Plan Together: Group Scheduling Apps Like Doodle

Efficiently scheduling meetings can often feel like herding cats. In the crowded landscape of online scheduling tools, apps like Doodle have gained immense popularity for simplifying the process of bringing people together. But what if you’re seeking alternatives to suit specific needs?

With the rise of remote work and digital calendars, there’s an urgent demand for reliable appointment scheduling software. As someone well-versed in developing collaborative tools, I understand the importance of having an arsenal of meeting planner apps that cater to diverse use cases.

From seamless calendar management to advanced meeting polls, the right app can transform your productivity.

This article dives into a curated list of premier Doodle alternatives such as Calendly and When2meet, aiming to broaden your horizon and streamline your scheduling woes.

By the end, you’ll discover a range of robust, user-friendly event planning apps and collaboration tools designed to enhance your scheduling capabilities. Let’s get into it – your next ideal meeting organizer awaits.

Apps Like Doodle

App Free Plan Mobile App Integrations Key Features Best For
Acuity Scheduling Yes Yes Google Calendar, Zoom, Stripe Client management, payment processing Appointment-based businesses
Pick Yes No Google Calendar Simple polling Quick polls
TimeTap Yes Yes Google Calendar, Zoom Appointment reminders, multi-location management Multi-provider businesses
OnceHub Inc. Yes Yes Google Calendar, Outlook, Zoom Meeting and appointment scheduling Sales teams
HubSpot Yes Yes Gmail, Outlook, Zoom CRM integration, marketing tools Marketing and sales teams
NeedToMeet Yes Yes Outlook, Google Calendar Simple group scheduling Group availability polling
Google Calendar Yes Yes Native integration Calendar management, reminders Personal and business use
Setmore Yes Yes Google Calendar, Zoom, PayPal Appointment booking, payment processing Small businesses
Rallly Yes No Google Calendar, Outlook Event scheduling, polls Event organizers
SurveyMonkey Yes Yes Slack, Microsoft Teams Surveys and polls Feedback and data collection
Appointy Yes Yes Google Calendar, Zoom, PayPal Appointment booking, CRM Service-based businesses
Chili Piper, Inc. Yes Yes Salesforce, Zapier, Zoom Lead distribution, calendar booking Sales teams
SimplyBook.me Yes Yes Google Calendar, Zoom, PayPal Online booking, marketing tools Service industries
Clara No No Google Calendar, Outlook AI scheduling assistant Busy professionals
Bookafy Yes Yes Google Calendar, Outlook, Zoom Online scheduling, CRM Small to medium businesses
Calendly Yes Yes Google Calendar, Office 365, Zoom Automated scheduling, custom availability Professionals and teams

Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a powerful tool for managing appointments, offering real-time availability and automated reminders. It’s perfect for businesses that need to streamline their scheduling processes.

Best Features:

  • Real-time appointment booking
  • Automated reminders
  • Client self-scheduling

What we like about it: Real-time availability ensures clients can’t book during your busy times, greatly reducing scheduling conflicts.

TimeTap

TimeTap is a versatile appointment scheduling software designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers advanced features like client management and recurring appointments.

Best Features:

  • Client management
  • Recurring appointments
  • Calendar syncing

What we like about it: The client management feature, allowing you to keep track of your customers and their booking history, adds a personal touch to your business.

OnceHub Inc.

OnceHub Inc. provides a suite of scheduling solutions tailored for businesses that need precision and efficiency. Its smart scheduling algorithms enhance user experience.

Best Features:

  • Smart scheduling algorithms
  • Multi-time zone support
  • Comprehensive analytics

What we like about it: The smart scheduling algorithms that adapt to both your needs and those of your clients, optimizing appointment times effectively.

HubSpot

HubSpot offers a comprehensive meeting scheduling tool as part of its broader CRM suite. This makes it integral for managing customer interactions and scheduling tasks seamlessly.

Best Features:

  • CRM integration
  • Automated meeting scheduling
  • Client communication tools

What we like about it: Its integration with HubSpot’s CRM ensures that all customer interactions are streamlined and organized within a single platform.

