Guide · October 8, 2026
How OpenCal finds a time that works for both of you
People trade lists of times by email until one time fits. You send an OpenCal link, and the other person sees only the times you are both free.
Who has this problem?
People use OpenCal when they set up a meeting with one other person. Examples include a recruiter and a candidate, a tutor and a student, a teacher and a parent, a freelancer and a client, or two friends. Each person checks their own calendars and types out the free times by hand.
How does OpenCal find the shared times?
You connect your Google, Outlook or iCloud calendars and send your OpenCal link. Someone who opens the link without signing in sees your open times. Someone who signs in with Google or Microsoft sees the times that work for both of you. The OpenCal privacy policy says that the server compares both calendars when someone signs in on another person's link and sends each person only the times you are both free. OpenCal privacy policy, fetched October 8, 2026.
Can the other person book a time?
The other person can book a time when booking is on for your link. The person signs in, picks a shared time and books it. OpenCal reads your calendars again before saving the booking and refuses a second booking for the same time. You choose whether OpenCal keeps the booking or sends it to one of your calendars.
What does each person see?
Each person sees only free times. Each person's calendar keeps its event titles, places, guests and notes. Signing in to book also gives the other person an OpenCal link of their own.
How do I find a time for three or more people?
Make a group poll. The shared view on a link compares two people. A group poll compares everyone who answers. A group poll works without an account. You pick up to 14 dates and an hour window, then send the poll link. Each person types a name and marks the times they are free. The poll shows how many people are free at each time and lists the best times. A person signed in to OpenCal can press Fill from my calendars to mark the times their calendars show as free.
What does it cost?
OpenCal is free.
Related guides
- Share calendar availability without event details
- Share your Outlook availability with people outside your organization
- Send a recruiter your free times from every calendar
Sources
- OpenCal privacy policy (fetched October 8, 2026).