So, you’re hiring for a new role on your team?

Congratulations! 

While this is a really exciting time, it’s also a time to be realistic and well prepared. 

With hiring comes a million and one new tasks on your plate. During the hiring process, you’ll ultimately move slower, and, in turn, move faster after the new hire starts. So be kind to yourself.

Think about it... Before you get to talk to a single candidate, you’ll have to spend days on activities like: 

  • Preparing the job description and internal hiring process
  • Posting the job description on job boards and communities
  • Reaching out to friendlies to try and get referral candidates
  • Reviewing submitted resumes and narrowing them down to a list
  • Reaching out to candidates and booking interviews

With so much to do, it’s essential to lean on software when possible to cut down the headaches of hiring. And, in this case, we’ll walk through interview scheduling software to help you out.

That means no more of the endless back-and-forth scheduling hassle.

In this article, we've handpicked seven top-notch interview scheduling software solutions to supercharge your hiring process and candidate experience.

Plus, we’ve compiled a list of 10 dos and don’ts to keep in mind while shopping for the right interview scheduling software. 

First off, what is interview scheduling software exactly?

Interview scheduling software is a tool that automates the process of coordinating interviews by integrating with your calendar and streamlining applicant communication.

You set your available time slots, share a link with candidates, and they select a slot that works for them, with everything automatically updated on your calendar.

Many interview schedulers offer features such as branding, customization, and platform integrations, making it easy to seamlessly incorporate them into your business tech stack.

👉 Is your business tech stack up to date? Discover 11 essential small business software tools to streamline your operations.

What are the benefits of scheduling software?

Scheduling interviews can get messy. If you’re looking for talent beyond your country’s borders, coordinating a suitable time for an interview can feel like a mission.

Using an interview scheduling tool can help you stay organized and leave a great first impression on candidates. Here are some other important perks:

  • Streamlined scheduling: Instead of sending countless emails back and forth, you simply share a link. Candidates pick a time, and the tool handles the rest.

🤔 Not sure how to word an interview invitation email? We’ve got you covered with templates and tips to make your invites professional and on-point.

  • Positive candidate experience: The interview is often a candidate’s first interaction with your business. According to one study, 52% of job seekers decline a job offer because of a poor hiring experience. Making scheduling quick and easy can leave a good impression and show respect for candidates’ time.
  • Automatic reminders: Most tools send automatic meeting reminders via email or text. You can even customize these notifications with details like meeting links or prep instructions.
  • Improved employer branding: Whether or not you end up hiring a particular candidate, they’ll remember how professionally you handled the interview process. Using a scheduling tool can help you create a smooth candidate experience that reflects positively on your organization.

Best free interview apps: Executive summary

There are plenty of interview scheduling tools available, but most purpose-built options don’t include a free plan. The tools we've chosen are versatile scheduling solutions designed for a wide range of use cases, not just interviews.

Best overall

Runner-up

Best for high-volume interview scheduling

ycbm-green

 

picktime logo

 

koalendar logo

YouCanBookMe (YCBM)

Picktime

Koalendar

If you need a super customizable interview scheduler with automated interview confirmations, YCBM is a great tool.

If you’re after a free interview scheduling tool that lets you add up to three team members, go for Picktime.

Need a scheduling tool to handle multiple interviews for different roles happening at once? Look into Koalendar.

Buying guide and how we rate tools

Choosing the right interview scheduler is all about finding the tool that fits your workflow and delivers a smooth experience for both you and your candidates. 

We evaluated the tools based on the following criteria:

Ease of use

A scheduling tool should simplify your life, not complicate it. The best options are intuitive and straightforward, allowing you to set up and manage interviews without any steep learning curves. For small business owners and busy recruiters, ease of use is a top priority.

Appointment reminders and follow-ups

No-shows are a common challenge in scheduling. Tools with built-in reminders and follow-up notifications help reduce this problem by keeping candidates informed and on track. Customizable reminders are especially useful for adding a personal touch or providing specific interview instructions!

