Doodle vs Calendly
A detailed, unbiased comparison to help you choose the right scheduling software for your needs. Updated for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Doodle excels at: Great for group polls
- Calendly excels at: Professional booking pages
- Calendly wins 3 out of 6 categories
- Doodle is best for: Group meeting coordination
- Calendly is best for: Professional meeting scheduling
Quick Overview
Doodle
Doodle is a group polling tool for finding meeting times. Best for coordinating availability with multiple people.
Pros
- Great for group polls
- Participants don't need accounts
- Simple interface
- Good for external coordination
Cons
- Ads on free plan
- Not for recurring scheduling
- Limited booking features
- No payment collection
Calendly
Calendly is a professional booking page tool. Best for letting others book time on your calendar.
Pros
- Professional booking pages
- Great calendar integration
- Automated confirmations
- Video meeting links
- Team features
Cons
- Not designed for group polls
- Limited on free plan
- No ad-free polling
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Doodle | Calendly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Availability | Excellent | Limited | Doodle |
| Booking Pages | Basic | Excellent | Calendly |
| Calendar Sync | Good | Excellent | Calendly |
| Team Features | Limited | Good | Calendly |
| External Participants | Easy | Easy | Tie |
| Free Plan Value | Ads included | 1 event type | Tie |
“After comparing Doodle and Calendly, I found SchedulingKit offered a better balance of features and pricing for my business needs.”
Our Verdict
Doodle and Calendly solve different problems. Use Doodle when you need to find a time with a group. Use Calendly when you need others to book with you. SchedulingKit handles both use cases in one platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doodle or Calendly better for small businesses?
It depends on your specific needs. Doodle is best for group meeting coordination. Calendly is best for professional meeting scheduling. Consider your budget, required features, and technical comfort level when choosing.
Which is more affordable, Doodle or Calendly?
Doodle pricing: Free (with ads) / $6.95-8.95/user/month. Calendly pricing: Free (1 event type) / $10-16/seat/month. Compare your expected usage and required features to determine the best value for your situation.
Can I switch from Doodle to Calendly?
Yes, you can switch between these platforms, though there's no direct migration tool. You'll need to recreate your event types, update booking links on your website and email signature, and reconnect calendar integrations. Plan for 1-2 hours of setup time.
What are the main differences between Doodle and Calendly?
The key differences are in their target users and feature focus. Doodle's strengths include: Great for group polls, Participants don't need accounts. Calendly's strengths include: Professional booking pages, Great calendar integration. Review the comparison table above for a detailed breakdown.
Is there a better alternative to both Doodle and Calendly?
SchedulingKit offers a compelling alternative that combines the best features of both platforms. With a generous free tier and powerful features like automated reminders, intake forms, and team scheduling, it's worth considering if neither option fully meets your needs.
Group scheduling and booking pages in one tool
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