Top 5 Calendly alternatives for freelancers and agencies in 2026

When you need more than booking links

Calendly makes it easy for clients to book time with you without the back and forth. You share a link, they pick a slot, and the meeting lands on both calendars. For scheduling, it does exactly what it promises.

The friction starts after the call.

Once a conversation turns into paid work, scheduling is no longer the hard part. Now you need to send a proposal, get a contract signed, manage tasks, share files, collect payment, and give the client a clear place to see what's happening. Calendly doesn't help with any of that, which means the real work ends up scattered across other tools.

This page explains what Calendly is good at, where it naturally stops, and the best alternatives in 2026 for freelancers and agencies who want booking to flow directly into real client work instead of ending there.

Last updated January 2026

What is Calendly

Calendly is scheduling software that shows your availability and lets clients book meetings directly into your calendar. You can create different meeting types, set rules like buffers and notice periods, ask questions at booking time, and send confirmations and reminders automatically.

If your main goal is to make scheduling easy and avoid endless "what time works for you?" emails, Calendly solves that problem very well.

TLDR (summary)

Calendly is excellent at booking meetings and removing scheduling friction. But once the call ends and a client says yes, you still need proposals, contracts, invoices, tasks, files, and a place where the project actually lives.

If you want scheduling plus proposals, contracts, tasks, files, payments, and a client portal that all stay connected, Plutio is the most complete Calendly alternative for freelancers and agencies in 2026.

With Plutio, booking leads directly into the project, the signed agreement starts the workflow, and the client sees everything in one branded place.

What Calendly does well

Calendly is built for one thing: making it easy for people to book time with you.

It works especially well when you want a simple, familiar experience that clients already understand. You send a link, they choose a time, and reminders handle themselves. There's very little learning curve for either side.

Calendly works well if you need:

A booking link clients can use on their own
Clear availability rules and buffers between meetings
Calendar syncing to avoid double booking
Intake questions at the time of booking
Automatic confirmations and reminders
Different meeting types with different lengths

If scheduling is the main thing you're solving for, Calendly is a strong fit.

Where Calendly falls short

Calendly stops at booking.

Once a call turns into paid work, everything else has to happen somewhere else. You still need to move the client into other tools to send a proposal, get a contract signed, manage tasks, share files, track progress, and collect payment.

That gap becomes very visible the moment a client says yes.

Now you're copying details into another system, explaining next steps again, sending new links, and hoping nothing slips through the cracks. Clients ask where to pay. They ask what's next. They ask where files live. None of that is connected to the original booking.

Common gaps people run into include:

No proposals or contracts for approvals and signatures
No invoices or payments tied to the actual work
No place to manage tasks, files, or deadlines
No client portal for progress, updates, or approvals
Project details have to be rebuilt after the call
Limited branding for a fully professional client experience

Calendly is great for scheduling, but it's only one piece of running a client business. Most people switch when they want booking to lead directly into project work without rebuilding everything elsewhere.

What to look for in a professional Calendly alternative

A good Calendly alternative shouldn't replace scheduling. It should keep scheduling, then support what happens next.

The goal is one continuous flow: a client books, agrees to the work, pays, sees progress, and finishes the project without bouncing between tools.

A strong alternative should support:

Scheduling tied to the client, so booking details carry forward
Proposals clients can approve, so scope and pricing are clear
Contracts with e-signatures, so agreements are handled properly
A real place to manage tasks, files, and timelines
Invoices and payments tied to the same project
Client portal access for progress and next steps
Branding across booking and client pages, so it feels like your business

That's the difference between a scheduling tool and a client work system.

#1. Plutio - the complete Calendly alternative for freelancers

Calendly solves the booking problem. Plutio picks up exactly where that leaves off.

You still get easy scheduling. Clients can book time, see your availability, and get reminders. That part doesn't change.

What changes is what happens next.

Instead of the call being the end of the flow, it becomes the beginning. After the call, you send a proposal. When the client approves it, the project already exists. Tasks are created from the scope. Files live in the same place. The invoice matches the work. The client has one portal for everything.

Nothing gets rebuilt. Nothing gets copied. Nothing gets lost.

