It's not easy to schedule a time slot in your calendar when you're travelling or busy at work -- and even if it was, there are plenty of other things that could go wrong! You might miss out on important meetings, or fall behind on deadlines because someone else forgot about them.
Scheduling online has become easier thanks to many great apps available across all platforms. But which one should you choose to start using? Here we've rounded up some of our favourites so you can get started without paying anything!
iCalendar
The iCalendar app from Apple allows users to create events within its own app as well as import calendars from anywhere including Gmail and Dropbox. It also lets you integrate with third-party services like Facebook and Twitter.
To use this app, download it onto your phone then open it up by tapping the icon on the bottom left corner of your screen. Next, tap 'Create' to begin entering information into your event. Once done, you'll see details such as who will be attending, what location they want to meet at, and any notes attached to the event.
You can add multiple people to each event but only one person per day (with exceptions made for family members). If you need more space, you can split an event into two different ones. To mark an event as private, simply uncheck the box next to "Public". While most features are included, the app lacks advanced filtering options for searching through attendees. Instead, you must rely on your contacts list to narrow down results.
Download - iOS | Android | Windows Phone | MacOS
Google Calendar
If you already use Google Calendars, why wouldn't you just stick with it? The service offers numerous useful tools for managing your life, starting with the ability to share schedules between teams and friends. This makes setting up meetings much simpler than before.
There's no option to sync your calendar directly with your smartphone though, unlike other calendars. However, you do receive push notifications whenever new items appear in your calendar. To set up reminders, click on the name of the item under "Reminders" then select how long until the reminder pops up. For example, selecting "30 minutes later" would mean that once the event ends, 30 minutes after that, the reminder would pop up.
Download - Android | iOS | Linux | Windows Phone 8 | Blackberry 10 | Chrome OS | macOS
SimplyBook.Me admin
This website comes with a premium plan ranging from $10-$50/month depending on whether you'd prefer full access to the entire system or just basic functionality. With the latter, you won't have access to the user interface itself but instead, you can make changes and view reports via email. Alternatively, you can pay extra to unlock additional features allowing you to manage appointments, send invites to others, track cancellations and keep records of attendance.
With its simple layout and intuitive tools, SimplyBook.Me admin is perfect for those looking to run their own businesses. In addition to this, the site includes several integrations with popular accounting software like QuickBooks Online and Xero.
Download - Windows | Android | iOS | Web
Zoho Bookings
Another excellent choice for making appointments is Zoho Bookings. Available on both desktop and mobile devices, this webapp provides a quick way to search for upcoming events. After signing up, you can easily filter searches based on date range and type of event you wish to attend.
Once selected, you can quickly enter the venue address along with a note detailing where you'll be headed, and hit save to complete the process. Unlike Simplybook.Me, however, Zoho Bookings does require payment upfront to ensure you don't accidentally overspend.
Download - Web
Meetup
Perhaps the biggest thing separating Meetup from rivals like Zoom is its vast community of local groups covering virtually every subject imaginable. From fitness classes to yoga sessions to film nights, there's something for everyone here.
When creating an account, you first need to pick a username and password. Then, you can browse various categories according to interest, check off relevant groups, and join those interested in similar topics. Upon joining, you can request invitations to events held elsewhere around town.
After receiving an invite, you can either accept or decline it directly from your profile page. When accepting, Meetup sends out a notification letting you know exactly where and when the event will take place. As part of the registration process, you can attach your LinkedIn profile, upload photos, and include an optional bio paragraph.
Download - Web
Square Appointments
One of the simplest ways to schedule an appointment is with Square Appointments, a tool built right into the company's credit card reader. By plugging in the device while making payments, you can instantly reserve seats for future customers.
As soon as you connect the card reader to your computer, you'll be asked to log in with Square Connect. Once logged in, you can view past transactions to find the latest customer data. Selecting a specific transaction will show you detailed billing info plus the amount paid. Finally, you can approve or cancel reservations on the spot.
Download - Web
Google Apps Meeting
A powerful alternative to the aforementioned apps is Google Apps Meeting. Similar to Zoom, this service enables individuals to host live video conferences for free. Just like Zoom, you can sign up for a free trial before purchasing a subscription.
