Best Meeting Booking Tool: Freelancing moves fast, and keeping track of meetings can be tricky. The right tool makes it easy.
When I started freelancing, I wasted so much time emailing back and forth to set up meetings. It was exhausting! Then I found TidyCal, and everything changed.
Freelancers need a simple and reliable scheduling tool. TidyCal makes it easy. You get simple booking pages, calendar syncing, and smart automation to stay on track.
No matter if you’re setting up one-on-one or group meetings, this tool helps. You can even get paid for consultations, so you earn for your time. If you’ve ever missed a meeting or double-booked (trust me, I’ve been there!), TidyCal makes scheduling stress-free.
Best Tools for Scheduling Meetings
Managing meetings can feel overwhelming. I remember the time I had to reschedule three calls in one day—it was chaos! That’s why booking tools are a lifesaver. They remove the back-and-forth emails and make life easier for both freelancers and clients.
What Is a Meeting Booking Tool?
A meeting booking tool helps you schedule appointments. It lets you create a booking page, sync calendars, and set automatic reminders. One of the best options is TidyCal.
With TidyCal, you can set up a booking page in minutes. It connects with Google, Office 365, and iCal, so your availability is always updated. Plus, you can accept payments with Stripe and PayPal—no more chasing invoices.
Why Freelancers Need a Scheduling Tool
Scheduling tools aren’t just helpful—they’re a must-have. Time is your most valuable asset as a freelancer, and these tools keep your meetings organized while avoiding double bookings.
With TidyCal, you can create different booking types, like free or paid, one-on-one or group sessions. I use it for my coaching calls, and it has saved me tons of time.
Another huge plus? Earning from your time. If you offer coaching, consulting, or strategy sessions, TidyCal lets clients pay upfront, so you don’t have to worry about payments later.
Other features, like auto-generated meeting links and email reminders, help keep everything on track.
TidyCal also comes with advanced tools like polls for choosing dates, package bookings, group scheduling, and guest invites, so you can adjust it to fit your needs.
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Custom Booking Pages | Create your own booking page in seconds. |
| Calendar Sync | Connects with Google, Office 365, and iCal. |
| Payment Integration | Get paid with Stripe and PayPal. |
| Meeting Links | Auto-generate Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams links. |
| Extra Features | Polls, package bookings, group meetings, and reminders. |
Must-Have Features in a Booking Tool
A great scheduling tool saves time and boosts productivity. Here are some key features that top tools—like TidyCal—offer:
Automatic Scheduling
TidyCal lets you set availability and add buffer times, so you don’t get stuck in back-to-back meetings. This feature has saved me so much time while handling multiple projects.
Calendar Sync
A good tool should sync your schedule. TidyCal connects with Google, Office 365, and iCal, so you never double-book.
Custom Booking Pages
Your booking page should match your needs. TidyCal lets you set up free or paid options in just a few clicks.
Reminders & Notifications
Ever had a client forget a meeting? I have! TidyCal sends reminders automatically, so no one forgets.
Time Zone Adjustments
Work with people across the world? TidyCal adjusts meeting times for different time zones, so there’s no confusion.
Easy Payment Setup
Freelancers who charge for calls need an easy way to get paid upfront. TidyCal connects with Stripe and PayPal, so you don’t have to wait for payments.
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Automatic Scheduling | Set your availability with breaks between meetings. |
| Calendar Sync | Works with Google, Office 365, and iCal. |
| Custom Booking Pages | Create free or paid meeting options. |
| Reminders & Notifications | Sends automatic email reminders. |
| Time Zone Adjustments | Fixes meeting times based on location. |
| Easy Payments | Accept payments through Stripe and PayPal. |
Best Meeting Booking Tools for Freelancers
Picking the right meeting tool makes work easier. If you’re a freelancer, keeping track of meetings is a must. I used to waste time emailing back and forth to set up calls—it was a headache! But after finding the right tools, scheduling became simple. Here are some great options.
Tool 1: TidyCal
TidyCal is great for booking meetings. When I started freelancing, I often forgot appointments or double-booked. TidyCal fixed that. It’s easy to use and saves time.
Key Features:
✔ Custom Booking Pages – Make a professional page for scheduling.
✔ Calendar Sync – Works with Google, Office 365, and iCal.
✔ Payment Options – Accept money through Stripe or PayPal.
✔ Auto-Generated Links – Creates Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams links instantly.
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ No More Endless Emails – Clients book without back-and-forth messages.
✔ Avoids Double-Booking – Syncs with your calendar in real time.
✔ Earns You Money – Charge for meetings easily.
✔ Boosts Your Business – Lists your services in a directory.
Cost:
- Tier 1: $39 (one-time payment, was $144) – 10 calendar connections, unlimited bookings.
- Tier 2: $79 (was $240) – 25 connections, team scheduling, group meetings.
A big plus? TidyCal offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk in trying it.
Tool 2: Calendly
Calendly is another great tool. I once struggled to book a meeting with a client in another time zone. Calendly solved that by showing my availability in their local time.
Key Features:
✔ Works with Google, Outlook, and Apple calendars.
✔ Lets you set meeting types and time slots.
✔ Sends reminders to you and your clients.
✔ Supports team scheduling.
Why It’s Great:
✔ Easy to Use – Simple setup and clean design.
✔ No Overlapping Meetings – Prevents double-booking.
✔ Client-Friendly – Makes booking fast and simple.
✔ Works with Popular Tools – Integrates with Zoom, GoToMeeting, and more.
