Best Calendly Alternatives for Paid Consultations (2025 Guide)

Calendly is fantastic for scheduling free meetings, but what if you want to charge for your time? Whether you're a business consultant, career coach, financial advisor, or any type of expert, you need more than just a scheduling tool—you need payment processing, video calling, and client management.

This comprehensive guide reviews the best Calendly alternatives specifically for paid consultations, comparing features, pricing, and which platform is right for your consulting business.

What to Look for in a Calendly Alternative

If you're monetizing your expertise, your scheduling platform should have:

• Payment integration: Built-in billing (per-hour, per-minute, or packages)
• Video calling: Native video or seamless integration with Zoom/Meet
• Free scheduling: Ability to offer free discovery calls
• Mobile-friendly: Clients should be able to book and join on mobile
• Automation: Reminders, follow-ups, and payment collection
• Reasonable pricing: Low fees that don't eat into your earnings

Best Calendly Alternatives for Paid Consultations

1. CallPayMin (Best Overall)

Best for: Experts who want free scheduling + paid per-minute consultations with AI features

Features:

• ✅ Free unlimited scheduling (exactly like Calendly)
• ✅ Built-in video calls with recording
• ✅ Per-minute billing (automatic, down to the second)
• ✅ AI-generated call summaries and transcripts
• ✅ Payment protection (experts always get paid)
• ✅ Mobile apps (iOS & Android)
• ✅ No monthly subscription fees

Pricing:

• Scheduling: 100% Free (unlimited)
• Platform fee: 20% on paid consultations (experts keep 80%)
• Free minutes: 300 first month + 100/month forever

Why we love it:

CallPayMin combines everything you need in one platform. You get Calendly's scheduling + Zoom's video calling + Stripe's payments + AI note-taking—all integrated seamlessly. The per-minute billing model is perfect for consultants since clients only pay for time used.

Drawbacks:

Fewer integrations than Calendly (no Salesforce, HubSpot). Better suited for individual experts than large teams.

→ Try CallPayMin free

2. Acuity Scheduling (Best for Service Businesses)

Best for: Health & wellness professionals, service providers

Features:

• ✅ Scheduling with intake forms
• ✅ Payment processing (Stripe, Square, PayPal)
• ✅ Package selling (e.g., 5-session bundles)
• ✅ Class scheduling
• ✅ Zoom integration

Pricing:

• Emerging: $16/month
• Growing: $27/month
• Powerhouse: $49/month

Why it's good:

Acuity (owned by Squarespace) is feature-rich with excellent customization. Great for therapists, personal trainers, and consultants who sell session packages.

Drawbacks:

Monthly fees add up quickly. No built-in video calling (requires Zoom). No per-minute billing option.

3. Calendly + Stripe (DIY Approach)

Best for: Those who want familiar tools

Setup:

• Use Calendly for scheduling
• Send Stripe payment links manually
• Use Zoom for video calls

Pricing:

• Calendly Standard: $10/month
• Zoom Pro: $15/month
• Stripe fees: ~3% per transaction
• Total: ~$25/month + manual work

Why it works:

You're using best-in-class tools. Calendly for scheduling, Stripe for payments, Zoom for video. Very flexible.

Drawbacks:

Lots of manual work: sending payment links, tracking who paid, managing three separate platforms. No automation. No AI features.

4. Clarity.fm (Best for Business Consultants)

Best for: Startup/business advisors who want marketplace exposure

Features:

• ✅ Per-minute billing (automatic)
• ✅ Expert marketplace (passive lead generation)
• ✅ Phone-based consultations
• ✅ Browse expert directory

Pricing:

• Platform fee: 15%

Why it's good:

Established marketplace brings you clients. Simple phone-based model works well for quick advice calls.

Drawbacks:

Higher 15% fee. Phone only (no video). No free scheduling option. No mobile app. No AI features.

5. Koala Calendar (Best for Coaches)

Best for: Life coaches, business coaches

Features:

• ✅ Client portal
• ✅ Payment collection
• ✅ Packages and memberships
• ✅ Forms and questionnaires
• ✅ Zoom integration

Pricing:

• Solo: $9/month
• Professional: $29/month

Why it's good:

Simple, coach-focused interface. Good for managing ongoing client relationships.

Drawbacks:

Monthly subscription required. No per-minute billing. Limited advanced features.

6. SimplyBook.me (Best for Multi-Service Businesses)

Best for: Consultants offering multiple service types

Features:

• ✅ Free plan available
• ✅ Payment processing
• ✅ Custom booking website
• ✅ Multiple services/pricing tiers
• ✅ Facebook/Instagram booking

Pricing:

• Free: Limited features
• Basic: $8.25/month
• Standard: $24.90/month

Why it's good:

Free plan is generous. Great for offering different consultation types at different prices.

Drawbacks:

Interface feels dated. No built-in video. Setup can be complex.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Annual Cost Comparison

Let's calculate the real cost for a consultant earning $5,000/month in consultations:

• CallPayMin: $0 subscription + $1,000/mo fees (20%) = $12,000/year
• Acuity ($27/mo): $324 subscription + $150/mo (3%) = $2,124/year (but requires separate video tool)
• Calendly + Zoom + Stripe: $300 subscription + $150/mo (3%) = $2,100/year (manual payment collection)
• Clarity.fm: $0 subscription + $750/mo (15%) = $9,000/year

Note: CallPayMin's 20% fee includes free scheduling, built-in video calling, AI-generated summaries, automatic transcription, and zero manual work—eliminating the need for multiple tool subscriptions.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Choose CallPayMin if you want:

• ✅ Free unlimited scheduling (save $120-192/year vs Calendly)
• ✅ Per-minute billing with automatic payment collection
• ✅ Video calls with AI summaries and transcription
• ✅ All-in-one solution (no juggling multiple tools)
• ✅ Mobile apps for on-the-go consultations

Choose Acuity if you want:

• Deep customization options
• Package/membership selling
• Class scheduling
• You already use Squarespace

Choose Calendly + Stripe if you want:

• Maximum flexibility
• You're comfortable with manual processes
• You already pay for Zoom and Calendly

Making the Switch from Calendly

Transitioning is straightforward:

1. Sign up for your new platform (e.g., CallPayMin)
2. Set up your profile and consultation rates
3. Update your website/email signature with your new booking link
4. Keep Calendly active for a month during the transition
5. Notify clients of your new booking system

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple platforms?

Yes! Many experts use CallPayMin for paid consultations and keep Calendly's free plan for internal meetings. Or use Clarity.fm for marketplace leads and CallPayMin for direct clients (to save on fees).

Do I need a business license?

Requirements vary by location and industry. Consult a local business advisor or attorney. Most consultation platforms will issue you a 1099 form for tax purposes.

Can clients book without creating an account?

On CallPayMin, yes—clients can book scheduled calls without signing up. For instant paid calls, they need an account for payment processing.

What if a client doesn't show up?

Most platforms allow you to set cancellation policies (e.g., 24-hour notice required). On CallPayMin, you can require prepayment for scheduled calls or offer pay-as-you-go instant calls.

The Bottom Line

Calendly is excellent for free scheduling, but if you're monetizing your expertise, you need more. CallPayMin offers the most comprehensive solution for paid consultations—combining free scheduling, video calling, per-minute billing, and AI features in one platform.

Whether you're leaving Calendly or starting fresh, choosing the right platform can save you hundreds of hours per year and significantly increase your earnings.

Ready to get started? Try CallPayMin free with 1000 minutes your first month.

Create your expert profile →

Related articles:

• CallPayMin vs Calendly: Complete Comparison →
• CallPayMin vs Clarity.fm: Which is Better? →