Plutio vs Calendly: Complete Comparison (2026)

Calendly books meetings, but the workflow ends when the calendar invite is sent. You share a booking link, clients pick a time, and the meeting lands on both calendars with reminders. But Calendly has no proposals, no project management, no time tracking, and no invoicing. So everything that happens after the call requires separate tools.

Plutio handles scheduling and the entire client lifecycle that follows: proposals that convert to projects, time tracking that flows into invoices, and a branded portal where clients check progress without emailing you. Try Plutio free and see how much simpler client work gets when everything connects.

Last updated February 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

Calendly is scheduling software that eliminates back-and-forth emails when booking meetings. Share a link, let clients pick a time, and the meeting appears on your calendar. Calendly integrates with video conferencing, payment collection, and CRM tools. The platform focuses on one thing (scheduling) and covers it. But when the meeting ends and the client says yes, you need to open other apps to send a proposal, create a project, and generate an invoice.

Plutio is an all-in-one platform that includes scheduling as part of a complete client workflow. Booking links work similarly to Calendly: clients pick a time and it syncs to your calendar. But Plutio also handles proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, and client portals. When a meeting is booked, Plutio can automatically create a project, send a proposal, or start an onboarding workflow.

Key differences at a glance

Scope: Calendly is built specifically scheduling software with tight integrations and features like round-robin and collective booking. Plutio includes scheduling as one module within a complete client management platform covering projects, billing, and client portals.
Workflow integration: In Plutio, a booked meeting can automatically create a project, send a proposal, or start tasks. Calendly needs Zapier or similar integrations to run actions in other tools, which adds setup time and another subscription.
Client management: Plutio connects scheduling to a full CRM, project management, and invoicing system. Calendly focuses on scheduling only, so you end up rebuilding client details in your project app, then again in your invoicing app, every time you win new work.
Scheduling depth: Calendly offers specialized features like round-robin scheduling, collective booking, and routing forms that Plutio's scheduling does not match. For teams with complex scheduling needs where the meeting IS the deliverable, Calendly has more options.
Branding control: Plutio lets you run the client portal on your own custom domain (yourcompany.com) with full white-label branding. Calendly booking pages always show calendly.com in the URL, even on paid plans.
Pricing model: Calendly has a free tier for basic scheduling but requires a tool stack (PandaDoc, Asana, QuickBooks) for the full workflow at $88/month total. Plutio starts at $19/month with all modules included.

If scheduling is your primary need and you want dedicated booking with tight integrations, Calendly is the specialized choice. If you want scheduling as part of a complete client workflow where booking connects to projects, contracts, and invoicing, Plutio keeps everything in one platform.

Project and task management

After the sale closes, you still need to manage the actual work. One tool stops at scheduling while the other continues into managing the actual work.

Calendly

Not supported. Calendly is scheduling only. There are no tasks, no projects, no boards. After the meeting, work management happens in Asana, Trello, Monday, or another separate tool.

Calendly focuses exclusively on booking meetings. Project management is completely outside its scope.

No project management
No tasks or boards
No deliverable tracking
No Kanban or Gantt views
No task dependencies
Scheduling only

Plutio

Five ways to see your work. Kanban boards show tasks moving through stages. Gantt charts map timelines with visible dependencies. List view for quick triage. Table view for filtering and bulk actions. Calendar view puts deadlines in context with your schedule.

Within tasks, create subtasks with their own assignees and due dates. Set dependencies so deliverables happen in order. Attach files, track time, and have threaded conversations. Save any project as a template so new client engagements start with your proven structure ready to go.

5 views: Kanban, Gantt, List, Table, Calendar
Subtasks with unlimited nesting levels
Task dependencies with visual links
Recurring tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, custom)
Project templates with auto-task creation
Custom fields, statuses, and priorities
Time estimates and actual time per task
File attachments on tasks

Time tracking and billing

A client questions an invoice line item. Can you show them exactly what that time was spent on? When time connects to tasks, billing disputes disappear.

Calendly

Not supported. Calendly has no time tracking. There are no timers, no billable hours, no invoicing. Time tracking requires a separate tool like Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify.

