The 5 Best Calendar Apps for Mac Users

Last updated: March 18th, 2023

In today’s fast-paced world, managing our schedules is more important than ever. Having a reliable and efficient calendar app can make all the difference in keeping track of appointments, meetings, and other important events. 

Fortunately, there are many calendar apps available for Mac users in 2023. In this article, we will review the five best calendar apps for Mac, based on criteria such as user interface, functionality, compatibility, and pricing.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Calendar Apps for Mac

Before diving into the top five calendar apps for Mac, let’s take a look at the criteria we used to make our selections:

• User interface: A calendar app should have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and intuitive to use. The app should be visually appealing and provide quick access to important features.
• Functionality and features: A good calendar app should have a wide range of useful features, such as reminders, multiple calendar views, and the ability to sync with other devices and services. The app should also be able to handle complex scheduling tasks and provide customization options.
• Compatibility with other devices and services: In today’s world, it is important for a calendar app to be compatible with other devices and services, such as email, messaging apps, and cloud storage solutions. The app should also be able to sync seamlessly across different platforms.
• Price and value for money: While price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a calendar app, it is important to evaluate the value for money that each app provides. A good calendar app should offer a reasonable price for the features and functionality it provides.

Top 5 Calendar Apps for Mac in 2023

1. Fantastical

Fantastical is a popular calendar app for Mac users that offers a clean and simple user interface. The app’s main screen displays an overview of your schedule for the day, week, or month, depending on your preference. The app also offers a wide range of features, including natural language input, customizable notifications, and the ability to sync with other devices and services.

Features:

• Natural language input: Fantastical allows you to add events to your calendar using natural language. For example, you can type “lunch with John next Friday at noon” and the app will automatically create an event with all the necessary details.
• Customizable notifications: You can set custom notifications for each event, such as a sound or vibration alert. You can also choose how far in advance you want to be notified.
• Sync with other devices and services: Fantastical can sync with other calendars, such as Google Calendar or Microsoft Exchange, as well as with cloud storage solutions like iCloud or Dropbox.
• Pricing options: Fantastical offers a 14-day free trial and then requires a monthly or yearly subscription fee. The price varies depending on whether you choose to use the app on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Pros:

• Clean and intuitive user interface
• Natural language input makes adding events quick and easy
• Customizable notifications for each event
• Syncs with other devices and services

Cons:

• Subscription-based pricing model may be expensive for some users
• Some advanced features require a separate purchase

2. Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a popular choice for users who rely on Google’s suite of productivity tools. The app is free to use and offers a range of useful features, such as the ability to create multiple calendars, share calendars with others, and set reminders for events.

Features:

• Multiple calendars: You can create multiple calendars in Google Calendar, each with its own color-coding and sharing options.
• Sharing options: You can share your calendars with others, either publicly or with specific people. This makes it easy to coordinate schedules with friends or colleagues.
• Reminders: Google Calendar allows you to set reminders for upcoming events, either as a pop-up notification or as an email. You can also set recurring reminders for events that occur regularly.
• Sync with other devices and services: Google Calendar syncs with other Google apps, such as Gmail and Google Drive, as well as with other third-party apps and services.
• Pricing options: Google Calendar is free to use, but some advanced features may require a paid subscription to G Suite.

Pros:

• Free to use with many useful features
• Ability to create multiple calendars and share them with others
• Easy integration with other Google apps and services
• Simple and intuitive user interface

Cons:

• Some advanced features may require a paid subscription to G Suite
• Limited customization options compared to some other apps

3. Apple Calendar

Apple Calendar is the default calendar app on Mac computers and is pre-installed on all new Macs. The app offers a range of features, including natural language input, multiple calendar views, and the ability to sync with other Apple devices and services.

Features:

• Natural language input: Apple Calendar allows you to add events using natural language input, just like Fantastical. For example, you can type “meet John for coffee tomorrow at 2pm” and the app will automatically create an event with all the necessary details.
• Multiple calendar views: Apple Calendar offers several different calendar views, including day, week, month, and year. You can also customize the color-coding for each calendar.
• Sync with other Apple devices and services: Apple Calendar syncs seamlessly with other Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads, as well as with other Apple services like iCloud and Siri.
• Pricing options: Apple Calendar is free to use and comes pre-installed on all new Macs.

Pros:

• Free to use and pre-installed on all new Macs
• Natural language input makes adding events quick and easy
• Multiple calendar views for easy organization
• Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services

Cons:

• Limited customization options compared to some other apps
• No cross-platform compatibility with non-Apple devices and services

4. BusyCal

BusyCal is a powerful calendar app for Mac users that offers a wide range of advanced features. The app has a customizable interface and provides seamless integration with other apps and services.

Features:

• Customizable interface: BusyCal allows you to customize the appearance and layout of the app to suit your preferences. You can also create custom views and filters for your calendar data.
• Sync with other devices and services: BusyCal can sync with other calendars, such as Google Calendar or Microsoft Exchange, as well as with cloud storage solutions like iCloud or Dropbox.
• Advanced features: BusyCal offers a range of advanced features, such as customizable repeating events, natural language input, and travel time calculations.
• Pricing options: BusyCal offers a 30-day free trial and then requires a one-time purchase fee.

Pros:

• Customizable interface for a personalized experience
• Advanced features for power users
• Seamless integration with other devices and services
• One-time purchase fee

Cons:

• May be too complex for some users
• No subscription model for users who prefer regular updates and support

5. Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a popular productivity app that includes a robust calendar feature. The app offers a range of useful features, such as multiple calendar views, shared calendars, and the ability to sync with other devices and services.

Features:

• Multiple calendar views: Microsoft Outlook offers multiple calendar views, including day, week, and month. You can also customize the color coding for each calendar.
• Shared calendars: You can share your calendars with others, either within your organization or with external users.
• Sync with other devices and services: Microsoft Outlook syncs with other Microsoft apps and services, such as OneDrive and Microsoft Teams, as well as with other third-party apps and services.

• Advanced features: Microsoft Outlook offers a range of advanced features, such as natural language input, recurring events, and the ability to schedule meetings with other users.
• Pricing options: Microsoft Outlook is available as part of the Microsoft Office suite, which requires a subscription fee. However, a limited version of the app is available for free on the Mac App Store.

Pros:

• Multiple calendar views for easy organization
• Shared calendar feature for collaborative work
• Advanced features for power users
• Seamless integration with other Microsoft apps and services

Cons:

• Subscription fee required for the full version of the app
• Limited customization options compared to some other apps

Conclusion

There are many calendar apps available for Mac users, each with its own unique features and benefits. Choosing the right app for your needs will depend on your specific requirements, such as the need for natural language input, advanced features, or seamless integration with other devices and services.

After analyzing the five best calendar apps for Mac in 2023, here are our top picks:

• Best for natural language input: Fantastical
• Best for collaboration: Google Calendar
• Best for the pre-installed app: Apple Calendar
• Best for customization: BusyCal
• Best for seamless integration with Microsoft services: Microsoft Outlook

Ultimately, the best calendar app for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. We recommend trying out a few different apps to see which one works best for you.

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