What this looks like in real life

Imagine you're a coach or consultant.

A prospect books a discovery call. The call goes well.

In Plutio, here's what happens next:

You send a proposal with your packages and pricing
The client picks a package and signs
A project appears with tasks like onboarding, sessions, and follow-ups
An invoice is ready and tied to the same project
The client gets one branded portal with everything inside

You move forward without switching tools or re-explaining where things live.

That's the difference. The booking becomes the project.

Why this matters more than it sounds

When scheduling and project work are disconnected, things slip. You forget to follow up. Clients don't know where to pay. They ask what's next. You lose time re-setting up work and answering the same questions.

When everything stays connected:

Clients move from booking to work without friction
Invoices are ready when they say yes
Clients can see progress without chasing you
Follow-ups happen based on real project steps

This is where most time and energy is saved — not by adding more tools, but by removing handoffs.

What about switching?

Plutio's scheduling can be set up quickly, and existing clients can be imported. The product has been refined for years based on how freelancers and agencies actually work day to day.

Instead of stitching tools together, you start with one system and stay there.

With Plutio we don't jump between apps anymore! Everything from projects to invoicing is finally connected in one fully-branded app.
YM
Yazan & MawahebYazMarketing

#2. HoneyBook

HoneyBook is designed around client intake, booking, and payments. It works well for handling new inquiries, sending proposals, and collecting payments in a structured way.

That makes it appealing early on, especially if you want a clean process from inquiry to booking without much setup.

Where HoneyBook becomes limiting is after the agreement is signed. Project management and task tracking are light, and ongoing client communication isn't deeply tied to the work itself. Many people end up managing delivery and collaboration outside the system.

HoneyBook works best if your main needs are intake, scheduling, and getting paid.

It becomes harder to use when you want projects, tasks, and client communication to stay connected throughout delivery.

#3. Dubsado

Dubsado is known for flexibility. It lets you build detailed intake forms, custom fields, and rule-based workflows that can model complex approval flows.

That level of control is useful if you want to shape every step of how information is collected and processed.

The trade-off is complexity. Setup can take time, workflows need ongoing maintenance, and changes in one area can affect others. While intake and automation are powerful, most people still run projects and daily work in separate tools.

Dubsado works well if you want deep control over intake and approvals.

It's less comfortable if you want a simple system that stays easy to use once real client work begins.

#4. 17hats

17hats aims to cover many parts of a freelancer's business in one place, including proposals, contracts, invoices, and basic automation.

The system focuses on breadth rather than flexibility. Workflows are fairly rigid, customization is limited, and client communication isn't a central part of the experience.

17hats can work if you want one tool to handle many basic needs with minimal setup.

It becomes limiting as soon as workflows grow more complex or teams get involved.

#5. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is primarily an accounting and invoicing tool. It's built to manage billing, payments, time tracking, and expenses.

For freelancers who mainly need help with finances, it does that well.

It's not designed for proposals, contracts, onboarding, or project delivery, which means it's usually paired with other tools to manage the rest of the workflow.

FreshBooks works best if accounting is your main focus.

It's not a fit if you want one place to manage the full client journey.

Which alternative fits you best?

Take this quick quiz to find your perfect match.

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Final verdict

To really understand the difference between Calendly and Plutio, you have to look at more than what each tool claims to do. You have to look at how people actually use them once real client work starts.

On G2, Calendly is rated 4.7 stars. Plutio is rated 4.3 stars. On paper, that can look like a clear signal. In reality, those ratings are measuring very different things.

Calendly is almost always being judged on one specific moment in the workflow… booking a call. People talk about how easy it is to share a link, avoid back-and-forth emails, and keep calendars in sync. That's a narrow problem, and Calendly solves it extremely well. The high rating reflects that focus.

Plutio's rating reflects something broader. Instead of being judged on a single step, it's being judged on what it's like to run ongoing client work in one place. Projects stretch over weeks or months. Files change. Tasks move. Clients ask questions. Invoices go out. Payments come in. Reviews are reacting to that whole experience, not just the first five minutes of it.

That difference matters, because it explains why these tools feel so different in practice.

