I just tried out TidyCal and it’s honestly amazing. I was previously using Amelia, but after seeing TidyCal recommended on AppSumo, I decided to give it a shot. The overall look and feel is quite similar to Amelia, but TidyCal is much more affordable—especially with its lifetime deal.
TidyCal Plan
| Feature | Free | Individual Plan | Agency Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid Bookings (PayPal & Stripe) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited Booking Types | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited Bookings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Emails | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CC Email Addresses | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI Features | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Analytics Integration | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Group & Package Bookings | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Meeting Links (Zoom / Meet / Teams) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CSV Export & Booking Stats | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrations | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max Calendar Connections | 1 | 10 | 25 |
| Team & Round-Robin Scheduling | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| SMS Reminders | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Comparison between Amelia Booking and TidyCal Booking
Here is a detail side by side comparison, From here you notice that TidyCal should be sufficient if you are relying on simple booking while Amelia is more useful for complex booking.
| Category | TidyCal | Amelia (WordPress Plugin) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cloud-based scheduling tool | WordPress booking system |
| Pricing Model | Free / One-time lifetime payment | Annual subscription / Lifetime plans |
| Starting Cost | Free / ~$29 lifetime | ~$69 per year (1 site) |
| Recurring Fees | No | Yes (unless lifetime) |
| WordPress Required | No | Yes |
| Hosting Required | No | Yes |
| Setup Difficulty | Very Easy | Medium to Complex |
| Booking Page | Hosted by TidyCal | Embedded in website |
| Unlimited Bookings | Yes | Yes |
| Team / Staff Management | Limited (Agency plan) | Full staff management |
| Multiple Locations | No | Yes |
| Event Booking | No | Yes |
| Recurring Appointments | No | Yes |
| Payments | Stripe, PayPal | Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce |
| Notifications | Basic email | Advanced email + SMS (add-on) |
| Best For | Freelancers, tutors, consultants | Clinics, salons, gyms, service businesses |
Recommendation
For simple one-to-one meeting bookings, TidyCal is a great option. It also offers an embed feature, allowing you to easily place the booking form directly into your WordPress website. Overall, TidyCal works especially well for part-time freelancers or individuals who need a straightforward scheduling solution.
Amelia, on the other hand, is better suited for businesses that require multi-location booking management. If you are operating a chain of restaurants, salons, or training centres, Amelia is worth considering. It is more advanced and feature-rich, allowing you to customise staff schedules, manage multiple services, and organise bookings and events in a more structured and systematic way.