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Calendly VS SelfControl

Compare Calendly VS SelfControl and see what are their differences

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The precision Work Intelligence for actionable bottom line impact and #1 workforce analytics software that shows how work actually happens: get real-time and historical data, understand productivity at every level, track AI adoption across your org. sponsored
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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Calendly logo Calendly

Say goodbye to phone and email tag for finding the perfect meeting time with Calendly. It's 100% free, super easy to use and you'll love our customer service.

SelfControl logo SelfControl

V2 updates! - Custom time interval for distraction free mode - Ability to turn off ' always on' mode - Improved UI -- Self Control -- A simple app to keep you focused online by blocking sites that you spend way too much time on.
  • Calendly Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14
  • SelfControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

Calendly

Website
calendly.com
Pricing URL
Official Calendly Pricing
$ Details
-
Release Date
2013 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
Georgia
City
Atlanta
Founder(s)
Tope Awotona
Employees
100 - 249
Edit details

SelfControl

Website
selfcontrolapp.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-
Edit details

Calendly features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Calendly has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, which simplifies the process of scheduling meetings for both the scheduler and invitee.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Calendly integrates seamlessly with various calendar services (Google Calendar, Outlook, iCal) and other tools like Zoom, Slack, and Salesforce.
  • Customizable Availability
    Users can set their availability preferences down to the minute, allowing for precise control over when they are available for meetings.
  • Automated Reminders
    Calendly automatically sends out reminders to meeting participants, thereby reducing no-shows and ensuring everyone is prepared.
  • Group and Collective Scheduling
    Calendly supports scheduling for groups and teams, making it easier to coordinate meetings with multiple participants.

Possible disadvantages of Calendly

  • Limited Free Plan Features
    The free version of Calendly offers limited features, such as restricted event types and fewer integration options compared to the paid versions.
  • No Option for Meeting Notes
    Calendly does not have built-in functionality for adding detailed meeting agendas or notes directly within the booking system.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic usage is straightforward, some users may find a steeper learning curve when trying to utilize Calendly's more advanced features.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Calendly relies on a stable internet connection for real-time updates and notifications, which can be a drawback in areas with unreliable connectivity.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Sharing available time slots publicly can sometimes raise privacy concerns, especially for users who are particular about their personal information.

SelfControl features and specs

  • Effective Website Blocking
    SelfControl blocks access to distracting websites based on a customizable blocklist, helping users stay focused.
  • Timer Functionality
    Users can set a timer for how long they want websites to remain blocked, ensuring focused work periods without distraction.
  • Free to Use
    SelfControl is open-source and free to download and use, making it accessible to anyone without financial barriers.
  • Easy to Use
    The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing users to quickly set their preferences and get started.

Possible disadvantages of SelfControl

  • Mac-Only
    SelfControl is only available for macOS, excluding Windows and Linux users from using the application.
  • No Undo Option
    Once the block period is set and started, it cannot be undone even by restarting the computer, which could be an issue if access to blocked sites is needed unexpectedly.
  • Limited Feature Set
    The app primarily focuses on website blocking, lacking additional productivity tools or features like app blocking or usage analytics.
  • No Scheduled Blocking
    SelfControl does not offer the ability to schedule block sessions in advance, meaning users must manually start each session.

Analysis of Calendly

Overall verdict

  • Calendly is considered a good choice for individuals and businesses looking for an efficient way to manage appointments and streamline their scheduling process. Its ease of use and robust feature set make it a valuable tool for enhancing productivity.

Why this product is good

  • Calendly is a highly regarded scheduling tool due to its user-friendly interface, seamless integrations with other calendar apps like Google Calendar and Outlook, and its ability to automate appointment scheduling. It eliminates the back-and-forth emails needed to find a convenient meeting time. Users appreciate the numerous customization options, such as setting availability, buffer times between meetings, and limiting the number of meetings per day.

Recommended for

  • Professionals who need to manage multiple appointments and meetings.
  • Businesses seeking to provide clients with a straightforward way to schedule consultations.
  • Teams that require coordination and scheduling across different time zones.
  • Freelancers looking to automate client booking processes.

Analysis of SelfControl

Overall verdict

  • Overall, SelfControl is a highly recommended tool for individuals looking to enhance their productivity by minimizing digital distractions. Its open-source nature and no-nonsense approach make it a popular choice among students, freelancers, and professionals alike.

Why this product is good

  • SelfControl is considered a good application because it effectively blocks distracting websites, helping users focus on their tasks without getting sidetracked by online distractions. It's simple to use, efficient, and highly customizable, allowing users to specify which sites to block and for how long, ensuring a tailored productivity experience.

Recommended for

    SelfControl is ideal for students who need to concentrate on studying, remote workers who want to avoid procrastination, freelancers who require discipline in managing their time, and anyone who needs a simple solution to reduce digital distractions during focused work periods.

Calendly videos

+ Add

Calendly Sucks! Here's What I'm Using Now Instead...