NeedToMeet

NeedToMeet simplifies the process of finding suitable meeting times for groups. Its straightforward interface and robust functionality make it ideal for various settings.

Best Features:

  • Group scheduling
  • Custom meeting invites
  • Notification alerts

What we like about it: The focus on group scheduling helps efficiently manage multiple participants, making it an excellent collaboration tool.

Google Calendar

Google Calendar remains a gold standard in managing personal and professional schedules. Its extensive integrations and user-friendly design enhance productivity and time management.

Best Features:

  • Real-time calendar updates
  • Event reminders
  • Integration with other Google Workspace apps

What we like about it: The seamless integration with other Google Workspace tools makes it a comprehensive solution for all scheduling needs.

Setmore

Setmore is a versatile appointment scheduling app, perfect for businesses seeking robust features. It offers online booking, reminders, and payment processing.

Best Features:

  • Online booking
  • Automated reminders
  • Payment processing

What we like about it: Online booking capabilities, allowing clients to book appointments at their convenience, enhance user experience.

Rallly

Rallly is a tool designed specifically for coordinating group events. Its open-source nature allows extensive customization, making it a versatile scheduling solution.

Best Features:

  • Group event coordination
  • Customizable interface
  • Open-source platform

What we like about it: The open-source nature, which allows for extensive customization, catering to specific needs and preferences.

SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is more than a survey tool; it also offers features for scheduling and organizing events. Its robust data collection amplifies its scheduling capabilities.

Best Features:

  • Custom surveys
  • Event scheduling
  • Data analytics

What we like about it: The integration of survey tools with scheduling capabilities, providing comprehensive insights alongside efficient planning.

Appointy

Appointy is a comprehensive appointment management software offering features like customer management and seamless calendar integrations, tailored for growing businesses.

Best Features:

  • Customer management
  • Calendar syncing
  • Multi-channel support

What we like about it: The customer management feature allows businesses to maintain detailed records of client interactions and appointments.

Chili Piper, Inc.

Chili Piper, Inc. focuses on optimizing sales team performance through intelligent scheduling. Its advanced features streamline the scheduling process for sales calls and meetings.

Best Features:

  • Intelligent scheduling
  • Salesforce integration
  • Automated meeting routing

What we like about it: The intelligent scheduling that automates meeting arrangements based on predefined criteria, enhancing efficiency.

SimplyBook.me

SimplyBook.me offers comprehensive scheduling solutions for various types of businesses. Its extensive customization options make it a versatile tool.

Best Features:

  • Customization options
  • Client management
  • Online booking

What we like about it: The level of customization, allowing businesses to tailor the scheduling experience to their specific needs.

Clara

Clara leverages AI to offer smart scheduling solutions. It functions like your personal assistant, handling all your scheduling needs efficiently.

Best Features:

  • AI-driven scheduling
  • Email integration
  • Customizable meeting requests

What we like about it: The AI-driven scheduling that learns your preferences and handles the scheduling process autonomously, enhancing convenience.

Bookafy

Bookafy offers robust scheduling capabilities with features like automated reminders and seamless calendar integrations. It’s an all-in-one solution for appointment management.

Best Features:

  • Automated reminders
  • Calendar syncing
  • Customizable booking pages

What we like about it: The automated reminders that help reduce no-shows and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Calendly

Calendly is a well-known scheduling tool that simplifies the process of booking appointments. It offers various integrations and customization options to fit diverse scheduling needs.

Best Features:

  • Calendar integration
  • Customizable booking links
  • Team scheduling

What we like about it: The customizable booking links allow you to share your availability effortlessly, enhancing the user experience.

Bookafy

Bookafy provides a versatile solution for scheduling, offering features like automated reminders and payment processing. It’s designed to cater to various business needs.

Best Features:

  • Payment processing
  • Automated reminders
  • Real-time booking

What we like about it: The payment processing feature integrated into the scheduling platform, allowing seamless transactions.