Unlike Zoom, however, you can actually hold meetings on iPhones too. All you have to do is install the Google Apps Meeting app on your device and follow the instructions provided. Once downloaded, you can immediately jump into a conference call by clicking "Join Conference Call."
Download - iPhone
Yes! Not only does Apple offer a native app but also one called Messages for Business. This tool works similarly to WhatsApp Messenger, enabling users to communicate with clients and colleagues alike.
Like WhatsApp, you can use this app to text message, call, and chat with anyone connected to the same Wi-Fi network. And again, everything happens seamlessly since the messages are sent straight from your iPhone to the recipient's device.
Download - Messages for Business
Apple's Notes app is another fantastic resource for scheduling appointments. Like Microsoft Word, this app can help organize ideas into coherent documents. There's a lot going on here, especially considering that most of the functions come standard with the program.
For instance, you can highlight sections of content, format paragraphs, insert images, and change fonts among countless other customization options. These features allow you to craft professional-looking materials regardless of technical skill level. That said, the lack of custom backgrounds means that if you ever wanted to print out a document, you probably wouldn't end up getting the look you were expecting.
Download - iPad
While the official Android operating system doesn't feature an app specifically dedicated to scheduling, you may still find yourself needing to arrange a few meetings throughout the week. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives worth checking out.
First, consider using Hangouts Chat. Offered as an extension to regular Hangout conversations, this messaging platform serves as an ideal replacement for emails. Aside from being able to send instant replies, you can also share files, videos, voice recordings, and pictures.
Download - Hangouts Chat
Next, try using the Google Calendar app. Although limited to a single tab, this handy widget gives you an overview of upcoming events alongside time slots reserved for certain guests. Plus, Google Calendar can automatically notify you of missed appointments via SMS or email, saving you precious time.
Finally, consider using Evernote. Whether you're looking for a quick idea board or a comprehensive notebook, this application has got you covered. Its flexible nature means that you can customize the experience to suit your needs, and it even syncs with other major programs like Outlook.
Download - Evernote
When you're running your own business and need to manage time effectively, it's important that you have a good way of setting up meetings and events on an ongoing basis. This is especially true if you want to make sure everything runs smoothly within your team or organization. It can be difficult to keep track of all the details involved in planning out how many people will attend each meeting, when they'll arrive, what topics are going to be discussed, who needs to be informed about them, etc.
If you use your phone as part of your day-to-day workflow, then one option would be to set up a calendar within your preferred mobile device management solution (like Apple's iCal) so you can easily view upcoming meetings and plan your agenda accordingly. However, this isn't always ideal because not everyone uses iPhones or iPads, and sometimes you may prefer to just do things manually using pen and paper instead. Alternatively, you could try using some sort of online appointment scheduling software. These programs typically allow you to enter information into a central database where anyone else working at your company can see it too -- including those who don't necessarily rely on smartphones or tablets every day. So whether you're looking to save money by reducing your hardware costs, or simply trying to streamline your workflows, we've rounded up our favorite tools below.
There are various ways in which you can organize your work schedules without having to pay any monthly fees. The most popular ones include Zoho Books (which also offers a web version), Evernote, Microsoft Outlook, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. While all of them offer different features and levels of functionality, they basically serve similar purposes. They let you add new items like appointments, tasks, reminders, notes, and more, and then sync your data between multiple devices via cloud storage services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, or even Gmail/G Suite accounts. In addition, if you run a larger office with employees spread across several locations, you might find value in sharing calendars among your entire staff.
One handy feature of certain scheduling solutions is that they often provide integration with other third party applications like Slack or Trello. For example, you can link Slack messages to scheduled events right from within the system itself. You can also integrate Zendesk tickets directly into your schedule. And finally, you can connect Trello boards to your calendar through Zapier so you can quickly assign tasks related to a specific event.
Another benefit of using a dedicated scheduling tool over something like Google Calendar is that it allows you to share access to your schedule amongst yourself and others. If someone has been given permission to book an open slot on your calendar, they won't need to ask again unless the original requestor changes his mind or leaves the company altogether.
Yes! There are plenty of options available for scheduling freebies and paid subscriptions alike, but here are some of the best ones:
SimplyBook.Me admin - $6 per month or $60 annually
Just launched last year, Simplybook.me lets you create free professional meetings, events, and training sessions. Once you sign up, you get unlimited users, clients, guests, rooms, and agendas, plus the ability to send invites, accept payments, and view reports. All of this comes included in the basic price tag, which starts at $5 per user per month or $50 per year.
