Rise vs Cal.com: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Rise and Cal.com 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:
Rise
Manage projects, tasks, and time collaboratively for optimized team schedules.
Best for you if:
- • You need calendar features specifically
- • A calendar-centric tool for managing projects, tasks, and time.
- • Analyzed team schedules to identify and optimize fragmented time.
Cal.com
Open source scheduling
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need meeting scheduling features specifically
- • Open-source scheduling platform
- • Self-hostable option
| At a Glance |  Cal.com | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Calendar | Meeting Scheduling |
Rating | —/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Rise | Cal.com |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CalendarTask Management | Meeting SchedulingAPI Tools |
Understanding the Differences
Both Rise and Cal.com solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Rise positions itself as "manage projects, tasks, and time collaboratively for optimized team schedules." while Cal.comfocuses on "open source scheduling". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Rise
Rise makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution.
When to Choose Cal.com
Cal.com is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool. Scoring 85/100, it edges ahead in our evaluation.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Rise lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Rise
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Cal.com is built for teams that are leveling up.
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 Rise, 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 Cal.com 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 Rise 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 Rise 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 Rise or Cal.com better?
Based on our analysis, Cal.com scores higher with 85/100. Rise isfreemium while Cal.com 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 Rise to Cal.com 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 Rise and Cal.com offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Rise is freemium with a free tier.Cal.com is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.