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Apple Calendar alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Apple Calendar: no native Android or Windows app, and no scheduling links or advanced natural-language input. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Apple Calendar, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Fantastical currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Fantastical logoFantasticalFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS, Windows5 of 566.5
2BusyCal logoBusyCalPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 462.6
3Calendars by Readdle logoCalendars by ReaddleFree plan + paidNoiOS4 of 459.6
4Google Calendar logoGoogle CalendarFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 457.2
5Proton Calendar logoProton CalendarFree plan + paidYesWeb, iOS, Android +34 of 453.6
  1. Fantastical logo

    1. FantasticalTop pick

    Best for: Apple users who want the most refined calendar with natural-language input and tasks

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS, Windows

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Calendar

    Natural-language input, tasks and scheduling links on the same Apple platforms.

    Pros

    • Excellent natural-language event and task entry
    • Tasks from Reminders, Todoist and Google Tasks in one view
    • Calendar sets for switching contexts

    Cons

    • Most useful features need a subscription
    • No Android app yet
    • Overkill if you only need a basic calendar
    Visit Fantastical Compare with Apple CalendarDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Fantastical a good Apple Calendar alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flexibits.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days of Premium
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flexibits.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family plan
    Up to 5 members
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flexibits.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Task integrations
    iCloud Reminders, Todoist, Google Tasks
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flexibits.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Android
    Planned for 2027
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flexibits.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. BusyCal logo

    2. BusyCal

    Best for: Mac and iPhone users who want a powerful calendar without a subscription

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Calendar

    A one-time-purchase power calendar for Mac and iOS with richer views.

    Pros

    • One-time purchase, also included in Setapp
    • Many views, tags and to-dos that roll over
    • Weather, moon phases and travel time in the calendar

    Cons

    • Apple platforms only
    • More traditional design than newer apps
    • No built-in booking links
    Visit BusyCal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is BusyCal a good Apple Calendar alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $49.99 USD one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026busymac.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026busymac.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Setapp
    Included
    Checked Oct 25, 2026busymac.com(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirement
    macOS 12.0 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026busymac.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Calendars by Readdle logo

    3. Calendars by Readdle

    Best for: iPhone users who want a free calendar with tasks and natural-language input

    Free plan + paidiOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Calendar

    A free iPhone calendar with tasks and a cleaner day view.

    Pros

    • Free core calendar with tasks
    • Natural-language event entry
    • Syncs with Google, iCloud and Apple Reminders

    Cons

    • Apple platforms only
    • Premium features behind a subscription
    • Fewer power-user options than Fantastical
    Visit Calendars by Readdle Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Calendars by Readdle a good Apple Calendar alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free download
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026readdle.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium
    Optional subscription
    Checked Oct 25, 2026readdle.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    30 million
    Checked Oct 25, 2026readdle.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Google Calendar sync
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026readdle.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Google Calendar logo

    4. Google Calendar

    Best for: Anyone on Gmail or Google Workspace who wants a reliable free shared calendar

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Calendar

    Works on Android and the web too, for mixed-device households.

    Pros

    • Free, fast sync across web, Android and iOS
    • Easy sharing and invitations with Meet links
    • Built-in appointment booking page

    Cons

    • No official desktop app for Windows or Mac
    • Not end-to-end encrypted
    • Fuller booking features need a paid plan
    Visit Google Calendar Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Calendar a good Apple Calendar alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Web, Android, iOS, Wear OS, Apple Watch
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free booking page
    One, with a personal Google account
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium appointment scheduling
    Certain Google One and Workspace plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Multiple calendars
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Proton Calendar logo

    5. Proton Calendar

    Best for: Privacy-minded people and teams who want encrypted calendars, ideally with Proton Mail

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Calendar

    Encrypted events if you want more privacy than iCloud's default.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted event details
    • Swiss jurisdiction and open-source apps
    • Free plan, bundled with Proton Mail on paid plans

    Cons

    • No direct CalDAV sync with third-party clients
    • Fewer integrations than Google Calendar
    • Best value only if you use other Proton apps
    Visit Proton Calendar Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Proton Calendar a good Apple Calendar alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Jurisdiction
    Switzerland
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)

The best Apple Calendar alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Fantastical logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for most people

Fantastical

Natural-language input, tasks and scheduling links on the same Apple platforms.

Itsycal logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for a free option

Itsycal

A free menu bar companion that shows Apple Calendar events at a click.

Calendars by Readdle logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Calendars by Readdle

A free iPhone calendar with tasks and a cleaner day view.

Proton Calendar logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for open source

Proton Calendar

Encrypted events if you want more privacy than iCloud's default.

BusyCal logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for Mac

BusyCal

A one-time-purchase power calendar for Mac and iOS with richer views.

Fantastical logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for Windows

Fantastical

Natural-language input, tasks and scheduling links on the same Apple platforms.

Proton Calendar logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for Linux

Proton Calendar

Encrypted events if you want more privacy than iCloud's default.

Google Calendar logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Calendar

Works on Android and the web too, for mixed-device households.

Google Calendar logo

Best Apple Calendar alternative for working in the browser

Google Calendar

Works on Android and the web too, for mixed-device households.

Apple Calendar alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Apple Calendar?

Fantastical ranks first right now. Natural-language input, tasks and scheduling links on the same Apple platforms. BusyCal and Calendars by Readdle follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Apple Calendar?

Yes. Fantastical (free plan + paid), Calendars by Readdle (free plan + paid), Google Calendar (free plan + paid) and Itsycal (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Apple Calendar?

Yes: Itsycal and Proton Calendar.

Which Apple Calendar alternatives work on Linux?

Proton Calendar runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Apple Calendar?

The complaints we hear most: no native Android or Windows app; no scheduling links or advanced natural-language input; basic task and time-zone features.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Apple Calendar, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.