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TidyCal A perfect scheduling tool saves countless hours of back-and-forth emails. I tested TidyCal extensively with over 1,000 bookings in the last 12 months and found why this platform has helped users collectively earn more than $2.7 million in bookings.

Introduction

TidyCal’s pricing stands out from its competitors with a one-time payment model of just $29 for lifetime access. This refreshing approach differs from the subscription fees most alternatives charge. TidyCal reviews tell a compelling story with a 4.7-star rating from over 5,000 users that proves it delivers on its promises. My comparison of TidyCal vs Calendly revealed several key advantages for freelancers and small business owners. The platform lets you connect up to 10 calendars, create unlimited booking types, and blend with tools like Zoom and Google Calendar. This makes it a practical solution for anyone who needs simplified scheduling.

What Is TidyCal and Who Is It For?

TidyCal is a simple online scheduling tool that puts simplicity first. This AppSumo Original product launched in 2021 with a clean, minimal interface that makes booking quick and hassle-free.

Target users: freelancers, coaches, solopreneurs

TidyCal’s main focus is people who work on their own rather than big organizations. The tool works best for:

• Freelancers and solopreneurs who manage their schedules
• Coaches and consultants who book client meetings
• Small business owners looking for affordable scheduling tools

Budget-conscious professionals love this platform. They get all the simple scheduling features they need without complex team setups. Data shows TidyCal really shines for people who help others through consultation—coaches, counselors, and consultants need the quickest way for clients to book time with them.

How TidyCal simplifies scheduling

TidyCal reshapes the scene of traditional scheduling with its core features:

The tool ends the back-and-forth emails with booking links that clients use to pick times that work for them. Time zones adjust automatically, which stops scheduling mix-ups and double bookings.

On top of that, it merges naturally with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Microsoft Calendar. Users can connect up to 10 calendars at once. This multi-calendar feature helps professionals who balance different projects or roles.

The platform sends automatic email reminders to cut down no-shows. It also lets you set custom availability windows and add buffer time between meetings to avoid burnout. Setting up takes just minutes—link your calendar, set when you’re free, and share your booking link.

When TidyCal may not be the right fit

TidyCal has its limits. The tool might not work for:

• Teams that need shared scheduling features
• Large organizations that want complex routing rules
• Businesses that need deep CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot
• People who book long sessions or need advanced customization

A user pointed out that TidyCal “isn’t well-suited for lengthy bookings”. This makes it less ideal for day-long meetings or extended sessions. The lack of team scheduling options means businesses with multiple staff should look elsewhere.

TidyCal excels at simple scheduling tasks. People who need advanced workflow automation or team-based scheduling should look at other options.

Core Features After 1,000+ Bookings

I’ve handled over 1,000 bookings with TidyCal, and this experience taught me what features really matter for everyday scheduling.

Unlimited booking types and customization

The free plan of TidyCal lets you create as many booking types as you want. You can customize each booking type with its own title, description, duration, and availability settings. My extensive testing shows that adding buffer time between meetings and limiting advance bookings are great features. The platform also lets you:

• Set maximum bookings per day
• Create custom intake forms
• Define time slot intervals (15-minute, 30-minute, etc.)
• Toggle specific booking types on/off as needed

Calendar sync and availability settings

You can connect up to 10 calendars from Google, Microsoft 365, and Apple. This stops double-booking by checking events marked as “busy” in your connected calendars. Each booking type can have unique availability settings – either weekly schedules or specific dates. This means you can set different time windows for different types of meetings.

Group bookings and recurring sessions

TidyCal makes shared bookings possible for webinars or classes where multiple people can book the same slot. You can set attendee limits and show how many seats are left. The platform doesn’t support recurring bookings yet – the developers want to avoid scheduling issues when your availability changes.

Paid bookings with Stripe and PayPal

The platform works with both Stripe and PayPal to process payments. Setting up paid bookings is easy – just connect your payment processor in the integrations tab and turn on payments when you create booking types. Each team member can have their own payment accounts for team booking pages.

Email reminders and rescheduling options

TidyCal automatically sends two reminder emails (24 hours and 1 hour before meetings). The lifetime plan lets you customize when these reminders go out and what they say. Clients get booking confirmation emails that include options to reschedule or cancel. Both you and your client get emails when someone reschedules an appointment.

Real-World Usage: Lessons from 12 Months of Testing

My year of testing TidyCal in real-life business scenarios has taught me a lot. I’ve handled more than 1,000 bookings with clients of all types and industries, and here’s what I learned.

How I used TidyCal in my web design business

TidyCal became a key part of my client workflow in my web design practice. We used it to schedule consultation calls, project kick-offs, and online training sessions automatically. This saved me countless hours by eliminating endless email chains. My setup includes both Google Meet and the free version of Zoom for virtual meetings. The only manual work left is sending follow-up emails to set meeting locations since I don’t have a permanent office.

