Software Alternatives & Startups

Bookly WordPress Plugin VS Cal.com

Compare Bookly WordPress Plugin VS Cal.com and see what are their differences

Bookly WordPress Plugin

Bookly is a free scheduling plugin for WordPress that allows accepting online bookings on your website and automating your reservation system. Manage your booking calendar, services, client base, save time and money – all in one place.

Rating
0 reviews
Cal.com

Cal.com (formerly Calendso) is the open source Calendly alternative.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Cal.com seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 60 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 60
Appointments and Scheduling popularity
4% vs 96%
alternatives listed
31 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Bookly WordPress Plugin
Cal.com
Website booking-wp-plugin.com cal.com
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Bookly WordPress Plugin 5 features
Cal.com 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Bookly offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and set up their booking systems without a steep learning curve.
  • Customizable
    The plugin is highly customizable, allowing users to adjust the plugin features according to their specific business requirements, including services, pricing, and schedule.
  • Payment Integration
    Bookly supports integration with various payment gateways, enabling users to accept online payments directly through their booking system.
  • Responsive Design
    The plugin is designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring that customers can make appointments easily across all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
  • Automated Notifications
    Bookly can send automated SMS and email notifications to both administrators and customers, helping to reduce no-shows and improve communication.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    While Bookly offers a free version, many of its advanced features require paid add-ons, which can accumulate in cost over time.
  • Complexity for Large Businesses
    For large businesses with complex booking requirements, Bookly may lack some advanced features, requiring additional customization or development work.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although the basic setup is user-friendly, some advanced features and customizations might require a significant learning curve, particularly for users unfamiliar with WordPress plugins.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of the plugin has limited features, which may not be sufficient for businesses looking for comprehensive booking solutions.
  • Support for Add-ons
    Some users have reported that integrating and managing multiple add-ons can be cumbersome and time-consuming, potentially complicating the booking process.
  • Customizable
    Cal.com allows extensive customization to fit various branding and scheduling needs, which makes it adaptable for different types of users including businesses and individuals.
  • Open-source
    Being an open-source platform, Cal.com provides the flexibility for developers to modify and extend the software as per their specific needs, fostering a collaborative development environment.
  • Integrations
    Cal.com offers a wide range of integrations with other software tools like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Zoom, enhancing its functionality and making it easier to fit into existing workflows.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Cal.com has an intuitive and clean interface that makes it easy for users of all technical skill levels to set up and manage their scheduling.
  • Privacy-focused
    Cal.com emphasizes data privacy, ensuring user information is handled securely, which is crucial for users who need to comply with regulations like GDPR.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Although it is highly customizable, the plethora of options and features may result in a steeper learning curve for new users who are not familiar with such scheduling tools.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Cal.com comes with limitations that may not be sufficient for growing businesses or advanced users who require more comprehensive features.
  • Dependency on Integrations
    Cal.com's effectiveness heavily depends on its integrations. Without these integrations, some users might find the tool less useful or incomplete, especially if their primary tools are not supported.
  • Support
    While open-source has many benefits, it may also mean that immediate, personalized support could be limited compared to fully commercial solutions. This might pose a challenge for users needing quick resolutions.
  • Performance
    As an open-source platform, the performance might vary depending on how it is hosted and managed. Suboptimal configurations could lead to slower performance or downtimes.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Bookly WordPress Plugin
Cal.com

Overall verdict

  • Bookly is a solid, well-established WordPress booking plugin that offers a polished interface and robust scheduling features, making it a reliable choice for service-based businesses wanting online appointment management within WordPress.

Why this product is good

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop booking form builder and clean, responsive front-end design
  • Comprehensive appointment scheduling with staff management, service categories, and customizable time slots
  • Automated email and SMS notifications and reminders to reduce no-shows
  • Integration with popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe for online payments
  • Google Calendar sync and support for multiple staff members and locations
  • Large library of paid add-ons to extend functionality (recurring appointments, group bookings, coupons, etc.)
  • Active development, regular updates, and a substantial user base offering community support

Recommended for

  • Salons, spas, and beauty businesses managing appointments
  • Medical and dental practices needing patient scheduling
  • Consultants, coaches, and freelancers offering time-based services
  • Fitness studios, gyms, and personal trainers booking classes or sessions
  • Any WordPress site owner wanting an all-in-one appointment and payment system
  • Businesses that want to expand functionality gradually via modular add-ons

Overall verdict

  • Cal.com is generally considered a good option for scheduling and calendar management.

Why this product is good

  • Cal.com is praised for its open-source nature, allowing for greater customization and integration flexibility. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports various calendar integrations, making it a versatile tool for individuals and businesses alike.

Recommended for

  • Freelancers who need a simple yet effective scheduling tool.
  • Small businesses looking for a customizable scheduling solution.
  • Developers who appreciate open-source software and need a tool they can modify.
  • Businesses seeking a platform that can integrate with existing tools and workflows.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Bookly WordPress Plugin 0 videos + Add
Cal.com 2 videos + Add

No Bookly WordPress Plugin videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

What can you do with Cal? | Cal.com Version 1.1 Launch | 10 new languages

More videos

  • - Cal.com Version 1.0 Launch Event

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Bookly WordPress Plugin
Cal.com
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
5% 5%
95% 95%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Bookly WordPress Plugin no reviews yet
Cal.com no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Bookly WordPress Plugin 0 mentions
Cal.com 60 mentions

Tracking Bookly WordPress Plugin since Sep 2025.

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Alternatives to Bookly WordPress Plugin and Cal.com

When comparing Bookly WordPress Plugin and Cal.com, you can also consider the following products.