How often does your day seem filled with meetings, appointments, and to-dos? Do you feel like you are constantly juggling requests and trying to find the “perfect” time slot?
Considering the average worker attends about 6 team meetings, five one-on-one meetings, and about five external meetings per week, you aren’t alone. Moreover, 37% of the average worker’s time is spent in meetings or coordinating meetings at work.
To put it simply, scheduling can be a full-time job by itself. You can, however, escape this chaos by using appointment scheduling apps.
If you want to simplify your life, there are apps out there to help. Whether you are a busy entrepreneur, a team leader with multiple schedules, or just someone who wants to take control of their time, an app can help. So, let’s explore 12 excellent options to help you regain your calendar and boost your productivity.
1. Calendar: Your Meeting Analyzer
Calendar Scheduling
Imagine Calendar as the smart cousin of Google Calendar. With its familiar look and feel, scheduling meetings on the web and mobile is easy. However, Calendar is more than just a booking system; it also offers powerful analytics.
By tracking meetings, Calendar can reveal hidden patterns, such as who you meet most often, attendance trends, and how much time you spend in meetings. With this data goldmine, you can identify areas for improvement, increase engagement, and improve meetings. Further, Calendar uses this information to make smart meeting suggestions.
The free plan offers a generous taste of the app’s features, although navigating the app can take some time. Upgrade to the paid plan for even more customization and workspace options.
Pricing: Free with the following paid upgrades:
- Standard: $10 per month per user, billed annually
- Pro: $12 per month per user, billed annually
- Enterprise: Custom
2. Google Calendar: The Familiar Friend
Google Calendar
With Google Calendar‘s built-in appointment scheduling, you’ll enjoy using it if you’re used to the Google Workspace. Gmail, Meet, and Drive are seamlessly integrated, making sharing availability, booking meetings, and sending invitations easy.
Although it works well for internal meetings and simple one-on-one appointments, it can be a bit tricky when dealing with external guests. However, it’s reliable and convenient for basic scheduling requirements within the Google ecosystem.
Pricing: Invitees can schedule unlimited free appointments with one booking page. Your organization will need a Google Workspace subscription for access to all of Google Calendar’s appointment scheduling features.
- Starter: $6 per month per user
- Standard: $12 per month per user
- Business Plus: $18 per month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
3. Cal.com: The Customization King
Cal.com
Would you like to have more control and flexibility over your schedule? There’s no need to look any further than Cal.com. As a result of this open-source platform, you have complete control over your scheduling.
With Cal.com, you can manage time zones, set your availability and buffer times, and create different event types. Additionally, it offers round-robin scheduling options and team booking pages.
And the best part? Cal.com plays well with others. You can integrate it with Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, and even custom software. In short, if you’re looking for a scheduling solution that bends to your will, Cal.com is a solid option.
Pricing: You can start scheduling for free with no usage limits. However, if you want collaborative features, choose the premium plan that fits your company size.
- Starter: $6 per month per user
- Teams: $15 per month per user
- Organizations: $37 per month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
4. Motion: The AI-Powered Productivity Powerhouse
Motion isn’t your typical scheduling tool. It is a powerful platform that combines task management, calendars, and scheduling.
Think of an AI assistant that prioritizes your tasks, schedules meetings, and optimizes your calendar in real-time. In a nutshell, that’s Motion. Using Motion’s AI, you can create a personalized daily schedule that keeps you focused on the most important things.
Its extensive features may seem overwhelming at first. But if your goal is to maximize productivity and streamline your workflow, Motion is worth exploring.
Pricing: It does not offer a free plan, but it does offer a 7-day free trial, as well as the following plans;
- Individual: $19 per month
- Business Standard: $12 per user per month
- Business Pro: Contact
5. SimplyMeet.me: The Free and Feature-Rich Gem
Simply meet.Me
Are you seeking a free scheduling solution that doesn’t skimp on features? You can’t go wrong with SimplyMeet.me. It enables you to create multiple meeting types, customize your booking page, and integrate with various calendars.
With its generous free plan, SimplyMeet.me is the ideal scheduling tool for individuals and small teams. It also offers granular customization options and a clean interface that makes it a pleasure to use.
Pricing: Individual plans are free; team plans begin at $9.99/month per user license.
6. Microsoft Bookings: The Microsoft Power User’s Choice
Microsoft Bookings is a natural fit if your team is deeply rooted in the Microsoft ecosystem. With Bookings, you can create booking pages, manage appointments, and integrate with Microsoft tools like Teams.
Despite its strengths, its features might fall short for those seeking more flexibility or external scheduling capabilities. However, Bookings are sufficient for basic appointment scheduling within the Microsoft world.
Pricing: There are three pricing tiers for Microsoft Bookings in Microsoft 365:
- Basic: $6 per user per month (billed annually)
- Standard: $12.50 per user per month (billed annually)
- Premium: $22 per user per month (billed annually)
7. Doodle: The Group Scheduling Guru
Doodle
Doodle solves the age-old problem of finding a meeting time that works for everyone. This intuitive tool allows you to create polls where participants can vote on their preferred times, eliminating endless email chains.