FAQ On Apps Like Doodle

How easy is it to set up apps like Doodle?

Setting up scheduling tools like Doodle is usually straightforward. You’ll start by creating an account, syncing your existing online calendar tools (like Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar), and customizing your meeting preferences.

Most platforms guide users through the initialization with step-by-step prompts, ensuring a seamless start.

Can these apps integrate with other calendar management software?

Absolutely, integration is a key feature. You can connect these apps with popular calendar management apps such as Google CalendarMicrosoft Outlook, and even team-centric tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams.

This ensures your scheduling stays seamless across different platforms, avoiding double-booking and other mishaps.

Are there free versions available?

Yes, many alternatives to Doodle offer free versions with basic functionalities. These usually include essentials like setting up meetings and basic calendar sync.

Tools like When2meet and some features of Calendly can be accessed without a subscription, though advanced options may require a paid plan.

How do these tools handle time zone differences?

Most modern scheduling tools manage time zone differences automatically. When creating an event or meeting poll, the app will adjust for participants in various time zones.

This feature is particularly helpful for global teams, ensuring no one misses a meeting due to time zone confusion.

Can I customize meeting invites?

Yes, customization is a staple feature. You can personalize your invites with specific meeting details, add your branding, and include personalized messages.

Tools like Acuity Scheduling and ScheduleOnce provide extensive customization options to tailor your invitations to your needs.

How secure are these scheduling tools?

Security is a top priority. These tools typically offer features like encrypted data transfer, secure calendar sharing, and two-factor authentication.

Companies providing these services, such as HubSpot Meetings and TimeTrade, invest in robust security measures to protect user information and privacy.

Do these apps offer mobile versions?

Indeed, mobile accessibility is crucial. Most of these scheduling apps offer mobile-friendly versions or dedicated apps for iOS and Android.

Whether you’re using SetmoreEventbrite, or Google Meet, you can manage your appointments on the go, ensuring constant connectivity and flexibility.

How can these tools improve team collaboration?

Scheduling apps can significantly enhance team collaboration. They simplify organizing meetings, maintaining shared calendars, and avoiding scheduling conflicts.

Tools like Trello and Asana facilitate real-time updates and notifications, ensuring everyone stays in sync and meetings are planned efficiently.

Are there options for scheduling large events?

Yes, these apps aren’t just limited to small meetings. For instance, Eventbrite and Booksy cater to larger audiences, offering features like ticketing, registration, and attendee management.

These functionalities make organizing large events as smooth as setting up a small team meeting.

Can I get analytics from these scheduling tools?

Many of these apps provide analytics and reporting features. Tools like HubSpot Meetings and Calendly offer insights into booking patterns, meeting durations, and participant engagement.

These analytics can be invaluable for optimizing your scheduling processes and improving overall productivity.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of apps like Doodle offers a plethora of innovative solutions for all your scheduling needs. These tools, from Calendly to When2meet, revolutionize the way we manage calendar events and appointments.

With the seamless integration of Google CalendarMicrosoft Outlook, and collaboration tools like Slack, there’s no excuse for missing a meeting or double-booking. Enhanced features, from customized meeting invites to automated time zone adjustments, cater to both individual and team use, ensuring productivity and efficiency.

Security remains paramount, with encrypted data transfer and robust authentication methods safeguarding your information. Insights and analytics further empower you to optimize scheduling, recognizing patterns and improving workflows.

Explore the array of online scheduling tools and discover how event planning apps, from Eventbrite to HubSpot Meetings, can transform your organizational prowess. Embrace these dynamic collaboration tools and elevate your approach to time management. The right app awaits—streamline your schedule today.

If you liked this article about apps like Doodle, you should check out this article about apps like Prezi.

There are also similar articles discussing apps like Freedom, apps like Microsoft Teams, apps like Basecamp, and apps like Todoist.

And let’s not forget about articles on apps like Google Calendar, apps like Airtable, apps like Monday, and apps like ClickUp.

By Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan is a seasoned web designer and tech strategist, with a keen eye on emerging industry trends. With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology. A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.

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