Zoho Bookings Pro - $10 /month
The Zoho Booking platform provides you with easy-to-use scheduling technology designed specifically for businesses. With its full suite of features, you can build custom interfaces, perform advanced searches, share calendars, import contacts, and much more. As well as being able to set up recurring events, you can also enable auto-response emails, and receive notifications whenever somebody tries to join a previously booked session. Pricing starts at $10 per user per month.
Square Schedule - Free
A simple yet powerful scheduling app, Square Schedule makes creating detailed, customizable schedules super quick and easy thanks to its drag-and-drop interface. Each item created on the grid automatically gets assigned a color code, making it really obvious at a glance exactly what kind of activity you're dealing with. Plus, you can customize the colors used to match whatever colors you already choose elsewhere on the page.
Google Calendar - Free
While Google Calendar isn't technically a'scheduler', it does come with quite a few useful features built-in. Aside from allowing users to create events and book seats, you can also specify start times, end dates, and even invite attendees directly from within the main calendar screen. Other features worth mentioning include the ability to email invitations, display location markers, and export data to PDFs.
Absolutely! Most major providers now support integrations with other systems, meaning you should be able to hook up Google Calendars to other platforms pretty seamlessly. Here are some examples:
Trello - Integrates with Trello cards, letting you attach links to your calendar entries.
Slack - Allows you to import/export calendar events straight from Slack.
Microsoft Teams - Offers a direct connection to your calendar.
Evernote - Lets you add events to a shared notebook.
iCloud - Automatically syncs your calendar with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC.
Outlook - Connects to your Office 365 account and shows your availability anywhere.
Dropbox - Synchronizes your calendar with your desktop client.
So regardless of whether you're currently using Google Calendar, Microsoft Exchange, or Yahoo!, you shouldn't experience any issues switching over to a competitor that will still function 100%. Some companies are better than others though. To ensure compatibility with your existing setup, check out our guide on how to switch from Google Calendar to Outlook or vice versa.
We recommend using one of the above options depending on what type of service you require. If you'd rather avoid paying anything upfront then head over to the Best Business Apps category. Otherwise, check out our list of the best productivity apps for Android phones.
For more advice on how to improve your work life balance, take a look at why some people hate their jobs and how to survive your first week back after maternity leave.
Setting up a well-organized schedule of meetings and events can be challenging if you don't have any tools to help you out. If you're looking for a way to manage your calendar in one place that's easy to use but doesn't cost anything, then check out our list of five best free appointment scheduling software options available today.
It’s important to remember that not all meeting or event management solutions are created equal. While some may be better than others at helping you organize your schedule, they tend to fall into two categories — those that require subscriptions to access advanced features and those that offer either no subscription fee or a very low monthly rate. In this article we'll take a look at four such services (Zoho Meeting Maker, SetMore, Square Appointments, and Bookfy) and find which ones fit best within each category. We will also compare how much it costs to host meetings on each platform and see whether it makes sense from a financial perspective as well.
If you want to read more about setting up an effective team workflow, here's everything you need to know about making sure everyone knows what's going on when using Slack. And if you'd like to learn more about online collaboration platforms, check out our guide to the top 10 collaborative workspaces right now.
Yes. There are plenty of great ways to make managing your schedule easier, including Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple iCal, Evernote, and even Facebook Messenger. But while most people already feel comfortable sharing calendars through email, many still prefer to do so via phone call or text message. That means if you're trying to schedule a group conversation or just get a quick update from someone, you might end up asking them to send you an SMS rather than having them pick up the phone.
But why would anyone ever choose to go back to a paper planner instead of checking their smartphone every day to stay current on upcoming events? For starters, because it's faster and easier! You won't miss a single detail by relying solely on digital reminders, and you won't have to worry about running late due to traffic jams or forgetting where you parked your car. Plus, because it's always with you, you'll never forget something again.
There are other reasons too. Some people simply enjoy working with pen and paper, especially if they've been doing it since grade school. Others think it looks cool to jot down notes on Post-its stuck around the house. Still others appreciate the simplicity of planning things ahead of time without worrying about missing deadlines. Whatever the reason, however, the fact remains that a lot of us love to keep track of our schedules digitally.