Calendly collects payments for bookings (e.g., consultation fees), but this is payment collection for meetings, not time tracking or project invoicing.

No time tracking
No billable hours
No invoicing
Payment collection for bookings only
Requires separate time tracking tool

Plutio

Time connects to tasks and invoices. Track time at the task level with one-click timers. Time rolls up to projects automatically. Generate invoices from tracked hours with a complete breakdown of what was worked on. Clients see transparency; you spend zero time on billing disputes.

When time data flows through your system instead of living in a separate app like Toggl, invoicing takes minutes instead of hours and clients never question what they are paying for.

One-click timer on any task
Manual entry and timer options
Task-level AND project-level tracking
Billable vs non-billable separation
Custom rates per task, project, or client
Time reports by client, project, team
One-click invoice from time logs
Team timesheet approval workflow

Client visibility and communication

Clients email for updates because they have nowhere to check progress themselves. A portal changes that.

Calendly

No client portal. Calendly has no workspace for ongoing client relationships. Clients see their scheduled meetings and can reschedule or cancel. There is no place to track project progress, view files, or communicate about work.

Client communication happens through email notifications and meeting confirmations. No dedicated workspace exists.

No client portal
No project visibility
No file sharing
No messaging system
No deliverable approvals
Scheduling view only

Plutio

Your own branded client portal. Each client gets a login to your platform at your domain (like clients.youragency.com), with your logo and brand colors. They see their projects, tasks, files, messages, and invoices in one professional workspace.

They know what's in progress, what's waiting on them, and what's coming next. Clients can approve deliverables directly in the portal. They can upload files for your review. They can message you with questions that stay attached to the right project.

Custom domain (yourcompany.com)
White-label branding (remove Plutio)
Custom CSS for full styling control
Tasks, files, deadlines visible to clients
In-app messaging tied to projects
Deliverable approval workflow
File uploads from clients
Invoice and payment history

Client communication and inbox

A client emails you a project change. Your associate asks about the deliverables. A partner sends updated timelines. Without a central place, you check three apps and still miss something urgent.

Calendly

Email notifications only. Calendly sends email notifications when meetings are booked, rescheduled, or canceled, and those email notifications are the extent of client communication within the platform.

There is no inbox, no messaging system, no way to centralize client conversations. Communication happens in your regular email client or other tools.

Email notifications for booking events
No shared team inbox
No messaging system
No team channels
No direct messaging
No embeddable live chat

Plutio

All your client conversations in one place. When a client emails you, that message shows up in their thread alongside every other conversation you have had with them: project updates, file shares, payment confirmations. Your whole team sees the same inbox, so when you are away and a client sends an urgent message, your assistant can handle it. You can reply from your regular email and it syncs back. If you want to chat internally about a client, create a team channel. Need to capture leads from your website? Embed live chat.

Multi-email integration (connect all accounts)
Shared team inbox (everyone sees client emails)
Auto-sort emails into client 1:1 threads
Project conversations stay with the project
Team channels for internal discussions
Direct messages between teammates
@mentions pull people into conversations
Embeddable live chat for your website

Automation and workflows

A lead fills out your inquiry form. Does that automatically create a project, assign onboarding tasks, and schedule a follow-up? Or do you do it manually every time?

Calendly

Scheduling-focused automation. Calendly has workflow automation for the scheduling process: send confirmation emails, reminders before meetings, follow-up emails after meetings. Routing forms can direct invitees to different event types based on their answers.

However, automation is limited to the scheduling context. Calendly cannot create projects, assign tasks, or run automated actions in other business systems without Zapier integration.

Booking confirmations
Meeting reminders
Follow-up emails
Routing forms
No project creation automation
No task assignment
Requires Zapier for cross-tool automation

Plutio

Automation that spans your entire business. When a lead fills out your inquiry form, Plutio can automatically create a project, populate it from a template, send a proposal, schedule a follow-up task, and notify your team, all without you touching anything. When a proposal is signed, the project moves to active, the first invoice is scheduled, and onboarding tasks are assigned.

Automations work across all modules, not just tasks. A completed task can automatically create an invoice. A paid invoice can move a project status. A form submission can update your CRM.

