That LTD Life

ZCal Review: Replace Calendly for $49?

ZCal offers Calendly-like scheduling features with team capabilities for a one-time payment of $49. This detailed review examines its booking interface, customization options, team features, and integration capabilities to help you decide if it's worth switching.

Dave Swift

Jan 9, 2025 — 4 min read

ZCal is a new scheduling tool that's making waves in the productivity space, offering a compelling alternative to subscription-based services like Calendly. With its recent launch on AppSumo, it brings professional scheduling features and team capabilities at a one-time price point of $49. But is it worth switching from your current scheduling tool? Let's break down everything you need to know.

Introduction to ZCal [00:00]

ZCal is positioned as a modern scheduling solution that competes directly with established players like Calendly. What sets it apart is its design-first approach and comprehensive feature set, available at a one-time price rather than a monthly subscription.

Pricing and Limited Time Deal [00:18]

Currently available on AppSumo for $49, ZCal offers exceptional value with its one-time payment structure. This price point includes features that typically require premium subscriptions with other scheduling tools. The deal is particularly attractive because:

It's a one-time payment versus recurring subscriptions
All features are available across all tiers
Team features are included in every plan
The price is set to increase soon

Try zcal

Plan Details & Features [00:51]

ZCal's pricing structure is refreshingly simple, with three tiers differentiated primarily by the number of users. What's particularly notable is that all features are available across every tier - a departure from the usual practice of restricting premium features to higher-priced plans.

Key aspects of the plans include:

Team features available on all tiers
Three users included in the basic plan
All core features accessible regardless of tier
Competitive pricing compared to other LTD scheduling tools

Booking Page Interface Demo [01:44]

The booking page interface is where ZCal truly shines, offering a modern and highly customizable experience. Key features include:

Video background support
Customizable color schemes
Responsive design that works on all devices
Clean, professional layout
Option to remove ZCal branding
Multiple layout choices for different use cases

Booking Process Walkthrough [02:36]

The booking experience is streamlined and professional, with several notable features:

Intuitive date and time selection
Mobile-responsive interface
Custom question capabilities
Guest participant options
Calendar integration for automatic syncing
Professional confirmation pages and emails

Administrator Features [04:27]

From an administrator's perspective, ZCal offers robust control over your scheduling environment:

Comprehensive dashboard for managing appointments
Easy rescheduling and cancellation options
Detailed event management
Email confirmation handling
Custom notification settings

Creating Appointment Types [05:12]

The process of creating appointment types is straightforward yet flexible:

Multiple appointment type options:
- One-on-one appointments
- Group invites
- Meeting pools
Customization options:
- Location settings (physical or virtual)
- Multiple location options per appointment
- Custom URLs for each appointment type
- Detailed description fields

Design & Customization Options [07:20]

ZCal places significant emphasis on design customization:

Three distinct layout options:
- Contained (recommended for most uses)
- Full width
- Cover photo layout
Visual customization:
- Complete color scheme control
- Google Fonts integration
- Background image/video options
- Custom branding elements
Story feature:
- Option to add introduction videos
- Custom image support
- Focal point adjustment for optimal display

Scheduling & Availability Settings [11:49]

Availability management in ZCal is comprehensive and flexible:

Calendar integration options
Buffer time settings
Minimum notice requirements
Maximum daily meeting limits
Custom availability windows
Date-specific scheduling rules

Integration Options [17:49]

ZCal offers several key integrations:

Calendar Integration:
- Google Calendar
- Outlook Calendar
- Two-way sync capabilities
Meeting Platforms:
- Zoom
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
- Custom location options
Additional Integrations:
- Zapier for automation
- Stripe for payments
- Google Analytics
- Meta Pixel
- Contact synchronization

Profile Page Features [18:47]

Each user gets a professional profile page that includes:

Customizable user information
Listed appointment types
Video introduction options
Custom branding elements
Embedded calendar options

Team Booking Features [19:45]

Team scheduling is a standout feature, offering:

Round-robin appointment distribution
Collective booking options
Team profile pages
Shared availability management
Custom team scheduling rules

Final Thoughts & Missing Features [21:56]

While ZCal is impressive, there are a few features that could enhance the platform:

Desired Improvements:

Custom domain support (CNAME records)
Additional payment gateway options beyond Stripe
Support for the web calendar access protocol

Conclusion & Rating [23:47]

ZCal earns a strong 8.7/10 rating, matching TidyCal in overall quality. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference:

Choose ZCal if you prefer:
- More visual customization options
- Modern, design-focused interface
- Team features at every tier
Consider TidyCal if you want:
- A more traditional Calendly-like experience
- Simpler, straightforward interface

For businesses looking to move away from subscription-based scheduling tools, ZCal represents an excellent value, especially at its current AppSumo price point of $49. The combination of comprehensive features, team capabilities, and modern design makes it a compelling choice for entrepreneurs and small businesses.