Vagaro vs Cal.com: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Vagaro 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:
Vagaro
Book your next salon, spa, or fitness appointment with ease.
Best for you if:
- • Platform for booking beauty, wellness, and fitness appointments.
- • Provides businesses with scheduling, POS, inventory, and marketing tools.
Cal.com
Open source scheduling
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Open-source scheduling platform
- • Self-hostable option
| At a Glance |  Vagaro |  Cal.com |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Meeting Scheduling | Meeting Scheduling |
Rating | —/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Vagaro | Cal.com |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Meeting SchedulingCalendar | Meeting SchedulingAPI Tools |
Understanding the Differences
Both Vagaro and Cal.com solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Vagaro positions itself as "book your next salon, spa, or fitness appointment with ease." while Cal.comfocuses on "open source scheduling". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Vagaro
Vagaro makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid 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?
Cal.com won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
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 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. Vagaro is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Vagaro
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Want to test first? Cal.com has a free tier to get you started.
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 Vagaro If
- 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 Vagaro 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 Vagaro or Cal.com better?
Based on our analysis, Cal.com scores higher with 85/100. Vagaro ispaid 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 Vagaro 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 Vagaro and Cal.com offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Vagaro is paid with potential trial.Cal.com is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.