Visual drag-and-drop builder
Start on project status change
Start on task completion
Start on payment received
Start on form submission
Start on date or deadline
Conditional logic branching
Webhook integrations

Team and agency scaling

You hire your first contractor. Can they see their assigned tasks without accessing client financials? When permissions work, growth does not mean chaos.

Calendly

Team scheduling features. Calendly Teams supports round-robin scheduling across team members, collective meetings where multiple team members join, and team event types. Admins can manage team calendars and settings.

However, Calendly teams are about scheduling coordination, not project collaboration. There are no project permissions, no task visibility controls, and no client financial access controls because those features do not exist in Calendly.

Round-robin scheduling
Collective meetings
Team event types
No project permissions
No task visibility controls
No financial access controls
Scheduling coordination only

Plutio

Granular permissions for growing teams. Control who sees what at project, task, or document level. Add contractors who see only their assigned tasks. Add team members who manage projects but not financials. Add clients who see only their portal. Scales from solo to agency without changing tools.

When you hire your first contractor, they get access to exactly what they need and nothing more. Granular access protects client privacy and your business data while letting you delegate effectively.

Custom role creation with granular permissions
Per-project and per-task access control
Contractor access (assigned tasks only)
Client access (portal permissions)
Internal notes hidden from clients
Multi-workspace for agencies
Team workload and capacity views
Timesheet approval workflow

White-label branding and customization

Your clients should see YOUR brand everywhere. Not your software vendor's logo. When clients log in, book meetings, receive invoices, and check progress, every touchpoint should reinforce your brand.

Calendly

Booking page branding. Calendly allows logo upload, color customization, and custom booking page URLs. You can match your brand colors on booking pages. Pro plans remove Calendly branding from booking pages.

However, there is no custom domain for booking pages (it is always calendly.com/yourname), no custom email SMTP, and no workspace branding because there is no workspace.

Logo on booking pages
Color customization
Remove Calendly branding (Pro)
No custom domain
No custom SMTP for emails
No workspace branding
Calendly.com URL always visible

Plutio

Your clients see your brand everywhere. When a client logs in, they go to yourcompany.com, not some third-party URL. The login page has your logo and colors. The interface matches your brand. Emails come from you@yourcompany.com because you connect your own email server. If you want to embed the entire client workspace into your own website, you can. You can even write custom CSS if you need exact control.

Custom domain (clients see yourcompany.com)
Full white-label (remove all Plutio branding)
Custom interface theme (your brand colors everywhere)
Branded login and signup pages
Custom SMTP (emails from your domain)
Full workspace embedding into your site
Custom CSS for complete styling control
Custom logo throughout the platform

Invoicing, billing, and subscriptions

Getting paid is more than sending invoices. Billing includes recurring charges, payment plans, and invoices that reflect your brand.

Calendly

Payment collection for bookings only. Calendly can collect payments when clients book meetings (e.g., consultation fees). Calendly integrates with Stripe and PayPal for payment collection. However, this is payment collection at booking time, not invoicing.

Calendly has no invoice creation, no recurring project billing, no time-to-invoice conversion, and no financial reporting. For ongoing client billing, you need a separate invoicing tool.

Payment collection at booking
Stripe and PayPal integration
No invoice builder
No recurring invoices
No subscription management
No time-to-invoice conversion
Booking payments only

Plutio

Billing that works like you are running a real business. You open the invoice builder and drag elements where you want them. Logo here, line items there, payment terms at the bottom. The result looks like something you designed, not a template you filled in. When you have retainer clients, you set up subscriptions that charge them automatically every month. When someone needs to pay in installments, you split the invoice and schedule the charges. All your payment processors connect: Stripe, Square, PayPal, bank transfers.

Drag-and-drop invoice builder (visual design)
Subscription management (auto-billing)
Recurring invoices on schedule
Payment plans with installments
Multiple gateways: Stripe, Square, PayPal, ACH
Full transaction history and tracking
Fully branded invoice design
One-click invoice from time logs

Proposals and contracts

Your proposal is the first document a potential client sees. When they open it, do they see modern interactive pricing? Or a static quote?

