High 5 Google Calendar options in 2025

In the end, it occurs to each skilled. You’re sitting at your desk, sipping your espresso in whole bliss, when your coworker sends you a frantic Slack message: “The place are you?” And even worse, you get an irate electronic mail from a shopper after by accident standing them up.

Lacking a deadline or an appointment can really feel devastating, however everybody forgets issues. Fortunately, there’s a easy answer: a calendar app. This software program helps you observe your schedule, so you’ll be able to keep away from unintentional ghostings. Utilizing a calendar app can also be a key a part of efficient time management, serving to professionals keep organized and meet their commitments.

You would possibly instantly consider Google Calendar — however that’s not the one choice. Distributors have created many scheduling instruments with nifty options, akin to automation and shade coding. This text breaks down 5 Google Calendar options, together with a number of lesser-known ones that don’t at all times get the eye they deserve.

Why search for a Google Calendar different?

Google Calendar’s recognition is plain. The tech firm hasn’t launched any person statistics recently, however the Google Play Store exhibits that the app has been downloaded over 5 billion instances. Many individuals use this device as a result of it’s a part of the Google ecosystem, so it doesn’t take a lot work to arrange.;

In fact, simply because Google is common doesn’t imply it’s excellent. One in every of its largest flaws is that it solely integrates with one video-conferencing platform: Google Meet, unsurprisingly. Which means you’ll have to bounce between apps in case your workforce or shoppers use Zoom or Microsoft Groups.

Plus, the calendar’s interface can get cluttered visually, particularly when opened on cellular. You might really feel overwhelmed if you’re greeted by half a dozen colours and cramped textual content. Its job administration options are additionally less-than-impressive, to place it mildly. You’ll want so as to add all the things to your to-do lists manually, and there’s no intuitive approach to set up occasions and duties by venture.

Fortunately, there are many options to Google Calendar. A few of these choices may match higher together with your current software program or have distinctive options that Google’s by no means gotten round to including. Otherwise you would possibly simply really feel extra snug utilizing them. That’s why it’s at all times value exploring what’s on the market — even in case you’ve been a diehard Google fan for years.

High Google Calendar options

Software program builders have created dozens of calendar instruments, however they’re not all created equal. Listed here are 5 of the perfect calendar apps.

1. Microsoft Outlook Calendar

Typically, you simply want a easy calendar to trace your schedule — Microsoft Outlook Calendar is strictly that. It’s extra superior than a paper wall calendar, however not as flashy as a few of the different choices on this record. This app is constructed into the Outlook electronic mail shopper, however you might use the calendar by itself. It additionally integrates with Microsoft Groups, so you’ll be able to invite folks to distant calls in seconds.

Developer: Microsoft

Finest for: Devoted Microsoft customers, particularly those that already use Outlook. It’s suitable with Planner, Groups, and different Microsoft merchandise.

Key options: Capacity to ballot different customers to search out the perfect time to fulfill; computerized notifications for upcoming occasions; Groups auto-invite functionality; color-coding; shareable with colleagues; group calendars; mobile-friendly interface; a number of viewpoints that can assist you examine calendars; scheduling assistant device

Professionals: Accessible and easy interface, handy for scheduling group occasions, simple to be taught, a part of the Microsoft ecosystem

Cons: Lacks superior options, restricted customizations, assembly invites disappear from the Outlook inbox after attendees RSVP

Plans/pricing:

• Microsoft Outlook— Free
  • Private account for one particular person
  • 5 GB of cloud storage
  • Entry to desktop, cellular, and net variations of the calendar
• Microsoft 365 Fundamental — $19.99 per yr
  • Advert-free
  • 100 GB of cloud storage
  • Extra superior safety features
• Microsoft 365 Private — $99.99 per yr
  • 1,000 GB of cloud storage
  • Consists of different Microsoft merchandise, akin to Excel and Phrase
• Microsoft 365 Household — $129.99 per yr
  • As much as 6 customers
  • All of the options of the opposite tiers

G2 ranking: 4.5

2. Apple Calendar (iCal)

Apple units usually include Apple Calendar pre-installed. It has a drag-and-drop interface, so you’ll be able to simply swap a cancelled dentist appointment for some high quality work time. You additionally share your calendars with household and colleagues for straightforward planning.

Integrations are the place iCal actually shines, although — no less than throughout the Apple ecosystem (not a lot outdoors it). For instance, you’ll be able to inform Siri, “Add lunch with Sebastian to my calendar” or “Remind me to complete this report tonight.” Plus, it syncs with Apple Maps. When a wreck clogs up the freeway or the roads are icy, you’ll get a notification telling you to go away earlier — no extra awkward tardies.

Developer: Apple

Finest for: Current Apple customers who have to coordinate their schedules throughout a number of Apple units. As an illustration, you might use your Apple Watch to schedule an appointment, then test the calendar in your iPhone later.

Key options: Capacity to repeat and paste occasions; computerized reminders; can add or edit occasions with voice instructions; color-coding; integrates with Google and Outlook accounts; ship calendar invites; syncs throughout Apple units

Professionals: Add attachments and notes to occasions, can share calendars with different Apple customers, handy alerts to let you understand when to go away in your occasion, syncs with Apple Maps and Siri, quite simple to arrange and use

Cons: Restricted integrations outdoors Apple apps, minimalist design could seem boring to some customers, not accessible on Android, until you obtain third-party apps

Plans/pricing: Free with any Apple system

G2 ranking: 4.1

3. Calendly

If you happen to’ve ever fantasized about having a private secretary, Calendly is the device for you. It makes scheduling far more environment friendly and prevents irritating miscommunications.

Calendly hastens the appointment reserving course of by permitting you to ship a hyperlink with all of your availability. That manner, the recipient can select the time that works greatest for his or her schedule as an alternative of going forwards and backwards by way of a number of emails.

