🩺 Vitals
- Version: v5.9.10 (Released 2025-12-07)
- Velocity: Active (Last commit 2025-12-08)
- Community: 39.1k Stars · 11.2k Forks
- Backlog: 1323 Open Issues
🏗️ Profile
- Official: cal.com
- Source: github.com/calcom/cal.com
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Deployment: Docker / Kubernetes
- Data Model: Postgres (Prisma)
- Complexity: Moderate (3/5) - Full Stack App
- Maintenance: Moderate (3/5) - Active Development
- Enterprise Ready: High (4/5) - White-label, API-first, SSO
1. The Executive Summary
What is it? Cal.com is an open-source scheduling platform built as infrastructure. It provides a powerful, customizable booking experience similar to Calendly but with total control over your data, workflow, and brand. It is designed to be embedded, extended, and white-labeled.
The Strategic Verdict:
- 🔴 For Simple Personal Use: Caution. Self-hosting is complex for a single user. Use the hosted Free tier.
- 🟢 For Enterprise & White-Label: Strong Buy. The "Infrastructure as Code" approach allows you to build entire scheduling businesses on top of it.
2. The "Hidden" Costs (TCO Analysis)
| Cost Component | Proprietary (Calendly) | Cal.com (Self-Hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| License Fee | ~$12-16/user/mo | $0 (AGPLv3) |
| Brand Control | "Powered by Calendly" | 100% Your Brand |
| Infrastructure | $0 | ~$30/mo (VPS) |
3. The "Day 2" Reality Check
🚀 Deployment & Operations
- Installation: Docker Compose is the standard. Requires Postgres.
- Scaling: Built on Next.js and Prisma, scales horizontally well.
🛡️ Security & Governance
- Compliance: Self-hosting allows full HIPAA and GDPR compliance by keeping data within your boundary.
- License: AGPL-3.0 ensures any modifications to the core platform are shared back if offered as a service.
4. Alternatives & Ecosystem
- Alternative: Calendly is the market leader but offers limited customization and no self-hosting.
- Alternative: Google Calendar Appointment Slots are basic and tied to Google Workspace.