Calendly feels great at the start. A client books time, the meeting happens, and scheduling friction disappears. For many freelancers, that alone feels like a big win. But once the call ends and the client says yes, Calendly steps out of the picture. You now need a proposal tool. A contract tool. A place to manage tasks and files. A way to invoice and get paid. None of that is connected to the booking that just happened.

When you look at the full workflow laid out in the comparison table, this gap becomes obvious. Calendly covers scheduling cleanly, but everything around it lives somewhere else. Plutio treats scheduling as the entry point. The meeting leads into a proposal. The proposal turns into a project. Tasks, files, updates, invoices, and payments all stay tied to the same client and the same piece of work.

That connection is where the real difference shows up.

You can see it in real outcomes

YazMarketing increased their sales pipeline by 80% after moving to Plutio, largely because proposals and projects were connected instead of handled in separate tools.

West 7th Design Studio reduced client support requests by 90% after giving clients one place to see progress instead of chasing updates across email and shared folders.

Cheri Lasota cut her admin workload roughly in half by removing the need to recreate projects and explain next steps after every call.

Those results don't come from better scheduling. They come from fewer handoffs.

So when you step back, the decision isn't really about which tool is 'better'. Calendly is excellent at booking calls, and Plutio doesn't try to replace that strength. It builds on it. Plutio does the same starting step, then stays with you once the work becomes real.

The bottom line: If scheduling is the end of your workflow, Calendly is enough. If scheduling is the beginning of paid work, the data, the comparison table, and real outcomes all point to the same conclusion: a connected system like Plutio removes friction Calendly was never designed to handle.

With Plutio we don't jump between apps anymore! Everything from projects to invoicing is finally connected in one fully-branded app.
Yazan & MawahebYazMarketing