Calendly

Not supported. Calendly has no proposal or contract features. The platform is focused on scheduling. After a meeting is booked and held, you need a separate tool like PandaDoc, Proposify, or HoneyBook to send proposals and contracts.

Calendly routing forms can ask pre-meeting questions, but this is intake data collection, not proposal creation.

No proposal builder
No contracts
No e-signatures
No pricing tables
No proposal analytics
Requires separate proposal tool

Plutio

Proposals that close deals. You drag in sections, add interactive pricing tables where clients pick packages or add-ons, and send something that looks like you built a custom app for them. When they accept, the proposal converts into a project automatically with tasks from your template. Contracts attach to the same flow with e-signatures and full audit trails. You see exactly when someone opened your proposal, what they clicked, and how long they looked at each section.

Drag-and-drop proposal builder
Interactive pricing tables
Package and add-on selection
Auto-convert to project on approval
E-signatures with audit trail
Real-time view tracking
Proposal templates
Proposal-to-invoice automation

Running a client project: Calendly vs Plutio

A potential client books a discovery call through your scheduling link. What happens next?

With Calendly, here is how it usually goes:

Client books through your Calendly link
You have the call and they want to move forward
You open PandaDoc to create a proposal
Client signs in PandaDoc
You open Trello to create a project board
You add tasks based on the scope you already wrote
Work happens spread across tools
You open QuickBooks to send an invoice
Client asks where to see project progress
You create a shared Google folder and send the link

With Plutio, here is how it works:

Client books through your Plutio scheduling link
You have the call and they want to move forward
You send a proposal with interactive pricing
Client selects their package and signs
A project is created with tasks from the scope
Client gets access to a branded portal
They see tasks, files, and timeline in one place
Invoice is generated and sent from the same platform

One platform from first meeting to final invoice.

Calendly starts conversations. Plutio runs the business.

Where Plutio wins (the proof)

These are verifiable differences, not opinions.

1. Complete workflow: Plutio has it, Calendly does not

Calendly: Scheduling only. No proposals, no contracts, no project management, no invoicing. After the meeting ends, you open another app.

Plutio: Scheduling plus proposals, contracts, project management, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals all connected in one platform.

The proof: Check Calendly's official features page. Every feature is about scheduling. Project management, invoicing, and contracts are not mentioned because they do not exist.

2. Client portal: Your brand vs a shared Google folder

Calendly: Clients see their scheduled meetings. There is no workspace for ongoing projects, file sharing, or progress tracking.

Plutio: Clients log into a branded portal at your domain where they see tasks, files, deadlines, and messages in one place.

The proof: G2 reviewers consistently note that Calendly covers scheduling but requires other tools to manage the project.

3. Cost: One subscription vs a tool stack

Calendly stack: Calendly ($12) + PandaDoc ($35) + Asana ($11) + QuickBooks ($30) = $88+/month for a complete workflow.

Plutio: $19/month (Core) with scheduling, proposals, projects, invoicing, and client portals included.

The proof: Add up the published pricing on each tool's official site. Plutio replaces the entire stack.

When Calendly might still work

No tool fits every workflow. Calendly might still work if:

Scheduling is your only need. If you just need clients to book time on your calendar and you handle everything else manually or with existing tools, Calendly does scheduling better than anyone.
You need specialized scheduling features. Round-robin scheduling, collective booking for multiple team members, and routing forms are more mature in Calendly. If complex scheduling is your primary workflow, Calendly has more features for that.
You already have a working tool stack. If your PandaDoc, Asana, and QuickBooks setup works and you do not want to migrate, keeping Calendly for scheduling while using your other tools makes sense.
You want a free plan. Calendly has a free tier for basic scheduling. Plutio does not have a free plan, only a 14-day trial.

But if you want scheduling connected to proposals, projects, and invoicing in one platform without building a tool stack, Plutio fits better.

Why they switched: real outcomes

What happens when freelancers move their tool stack into Plutio?

West 7th Design Studio reduced client support requests by 90% after giving clients one portal to see progress instead of chasing updates across email. They stopped sending Google Drive links and started using a branded workspace.

YazMarketing increased their sales pipeline by 80% after connecting proposals directly to projects. The handoff between winning work and doing work disappeared.