Customization and branding

Your scheduling software is an extension of your business, so it’s important that it reflects your company’s professionalism. We’ve looked for tools that offer at least some basic customization, such as adding your own logo and personalizing booking pages.

Applicant experience

The candidate’s experience with your scheduling tool says a lot about your company. A seamless and user-friendly process makes candidates feel valued and leaves a positive impression. The tools we’ve chosen prioritize simplicity and clarity to ensure a professional interaction from start to finish.

 

Dos and don'ts for choosing the right interview scheduling software

Dos to keep in mind: 

 ✔️ Do prioritize candidate self-scheduling: Look for interview scheduling software that allows candidates to self-schedule interviews. This feature empowers candidates to choose convenient interview times, enhancing their candidate experience.

✔️ Do opt for automated interview reminders: Choose interview scheduling software that sends automated interview reminders to candidates through email or text. This reduces no-shows and ensures candidates are well-prepared for their interviews.

✔️ Do seek user-friendly interfaces: Prioritize software with user-friendly candidate interfaces. A simple and intuitive scheduling process can leave a positive impression on potential hires.

✔️ Do check for integration with calendar apps: Pick a platform that integrates seamlessly with popular calendar applications (e.g., Google Calendar). This simplifies the process of syncing interview times with candidates' calendars.

✔️ Do consider customization: Select software that allows you to customize interview scheduling pages to reflect your company’s branding and messaging. This creates a more cohesive candidate experience.

Don'ts to avoid:

❌ Don’t disregard flexibility: Your candidate may need to reschedule or cancel their interview. Avoid choosing software that makes this process overly complicated or labor-intensive.  

❌ Don't neglect mobile optimization: Ensure candidates can easily schedule interviews from smartphones or tablets, as many may prefer this method.

❌ Don't forget about time zone management: Steer clear of interview scheduling software that doesn't handle time zones effectively. Candidates from different regions should have a seamless experience without having to calculate time differences.

❌ Don't overlook communication: Don't choose interview scheduling software that lacks communication features, such as confirmations and follow-ups. Candidates should receive timely and clear communication regarding interview details, directions, and additional instructions.

❌ Don't ignore candidate feedback: Look for software that allows candidates to provide feedback on their interview scheduling experience, helping you continually improve the interview process.

The top 7 free interview scheduling tools

1. YouCanBookMe (YCBM)—Best overall

If you’re looking for a powerful and highly customizable interview booking app with handy features like interview confirmations and easy rescheduling options for candidates, YouCanBookMe is a great option.

Read more about YouCanBookMe

2. Doodle—A no-frills interview scheduler

When you just need a basic interview scheduler to lock in interviews, Doodle’s got you covered.

Read more about Doodle

3. Calendly—Great choice for enterprise, but you’ll need to upgrade

If you’re looking for a simple, professional tool to run one-on-one interviews, Calendly is a solid choice.

Read more about Calendly

4. Picktime—Best tool for interview panels of up to three members

If you run interviews with other people within your organization, consider Picktime. It lets you add up to three team members for free, making it useful for collaborative hiring processes.

Read more about Picktime

5. Koalendar—Best for larger-scale recruitment efforts

With unlimited booking pages in the free plan, Koalendar comes in handy if you’re juggling interviews for multiple roles.

Read more about Koalendar

6. Paradox—Best interview scheduling software for AI-driven conversations

Paradox comes in handy if you’re juggling interviews for multiple roles, but is best for enterprise-sized companies. 

Read more about Paradox

7. SparkHire—Best interview scheduling software for candidate screening 

Streamline your interview scheduling process with one-way video interviewing to expedite the screening process.

Read more about SparkHire

1. YouCanBookMe (YCBM)—Best overall

YouCanBookMe Interview Scheduler

If you’re searching for an interview scheduler that’s free, professional, and incredibly easy to use, YouCanBookMe checks all the right boxes. Designed with recruiters and small teams in mind, it eliminates the chaos of scheduling for both you and your candidates.