Success rate with different client types

Client responses to the scheduling system varied by a lot across industries:

• Web design clients: Almost all of them book through TidyCal links
• Editors and production specialists: Most follow the scheduling links well
• Film crew members: They tend to skip the scheduling links even though it saves time
• The system proved useful in an unexpected way when we started managing bookings for a Walking

Football club with over 100 members. The club members used to book by email, which created a mess and took forever. Things got much better after we set up TidyCal with Stripe – bank reconciliations became quick and simple.

Limitations with long bookings and team use

TidyCal doesn’t work perfectly for every situation. The platform struggles with full-day design sessions that run over 8.5 hours. My tests showed that scheduling tools aren’t always the answer – sometimes a simple “When works for you?” creates a better connection. The platform won’t replace your CRM system for complex client management either.

Date polls and group scheduling experience

Date polls are a great way to get everyone together for meetings. This feature helped me organize a cast and crew screening with the production team. Everyone sees the voting as it happens, and the automatic time zone detection keeps everyone in sync. TidyCal sends invites to the whole group once the date is set, which cuts through the usual scheduling mess.

TidyCal Pricing and Value Compared to Calendly

TidyCal stands out from its competitors with a refreshing approach to pricing that breaks away from subscription models. This unique pricing structure caught my attention while researching scheduling tools.

Free vs Lifetime plan breakdown

TidyCal keeps things simple with just two options: a Free forever plan and a Lifetime paid plan. The Free plan has core features such as a personal booking page, custom availability settings, embedding capabilities, and date polls. Users can create unlimited booking types on the free tier but can only connect one calendar.

The free version delivers essential functionality without time restrictions or trial periods – perfect for solopreneurs starting out. Notwithstanding that, users might feel limited when they need multiple calendar connections or advanced features like paid bookings.

What you get for $29 one-time

A single $29 payment unlocks lifetime access to all premium features – TidyCal’s biggest selling point. The premium features include:

• Up to 10 calendar connections (Google, Office 365, Apple)
• Unlimited booking types with customization options
• Paid bookings via Stripe and PayPal integration
• Advanced integrations (Zoom, Google Meet, Zapier)
• Group bookings and package bookings
• Custom email reminders and confirmation redirects

This one-time purchase eliminates monthly subscription fees typically found in scheduling software. Learn more about AppSumo Click Here

TidyCal vs Calendly: cost and features

The price gap between these platforms is significant. TidyCal asks for a one-time $29 payment, while Calendly charges $8-$16 monthly per user with annual billing. A solo user would spend $96-$192 yearly or $288-$576 over three years with Calendly.

Calendly provides more robust team features and advanced round-robin settings. However, TidyCal delivers similar core functionality at a fraction of the lifetime cost. Teams can opt for TidyCal’s Agency plan at $79 one-time, which supports collective meetings and round-robin capabilities.

Refund policy and trial experience

AppSumo backs TidyCal with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Users can test all premium features without risk and request refunds through AppSumo’s streamlined return system.

TidyCal takes a different approach from Calendly’s 14-day free trial of their Standard plan. The free plan serves as an unlimited “trial” of core features, letting users review the basic functionality before making a lifetime purchase.

Conclusion

My year-long test of TidyCal with businesses of all sizes has led to a clear verdict: solo professionals will find exceptional value in this scheduling tool. TidyCal excels where competitors stumble by providing core scheduling features without monthly subscriptions.

The platform perfectly balances simplicity with capability. I’ve processed over 1,000 bookings that prove its reliability. Freelancers, coaches, and solopreneurs who need straightforward scheduling without complex team features will find it ideal. TidyCal’s unlimited booking types, multi-calendar integration, and payment processing definitely cover most individual scheduling needs.

TidyCal’s limitations deserve attention. Large organizations needing team collaboration or businesses requiring deep CRM integrations might not find it suitable. Users who need complex booking rules or lengthy appointment options should explore other solutions.

TidyCal’s pricing model stands out remarkably. Calendly and similar tools charge $96-$192 yearly, while TidyCal costs just $29 for lifetime access. This price difference becomes more apparent over several years of use, making it a great value for budget-conscious professionals.

My extensive testing proves TidyCal works best for independent professionals who prioritize simplicity, affordability, and essential scheduling features. The lifetime deal makes sense if you need reliable scheduling without subscription costs. Professionals needing advanced team features or complex scheduling should consider alternatives. However, most solo professionals will find TidyCal offers everything they need at an unbeatable price.

FAQs

Q1. Is TidyCal a good investment for scheduling needs? TidyCal offers excellent value for solo professionals and small teams. With a one-time payment of $29 for lifetime access to premium features, it provides core scheduling functionality without recurring costs. Its 4.7-star rating from over 5,000 users indicates high user satisfaction.

Q2. How does TidyCal compare to Calendly? While Calendly offers more advanced team features, TidyCal provides comparable core functionality for individual users at a fraction of the lifetime cost. TidyCal charges a one-time fee of $29, whereas Calendly requires $96-$192 annually for similar features. TidyCal is particularly suitable for solopreneurs and small teams on a budget.

Q3. What are TidyCal’s key features? TidyCal offers unlimited booking types, integration with up to 10 calendars, customizable availability settings, group bookings, paid bookings via Stripe and PayPal, and email reminders. It also includes features like date polls and integration with popular video conferencing tools.