Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Next.js VS zcal

Compare Next.js VS zcal and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Next.js logo Next.js

A small framework for server-rendered universal JavaScript apps

zcal logo zcal

zcal is the fastest way to schedule every meeting for Free and make it personal.
  • Next.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • zcal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-23

Say goodbye to cold, impersonal scheduling links. Use zcal to create beautiful, personalized booking pages that make a great first impression on your guests. It's 100% Free Forever 🔥!

If everyone agrees that scheduling links help save time, then why are they so universally unloved? Today most booking pages present nothing more than a name and a calendar, so as the person receiving the link, the process of booking a time can feel cold and transactional.

💯 Unique zcal features

  • Get instant context on the people you meet with a personal intro
  • Brand your page with a cover photo - upload your own or select from 1M+ Unsplash photos
  • Showcase yourself with a welcome video that gets people excited to meet you
  • Personalize links with your recipient's name, email, and profile picture
  • Share your link as an animated gif or formatted email text
  • Coordinate large group meetings with meeting polls (you can finally ditch Doodle!)

Next.js features and specs

  • Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
    Next.js supports SSR, allowing pages to be rendered on the server-side before being sent to the client. This results in improved SEO and faster initial page loads.
  • Static Site Generation (SSG)
    Enables pre-rendering pages at build time, which can further improve performance and scalability while allowing for dynamic generation when needed.
  • API Routes
    Next.js allows you to build API endpoints directly in the application, simplifying the process of creating back-end services and endpoints.
  • File-Based Routing
    Offers a simple file-based routing mechanism where the file structure maps directly to the app’s routes, making it easier to manage and understand.
  • Automatic Code Splitting
    Automatically splits code at the page level, reducing the initial load time and improving performance by only loading necessary JavaScript.
  • TypeScript Support
    Built-in support for TypeScript, allowing developers to use static type checking and other TypeScript features easily.
  • Developer Experience
    Provides a great developer experience with features like fast refresh, hot reloading, and detailed error reporting.
  • Rich Ecosystem
    Benefiting from the rich ecosystem of the React community and integrating well with other libraries and tools.
  • Internationalization
    Built-in support for internationalization helps developers build multilingual applications with ease.
  • Community and Support
    Strong community and extensive documentation provide ample support and resources for new and experienced developers alike.

Possible disadvantages of Next.js

  • Learning Curve
    The robust feature set of Next.js can present a steep learning curve for developers who are new to React or server-side rendering concepts.
  • Configuration Overhead
    Although Next.js aims for simplicity, complex projects may still require significant configuration and customization.
  • Performance Overhead
    SSR can introduce additional server load and latency compared to static site generators, especially under high traffic conditions.
  • Deployment Complexity
    Deploying Next.js applications that leverage SSR or API routes may be more complex and could require more sophisticated server infrastructure.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    If heavily relying on Next.js-specific features, moving away from the framework to another solution could require significant refactoring.
  • Bundle Size
    Without careful optimization, client-side bundle sizes can become large, negatively affecting the application’s performance.
  • Build Times
    For large applications, build times can be significant, impacting the development cycle and deployment times.
  • Dependencies
    Next.js introduces its own set of dependencies and tooling, which might complicate version management and compatibility with other tools.

zcal features and specs

  • Easy Scheduling
    zcal offers a straightforward and user-friendly interface for scheduling appointments, meetings, and events, which can save users time and effort in organizing their calendar.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize their availability, meeting lengths, and buffer times, which allows for a more personalized scheduling experience.
  • Integration with Other Calendars
    zcal can integrate with other popular calendar services like Google Calendar, ensuring that users can seamlessly manage their schedules across different platforms.
  • Automated Reminders
    The platform provides automated reminders for upcoming events, ensuring that users do not miss their scheduled appointments or meetings.
  • Time Zone Support
    zcal automatically adjusts for different time zones, making it easier for users to schedule meetings with participants from different geographic locations.

Possible disadvantages of zcal

  • Subscription Cost
    Some advanced features of zcal might require a paid subscription, which could be a constraint for users looking for a completely free solution.
  • Limited Feature Set Compared to Competitors
    While zcal offers basic scheduling functionalities, it may lack some specific features and integrations that are available in more established competitors like Calendly or Doodle.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve when getting started with zcal, especially if they are not familiar with digital scheduling tools.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    As a web-based platform, zcal requires a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation for users in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users may have concerns about the data privacy practices of zcal, particularly with respect to how their scheduling and personal information is stored and used.

Analysis of Next.js

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Next.js is considered a good framework. It is admired for its flexibility, developer experience, and ability to deliver high-performance applications. Its continuous updates and community support further enhance its standing as a reliable choice for building web applications.

Why this product is good

  • Next.js is a popular React framework known for its server-side rendering, static site generation, and API route features. It is built by Vercel and provides an optimized development experience with a focus on performance and SEO advantages. Its easy integration with various backends, built-in support for TypeScript, and capability to handle dynamic and static content efficiently make it a strong choice for modern web development.

Recommended for

  • Developers building SEO-friendly web applications
  • Teams focusing on performance optimization
  • Projects requiring server-side rendering or static site generation
  • Applications needing routing and API integration out of the box
  • Developers looking for a robust framework with TypeScript support

Analysis of zcal

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Zcal is considered a good tool for those looking to streamline their scheduling process effortlessly. Its ease of use and efficient scheduling capabilities make it a strong contender among similar tools.

Why this product is good

  • Zcal is a scheduling tool designed to simplify the process of setting up meetings and appointments. It offers features such as calendar integrations, time zone management, and a user-friendly interface that can help reduce the friction often associated with coordinating schedules.

