and for up to six calendars with the paid plan. |
Pricing | Offers both free and paid plans | Offers the same |
Integration | Integrates with only Google Meet | Integrates with different video conferencing applications |
Additional benefits of utilizing Google Calendar encompass:
- Facilitates the creation of booking and individual appointment pages.
- Streamlines the scheduling process with minimal clicks required.
- Automatically populates form fields for Google Workspace or Gmail users.
- Enables the inclusion of pre-appointment email reminders.
- Seamlessly integrates with Stripe to handle paid bookings.
- Permits the addition of up to 20 co-hosts for collaborative scheduling.
Some advantages of utilizing Calendly include the following:
- Provides the option to present multiple location choices.
- Enables the creation of personalized meeting settings.
- Offers the flexibility to add invitees during the scheduling process.
Comparing Pricing: Google Calendar vs. Calendly
Both Google Calendar and Calendly provide both complimentary and subscription-based plans.
Pricing | Google Calendar | Calendly |
Free | Offers free plans for personal use | Offers free plans with basic scheduling features |
Business Starter | $6/month | N/A |
Essentials | N/A | $8/month |
Business Standard | $12/month | N/A |
Business Plus | $18/month | N/A |
Professional | N/A | $12/month |
Teams | N/A | $16/month |
Enterprise | N/A | Custom |
Maximizing Google Calendar’s Functionality to Mirror Calendly
Below are the steps to utilize Google Calendar, similar to Calendly:

Is Google Calendar a Viable Substitute for Calendly?
Comparing Google Calendar Appointment Slots with Appointment Scheduling
Both Google Calendar appointment slots and appointment schedules provide users convenient tools for scheduling and managing appointments.
- Appointment slots allow you to designate blocks of available time on your calendar, which others can utilize to schedule appointments with you. This feature is accessible across any calendar.
- Appointment scheduling also provides versatile booking options for individuals without Google accounts. Anyone can conveniently schedule appointments with you by sharing your availability through a booking page.
Comparing Google Services with Calendly
While both Google Calendar and Calendly provide similar services, they differ in several key aspects, including:
- Calendly facilitates video meetings across various platforms, such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, phone calls, and Zoom, whereas Google Calendar solely supports Google Meet and phone calls for video meetings.
- Calendly permits group scheduling for appointments, unlike Google Calendar, which is restricted to one-on-one appointments.
- Both services provide essential features such as email reminders, booking confirmations, and setting buffer times between appointments.
Google Calendar Appointment Scheduling Included with Google Workspace Subscription
If you’re subscribed to Google Workspace, you automatically have access to Google Calendar appointment scheduling. The cost-effectiveness and seamless integration with your existing calendar app significantly contribute to its attractiveness.
However, there’s a noteworthy exception: Google Calendar appointment scheduling isn’t accessible to users with a Google Workspace Business Starter subscription.
Business Starter subscribers have a couple of options to access appointment scheduling. You can upgrade to the next tier—Business Standard, priced at $14.40/user/month, twice the cost of a Starter account. Alternatively, you could downgrade to Google Workspace Individual.
Yet, if you’re using a Google-hosted custom domain, this means forfeiting the custom domain. Another less preferable option would be to utilize your free personal Google account for client meetings, which could lead to calendar limitations, confusion, and a less professional appearance.
None of these options seem practical or fair for existing paying Workspace users. Nevertheless, this single factor isn’t sufficient to prompt me to abandon my Google apps altogether, so I remain hopeful that Google will extend this feature to all Workspace users.
Calendly offers a decent free plan but lacks the comprehensive features of a Google Workspace Business plan. Consequently, comparing the two apps on a pricing basis alone is challenging.
Calendly Provides Enhanced Customization Options for Crafting Booking Pages
Customizing the appearance of your booking page is essential for maintaining a cohesive brand experience for your clients. Calendly offers a comprehensive array of customization features to achieve precisely this, whereas Google Calendar lacks such extensive capabilities.
On Calendly booking pages, you can personalize elements such as your profile picture, company logo, and custom URL. In the provided image, you can observe the utilization of these settings. By default, there’s a subtle gray Calendly banner in the corner of your booking page, which is minimally intrusive.
However, if it doesn’t align with your brand colors or you prefer its removal, upgrading to a paid account allows you to eliminate it. Additionally, with a paid account, you can customize your page colors, which is advantageous for embedding the page on your website and achieving a unified aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Question
What are the key differences between Google Calendar Appointment Schedules and Calendly?
Google Calendar Appointment Schedules is a feature within Google Calendar that allows users to set up appointments directly within their Google Calendar interface. Calendly, on the other hand, is a standalone scheduling tool that integrates with various calendar platforms, including Google Calendar.
Which platform offers more flexibility in terms of scheduling options?
Calendly typically offers more advanced scheduling options, including the ability to set specific availability for different types of appointments, buffer times between appointments, and custom meeting durations. Google Calendar Appointment Schedules may have more limited scheduling options depending on the user’s preferences.
Can both platforms integrate with external calendar systems?
Both Google Calendar Appointment Schedules and Calendly can integrate with external calendar systems. However, Calendly may offer more seamless integration options with a broader range of calendar platforms.
Do both platforms offer features for managing group meetings?
Calendly often provides more robust features for scheduling group meetings, such as allowing users to set capacity limits for group events and automatically sending out meeting invitations to all participants. Google Calendar Appointment Schedules may have more basic group scheduling capabilities.
Which platform provides better customization options for branding and design?
Calendly typically offers more extensive customization options for branding and design, allowing users to customize their scheduling pages with logos, colors, and custom messaging. Google Calendar Appointment Schedules may have more limited branding options.
Is there a difference in pricing between Google Calendar Appointment Schedules and Calendly?
Google Calendar Appointment Schedules is usually included as part of Google Workspace subscription plans, while Calendly offers both free and paid subscription tiers with varying features and pricing plans. Users should compare the pricing and features of both platforms to determine which
Conclusion
While Google Calendar and Calendly offer appointment scheduling solutions, they cater to different needs and preferences. Google Calendar is a suitable option for individuals and businesses already using Google’s ecosystem. It provides basic scheduling functionality with seamless integration across various Google services. It’s a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and familiarity.
Calendly, on the other hand, is a more specialized tool designed specifically for scheduling appointments. It offers extensive customization, automation, and team collaboration features, making it ideal for businesses seeking advanced scheduling capabilities and flexibility.