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Quick picks
Calendly
The scheduling tool clients already know — free plan is genuinely capable
Try Calendly free →Cal.com
Open-source, more flexible, and free for most use cases
Start free with Cal.com →Loom
Record walkthroughs instead of scheduling calls — massive time-saver
Try Loom free →Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendly | Free / $10mo | ✓ Great | Scheduling | Most recognised |
| Cal.com | Free / $12mo | ✓ Generous | Scheduling | Most flexible |
| Loom | Free / $12.50mo | ✓ | Async video | Client updates |
| Zoom | Free / $15mo | ✓ 40min limit | Video calls | Client meetings |
| Notion | Free / $10mo | ✓ | Client portal | Project sharing |
In-depth reviews
Calendly
The scheduling tool clients already recognise and trust
Calendly became the standard for a reason — it's clean, it works, and clients know what to do when you send them a link. The free plan gives you one event type which is enough for most solo consultants starting out. The paid plan unlocks multiple event types, team features you don't need, and payment collection at booking.
What works
- Clients recognise it immediately
- Solid free plan
- Integrates with everything
- Payment at booking on paid plan
What doesn't
- Free plan limited to 1 event type
- Less flexible than Cal.com
- Branding on free plan
Loom
Replace meetings with async video — a genuine time-saver
Loom is one of those tools that changes how you work once you start using it. Instead of scheduling a 30-minute call to walk a client through feedback, you record a 4-minute video. They watch it when they're ready, can comment at specific timestamps, and you've saved everyone time. The free plan is generous for solo use.
What works
- Dramatically reduces unnecessary calls
- Clients can comment at timestamps
- Generous free plan
- Fast, reliable recording
What doesn't
- Video limit on free plan
- Some clients prefer calls regardless