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Cal.com
Cal.com, used to be known as Calendso, is an open-source scheduling infrastructure. It offers an alternative to proprietary scheduling tools, giving users control over their data, workflows, and the appearance of their scheduling interface. The platform is for both individuals and organizations who want flexibility and ownership in managing appointments.
Openness and Control
Cal.com is licensed under AGPLv3, meaning anyone can inspect, modify, and self-host the software. This approach addresses growing concerns about data privacy, customization limitations, and vendor lock-in that are common with proprietary SaaS solutions. Cal.com ensures that scheduling infrastructure can be tailored to unique organizational or personal needs.
Technology Stack
Cal.com is built on a web stack, including Next.js, tRPC, React.js, Tailwind CSS, Prisma.io, and Daily.co. This technology provides developers with a flexible environment for customization and integration. The project’s GitHub repository is active, reflecting ongoing improvements and a mature codebase. Developers benefit from documentation, regular updates, and a transparent development process.
White-Labeling and Customization
Organizations wanting a branded scheduling solution find Cal.com interesting due to its white-label capabilities. The platform can be deployed on custom domains, with full control over branding and user experience. This is good for businesses that need to maintain a consistent identity or comply with strict regulatory requirements. The API-driven architecture helps flexibility, making it able to integrate Cal.com with existing tools and workflows.
Integration
Cal.com supports integration with major calendar providers, including Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft 365, Apple Calendar, and Lark. This compatibility helps users synchronize events across different platforms, streamlining appointment management regardless of the calendar service in use. The development team is proactive in maintaining and improving integrations, as demonstrated by recent enhancements to Zoom meeting settings and other third-party services.
Deployment
Setting up Cal.com is straightforward for those familiar with Node.js and PostgreSQL. The project recommends using Node.js version 18 or higher, PostgreSQL 13 or higher, and Yarn for package management. The installation process is well-documented, covering everything from cloning the repository to configuring environment variables and launching the application. This deployment lowers the barrier for organizations and individuals wishing to self-host their scheduling infrastructure.
Community and Open-Source Collaboration
The open-source nature of Cal.com has fostered a strong and engaged community. The GitHub repository is a hub for collaboration, with issues, pull requests, and discussions driving the platform’s evolution. Transparent contribution guidelines and a welcoming code of conduct encourage participation from developers worldwide.
Data Privacy and User Empowerment
Cal.com’s commitment to user control extends to data privacy. Offering self-hosting options, the platform allows organizations to keep sensitive scheduling data within their own infrastructure, minimizing third-party risks. For those who prefer a managed solution, Cal.com’s hosted service provides convenience while upholding the principles of transparency and user control.
This is a great alternative than paying a SaaS third party to store your data who may not care so much about your privacy. Check it out: https://github.com/calcom/cal.com