The Short Answer
A Doodle poll is an online tool that helps groups find a meeting time that works for everyone. The organizer proposes several date/time options, participants vote on which ones work for them, and the option with the most votes wins.
The term "Doodle poll" comes from Doodle, one of the first and most popular scheduling poll services. Founded in 2007 in Switzerland, Doodle became so popular that "Doodle poll" is now often used as a generic term for any scheduling poll—similar to how people say "Googling" instead of "searching online."
How Does a Scheduling Poll Work?
Create the poll
Give your event a name (like "Team Lunch" or "Project Meeting") and select several potential dates or times.
Share the link
You get a unique URL that you can share via email, messaging apps, or however you communicate with your group.
Participants vote
Each person clicks the link, enters their name, and selects which dates/times work for them.
Find the winner
The poll shows you which option has the most votes—that's your best meeting time!
When Should You Use a Scheduling Poll?
Good for:
- • Group meetings with 3+ people
- • Team events and activities
- • Finding a time among busy schedules
- • One-time meetings (not recurring)
- • When you have several date options
Not ideal for:
- • 1-on-1 meetings (just pick a time)
- • Recurring meetings (use calendar invites)
- • Booking appointments with clients
- • When you already know everyone's available
Doodle Poll vs. Scheduling Poll vs. Availability Poll
These terms all mean essentially the same thing:
- • Doodle poll: The brand name that became generic (like Kleenex for tissues)
- • Scheduling poll: A more generic term for any tool that polls people about meeting times
- • Availability poll: Same concept, emphasizing that you're checking when people are available
- • Meeting poll: Another common term for the same thing
Popular Scheduling Poll Tools
Doodle
The original. Now has premium features but the free version is limited with ads.
When2meet
Free and simple, but the interface feels dated.
Shareaslot
RecommendedFree, modern, no account required. The simple alternative to Doodle.
Rallly
Open source option with a clean interface.
The Problem with Doodle Today
While Doodle was groundbreaking in 2007, the free version today has some issues:
- ⚠️ Ads that can be distracting
- ⚠️ Requires account creation for some features
- ⚠️ Limited polls on the free tier
- ⚠️ Interface has become more complex over time
That's why many people look for Doodle alternatives that are simpler and truly free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doodle free?
Doodle has a free tier, but it's limited and shows ads. Premium features require a paid subscription. Tools like Shareaslot are completely free.
Do participants need to create an account?
It depends on the tool. With Shareaslot, no account is needed—for creators or voters. Some other tools require at least the organizer to sign up.
Can I use a scheduling poll for more than just meetings?
Absolutely! People use scheduling polls for parties, book clubs, game nights, family gatherings, trips—any time you need a group to agree on a date.
What if there's a tie in the votes?
If two options have the same number of votes, you can either pick the one that works better for you, or wait for more people to vote.