With its seamless integration and user-friendly interface, Doodle makes group scheduling easy. Whether you’re planning a team meeting, social gathering, or workshop, Doodle helps you find the perfect time.
Pricing: Doodle offers the following plans:
- Free plan with ads (for users and invitees)
- Pro: $6.95 per month per user (billed annually)
- Team: $8.95 per month per user (billed annually)
8. Clara: Your Virtual Scheduling Assistant
Clara
Wouldn’t it be great to have a personal assistant who handles all your scheduling needs by email? That’s Clara. This AI-powered assistant handles scheduling through back-and-forth communication in your email.
When you email Clara with a meeting request, she will take care of the rest, including coordinating with participants, sending invitations, and adding confirmed meetings to your calendar. It’s like having a scheduling superhero at your fingertips.
Despite Clara’s premium price tag, it’s worth considering if you want hands-off scheduling that feels like magic.
Pricing: In the past, the Personal plan cost $99 per user/month. New pricing, however, will be announced shortly.
9. Sidekick: The In-Person Meeting Maestro
This app will become your new best friend if you have many face-to-face meetings. By saving your favorite meeting locations, you can schedule in-person events without swapping locations often.
Whatever your favorite meeting spot is, Sidekick keeps it organized and available for scheduling regardless of where you prefer to meet. Moreover, it has a simple, intuitive interface and minimalist design.
Pricing: Up to 3 scheduling pages are free; $5/month gets unlimited scheduling pages, advanced analytics, and Forward-to-Schedule features.
10. Clockwise: The Focus Time Guardian
Clockwise
With Clockwise, you can reclaim your focus time with more than just a scheduling app. In addition to automatically rearranging your meetings, Clockwise also provides you with uninterrupted work time.
Although its scheduling features are somewhat basic, Clockwise optimizes your calendar for deep work and productivity. Clockwise can be a game-changer regarding focus time if you’re constantly battling distractions.
Pricing: Clockwise offers four pricing tiers;
- Free
- Teams: $6.75 per user per month (billed annually)
- Business: $11.50 per user per month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
11. Acuity Scheduling: The Polished Professional
Acuity Scheduling
With Acuity Scheduling, you have a personal scheduling concierge at your disposal. It integrates with your favorite calendars, features customizable booking pages, and sends reminders automatically.
As a service-based business and professional scheduling software with advanced features like online payments, group scheduling, and detailed reporting, Acuity Scheduling provides a seamless and professional experience.
Pricing: You have four payment options to choose from:
- Emerging: $16 per month
- Growing: $27 per month
- Powerhouse: $49 per month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
12. Arrangr: The Meeting Matchmaker
Arrangr
Using Arrangr, you can schedule meetings at a time that works for both parties. This scheduling tool integrates your calendar, analyzes your available time slots, and suggests optimal time slots, eliminating the need for time-consuming back-and-forth communication.
Whether you’re organizing a one-on-one meeting or a group gathering, Arrangr’s user-friendly interface, customizable links, and time zone detection make scheduling a breeze.
Pricing: There’s a free basic plan for individuals; paid plans range from $1 to $8 monthly.
Choosing the Right Tool for You
How do you choose the right appointment scheduling app from all the fantastic options? Take into account the following factors:
- Budget. Do you want a free solution, or do you want to invest in premium features?
- Features. Are you seeking basic scheduling, advanced analytics, team features, or AI-powered optimization?
- Integrations. Can the app be integrated with your existing calendars, emails, and other tools?
- User experience. Is the app easy to use and navigate?
Considering these factors, you can narrow down your choices and find the right scheduling tool to boost your productivity.
So, what are you waiting for? Put an end to scheduling headaches by embracing appointment scheduling apps.
FAQs
What is a scheduling app?
Scheduling apps help groups or individuals organize and manage their time. They can be used to schedule appointments, coordinate meetings, manage tasks, and create schedules.
Why should I use a scheduling app?
There are numerous benefits to using scheduling apps, including;
- Enhanced efficiency and productivity.
- Reduced scheduling conflicts.
- Simplified appointment booking.
- More effective time management.
- Improved communication and collaboration.
What are the different types of scheduling apps?
There are several categories of scheduling apps based on their purpose;
- Appointment scheduling apps. Designed for businesses that need to schedule client appointments (such as salons, clinics, consultants).
- Meeting scheduling apps. Designed to coordinate meetings between team members and external parties.
- Team scheduling apps. Coordinate team member schedules, shifts, and availability.
- Personal scheduling apps. Facilitate the management of daily tasks, appointments, and routines.
- Calendar apps. Often include scheduling capabilities and integrate with other apps.
Can I integrate scheduling apps with my calendar?
Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and Apple Calendar are just a few popular calendar platforms with which many scheduling apps integrate. As a result, seamless synchronization is achieved and double bookings are avoided..
Are scheduling apps secure?
Reliable scheduling apps prioritize data security using encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.
It is, however, essential to review the security and privacy policies of any app you are considering.
Image Credit: RDNE Stock project; Pexels
John Hall
John Hall is the co-founder of Calendar a scheduling and time management app. He’s also a keynote speaker that you can book at http://www.johnhallspeaking.com.