From the start, you can customize your booking page with your logo, personalized text, and a unique booking link to provide a polished experience that reflects your brand. Upgrade to a higher-tier plan, and you’ll unlock even more customization options for a fully on-brand appearance.

YouCanBookMe customizable booking pages

When it comes to scheduling features, YCBM keeps the process hassle-free with automatic time zone detection, smart calendar syncing, and automated interview confirmations. Rescheduling is just as smooth, giving candidates the flexibility to adjust their bookings with ease.

In short, if you’re looking for a tool that combines efficiency with personalization, YouCanBookMe delivers on all fronts.

Here’s a closer look at its standout features:

  • Customizable booking pages: Personalize your booking pages with your logo and tailored text, creating a professional and cohesive experience for candidates.
  • Integrated video conferencing: Directly connect to Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, making virtual interviews seamless and efficient.
  • Single-use booking links: Create one-time-use links to ensure individual candidates book unique slots, preventing double bookings and maintaining control.
  • Availability overlays: Enable both recruiters and candidates to connect their calendars, automatically surfacing the best time slots for interviews that work for both parties.

YouCanBookMe's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Customizable booking page for a branded look
  • Unlimited interview bookings
  • Automatic email interview confirmations
  • Easy rescheduling and cancellations
  • User-friendly for recruiters and candidates
  • Available in 44 languages
  • Availability overlay for you and your candidates
  • YCBM chrome extension to access your booking links right from the browser
  • Limited advanced analytics and reporting in the free version

 

Create your free interview booking page

Let candidates pick their interview slots and save yourself the headache of managing interview logistics.

Set up your booking page!
YouCanBookMe free interview scheduler

YouCanBookMe pricing and plans

YouCanBookMe pricing

For a free plan, YCBM gives you way more than you’d expect. It lets you customize booking pages, sync with your favorite calendars, and integrate with Zoom or Google Meet. Throw in confirmation emails, rescheduling options, and single-use booking links, and you’ve got everything you need to make scheduling interviews easy without spending a dollar.

For even more functionality, upgrade for $8.10/month (billed annually) or $7.20/month (billed every two years) to access additional calendars, extra booking pages, and advanced settings that simplify scheduling even further.

2. Doodle—A no-frills interview scheduler

doodle interview scheduler

Doodle keeps things simple with basic scheduling features that get the job done. You won’t get much in the way of customization—booking pages are straightforward and functional—but if branding isn’t a priority, Doodle delivers exactly what you need.

Here are the top features of Doodle’s free plan:

  • One booking page: Share a simple booking page where candidates can view your availability and schedule interviews directly.
  • Unlimited sign-up sheets: Using Doodle, you can organize specific interview time slots and allow candidates to reserve their spots without hassle. This is handy for bulk scheduling, such as group interviews or high-volume recruitment days.
  • Unlimited group polls: Coordinate debrief sessions with the interview panel or find a time for collaborative hiring meetings. Group polls make it easy to gather the team’s availability and align schedules across your team.

Doodle's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Simple and intuitive interface for basic needs
  • Supports Google Meet and Zoom for virtual interviews
  • Easy for candidates to book without technical know-how
  • Offers group meeting features for stages like new hire onboarding
  • Lacks advanced automation
  • Includes ads on the free plan
  • Not ideal for one-to-one meetings, especially when compared to Doodle alternatives

Doodle pricing and plans

doodle-pricing

 

The free version offers basic functionalities to help you run your interviews. However, if you upgrade for $6.95/user per month (billed annually), you’ll unlock more powerful features like unlimited booking pages, custom branding, and advanced tools like AI-assisted meeting descriptions.

3. Calendly—Great choice for enterprise, but you’ll need to upgrade

calendly interview scheduler

Calendly is another simple scheduler you can use to set up one-on-one interviews.

You can whip up a basic booking page in minutes, sync it with your calendar, and hook it up to your favorite video conferencing software. Then, just grab the scheduling link, send it to your candidates, and let them pick a time that works. Want your booking page to look more pro? Throw in your company’s logo, name, and a quick welcome message.