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Calendly Tutorial: Book Yourself Solid on Autopilot
  • Review - Review: Calendly

SelfControl videos

+ Add

How to block websites that distract you ? Selfcontrol [Mac App review and tutorial]

More videos:

  • Review - SelfControl Review - Block distracting websites

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Calendly and SelfControl)

Calendly

SelfControl

Appointments and Scheduling
100 100%
Appointments and Scheduling
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100
Appointment Scheduling
100 100%
Appointment Scheduling
0% 0
Time Management
0 0%
Time Management
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Calendly and SelfControl

Calendly Reviews

  1. Edi Malkovich
    Best scheduling app

    Very simple and easy to use. Eliminate this back and forth hustle with booking calls.

Acuity Scheduling alternatives for businesses outgrowing it
Calendly is the meeting-scheduling default โ€” connect calendars, share a link, and let people book time, with round-robin and team routing on paid tiers. If your "Acuity problem" is really just meetings and your business doesn't hinge on deposits, packages, or a service storefront, Calendly is cleaner and more focused than Acuity for that job. It's not the tool for a salon or...
Source: opencals.com
The Best 24 Appointment Scheduling Apps and Booking Software
I have frequently used Calendly in the past, primarily for scheduling job interviews. What I appreciate about Calendly is that the free version still allows you to connect one calendar, book unlimited meetings, create a custom Calendly link, and send out automatic email notifications and reminders to invitees who book with you.
Source: blog.hubspot.com
neetoCal, a calendly alternative, is a commodity and is priced accordingly
neetoCal is not the first company to compete with Calendly. We are not even the second company to compete with Calendly. We are probably the 30th player in this crowded space. With so many players in the market, scheduling software seems like a commodity.
Source: blog.neeto.com
I've poked around a while ago at some Calendly alternatives (specifically was lo... | Hacker News
Calendly is only $12/month for their professional plan which saves you money if you even schedule only one meeting a month with it.
Source: news.ycombinator.com
The Best Alternatives to Doodle That You Should Check Out
Some may remember the Zoom.ai application. This app has been rebranded as CalendarHero, which resembles Calendly. You can suggest different meetings at different times and then share a link with invitees. Invitees can then indicate their preferred meeting time.
Source: trafft.com

SelfControl Reviews

We have no reviews of SelfControl yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Calendly should be more popular than SelfControl. It has been mentiond 119 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Calendly mentions (119)

  • AI Almost Sold Me a Subscription I Didn't Need
    Claude took a different path but landed in the same place. It suggested Calendly, Cal.com (open source), and SavvyCal as products I can subscribe to. When I explained that my work calendar was behind corporate SSO and I cannot use my personal computer to link calendars, it pivoted to bridging apps like Sync My Calendar and DAVx5 to push data from my Android to the cloud. It did mention Google Calendar's Booking... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Tools for Building a Modern JavaScript Booking Application
    However, if you are looking for an out-of-the-box solution with minimal technical involvement, it is reasonable to consider SaaS platforms such as Appointedd, Calendly, and Scheduly. These products may not provide the same level of flexibility and customization as the DHTMLX Booking widget, but they can be the right choice when speed and ease of deployment are the main priorities. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Calendly and Accessibility Problems
    Calendly is a scheduling platform. I decided to use Calendly on my homepage, giving someone the ability to choose a time and book a call. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Using Clerk SSO to access Google Calendar and other service data
    BookMate is an open-source, publicly accessible, lightweight clone of popular booking services like cal.com or Calendly. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • A list of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS offerings that have free tiers of interest to devops and infradev
    Calendly โ€” Calendly is the tool for connecting and scheduling meetings. The free plan provides 1 Calendar connection per user and Unlimited sessions. Desktop and Mobile apps are also offered. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
View more

SelfControl mentions (79)

  • Oregon School Cell Phone Ban: 'Engaged Students, Joyful Teachers'
    A combination of https://selfcontrolapp.com/ and Hammerspoon automation and you can lock yourself out of pretty much everything. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Kiki โ€“ The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • How do you fight YouTube addiction and procrastination? I'm struggling with it
    I have found that a useful method for getting distractions off my work laptop has been https://selfcontrolapp.com/ (if you're on mac). - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Using an $8 smart outlet to avoid brainrot
    Pro tip for macos/ios folks: - Macos: Install https://selfcontrolapp.com/, add every website and their alternatives you know, set it to 24 hours. Really hard to bypass this even if you know networking stuff - iOS: Enable downtime 24/7 ask someone else to set the password. I'm down to about 35 minutes a day of mobile usage, and laptop usage is only work related things. You really need two or three days to clear... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • My 30-Year Quitting Addiction
    There is a free and open source app called SelfControl for macOS. It allows one to block access to any site one adds to the list in the app for the amount of time the user chooses. Attempt to use multiple browsers, restarting one's machine, deleting the app, etc. won't get around the block either. It's been super helpful for me, so I thought I'd just throw it out there. https://selfcontrolapp.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Calendly and SelfControl, you can also consider the following products

Acuity Scheduling - Automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & payments using the worlds friendliest online scheduling software.

Cold Turkey - Cold Turkey is a free productivity program that you can use to temporarily block distractions so that you can get your work done!

Doodle - Make meetings happen. With Doodle, scheduling becomes quick and easy.

Freedom.to - Freedom is a productivity hack that lets you block apps, websites or the entire Internet on iPhones, iPads, Windows and Mac computers.

SimplyBook.me - Online scheduling software that offers you a beautiful customisable booking website (or widget to your own website) to accept bookings and payments with the possibility of selling products as well.

FocusMe - The website blocker you can't cheat

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