Recommended for

    Zcal is recommended for individuals and professionals who frequently set up meetings or appointments, such as business professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, as well as for teams and organizations that require a reliable and easy-to-use scheduling solution.

Next.js videos

Next.js: The React Framework - JS Monthly - July 2019

More videos:

  • Review - Gatsby vs Next.js: Which does SSG Better?

zcal videos

Meet zcal, the FREE personal Calendly alternative

More videos:

  • Review - ZCal review - A Calendly replacement?
  • Review - The BEST FREE Online Meeting Scheduling Tool: ZCal (Calendly Alternative)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Next.js and zcal)
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Appointments and Scheduling
Web Frameworks
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Next.js and zcal. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Next.js and zcal

Next.js Reviews

Top 10 Next.js Alternatives You Can Try
Next.js is a well-known platform most of you utilize to build a responsive website. However, if you are annoyed by its limited features, consider Next.js alternatives because flexibility and faster loading speed are always the top concerns of every developer. For this reason, you might need to read this article to explore the top 10 Nextjs Alternatives for the exciting world...
20 Next.js Alternatives Worth Considering
When it comes to building modern web applications, finding the right framework can be a game-changer. Next.js is often a top choice, but there are several Next.js alternatives worth considering.
10 Best Next.js Alternatives to Consider Today
For those who have been accustomed to the benefits of React Next.js, keeping an eye on the latest version is crucial. Next.js's continuous improvement and updates in Next.js enhance its capabilities, ensuring developers can access cutting-edge features and optimizations. Whether starting a new project or maintaining an existing Next.js website, staying informed about the...
9 Best JavaScript Frameworks to Use in 2023
Next.js uses JavaScript and React components to create the UI. Next.js is influenced by React Router, Webpack, Node ecosystem, and community libraries. The feature that sets Next.js apart from other frameworks is its ability to automatically generate pages based on the file system structure of the project. For example, if there is a _posts folder in the root directory,...
Source: ninetailed.io
JavaScript: What Are The Most Used Frameworks For This Language?
Some of its top features include server-side rendering, automatic code splitting, client-side routing, built-in CSS support, static site generation and API routes. Overall, Next.JS is a powerful and flexible framework that provides developers with a simple and intuitive way to build complex React applications with ease. It is widely used in the React community and has a...
Source: www.bocasay.com

zcal Reviews

I've poked around a while ago at some Calendly alternatives (specifically was lo... | Hacker News
I tried using https://cal.com for a bit but ended up just switching over to https://zcal.co and it has been great so far. All these other scheduling tools end up trying to do too much and always seem to end up a bit clunky and charge absurd amounts for it

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Next.js seems to be a lot more popular than zcal. While we know about 1074 links to Next.js, we've tracked only 6 mentions of zcal. 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.

Next.js mentions (1074)

  • I replaced Next.js for my application with this module 🔥
    But I want to say that this topic is clearly not new in 2025, I will not reveal anything supernatural here. HTMX and Alpine.js have already fully proven to everyone that this is not nonsense. I am just retelling everything, but with one interesting remark - this is the HMPL template language which is better than the previous two in some tasks. Next, I will describe why and how it will help you replace Next.js. - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
  • How to add markdown to a Next.js project
    This article assumes the reader is a developer that knows their way around Markdown, TypeScript, React.js, and [Next.js] https://nextjs.org/). Familiarity with Tailwind-css would also be useful. - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago
  • The Rise of Hybrid Frameworks
    The popularisation of SSR among frontend developers can be largely attributed to the widespread adoption of frameworks with server-side rendering. These frameworks provide an elegant integration of SSR with modern JavaScript libraries and frameworks like React and Vue.js. Next.js, for instance, has become a de facto choice for many React developers seeking to leverage SSR's benefits without sacrificing the... - Source: dev.to / 8 days ago
  • Angular: Beyond the fog #1
    My only true recommendation would be to prefer React for mobile or SSR applications, as community projects (Expo for mobile and Next.js for SSR) are more mature and easier to set up. - Source: dev.to / 17 days ago
  • Generate Git action CI/CD pipeline using Amazon Q CLI
    This is a Next.js project bootstrapped with create-next-app. - Source: dev.to / 19 days ago
View more

zcal mentions (6)

  • Cal.com: The Open-Source Calendly Alternative
    >ended up just switching over to https://zcal.co and it has been great so far Wait wait wait. It can sync my Google and Outlook calendars into a single scheduling service, and they're not charging me anything? What's the catch here? - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Cal.com: The Open-Source Calendly Alternative
    I've poked around a while ago at some Calendly alternatives (specifically was looking for something that was cheaper than Calendly with most of the basic features). I tried using cal.com for a bit but ended up just switching over to https://zcal.co. All these scheduling apps end up trying to do too much and always seem to end up a bit clunky. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Cal.com: The Open-Source Calendly Alternative
    There's an even a freer alternative, not FOSS though. http://zcal.co It also allows connection to multiple calendars. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • App to integrate multiple calendars?
    Check out zcal.co. Reclaim.ai also works for this as well! Source: over 2 years ago
  • Feedback about game scheduling tool
    I usually just use https://zcal.co/ when I need to work out a time slot with some players. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Next.js and zcal, you can also consider the following products

Vercel - Vercel is the platform for frontend developers, providing the speed and reliability innovators need to create at the moment of inspiration.

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.

React - A JavaScript library for building user interfaces

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

Nuxt.js - Nuxt.js presets all the configuration needed to make your development of a Vue.js application enjoyable. It's a perfect static site generator.

TidyCal - Optimize your schedule with custom booking pages and calendar integrations