While Calendly doesn’t offer a ton of customization, it does give you more options than Doodle.

That said, the real value shines in the higher-tier plans. But even with the free version, you’ll still get access to these features:

  • Video conferencing integrations: Add Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams links directly to your bookings, making virtual interviews easy to attend for both you and the candidate.
  • Availability customization: Set specific times for interviews to fit your schedule, ensuring you’re in control of when candidates can book.
  • Mobile app: Use Calendly on the go to conduct interviews whenever you are.

Calendly's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Integrates with Google, Outlook, and Office 365 calendars
  • Customizable booking pages with basic branding features
  • Mobile app and browser extensions for easy access
    • Doesn’t sync with iCloud calendar
    • Only allows connection to one calendar

Calendly pricing and plans

calendly pricing

The free version gives you basic tools like one event type, calendar integration, and video conferencing to help manage interviews. For advanced features, you can upgrade for $10 per user per month (billed annually).

4. Picktime—Best tool for interview panels of up to three members

Picktime Interviewer Scheduler

Another top pick is Picktime (pun intended!). It's a useful free interview scheduling tool, especially if you need to include up to three team members on your interview panel.

In addition, you get unlimited appointments, a professional-looking booking page to share with candidates, and email notifications to keep everyone on the same page. While the free plan lacks advanced automation, it’s a straightforward and efficient solution for recruiters looking to simplify their scheduling process.

Here are three features recruiters will particularly like about Picktime:

  • Unlimited appointments: Book as many interviews as you need without worrying about hitting a cap.
  • Email notifications: Automatically send confirmation emails to candidates after they book, ensuring clarity and reducing no-shows.
  • Manage multiple locations: The free plan supports up to two locations, making it easier for recruiters to handle in-person interviews across offices.

Picktime's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Professional-looking booking page to share with candidates
  • Free plan includes over eight integrations to streamline scheduling
  • iOS and Android apps for managing schedules on the go
  • Calendar sync is one-way in the free tier
  • A steeper learning curve
  • Free version lacks Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet integrations, limiting options for virtual interviews

Picktime pricing and plans

Picktime pricing

Picktime’s free plan offers essential features like unlimited appointments, email notifications, and scheduling for up to three team members. For $3/user per month (billed annually), you can upgrade to unlock features like two-way calendar sync, automatic time zone adjustments, and recurring bookings.

Let candidates easily book time with you

Stop losing out on great candidates because of a slow hiring process. Let candidates self-schedule interviews day or night, from any device.

Get started (it's free!)
Scheduling to suit your style 6

5. Koalendar—Best for larger-scale recruitment efforts

Koalendar Interview Scheduler

Up next is Koalendar, a free interview scheduler that provides unlimited booking pages, making it an excellent choice for recruiters handling larger-scale hiring efforts.

Whether you’re coordinating interviews for multiple positions or across different teams, Koalendar simplifies the process with features like time zone detection, calendar syncing, and automatic email notifications.

While it doesn’t offer advanced customization in the free version, it’s a reliable tool to streamline your recruitment process at no cost.

Features you’ll love the most are:

  • Calendar syncing: Sync with Google, Outlook, or iCloud calendars to ensure your availability is always up-to-date and avoid double bookings.
  • Time zone detection: Automatically adjusts for time zones, making it easy to schedule interviews with remote or international candidates.
  • Email notifications: Both you and the candidate receive email notifications for every booking, keeping everyone on track and reducing confusion.

Koalendar's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Intuitive setup that’s beginner-friendly
  • Chrome extension for quick access to scheduling
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Limited booking page customizations
  • You can’t ask questions in the booking form—only the booker’s name and email are allowed under the free plan

Koalendar pricing and plans

Koalendar pricing

Koalendar’s free plan hooks you up with essentials like unlimited booking pages, calendar syncing, and time zone detection. Upgrade for just $6.99 per calendar per month (billed annually), and you’ll get group scheduling, custom reminders, and booking form questions.