These results come from eliminating the gaps between tools. When scheduling connects to proposals, proposals connect to projects, and projects connect to invoicing, the admin overhead drops and you spend more time on billable work.

Final verdict

Calendly and Plutio solve different problems. Both are highly rated: Plutio holds a 4.4/5 on G2 while Calendly is one of the top-rated scheduling tools with high reviews for scheduling.

Calendly is a scheduling tool that does one thing well. Share a link, let clients pick a time, and the meeting lands on your calendar with reminders. The free tier handles basic scheduling. Paid plans add team features like round-robin, collective booking, and routing forms. If scheduling is the end of your workflow, Calendly is the focused choice.

The challenge for freelancers and agencies is that scheduling is just the start. Every booking leads to a proposal, a project, and an invoice. Running a full workflow means building a stack: Calendly for scheduling ($12/month), PandaDoc for proposals ($35/month), Asana for projects ($11/month), QuickBooks for invoicing ($30/month). The total is $88/month in subscriptions plus the context switching between four systems.

Plutio starts at $19/month with scheduling, proposals, project management, invoicing, and client portals included. When a client books a meeting, that same platform handles the proposal, creates the project, tracks your time, sends the invoice, and gives clients a branded portal to see their progress.

The bottom line: Calendly covers meeting scheduling as a standalone tool when separate tools handle the rest. Plutio connects scheduling to proposals, projects, and invoicing in one platform where booking is part of the complete client workflow.

How to switch from Calendly to Plutio

Switching from Calendly to Plutio means gaining the rest of the client workflow.

Step 1: Set up scheduling in Plutio
Create your booking page types and connect your Google or Outlook calendar for sync.

Step 2: Update your booking links
Replace Calendly links on your website, email signature, and social profiles with your new Plutio scheduling links.

Step 3: Create proposal and contract templates
Set up the templates you'll send after discovery calls. Interactive pricing with packages and add-ons.

Step 4: Cancel your stack subscriptions
Once your proposals, projects, and invoicing are running in Plutio, cancel PandaDoc, QuickBooks, Calendly, and any other tools in your stack.

Research & Sources

Every comparison and price point on this page is backed by direct research conducted in January 2026. We verify data across official product pages, user reviews, and third-party analysis to ensure accuracy.

Pricing verification sources

Plutio: Official pricing, GetApp reviews
Calendly: Official pricing, Capterra reviews

Verification methodology

For each feature in the comparison table:

We consult official product documentation
We verify with multiple third-party sources (G2, GetApp, TrustRadius)
We cross-reference with video demonstrations and user reviews
We update pricing monthly based on current published rates

If you find any inaccuracies, please let us know so we can investigate and update immediately.

Plutio vs Calendly: full feature comparison for 2026

Scheduling, project management, client portals, proposals, invoicing, and automation compared side by side

