A Free Doodle Poll Alternative With No Sign-Ups
Doodle used to be the default way to ask a group "when works?" But Doodle changed: finishing a group poll now requires a free or paid Doodle account, the free plan covers one group poll per account with a cap on time slots, and free polls show ads to you and to everyone who answers. If that's more friction than your plan deserves, FreeAvail is the simpler path.
FreeAvail is free, there's no signup for anyone, and instead of voting on a handful of proposed times, everyone paints when they're free on a grid. FreeAvail then points out the top window where the most people are free, plus ranked alternates.
How FreeAvail works
1. Create an event
Give your event a name, pick the dates it could happen on, and set the earliest and latest times that could work. Times are in 15-minute slots, and you can make as many events as you want.
2. Share one link
Drop the link in your GroupMe, Discord, iMessage, or Instagram chat. The share sheet also shows a QR code, handy for a flyer or a projector at a meeting.
3. Everyone paints when they're free
Each person types their name and marks the times they're free. No account and no email address, for hosts or guests. On a phone, tap a time to mark it, or press and hold, then drag to mark a run. A normal swipe scrolls the page, even on the grid.
4. See the overlap and pick a time
The group view shows where everyone's availability overlaps, and FreeAvail points out the top time window where the most people are free across every event day, plus ranked alternates with how many people are free for each.
Doodle vs FreeAvail at a glance
Doodle is a solid product with years of polish. Here's an honest look at where each one fits, based on Doodle's current pricing page and help center.
| Doodle (free plan) | FreeAvail | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan, with paid plans for more | Free ยท no signup |
| Account needed to create | Yes, a free or paid Doodle account is required to finish a poll | No |
| Account needed to respond | No account, but respondents give a name and email | No account; respondents give a name only |
| Group polls / events | One group poll per free account, with a time-slot cap | Unlimited events |
| How people answer | Vote yes/no/if-need-be on times the organizer proposes | Paint every time you are free on a grid |
| Ads | Shown to organizers and respondents on the free plan | Ads may appear on some pages, never on the grid |
| Picks the best overlap for you | No | Yes, top window plus ranked alternates |
| Calendar connections and video-call links | Yes, including Google Meet and Zoom on free | No, but the final time exports to your calendar as an .ics file |
| Deadlines and automated reminders | Paid plans only | No; set your own reply deadline in the chat |
| Time zones | Adjusts times for each respondent | Times are labeled in the host's time zone; FreeAvail doesn't convert them |
| Share by QR code | No | Yes, the share sheet shows a QR for the event link |
Where Doodle still wins
- Calendar connections. Doodle can connect Google and other calendars to check conflicts and send calendar invites. FreeAvail doesn't connect to calendars; it exports the final time as an .ics file.
- Groups spread across time zones. Doodle adjusts proposed times to each respondent's time zone. FreeAvail labels times in the host's time zone and doesn't convert them.
- Deadlines and automatic reminders. On paid plans, Doodle can close a poll and nudge people who haven't answered.
- Booking pages and sign-up sheets. Doodle covers appointment booking and sign-up sheets too. FreeAvail focuses on group availability and 1-on-1 meetings.
Where FreeAvail is the easier fit
- Nobody signs up for anything. Not the host, not the guests, and nobody hands over an email address.
- No one-poll limit. Make a FreeAvail event for every group project, club, and dinner. They're all free.
- People paint real availability. Instead of voting on three times you guessed, everyone marks every time that works, so the answer reflects the group's actual week.
- It works on phones. Most people open the link from a group chat on their phone, including from Instagram's in-app browser.
More comparisons: FreeAvail vs Doodle (the longer post), Best When2meet Alternatives in 2026, FreeAvail vs Crab Fit, and FreeAvail vs LettuceMeet.
FAQ
Is Doodle still free?
Yes, Doodle has a free plan, but it now requires an organizer account and covers one group poll per account with a cap on time slots. Free polls show ads to organizers and respondents. Unlimited group polls, deadlines, and automated reminders are on paid plans.
Do you need an account to make a Doodle poll?
Yes. Doodle deprecated anonymous group poll creation: you can start setting one up, but you must create a free or paid account to finish it. FreeAvail doesn't require an account for hosts or guests.
What is a good free Doodle poll alternative?
FreeAvail is a free Doodle alternative with no signups at all: create an event, share one link, and everyone paints when they're free. If you prefer voting on proposed times, Rallly is another free option. Crab Fit and When2meet offer free availability grids too.
Does Doodle show ads?
On the free plan, yes - removing ads for organizers and participants is a paid feature. FreeAvail may show ads on some pages, never on the availability grid.
Can people answer a Doodle poll without an account?
Yes, respondents don't need a Doodle account, but they enter a name and an email address before their vote is saved. On FreeAvail, respondents type a name only.
What is the difference between a Doodle poll and FreeAvail?
A Doodle group poll asks people to vote on specific times the organizer proposes. FreeAvail gives everyone a grid to paint every time they're free, then points out the top window where the most people are free, plus ranked alternates.
Does FreeAvail convert time zones like Doodle?
No. FreeAvail labels times in the host's time zone and doesn't convert them. If your group spans time zones, Doodle or When2meet handle that better.
Sources
- Doodle: Premium plans: https://doodle.com/en/premium/
- Doodle Help: Free and Professional differences at a glance: https://help.doodle.com/en/articles/10448913-doodle-free-and-doodle-professional-differences-at-a-glance
- Doodle Help: Creating a group poll now requires an account: https://help.doodle.com/en/articles/12086821-how-can-i-create-a-group-poll-without-an-account