Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Screeps VS Cal.com

Compare Screeps VS Cal.com 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.

Screeps logo Screeps

Learn to code JavaScript by playing game.

Cal.com logo Cal.com

Cal.com (formerly Calendso) is the open source Calendly alternative.
  • Screeps Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-17
  • Cal.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-08

Screeps features and specs

  • Educational Value
    Screeps teaches real-world JavaScript programming concepts such as algorithms, optimization, and system design in a fun, gamified environment.
  • Real-time Strategy
    It combines elements of real-time strategy games with coding, offering a unique and challenging experience that keeps players engaged.
  • Persistent World
    The game world is persistent and runs 24/7, allowing your code to continue operating and evolving even when you're not logged in.
  • Community and Collaboration
    There is a strong community providing support, sharing code, and contributing to open-source projects related to the game.
  • Scalability
    The game can scale from small, personal projects to large, complex systems, providing ongoing challenges and opportunities for learning.

Possible disadvantages of Screeps

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Beginners might find the game difficult to grasp initially due to the complex mechanics and required programming knowledge.
  • Time-Consuming
    To effectively compete, players often need to invest significant time in optimizing and maintaining their code.
  • Subscription Costs
    While there is a free tier, many features and advanced gameplay elements are locked behind a subscription paywall.
  • Technical Requirements
    The game requires a good understanding of programming and problem-solving skills, which might be off-putting for casual gamers.
  • Server Issues
    There can be server stability and performance issues due to the constant demand and real-time nature of the game.

Cal.com features and specs

  • 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 of Cal.com

  • 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 of Screeps

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Screeps is a well-regarded game for those interested in programming and strategy.

Why this product is good

  • Screeps offers a unique blend of coding and gaming, allowing players to program real JavaScript or other languages to control in-game units. This not only makes for a dynamic and challenging experience but also provides a learning opportunity for both beginner and experienced programmers. The persistent world means that players’ projects can continue to evolve, and the community is generally supportive and engaged.

Recommended for

  • Aspiring programmers looking to practice coding in a fun environment
  • Experienced developers who enjoy applying their skills to strategic gameplay
  • Gamers who appreciate a challenge and are interested in games that require long-term planning and execution
  • Individuals interested in AI and automation who want a hands-on approach to learning

Analysis of Cal.com

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.

Screeps videos

Screeps Game REVIEW - Learn JavaScript by Playing - Educational MMO (Math/Programming)

More videos:

  • Review - What is Screeps? - by th_pion
  • Review - Game Developer's Toolbox: Learn programming with Screeps

Cal.com videos

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

More videos:

  • Review - Cal.com Version 1.0 Launch Event

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Screeps and Cal.com)
Online Learning
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Online Education
100 100%
0% 0
Appointments and Scheduling

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Screeps and Cal.com

Screeps Reviews

15 Best LeetCode Alternatives 2023
You also get access to game API and docs of a full-fledged platform on Screeps. Because it uses games as its basis of operation, Screeps is more fun than LeetCode.

Cal.com 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

Cal.com might be a bit more popular than Screeps. We know about 56 links to it since March 2021 and only 43 links to Screeps. 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.

Screeps mentions (43)

  • Show HN: A Competition Game to write bots for the most efficient algo
    Reminds me (in spirit) of screeps https://screeps.com/ - any inspiration? - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • AI Wars – control your 2d space shooter with AI
    I love the idea of having an AI prompt to write code for the bots. There are already games like https://screeps.com/ or https://store.steampowered.com/app/2060160/The_Farmer_Was_Replaced/ where you program your bot to do things, but they do require some minimal coding experience. Being able to describe behavior in plain english would be pretty cool. However, I think having real-time feedback is a huge part of... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Show HN: Engineering Games (List)
    I've heard about Screeps which is close to what you describe: https://screeps.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Games like Stone Story RPG
    I have tried Screeps in the past, and I'm not a huge fan. I really like Stone Story, but they do not have an easy way to take your saves across multiple platforms -- you have to manually import/export your save. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Helping a young coder
    -For JavaScript, my advice would be to introduce coding games. That way it's more fun and the environment would be set up better (less worrying about deep technical errors). The two games that come to mind are Bitburner (free) and Screeps (free offline/paid online), though they both have their own learning curves and require actual coding; so for a 9 year old YMMV greatly. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Cal.com mentions (56)

  • 5 Side Project Ideas for Developers to Monetize as Micro-SaaS in 2025
    Take Cal.com (https://cal.com/), formerly known as Calendso. It started as an open source alternative to Calendly which offers a free, self-hostable version for users. - Source: dev.to / 3 months 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 / 6 months ago
  • My Journey into Open Source: First Contributions and Lessons Learned
    Then, I came across Cal.com, a fantastic open-source project for scheduling meetings and managing tasks (super useful for productivity!). I knew the basics of Git but wasn’t quite there with forking, merging branches, and all the intricate Git processes. After some YouTube tutorials, I started to get the hang of things. 😅. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Start your own (side) business with open-source in mind
    Cal.com is an open-source event-juggling scheduler for everyone, and is free for individuals. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Fellow HSP entrepreneurs, how do you manage your energy and stress?
    I force clients who want to talk to me to book a call. I use cal.com (free) and my Google Calendar (which its linked to) only allows calls on specific days/times. I have a few "Call Blocks" where they can book. That let's me do calls in a small section of my week, with ample downtime to recover the rest of the week. I'm still learning how many calls a day I can handle. Currently anything more than 2 is too much. Source: over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Screeps and Cal.com, you can also consider the following products

CodeCombat - Learn programming with a multiplayer live coding strategy game.

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.

Robocode - Robocode is a programming game where the goal is to code a robot battle tank to compete against...

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

CheckIO - CheckIO is a web site with a mission: To teach JavaScript and Python coding skills through a game-playing interface. It is designed to teach new skills or improve existing skills through completing challenges.

SavvyCal - A scheduling tool both the sender and the recipient will love.