OpenDeck - Open Source StreamDeck Alt vs Cal.com Companion Apps
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 Cal.com Companion Apps leads with 636 upvotes
Control your stream, apps, and workflows - open source
OpenDeck is an open-source, customizable control deck designed as a versatile alternative to the popular Elgato Stream Deck. It caters to streamers, content creators, developers, and productivity enthusiasts who seek a powerful, hardware-free solution for managing workflows, automations, and multimedia controls. Built on a flexible platform, OpenDeck allows users to create personalized profiles, macros, and shortcuts, making complex tasks quick and accessible. Its open plugin marketplace encourages community-driven development, enabling users to extend and share functionalities easily. By leveraging open-source technology, OpenDeck offers an affordable, customizable, and expandable control solution that adapts to diverse needs, from streaming setups to productivity automation.
Pros
- Open source and free, reducing cost barriers
- Highly customizable with profiles, macros, and plugins
- Community-driven with an open plugin marketplace
- No hardware required, works directly on desktop
- Suitable for a wide range of workflows and use cases
Cons
- Requires technical knowledge for setup and customization
- Less polished than proprietary hardware solutions
- Limited official support compared to commercial products
Best for
- • Controlling live streaming software and scenes
- • Automating workflows for productivity tools
- • Creating shortcuts for complex multi-step tasks
- • Managing multimedia controls and volume levels
Pricing: OpenDeck is free and open source, making it accessible to anyone. Users may incur costs related to hardware if they choose to integrate physical components, but the core software itself is free.
Native iOS & Android App + Browser Extensions for scheduling
Cal.com Companion Apps bring the power of seamless scheduling directly to users' mobile devices and browsers, addressing a long-standing demand for native and extension-based access. After four years of development and customer feedback, Cal.com has launched its native iOS and Android apps, along with browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, making appointment setting and calendar management more accessible and efficient. These tools are ideal for busy professionals, teams, and businesses that rely on quick, integrated scheduling without switching platforms or losing productivity. What makes Cal.com Companion Apps stand out is their ability to blend native mobile experience with browser extensions, offering flexible, on-the-go scheduling that syncs effortlessly with existing Cal.com accounts. This comprehensive approach enhances user convenience and ensures that coordinating meetings is smoother than ever, regardless of device or browser.
Pros
- Native apps for iOS and Android improve mobile scheduling experience
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge enhance accessibility across platforms
- Seamless integration with Cal.com calendar for real-time updates
- User-friendly interface designed for quick scheduling and management
- Supports remote teams with easy sharing and syncing capabilities
Cons
- Potential learning curve for new users unfamiliar with browser extensions
- Limited information on free vs paid plans; likely subscription-based
- Features may vary between mobile apps and browser extensions, requiring adaptation
Best for
- • Scheduling meetings on-the-go via mobile apps
- • Quickly creating or adjusting appointments using browser extensions
- • Managing multiple calendars from different browsers or devices
- • Facilitating remote team coordination across multiple platforms
Pricing: Likely operates on a freemium model, offering basic scheduling features for free with premium plans starting at a certain monthly fee for additional functionalities and integrations. Exact pricing details are not specified but are typical for SaaS scheduling tools.