Calendly mechanically sends textual content reminders earlier than conferences — so you’ll be able to say goodbye to no-shows. You may as well automate thank-you notes and different emails. These options save time and provide help to preserve your brainpower for extra significant duties, like designing a brand new product or determining a provide chain error.

Developer: Tope Awotona

Finest for: Scheduling conferences with shoppers and coworkers

Key options: Capacity to customise occasions with totally different lengths and video-conferencing platforms; automates reminders, follow-up emails, and different duties; built-in analytics device to trace productiveness; collects information from attendees forward of time, akin to the aim of the assembly; assembly polls; over 100 integrations with common platforms, akin to HubSpot and Loom; personalised scheduling hyperlink; syncs with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook Calendar

Professionals: Integrates with dozens of common platforms, affords many free assets that can assist you discover ways to use the platform, time-saving automations, limitless bookings for all plans, very handy for scheduling appointments and conferences

Cons: Restricted assist choices for the free plan, reasonable studying curve for primary actions, akin to scheduling trip time

Plans/pricing:

• Free — 0$
  • Designed for private use
  • Connects with one exterior calendar
  • Can create one sort of occasion
• Customary — $10 per particular person per thirty days
  • Finest for small groups or busy professionals
  • Limitless occasion sorts
  • Syncs with a number of calendars
  • Computerized reminders
• Groups — $16 per particular person per thirty days
  • For bigger groups with extra advanced wants
  • Capacity to qualify leads earlier than scheduling calls
  • Extra integrations with gross sales platforms, akin to Marketo
• Enterprise — From $15,000 per yr
  • Designed for companies
  • Extra superior safety features
  • Entry to a devoted buyer success consultant

G2 ranking: 4.7

4. Fantastical

Most professionals have mile-long to-do lists to handle alongside their conferences. Fantastical combines a calendar app with job administration instruments, so you’ll be able to observe all the things in a single platform.

This software program has many superior options, too. One standout device is its synthetic intelligence scheduler, which makes use of pure language processing to grasp your enter. For instance, it may well flip “go grocery purchasing within the morning with Kate” into an occasion and mechanically invite your buddy.

Fantastical even checks the climate and journey instances and alerts you to any modifications. These options can assist you keep away from a sudden rainstorm or site visitors jam.

Developer: Flexibits

Finest for: Managing to-do lists

Key options: Capacity to ask folks to occasions and share your accessible instances, much like Calendly; day by day to-do lists; darkish mode; elements in journey time and climate; integrates with video-conferencing software program; pure language processing; templates for occasions and duties

Professionals: AI scheduler, simple to tweak your availability, syncs with common calendar apps, job administration instruments, user-friendly interface

Cons: Have to be linked to an exterior calendar, not accessible on Android

Plans/pricing:

• Particular person — $4.75 per thirty days
  • Limitless calendar units
  • Occasion templates
  • Assembly polls and invites
  • Computerized notifications
• Households — $7.50 per thirty days
  • Limitless calendar units
  • Occasion templates
  • Assembly polls and invites
  • Computerized notifications
• Groups — $4.75 per person per thirty days
  • Limitless variety of customers
  • Add a number of hosts to occasions
  • Single sign-on

G2 Ranking: 4.4

5. Zoho Calendar

Zoho Calendar is one other common Google Calendar different. It permits you to create collaborative calendars for various groups and initiatives, making teamwork a breeze. You may as well rapidly test your colleagues’ availability and scheduled shared occasions.

Plus, this app has a singular useful resource reserving function. You should use this device to order assembly areas in your constructing. That manner, you’ll be able to name dibs in your favourite convention room with out worrying concerning the product improvement workforce crashing your assembly.

Developer: Zoho

Finest for: Collaboration within the office

Key options: 24/7 buyer assist, AI-powered Good Add device, collaboration instruments, akin to shared scheduling, drag-and-drop device for fast rescheduling, integrates with different calendar apps, public calendars for shopper bookings, strong safety measures

Professionals: Capacity to customise appointment types, can coordinate workforce actions from a centralized calendar, simple to be taught and use, affords extra superior controls for enterprise customers, works with all main platforms, together with Android and iOS

Cons: Clunky person interface, lack of customization, no pricing transparency, sluggish syncing

Plans/pricing: Free to make use of; contact for particular enterprise pricing

G2 ranking: 4.4

Get the perfect out of Google Calendar with Jotform

In fact, it’s attainable that you just don’t want an alternative choice to Google Calendar in any respect. As a result of with the assistance of Jotform’s Google Calendar integration, you’ll be able to add new options to the platform as an alternative of changing it fully. Listed here are a number of key options:

• Seamless automation: Are your clients questioning how to schedule an appointment with you? Use the Jotform Kind Builder to construct a customized appointment request kind. It mechanically provides a brand new calendar occasion each time a shopper books a gathering — no telephone calls or handbook entry essential.
• Versatile use instances: Jotform’s integration works for nearly each scheduling want, from registering folks for a charity 5K to reserving day by day standups.
• Straightforward setup: You may rapidly hyperlink Jotform to your Google Calendar by authenticating your account and adjusting the settings. As soon as all the things’s related, you can too customise your occasion particulars primarily based in your clients’ kind responses. And, in case you want help, Jotform affords a wealth of assets on subjects like how to create appointment slots in Google Calendar.
• Appropriate with different apps: Many of the Google Calendar options on this record assist integrations, so you should use Jotform’s automated scheduling device regardless of which platform you select.

Syncing Jotform together with your calendar instruments can assist you attain new ranges of productiveness — and scale back these pesky administrative complications. Join a free starter account today, or get in touch to learn more.

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