And that brings us to our next question...
The answer depends largely upon who you ask. The reality is that there isn't really a "best" option out there, though there are several excellent contenders. So let's break it down by type.
First off, consider Zoho Meeting Maker. It offers both desktop and mobile versions, which means you can easily set up new appointments anywhere you happen to be. You can create recurring weekly meetings with multiple participants, share agendas and updates with attendees before hand, and even add photos during the meeting itself. Best of all, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-year warranty, meaning you won't lose money should anything happen to your account.
For a similar service, try Set More Schedule & Reminder, which has a simple interface and includes a variety of useful features like sending reminder emails, adding guests to your calendar, creating custom alarms, and more. Like Zoho Meeting Maker, it only requires a $3/month payment plan.
Alternatively, Square Appointments is another great choice. Not only does it provide full functionality for free, it allows users to invite attendees directly from within the application with little hassle. All you need is to enter their name and email address, and once approved, you can instantly start inviting friends to join the party.
On the downside, it lacks certain premium features like integration with Gmail, Zapier, and Trello. However, it's still a solid alternative if you're willing to pay for its extra perks.
Finally, if you've got a smaller budget to work with and aren't worried about being able to customize your own calendar pages, then perhaps Bookify Scheduling is worth considering. This free tool lets you quickly build customized forms to collect information from customers and clients, then sends them along to a designated inbox. After filling out the form, recipients receive a confirmation link that takes them straight to your calendar page.
At least three different companies offer unlimited free trials for their products, allowing you to test drive them without paying anything upfront. These include Zoho Meetings, Set More Schedule & Reminders, and Square Appointments. Each one offers basic capabilities, but none of them come close to duplicating what you would expect from paid alternatives.
That said, if you want to avoid spending any additional cash whatsoever and don't mind limited features, then Square Appointment is definitely a good bet. Though it's not perfect, it's still significantly cheaper than competing offerings.
Lastly, if you're interested in finding a web-based solution, then Take Control Your Life may be exactly what you're looking for. Its powerful scheduler feature allows you to record tasks, events, and conversations in minutes, and automatically sync them across devices.
Meanwhile, if you decide to switch over to iOS, Apple's native calendar app is actually quite capable. With iCloud support built right into the operating system, iPhone owners can seamlessly connect with colleagues and co-workers from afar. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from downloading third-party applications like BusyCal or Any.do to further enhance your productivity.
While the aforementioned apps are geared towards individual consumers, a number of businesses rely heavily on scheduling software to handle operations ranging from daily events to large projects. Fortunately, many of these same programs carry enterprise pricing models that allow companies of all sizes to save money and simplify their administrative processes.
In particular, if you operate a B2B operation and regularly run conference calls, sales presentations, and brainstorming sessions, then you might want to consider signing up for Zoom Pro. Not only is it a reliable video conferencing program, but it also provides a wealth of scheduling features like auto-scheduling, real-time chat messaging, and automatic screen capture recording. Additionally, it supports file transfers between attendees, screen sharing, and live polling.
However, if you're primarily concerned with scheduling internal conferences, then we recommend checking out Asana Business Edition. This version of the popular task manager integrates seamlessly with Google Apps, Dropbox, Salesforce, Jira, Github, and GitHub Enterprise, among other cloud storage services. Meanwhile, it enables administrators and employees alike to collaborate effectively by providing customizable dashboards, customizable templates, and integrated security controls.
You can download Asana for free, though it's only accessible to individuals who sign up for a personal license. Alternatively, if you'd like to give it a shot but don't necessarily need all the bells and whistles offered by Premium, Asana Lite is also available for free. Unfortunately, it only covers basic functionalities like one-on-one chats and private groups.
To recap, here are the main differences between these four apps:
Zoom - Free | Paid ($14 / month): Video conferencing, screen sharing, polls, file transfer, and secure voice connection
Asana - Free | Paid ($39 / user / year): Task management, project management, issue tracking, and shared Gantt charts
Square Appointments - Free | Paid ($3 / month): Recurring meetings, guest lists, photo uploads, and custom fields
Take Control Your Life - Free | Paid ($29 / year): Simple scheduling, note taking, and document creation
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.