Calendly alternatives comparison table

How each tool compares across key capabilities.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Projects are not supported	Projects with task lists and pipeline	Projects with task boards	Projects with pipelines and to-dos
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	Projects are not supported	5 team roles with project access control	3 fixed roles (Basic, Accountant, Admin)	3 user levels (paid plans only)
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Task boards are not supported	You cannot use task boards	You cannot use task boards	Single to-do list only
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	Project boards are not supported	You cannot embed project views	You cannot embed project views	No external project viewing
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	Project boards are not supported	You can share projects via the client portal only	You can share via the client portal only	No read-only project links
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	Project stages and milestones are not supported	You can use pipeline stages, but they are predefined	You can use project statuses, but no milestones	You cannot define stages or milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Not supported	Integrated via Smart Files	Proposals, contracts, and invoices live inside projects	All modules connect to the project lifecycle
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Projects are not supported	Basic custom fields	Basic custom fields	Limited custom fields
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Kanban boards are not supported	You cannot view tasks in a kanban board	You cannot view tasks in a kanban board	Legacy list-based interface only
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	Task tables are not supported	You cannot view tasks in a table	You cannot view tasks in a table	No spreadsheet-style editing
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	Task lists are not supported	You can view projects in a list	You can manage tasks in simple lists	You can manage tasks as simple to-do lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	The calendar shows meetings only, not projects or tasks	You can see bookings on a calendar	You can see deadlines and appointments on a calendar	You can see tasks and bookings on a calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Gantt charts are not supported	You cannot view work on a gantt chart	You cannot view work on a gantt chart	No Gantt chart feature
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	Tasks and subtasks are not supported	You cannot split tasks into subtasks	You cannot split tasks into subtasks	All tasks are single-level only
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Not supported	Not supported (email sync only)	You cannot create tasks from emails	Not supported (email sync only)
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Task comments are not supported	You cannot comment on tasks	You cannot comment on tasks	You cannot comment directly on tasks
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	Tasks are not supported	You can share files, but not attach them to tasks	You can upload files, but not attach them to tasks	You cannot attach files to tasks
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Task prioritization is not supported	You cannot set task priorities	You cannot set task priorities	You cannot set task priority levels
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	Task labeling is not supported	You cannot label or color-code tasks	You cannot label or color-code tasks	You cannot tag or color-code tasks
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Multiple assignees are not supported	You cannot assign tasks to multiple people	You cannot assign tasks to multiple people	Single assignee per task only
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	Task templates are not supported	You cannot reuse task templates	You can reuse workflows and form templates	You can reuse task lists through workflows
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Task-level permissions are not supported	You cannot set permissions per task	You cannot set permissions per task	You cannot control permissions per task
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	Task dependencies are not supported	You cannot link tasks together	You cannot link tasks together	Not supported
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	Tasks are not supported	You cannot create recurring tasks	You cannot create recurring tasks	Basic recurring
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Tasks are not supported	Basic custom fields	Basic custom fields	Limited custom fields
TIME TRACKING	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Time tracking is not supported	You cannot track time	You cannot track time	Start and stop timers or log time manually
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Task tracking is not supported	You cannot track time per task	You cannot track time per task	You cannot track time per task
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Project tracking is not supported	You cannot track time per project	You cannot track time per project	Track time across different projects and clients
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable tracking is not supported	You cannot bill time automatically	You cannot bill time automatically	You cannot set billing rules for time
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Invoices are not supported	There is no time to invoice	There is no time to invoice	Convert tracked billable time into an invoice
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Not supported	You cannot generate timesheets	You cannot generate timesheets	You cannot generate timesheet reports
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Team views require dashboards	You cannot see team time reports	You cannot see team time reports	No team breakdown for time entries
PROPOSALS	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Calendly is for scheduling only	Smart files combine proposals and contracts	Proposals with pricing tables	Quotes with limited design options
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Proposals are not supported	You can edit sections, not free drag-and-drop	You can build proposals using drag-and-drop forms	You cannot drag and drop proposal sections
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Proposals are not supported	You can use proposal templates	You can use proposal templates	Save and reuse your own proposal templates
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	Proposals are not supported	You can see when a proposal is viewed	You cannot see proposal view analytics	You cannot see proposal views or activity
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	Proposals are not supported	You cannot chat inside proposals	You cannot chat inside proposals	You cannot chat inside proposals
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Not supported	Complete Smart Files flow	You can add proposal items like services or products	Limited flow (no integrated scheduler sync)
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Invoices are not supported	Accepted proposals create invoices	Accepted proposals create invoices	You can turn accepted proposals into invoices
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	Proposal pricing is not supported	You can offer packages and add-ons	You can offer packages and add-ons	You cannot offer configurable packages
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Not supported	Pricing updates dynamically	Pricing updates based on selections	Pricing tables are static
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Not supported	You can use smart fields	You can use smart fields	Use tokens to insert client and project data automatically
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Not supported	You can set proposal expiry	You cannot set proposal expiry dates	You cannot set proposal expiry dates
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	Not supported	You can download proposal PDFs	You can download proposal PDFs	You can download proposals as PDFs
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Not supported	You can reuse proposal sections	You can reuse form sections	Save and reuse sections across different documents
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	Not supported	Clients can sign online	Clients can sign documents online	Clients can sign your agreements online
