Cal.com vs Square Appointments: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cal.com and Square Appointments comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cal.com
Open source scheduling
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • Open-source scheduling platform
- • Self-hostable option
Square Appointments
Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.
Best for you if:
- • Provides free online booking and scheduling for appointments and classes.
- • Integrates payment processing, automated reminders, and no-show protection.
| At a Glance |  Cal.com | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Meeting Scheduling | Meeting Scheduling |
Rating | 85/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Cal.com | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Meeting SchedulingAPI Tools | Meeting SchedulingResource Planning |
Understanding the Differences
Both Cal.com and Square Appointments solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Cal.com positions itself as "open source scheduling" while Square Appointmentsfocuses on "manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Cal.com
Cal.com makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution. With a score of 85/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Square Appointments
Square Appointments is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Cal.com lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Cal.com
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Cal.com handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Cal.com
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Cal.com
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Tight budget? Start free with Cal.com, upgrade when you're ready.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Cal.com higher (85/100). But the community has upvoted Square Appointments more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Cal.com Does Better
- Higher overall score (85/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Square Appointments If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Cal.com (85/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Cal.com scores higher in our analysis, but Square Appointments might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cal.com or Square Appointments better?
Based on our analysis, Cal.com scores higher with 85/100. Cal.com isfreemium while Square Appointments is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Cal.com to Square Appointments easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Cal.com and Square Appointments offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Cal.com is freemium with a free tier.Square Appointments is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.