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$12/month (Standard, $10/month annual)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan with basic scheduling
Trial period	14-day free trial	Free trial available
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Projects are not supported
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	Projects are not supported
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Task boards are not supported
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	Project boards are not supported
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	Project boards are not supported
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	Project stages and milestones are not supported
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Not supported
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Projects are not supported
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Kanban boards are not supported
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	Task tables are not supported
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	Task lists are not supported
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	The calendar shows meetings only, not projects or tasks
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Gantt charts are not supported
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	Tasks and subtasks are not supported
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Not supported
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Task comments are not supported
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	Tasks are not supported
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Task prioritization is not supported
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	Task labeling is not supported
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Multiple assignees are not supported
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	Task templates are not supported
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Task-level permissions are not supported
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	Task dependencies are not supported
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	Tasks are not supported
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Tasks are not supported
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Time tracking is not supported
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Task tracking is not supported
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Project tracking is not supported
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable tracking is not supported
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Invoices are not supported
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Not supported
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Team views require dashboards
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Calendly is for scheduling only
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Proposals are not supported
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Proposals are not supported
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	Proposals are not supported
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	Proposals are not supported
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Not supported
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Invoices are not supported
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	Proposal pricing is not supported
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Not supported
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Not supported
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Not supported
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	Not supported
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Not supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	Not supported
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Proposals are not supported
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Calendly is for scheduling only
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Form view is supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	E-signatures are not supported
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Contracts are not supported
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Contracts are not supported
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Contract reminders are not supported
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Contracts are not supported
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Automation applies only to booking events
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Contract notifications are not supported
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Contracts are not supported
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Contracts are not supported
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Contracts are not supported
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Calendly does not create invoices
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Invoices are not supported
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Invoices are not supported
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Invoices are not supported
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Invoices are not supported
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Invoices are not supported
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	ACH depends on payment integration
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Payments are supported via third‑party tools
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Square payments are not supported natively
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal possible via integrations only
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Payments can be split using external tools
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Installments are not supported
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices are not supported
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Subscriptions are not supported
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Reminders depend on integrations
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Invoices are not supported
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Currency depends on calendar and integrations
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Automation applies only to booking events
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Contract notifications are not supported
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Expense tracking is not supported
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Invoices are not supported
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Time tracking is not supported
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Invoices are not supported
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	A unified client inbox is not supported
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Calendly sends emails, inbox sync is not supported
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	Live chat is not supported
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Direct messaging is not supported
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Projects are not supported
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Team chat is not supported
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	@mentions are not supported
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Messaging is not supported
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Chat and file sharing are not supported
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Not supported
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Not supported
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	File storage is not supported
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	No file storage in Calendly
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	No file storage in Calendly
People folders	Group files by person when needed	No file storage in Calendly
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	No file storage in Calendly
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	No file storage in Calendly
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	Custom fields are supported only in booking forms and invitee records
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No documents in Calendly
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	No file comments in Calendly
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No file storage in Calendly
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	No file search in Calendly
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Calendar sync only
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	No file sharing in Calendly
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	No file sharing in Calendly
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Industry-leading scheduling features
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Branding is supported on paid plans
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Availability rules per event type are supported
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Buffer times between meetings are supported
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Multiple event types are supported
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Calendar sync is supported
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Confirmation and reminder emails can be customized
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Redirects after booking are supported
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Automation applies only to booking events
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Automatic meeting reminders are supported
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Timezone handling is supported
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Stripe and PayPal at booking
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Booking questions can be customized
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Booking limits and notice rules are supported
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Reschedule and cancel controls
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Booking triggers only
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Triggers exist only for booking events
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Recurring workflows are not supported
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Multi-step workflows are not supported
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Branching logic is not supported
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Delays exist only for reminders
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Tasks, projects, and invoices are not supported
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Event types can be duplicated
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Events can be deleted
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	API and webhooks are supported
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Emails can be sent based on bookings
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No comments in Calendly
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Basic activity logs are supported
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Variables work in emails and booking questions
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Only scheduling modules are supported
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Intake questions with routing forms
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Form view is supported
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Forms can be reused
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
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Conditional logic exists in forms
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Notifications can trigger on submit
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Automation applies only to booking events
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Forms can be embedded
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Field options are limited
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Common field types are supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Signature fields are not supported
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	File uploads as managed files are not supported
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Redirects after booking are supported
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Invitees only
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Company records are not supported
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	Custom fields exist for invitees only
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Activity history is limited to meetings
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tagging is supported via integrations
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	A knowledge base is not supported
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Calendly has no custom dashboards
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No dashboard builder in Calendly
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Booking analytics only
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Booking metrics only
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Not supported
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Billing reports only
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Calendly branding always visible
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	Page colors can be customized
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Custom CSS is not supported
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Custom login pages are not supported
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Email branding is limited
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Not supported
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Included
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Not supported
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Workspace only
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Workspace structure can be adjusted
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Menus cannot change per user
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	User roles are limited
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Advanced permissions are supported
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Email & password login only
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	130+ native integrations
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier integration is supported
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make integration is supported
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Possible via API
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	REST API access is supported
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks are supported
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile apps with scheduling
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	iOS app is supported
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Android app is supported
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version

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Plutio vs Calendly FAQ: common questions answered

Can Plutio replace Calendly?