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Proposals are not supported	Basic custom fields	Basic custom fields	Not supported. You cannot customize signer fields
CONTRACTS	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Calendly is for scheduling only	Smart files combine contracts and invoices	Contract creation with automation	Contracts with e-signature capture
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Form view is supported	You cannot visually build contracts	You can build contracts using form blocks	You cannot visually build contracts
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	E-signatures are not supported	Contracts support legal e-signatures	Contracts support legal e-signatures	E-signatures meet standard legal requirements
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Contracts are not supported	You can collect multiple signatures, with fixed roles	You can collect multiple signatures, setup is limited	You cannot collect signatures from multiple people
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Contracts are not supported	You can use contract templates	You can use contract templates	You can use contract templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Contract reminders are not supported	You can send automatic reminders	Reminders send automatically	You can send automatic reminders
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Contracts are not supported	You can use smart fields in contracts	You can use smart fields in contracts	You can insert custom fields
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Automation applies only to booking events	Contracts can trigger workflows	Contracts trigger workflows	Contracts can trigger workflows
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Contract notifications are not supported	You receive contract notifications	You receive signing notifications	You receive email notifications
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Contracts are not supported	You can download signed PDFs	You can download signed PDFs	You can download signed PDFs
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Contracts are not supported	You cannot customize signer fields	You cannot customize signer fields	Not supported. You cannot customize signer fields
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Contracts are not supported	Basic custom fields	Basic custom fields	Not supported
INVOICES & PAYMENTS	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Calendly does not create invoices	Invoices with instant online payments	Invoices with payment plans	Invoices with Stripe and PayPal
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Invoices are not supported	You can brand invoices	You can brand invoices	Basic invoicing (no smart tax automation)
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Invoices are not supported	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Template-based (no drag-and-drop designer)
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Invoices are not supported	You can edit line items	You can edit line items	You can customize invoice line items
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Invoices are not supported	You can apply discounts	You can apply discounts	You can add discounts to line items
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Invoices are not supported	You can set tax rates	You can set tax rates	You can set custom tax rules
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	ACH depends on payment integration	You can accept bank transfers	You can accept bank payments	ACH payments supported
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Payments are supported via third‑party tools	You can accept payments via Stripe	You can accept payments via Stripe	Stripe integration available
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Square payments are not supported natively	You cannot accept payments via Square	You cannot accept payments via Square	Square integration available
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal possible via integrations only	You cannot accept payments via PayPal	You cannot accept payments via PayPal	PayPal integration available
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Payments can be split using external tools	You can accept partial payments	You can accept partial payments	You can set up payment schedules
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Installments are not supported	You can split invoices into payments	You can split invoices into payments	You can set up payment schedules
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices are not supported	You can schedule payments, not subscriptions	You can schedule invoices, not subscriptions	Recurring invoices (no automated subscription portal)
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Subscriptions are not supported	You cannot manage subscriptions	You cannot manage subscriptions	Recurring invoices (no automated subscription portal)
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Reminders depend on integrations	Payment reminders send automatically	Payment reminders send automatically	Automated reminders supported
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Invoices are not supported	You can reuse invoice templates	You can reuse invoice templates	You can reuse templates and content
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Currency depends on calendar and integrations	You can use one account currency only	You can use one account currency	Basic support (no automated exchange rates)
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Automation applies only to booking events	Contracts can trigger workflows	Contracts trigger workflows	Simple triggers (no multi-step automation)
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Contract notifications are not supported	You receive contract notifications	You receive signing notifications	Activity log (no real-time updates)
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Expense tracking is not supported	You cannot track expenses	You cannot track expenses	You can track expenses
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Invoices are not supported	You can request deposits	You can request deposits	Deposit payments supported
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Time tracking is not supported	There is no time to convert	There is no time to convert	You can add tracked time to invoices
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Invoices are not supported	Basic custom fields	Basic custom fields	Limited custom fields
INBOX	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	A unified client inbox is not supported	Messages and emails live in one inbox	Messages and emails live in one place	Communication is limited to email sync
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Calendly sends emails, inbox sync is not supported	You can sync your email	You can sync your email	Email sync & templates included
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	Live chat is not supported	You cannot add live chat to your site	You cannot add live chat to your site	No native live chat feature
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Direct messaging is not supported	You cannot DM teammates	You cannot DM teammates	Email sync only
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Projects are not supported	Messages are tied to projects	Messages are tied to projects	Email sync (limited to project-specific threads)
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Team chat is not supported	You cannot create team channels	You cannot create team channels	Email sync only
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Not supported	Channels are not supported	Channels are not supported	Not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	@mentions are not supported	You cannot mention teammates	You cannot mention teammates	Email sync only
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Messaging is not supported	You can see when clients read messages	You can see when clients read messages	Activity log (tracks when emails are opened)
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Chat and file sharing are not supported	You can share files in messages	You can share files in messages	Email sync only
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported	Team email is not shared	Team email is not shared	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Not supported	Mobile inbox available	Mobile inbox available	Limited mobile support
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Not supported	Email replies sync to conversations	Email replies sync to conversations	Email replies sync to inbox
