AppBreakup
Submit an app

Fantastical alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Fantastical: most useful features need a subscription, and no Android app yet. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Fantastical, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. BusyCal currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1BusyCal logoBusyCalPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 466.5
2Calendars by Readdle logoCalendars by ReaddleFree plan + paidNoiOS4 of 462.6
3Notion Calendar logoNotion CalendarFreeNoWeb, macOS, Windows +24 of 459.6
4Morgen logoMorgenPaidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +35 of 557.2
5Apple Calendar logoApple CalendarFreeNomacOS, iOS, Web4 of 455.3
6Dato logoDatoPaidNomacOS4 of 453.6
  1. BusyCal logo

    1. BusyCalTop pick

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

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fantastical

    Similar power-user features on Mac and iOS for a one-time price.

    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 ×0.3100
    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 BusyCal a good Fantastical 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)
  2. Calendars by Readdle logo

    2. Calendars by Readdle

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

    Free plan + paidiOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fantastical

    Free iPhone calendar with natural-language input and tasks.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Calendars by Readdle a good Fantastical 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)
  3. Notion Calendar logo

    3. Notion Calendar

    Best for: Notion users who want a fast free calendar connected to their workspace

    FreeWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fantastical

    Free desktop calendar with keyboard shortcuts, best with Google accounts.

    Pros

    • Free, fast and keyboard friendly
    • Links events and Notion pages or databases
    • Desktop apps for Mac and Windows

    Cons

    • Most useful alongside Notion and Google accounts
    • No built-in task manager
    • No time-blocking automation
    Visit Notion Calendar 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 Notion Calendar a good Fantastical alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    macOS and Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Calendar accounts
    Google, Outlook, iCloud
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile apps
    iPhone and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Morgen logo

    4. Morgen

    Best for: Professionals who want calendars and tasks from several tools planned in one place

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fantastical

    Cross-platform, including Linux, with tasks and time blocking.

    Pros

    • Desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux
    • Brings tasks from many tools onto the calendar
    • AI planning you can accept or tweak

    Cons

    • No free plan after the trial
    • Monthly billing costs twice the yearly rate
    • Planner features take time to set up well
    Visit Morgen 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 Morgen a good Fantastical alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pro price
    $15/month billed yearly ($30 monthly)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026morgen.so(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $10 per seat/month billed yearly, 2 seats minimum
    Checked Oct 25, 2026morgen.so(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days, no card
    Checked Oct 25, 2026morgen.so(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Mac, Linux, web, mobile
    Checked Oct 25, 2026morgen.so(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    248,000+ professionals
    Checked Oct 25, 2026morgen.so(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Apple Calendar logo

    5. Apple Calendar

    Best for: Apple device owners who want a simple free calendar that syncs through iCloud

    FreemacOS, iOS, Web

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fantastical

    Free and built in, if you don't need the extra features.

    Pros

    • Free and preinstalled on Apple devices
    • Combines iCloud, Google and Exchange accounts
    • Shows reminders alongside events

    Cons

    • No native Android or Windows app
    • No scheduling links or advanced natural-language input
    • Basic task and time-zone features
    Visit Apple Calendar Compare with FantasticalDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Apple Calendar a good Fantastical alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Accounts
    iCloud, Google and others
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Reminders in calendar
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lunar calendars
    Chinese, Hebrew, Islamic
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Calendar sharing
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Dato logo

    6. Dato

    Best for: Mac users with many meetings who want time zones and unmissable alerts in the menu bar

    PaidmacOS

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fantastical

    A one-time-purchase menu bar calendar for quick glances on the Mac.

    Pros

    • One-time purchase, no subscription
    • Full-screen meeting alerts and one-click joining
    • Shows other time zones

    Cons

    • Mac only
    • Latest version requires a recent macOS
    • Companion app, not a full calendar
    Visit Dato 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 Dato a good Fantastical alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $18 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sindresorhus.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Fully functional
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sindresorhus.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    macOS 26 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sindresorhus.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Global shortcut
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sindresorhus.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Fantastical alternative for…

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

BusyCal logo

Best Fantastical alternative for most people

BusyCal

Similar power-user features on Mac and iOS for a one-time price.

Notion Calendar logo

Best Fantastical alternative for a free option

Notion Calendar

Free desktop calendar with keyboard shortcuts, best with Google accounts.

Calendars by Readdle logo

Best Fantastical alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Calendars by Readdle

Free iPhone calendar with natural-language input and tasks.

Morgen logo

Best Fantastical alternative for Mac

Morgen

Cross-platform, including Linux, with tasks and time blocking.

Notion Calendar logo

Best Fantastical alternative for Windows

Notion Calendar

Free desktop calendar with keyboard shortcuts, best with Google accounts.

Morgen logo

Best Fantastical alternative for Linux

Morgen

Cross-platform, including Linux, with tasks and time blocking.

Notion Calendar logo

Best Fantastical alternative for iPhone and Android

Notion Calendar

Free desktop calendar with keyboard shortcuts, best with Google accounts.

Apple Calendar logo

Best Fantastical alternative for working in the browser

Apple Calendar

Free and built in, if you don't need the extra features.

Fantastical alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Fantastical?

BusyCal ranks first right now. Similar power-user features on Mac and iOS for a one-time price. Calendars by Readdle and Notion Calendar follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Fantastical?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Fantastical?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Fantastical alternatives work on Linux?

Morgen runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Fantastical?

The complaints we hear most: most useful features need a subscription; no Android app yet; overkill if you only need a basic calendar.

How is this list ranked?

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