Yes. Plutio includes scheduling with customizable booking pages, calendar sync, and buffer times. Plutio adds proposals, projects, invoicing, and client portals that Calendly lacks.

Does Calendly have project management?

No. Calendly is scheduling only. After the meeting, you need Trello, Asana, or another tool for project management. Plutio includes Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and full task management.

Does Calendly have invoicing?

No. Calendly has payment collection for paid bookings, but no invoicing for project work. Plutio includes full invoicing with Stripe, PayPal, and ACH.

How much does the Calendly stack cost?

Calendly Essentials ($12) + PandaDoc ($35) + Asana ($11) + QuickBooks ($30) = $88/month. Plutio Core is $19/month with all features.

Is Plutio scheduling as good as Calendly?

Calendly is built specifically for scheduling and has more scheduling-specific features like round robin, collective booking, and routing forms. Plutio scheduling covers the core use cases and connects to the rest of your workflow.

Does Plutio sync with Google Calendar?

Yes. Plutio syncs with Google Calendar and Outlook. Availability is pulled automatically and booked meetings sync to your calendar.

Can clients book meetings in Plutio?

Yes. Create customizable booking pages and share the links. Clients pick a slot, and the meeting is scheduled with calendar sync.

Which is better for coaches?

Calendly is sufficient for coaches who just sell sessions. Plutio is better for coaches who also sell packages, need proposals, or want clients to see program progress in a portal.

What integrations does Plutio support?

Plutio connects to 5,000+ apps through Zapier, including Google Calendar, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks, Slack, and more. Plutio also has a REST API for custom integrations. Native integrations include calendar sync, payment processors, and email services.

Does Plutio have a mobile app?

Yes. Plutio has native iOS and Android apps that let you manage projects, communicate with clients, track time, and send invoices from your phone. The mobile apps sync in real-time with the web platform.

Does Plutio offer a free trial?

Yes. Plutio offers a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start. You can explore proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, and client portals before choosing a plan.

Is my data safe with Plutio?

Yes. Your data is private, encrypted, and never used to train AI models. Plutio uses industry-standard security practices including SSL encryption, regular backups, and GDPR compliance. You can export your data at any time.

Can I white-label Plutio with my own branding?

Yes. Plutio offers complete white-labeling including custom domains, branded login pages, your logo and colors throughout, custom email templates with your SMTP, and CSS customization. Clients see your brand, not Plutio.

How long has Plutio been around?

Plutio has been built and refined for over 10 years based on real freelancer and agency feedback. The platform is actively developed with regular updates and new features added based on user needs.

Can I import data from other tools into Plutio?

Yes. Plutio supports CSV imports for clients, projects, and invoices. You can migrate from most business tools including HoneyBook, Dubsado, 17hats, and others. Our support team can help with complex migrations.

Is Plutio better than Calendly for freelancers?

Calendly is pure scheduling software. Calendly does one thing and does it well. Plutio is an all-in-one platform where scheduling is one feature among many. If you only need scheduling and already have separate tools for proposals, invoicing, and projects, Calendly works. If you want everything connected, Plutio eliminates the tool stack.

Does Plutio have a unified inbox?

Yes. Plutio has a unified inbox where you connect multiple email accounts and manage all client communication in one place. Client emails automatically sort into their conversation threads. Your team shares one inbox so no one misses urgent requests.

Can I use Plutio for team collaboration?

Yes. Plutio includes team features on all plans: shared inboxes, team channels, @mentions, task assignments, and workload views. You can create custom roles with granular permissions so team members see only what they need.

Does Calendly have time tracking?

No. Calendly is scheduling software without time tracking. If you bill by the hour, you need a separate tool. Plutio includes time tracking with one-click timers and generates invoices directly from time logs.

Which has better automation?

Calendly includes scheduling automation: reminders, follow-ups, and routing. Plutio automation extends across the entire workflow: when a meeting is booked or a proposal is signed, Plutio can create a project, assign tasks, and send custom emails automatically.

Does Calendly have contracts or proposals?

No. Calendly is scheduling only. To send proposals and contracts, you need a separate tool like PandaDoc or Bonsai. Plutio includes proposals, contracts, and e-signatures connected to your scheduling, projects, and invoicing.

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