FILES	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	File storage is not supported	Files exist per project only	Files are stored per project only	Basic storage (no dedicated file management system)
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	No file storage in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Not supported
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	No file storage in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Not supported
People folders	Group files by person when needed	No file storage in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Basic storage (no dedicated file management system)
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	No file storage in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Basic storage (no dedicated file management system)
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	No file storage in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	External storage only
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	Custom fields are supported only in booking forms and invitee records	You can add custom fields	You can add custom fields to forms and records	Unlimited contact & project fields
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No documents in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	You can connect quotes to contracts and invoices
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	No file comments in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Not supported
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No file storage in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Basic management (no bulk operations)
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	No file search in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Basic search (limited filtering options)
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Calendar sync only	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	No native cloud sync
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	No file sharing in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Client portal only (no public sharing controls)
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	No file sharing in Calendly	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Client portal only (no direct sharing links)
SCHEDULING	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Industry-leading scheduling features	Scheduler with intake forms	Custom scheduler with workflows	Simple scheduler, no team round-robin
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Branding is supported on paid plans	Branding options are limited	Branding options are limited	Basic scheduler (limited team coordination)
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Availability rules per event type are supported	You can control availability	You can control availability	Basic scheduler (limited team coordination)
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Buffer times between meetings are supported	You can add buffer times	You can add buffer times	Buffer time between meetings
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Multiple event types are supported	You can offer multiple session types	You can offer multiple appointment types	Multiple session types supported
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Calendar sync is supported	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Two-way sync (Google & Outlook)
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Confirmation and reminder emails can be customized	Confirmation customization is limited	Confirmation customization is limited	Custom confirmation emails
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Redirects after booking are supported	You cannot redirect after booking	You cannot redirect after booking	Included. Redirect after booking supported
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Automation applies only to booking events	Contracts can trigger workflows	Contracts trigger workflows	Trigger actions on booking
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Automatic meeting reminders are supported	Meeting reminders send automatically	Meeting reminders send automatically	Auto meeting reminders
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Timezone handling is supported	Timezones adjust automatically	Timezones adjust automatically	Supported
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Stripe and PayPal at booking	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Requires manual setup	Not supported
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Booking questions can be customized	Booking forms are fixed	Booking forms are fixed	You can collect info on booking
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Booking limits and notice rules are supported	You can set booking limits	You can set booking limits	Booking limits & notice supported
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Reschedule and cancel controls	Clients can reschedule or cancel	Clients can reschedule or cancel	Not supported
AUTOMATION	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Booking triggers only	AI-powered workflow builder with branching	Visual node-based Flows builder	Trigger-based automation, no visual builder
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Triggers exist only for booking events	You can automate actions with workflows	You can automate automation actions with workflows	Event-driven automation supported
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Recurring workflows are not supported	Workflows cannot repeat on a schedule	Workflows cannot repeat on a schedule	Not supported
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Multi-step workflows are not supported	Workflows can include multiple steps	Workflows can include multiple steps	Single actions. Complex multi-step flows not supported
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Branching logic is not supported	Branching exists, but options are limited	Branching exists, but is limited	Linear workflows only
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Delays exist only for reminders	You can delay workflow steps	You can delay workflow steps	Supported. You can delay workflow steps
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Tasks, projects, and invoices are not supported	Creation actions are limited	Creation actions are limited	Auto-create projects & invoices supported
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Event types can be duplicated	Items cannot be duplicated automatically	Items cannot be duplicated automatically	Not supported
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Events can be deleted	Items cannot be deleted via automation	Items cannot be deleted automatically	Manual only
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	API and webhooks are supported	You cannot use APIs or webhooks	You cannot use APIs or webhooks	Supported via webhooks (no visual designer)
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Emails can be sent based on bookings	Workflows can send emails	Workflows can send emails	Automation can trigger emails
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No comments in Calendly	You cannot post comments via automation	You cannot post comments via automation	No internal commenting system
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Basic activity logs are supported	You cannot view automation logs	You cannot view automation logs	Basic activity log (no detailed execution history)
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Variables work in emails and booking questions	You can use smart fields	You can use smart fields	You can use tokens for dynamic data
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Only scheduling modules are supported	Forms, bookings, and payments trigger workflows	Forms, payments, and bookings trigger workflows	Linear only (limited cross-module connectivity)
FORMS	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Intake questions with routing forms	Questionnaires with limited styling	Branded forms with smart fields	Basic form templates, no branding control
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Form view is supported	You cannot visually build contracts	You can build contracts using form blocks	Template-based (fixed form structures)
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Forms can be reused	You cannot reuse form templates	You can reuse form templates	Included. You can save and reuse forms