Tool 3: Acuity Scheduling
Acuity is another excellent choice, especially if you need client info before meetings. Many freelancers love its built-in forms.
Key Features:
✔ Syncs with Google, Outlook, iCal, and Office 365.
✔ Lets clients fill out forms before meetings.
✔ Sends automatic email and text reminders.
✔ Accepts payments through Stripe, Square, and PayPal.
Why It’s a Smart Pick:
✔ Easy Booking – Clients can book, reschedule, or cancel.
✔ Fewer No-Shows – Reminders keep meetings on track.
✔ Secure Payments – Get paid upfront.
✔ Professional Experience – Makes you look organized.
Pricing Comparison
Picking the right tool means balancing cost and features. Free tools work, but they often have limits.
| Tool | Free Version | Basic Plan | Advanced Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendly | Yes | $8/month | $12/month |
| Doodle | Yes | $6.95/month | $30/month |
| TidyCal | No | $39 (lifetime) | $79 (lifetime) |
Free vs. Paid Tools
Free scheduling tools work for casual use, but they have limits. For example, Calendly’s free plan doesn’t allow payments, which is a problem if you charge for meetings.
TidyCal’s one-time payment is a huge plus. Instead of paying every month, you get lifetime access for a single price—a rare deal in today’s world of subscriptions.
Free Tools: Basic features, company branding, and fewer integrations.
Paid Tools: More control, better features, and full customization.
Which Tool Is the Best Deal?
If you want a budget-friendly, powerful tool without a monthly fee, TidyCal is a great choice.
Why TidyCal Stands Out:
✔ Custom Booking Pages – Look professional.
✔ Unlimited Bookings – No limits on scheduling.
✔ Easy Payment Setup – Get paid through Stripe or PayPal.
✔ Calendar Sync – Prevents double-booking.
✔ Extra Features – Includes group bookings and polls.
For freelancers, time is money. Instead of wasting hours scheduling, use the right tool and focus on your work!
Pros and Cons of Meeting Booking Tools
Meeting booking tools like TidyCal can make life easier for freelancers. But let’s be honest—no tool is perfect. I’ve used a few, and while they save time, they also have some downsides. Let’s go over the pros and cons so you can decide if one works for you.
Pros: Efficiency
✔ Easy Booking Pages: Set up a booking page in minutes. When I first did this, I looked more professional, and clients found it super easy to schedule with me.
✔ Calendar Sync: Works with Google, Office 365, and iCal, so everything stays organized. No more double-booking!
✔ Automatic Meeting Links: Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams links are created for you—no manual work needed.
Pros: Professionalism
✔ Set Your Availability: Choose your working hours, block breaks, and avoid back-to-back meetings.
✔ Flexible Meeting Types: Offer one-on-one, group, free, or paid sessions easily.
✔ Automatic Email Reminders: Clients get reminders, so they don’t forget their meetings.
Pros: Time Management
✔ Quick Scheduling: Clients pick a slot, and you’re set. Before using a tool, I wasted hours trying to coordinate meetings.
✔ No Double-Booking: Your calendar updates in real time to prevent scheduling conflicts.
✔ Get Paid Upfront: If you charge for meetings, you can collect payments before the call—no more chasing invoices!
Cons: Learning Curve
TidyCal is simple, but setting it up takes time. When I first started, I spent an hour tweaking my settings. After that, it was smooth sailing.
Cons: Cost
TidyCal charges a one-time fee of $39 or $79. It’s cheaper than monthly plans, but if you’re just starting out, even a one-time payment can feel like a lot.
Cons: Integration Issues
TidyCal connects with Google Calendar, PayPal, Stripe, and Zapier, but sometimes, things don’t sync perfectly. I once had a PayPal issue that took time to fix. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
Best Tools for Freelancers
Different freelancers need different tools. Here’s a quick breakdown.
Best for New Freelancers
If you’re just starting out, TidyCal’s lifetime deal is a great option. It’s easy, affordable, and gets the job done.
✔ Custom booking pages
✔ Unlimited booking types
✔ Real-time calendar sync
For $39 one-time, you get calendar syncing and payment options at a low cost.
Best for Established Freelancers
If you’ve been freelancing for a while, you may need more advanced features. TidyCal Tier 2 offers:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Calendar Connections | 25 |
| Teams Page | Yes |
| Group Meetings | Yes |
For $79 one-time, it’s great for managing multiple clients.
Best for Freelancers with International Clients
If you work with clients in different time zones (I do, and it used to be a mess), you need a tool that adjusts automatically.
✔ Syncs with Google, Office 365, and iCal
✔ Accepts Stripe & PayPal payments worldwide
✔ Creates Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams links automatically
This makes scheduling much easier—no more endless emails to find a time that works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Meeting Booking Tool for Freelancers?
It depends on what you need! TidyCal, Calendly, and Acuity Scheduling are all solid choices.
How Do These Tools Help Freelancers?
They cut down on emails, save time, and make scheduling easier.
Are These Tools Expensive?
Some have free plans, but for features like payment processing, you’ll need a paid plan.
Can These Tools Sync with Calendars?
Yes! Most work with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCal so you never miss a meeting.
Conclusion
A meeting booking tool can save time, prevent scheduling conflicts, and even help you earn more. TidyCal is a great choice with custom booking pages, payment options, and calendar sync.
If scheduling is a hassle for you, try it out. It made my life easier, and I bet it’ll do the same for you! and streamline your booking process. Check out TidyCal here for more information.