6. Paradox—Best interview scheduling software for AI-driven conversations

paradox

Paradox takes interview scheduling and candidate engagement to the next level with its AI-driven platform. This software automates interview scheduling, sends interview reminders, and engages candidates through conversational AI. Paradox also offers insights into interview processes and streamlines the hiring journey, ensuring a positive candidate experience.

Some key features include: 

  • Conversational AI that engages candidates in real-time interactions. 
  • Candidate screening via AI to help reduce time for recruiters when looking through a big pile of resumes.
  • Unlimited interview scheduling so that you can hire for every role your organization needs without any limits.

Paradox's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Easily handles high-volume hiring
  • Personal customer success manager
  • AI makes the recruitment process seem personalized
  • Lacks transparent pricing
  • No free trial or free plan
  • Custom workflows can take a while to set up
  • Design only for large teams

Paradox pricing and plans

Unfortunately, Paradox doesn't share their pricing online. However, some users on GetApp claim that pricing starts from $1,000 per month.

7. Spark Hire—Best interview scheduling software for candidate screening

sparkhire

SparkHire enhances recruiter efficiency and streamlines interview scheduling. The software’s one-way video interview scheduling expedites initial candidate screening to ensure you only hire the best candidates for the job. Additionally, Spark Hire offers interview collaboration tools, user group creation, and integration options, making the hiring process more effective and engaging.

Some key features include: 

  • One-way video interviews to help expedite the screening process. Simply ask candidates to answer a set list of questions at the screening stage.
  • Rate, comment, and tag candidate videos with built-in interview evaluation to help stay organized.
  • Record personalized intros and outros for your candidates to add a nice touch to your interview process.

SparkHire's pros and cons

Pros ✅

Cons ❌

  • Intuitive design
  • Multiple stakeholders can give feedback on interviews at the same time
  • Saves time on screening candidates before live interviews
  • No free plan available
  • You’ll have to create video conferencing links for live interviews manually
  • Unless you pay a hefty amount for a custom Enterprise plan, you’re limited by the number of job openings you can interview for at a time

SparkHire pricing and plans

Spark Hire only offers paid plans starting at $299/month.

sparkhire pricing

Wrapping up

Finding the right free interview scheduler can make a world of difference in your hiring process. We’ve presented you with five solid options, so whichever you choose will totally depend on the features that matter to you.

That said, YouCanBookMe offers the most well-rounded solution, with features that cater to small businesses and recruiters alike. Get started with the forever free plan and see how it can transform your hiring process.

FAQ

What is interview scheduling software, and why do I need it?

Black Arrow Icon

Interview scheduling software is designed to streamline and automate job interview scheduling. It eliminates the need for back-and-forth emails and helps you coordinate interview times efficiently. You need it to save time, reduce scheduling conflicts, and provide a better candidate experience.

How can interview scheduling software improve the hiring process?

Black Arrow Icon

Interview scheduling software can improve the hiring process by automating scheduling interviews, sending email reminders to candidates and interviewers, and ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding interview times. This efficiency leads to faster recruitment decisions and a smoother overall hiring process.

Which industries can benefit from interview scheduling software?

Black Arrow Icon

Interview scheduling software can benefit many industries, including retail, hospitality, IT, healthcare, SaaS, etc. Any industry that conducts job interviews and needs to coordinate schedules can benefit from these tools.

Do I have to pay for interview scheduling software?

Black Arrow Icon

That depends on what interview scheduling software you choose and which features you’re looking for. Many scheduling tools, including YouCanBookMe, Setmore, and Calendly, have a free version available. Remember that the free versions typically have fewer features than the paid plans.

Ready to book more meetings?

business-page@2x
FREE Unlimited Meetings with the Most Customisable Online Scheduling Tool
Get YCBM Now Get YCBM Now
No Credit Card Required

Get started today

Join thousands of coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs who use YouCanBookMe to power their business. Get your first booking in a few minutes.

Create your own booking page
14 day free trial No credit card required