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Custom fields are supported only in booking forms and invitee records	You can add custom fields	You can add custom fields to forms and records	Included. You can add custom fields to forms
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Conditional logic exists in forms	Fields cannot change based on answers	Fields can change based on answers	Not supported. Forms are static
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Notifications can trigger on submit	You can email on submission	You can email on submission	Included. Email alerts on submission
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Automation applies only to booking events	Contracts can trigger workflows	Contracts trigger workflows	Included. Form submission can start workflows
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Forms can be embedded	You can embed forms	You can embed forms	Included. You can embed forms on your site
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Field options are limited	Field behavior is fixed	Field behavior is limited	Basic field settings (no advanced validation)
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Common field types are supported	Field types are limited	Field types are limited	Standard fields (text, date, select) supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Signature fields are not supported	Forms can include signatures	Forms can include signatures	Included. Electronic signatures available on forms
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	File uploads as managed files are not supported	File uploads are limited	Clients can upload files	Included. Clients can upload files to forms
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Redirects after booking are supported	You cannot redirect after submit	You cannot redirect after submit	Included. Custom redirect links supported
CRM	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Invitees only	Pipeline with AI lead prioritization	CRM with auto-created client records	Contact management with lead tracking
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Company records are not supported	Companies exist, but contacts come first	Companies exist, contacts come first	Organization tracking (no separate company records)
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	Custom fields exist for invitees only	You can add CRM fields	You can add CRM fields	Included. Unlimited custom contact fields
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Activity history is limited to meetings	You can see full activity history	You can see full activity history	Included. Tracks interactions per contact
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tagging is supported via integrations	You can tag and segment contacts	You can tag and segment contacts	Included. Tag-based organization supported
WIKI	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	A knowledge base is not supported	You cannot create an internal wiki	You cannot create an internal wiki	Not supported. No built-in wiki or SOP system
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported. No rich-text page builder
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported
DASHBOARDS	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Calendly has no custom dashboards	HoneyBook does not have custom dashboards	Dubsado has a home page, not custom dashboards	Fixed layout
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No dashboard builder in Calendly	Limited dashboard widgets	Included	Not supported. Dashboard is pre-configured
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Booking analytics only	Basic charts only	Requires manual setup	Basic financial charts (no custom chart creation)
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Booking metrics only	Basic metrics only	Included	Standard metrics only (revenue, leads)
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported. No internal goal tracking system
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported. No dashboard notes widget
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included	Calendar on dashboard	Included	Included. Agenda and upcoming tasks displayed
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Billing reports only	Revenue & invoice tracking	Included	Included. Revenue and pending payments tracking
BRANDING	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Calendly branding always visible	HoneyBook branding, not white-label	Dubsado branding, not white-label	Logo only
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	Page colors can be customized	UI theme cannot be customized	UI theme cannot be customized	Not supported. Themes are pre-defined
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Custom CSS is not supported	You cannot apply custom CSS	You cannot apply custom CSS	Not supported. No custom CSS access
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Custom login pages are not supported	Login pages cannot be customized	Login pages cannot be customized	Logo branding only (fixed layout)
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Email branding is limited	You can brand outgoing emails	You can brand outgoing emails	Included. Add your logo to all messages
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Not supported	You cannot use custom fonts	You cannot use custom fonts	Not supported. No custom font uploads
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Included	You can add your logo	You can add your logo	Included. Your logo on documents and emails
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported. Redirects to 17hats domain
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Included. Send from your SMTP server
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported	Not supported (requires integration)	Not supported	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Workspace only	HoneyBook has fixed workspace	Dubsado has fixed workspace	17hats has fixed workspace
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Workspace structure can be adjusted	You cannot customize navigation	You cannot customize navigation	Fixed menu (no customization)
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Menus cannot change per user	Menus are the same for all users	Menus are the same for all users	Not supported (fixed menu for all user roles)
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	User roles are limited	You cannot define custom roles	You cannot define custom roles	Basic roles only (no granular permissions)
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Advanced permissions are supported	Permissions are not configurable	Permissions are not configurable	Not supported (no granular permission settings)
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Email & password login only	You cannot use SSO	You cannot use SSO	Email & password login only
INTEGRATIONS	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	130+ native integrations	Zapier only	Zapier only	Zapier plus direct integrations
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier integration is supported	You can connect HoneyBook to Zapier	You can connect Dubsado to Zapier	Included. Full Zapier connectivity
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make integration is supported	You cannot connect via Make	You cannot connect via Make	Not supported natively
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Possible via API	You cannot connect via Pabbly	You cannot connect via Pabbly	Not supported natively
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	REST API access is supported	You cannot access an API	You cannot access an API	Included. API access available for developers
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks are supported	You cannot use webhooks	You cannot use webhooks	Supported. Automate events via webhooks
PLATFORM	Plutio	Calendly	HoneyBook	Dubsado	17hats
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile apps with scheduling	Full-featured iOS and Android apps	iOS and Android with Tap to Pay	Limited features
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	iOS app is supported	You can use HoneyBook on iOS	You can use Dubsado on iOS	Limited features (legacy mobile interface)
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Android app is supported	You can use HoneyBook on Android	You can use Dubsado on Android	Limited features (legacy mobile interface)
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version	There is no desktop app	There is no desktop app	Web only. No native Mac application
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version	There is no desktop app	There is no desktop app	Web only. No native Windows application

