Comparison

A free alternative to Cowlendar for Shopify booking

Cowlendar is a mature, highly-rated booking app (4.9 stars, 2,000+ reviews, Built for Shopify, per its Shopify App Store listing, October 2026). If you need its deep feature set for rentals, group booking, or multi-day reservations, it's an excellent choice. If your need is simpler, appointments with calendar sync without paying for the basics, here's the difference.

Add to Shopify
Shopify Booking
Cowlendar
Bookings
Unlimited, free
5 / month on free
What you have to pay for
Nothing — there is no paid plan
More than 5 bookings a month
Deposits & prepayments
Not offered
Included on every plan
Reviews / maturity
New
4.9, 2,000+, Built for Shopify
Price
Free — no paid plan
Free plan (5 bookings/mo); paid from $13.99/mo

Cowlendar details checked October 7, 2026 on its own Shopify App Store listing (apps.shopify.com/cowlendar) and pricing page (cowlendar.com/pricing). Cowlendar may have updated its plans, pricing, or features since. Please verify current details on its listing before deciding.

Where Cowlendar is strong
Breadth of booking types: rentals, multi-day, and group booking
Large review base and the Built for Shopify badge
Deposits and prepayments, plus live chat support, on every plan
Where Shopify Booking wins
Unlimited bookings, free, not capped at 5 a month
Two-way Google Calendar sync included
No paid plan and no upgrade prompts — every feature is free

Who should pick which

Choose Cowlendar

If you run complex rental or event catalogs today and need multi-day, group, or reservation-style booking.

Choose Shopify Booking

If you want straightforward appointment booking with free calendar sync and nothing held back behind a paid plan.

FAQ

Common questions

Is it really free? +

Yes. Unlimited bookings, two-way Google Calendar sync, and an unbranded booking page are all included at no cost. No per-booking caps and no paid plan.

Do I need to code? +

No. Add the booking button to any page and set your availability.

Does it work on mobile? +

Yes, customers can book on desktop or mobile.

How do customers pay? +

Through your Shopify checkout, the same way they buy anything else in your store. The product you link to the service sets the price. Prefer to charge in person? Set it free.

How does calendar sync work? +

Two-way: bookings appear on your Google Calendar, and times you block on your calendar become unavailable on the store.

Cowlendar alternative for Shopify appointment booking +

Shopify Booking is a free alternative: unlimited bookings, a Book Now button on your store, checkout through Shopify, duration, buffers and minimum notice per service, and two-way Google Calendar sync. There's no paid plan. It doesn't send SMS reminders.

Try the free plan for yourself