How to migrate from Calendly to Plutio (Step-by-Step)

Switching from Calendly to Plutio is designed to be a continuous move rather than a fresh start. You can carry over your existing client data and billing history to maintain momentum.

Step 1: Export your Calendly data
Download your clients, projects, and invoices as CSV files from your Calendly dashboard.

Step 2: Map and Import into Plutio
Upload your CSVs to Plutio. Our importer allows you to map Calendly fields (like Client Name, Email, and Total Invoiced) directly to Plutio’s structured database.

Step 3: Brand and Invite
Set up your whitelabeled portal and custom domain. Once ready, invite your clients into their new professional workspace where they can access all their historical data.

Step 4: Connect the Workflows
Unlike Calendly, you can now link those imported invoices and projects to automated follow-ups and task boards, so your work finally catches up with your billing.

Frequently asked questions

Can Plutio replace Calendly?

Yes. Plutio includes proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, projects, tasks, client communication, client portals, automation, and AI in one system.

Can I send one-off invoices or contracts in Plutio?

Yes. You can send one-off proposals, contracts, or invoices, or connect them into automated workflows.

Is Plutio good for freelancers and agencies?

Yes. Plutio is used by freelancers and agencies managing multiple projects, tasks, and workflows. Many users start small and expand their workflows as their client work grows.

Do freelancers actually use Plutio day to day?

Yes. Plutio is used daily by freelancers to manage proposals, contracts, invoices, projects, client communication, and automation in one place.

Is Plutio proven for agencies, not just solo freelancers?

Yes. Agencies use Plutio to manage multiple clients, team members, projects, billing, and client communication while keeping everything connected.

How long has Plutio been around?

Plutio has been built and refined for over 10 years based on real freelancer and agency feedback.

Why do people switch to Plutio from other tools?

Most users switch when they need to bridge the gap between getting hired and actually doing the work, moving from isolated tools to a unified system.

Can I migrate from Calendly?

Yes. You can import clients, projects, invoices, and more and continue without starting over.

Is my data used to train AI models?

No. Your data is private, encrypted, and never used to train any AI models.

Is Plutio or Calendly better for growing agencies?

Plutio is widely considered the superior choice for growing agencies because its pricing scales better for teams and its feature set (like whitelabeling and project automation) is built for high-volume client management. While Calendly is great for solo freelancers starting out, Plutio provides the architectural depth needed to scale operations without switching tools again later.

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