The 10 Best Calendar Apps for 2024

Top Tools at a Glance

Introduction

In our modern whirlwind of deadlines, appointments, and commitments, staying organized can feel like wrestling a particularly slippery octopus. Enter the scheduling calendar app: your digital superhero in the battle against chaos. But with so many options out there, choosing the right one can be as daunting as juggling flaming chainsaws (not recommended, by the way).

Fear not, time-travellers! We've embarked on a heroic quest to conquer the calendar conundrum. We've scoured the digital landscape, tested countless apps, and emerged victorious with the top 10 scheduling calendar apps of 2024!

Get ready to ditch the sticky notes, the overflowing inboxes, and the frantic mental juggling act. This ultimate guide will help you find the perfect app to take control of your time, boost your productivity, and finally achieve scheduling nirvana.

So, brew your favorite productivity potion, settle in, and prepare to unlock the secrets of time management mastery!

Our Ranking Criteria

Before we unleash the titans of time management, let's shed some light on the weapons we used to choose them. Buckle up, fellow time warriors, because these are the criteria that shaped our epic ranking battle:

1. Feature Feast: Does the app offer a smorgasbord of organizational goodness? We're talking calendar views, scheduling options, reminders, task management, and anything else that helps you whip your schedule into shape. Think color-coded deadlines, recurring appointments, and to-do lists that sing with satisfaction when checked off.

2. Usability Enigma: Is the app as intuitive as a well-trained unicorn? We evaluated the interface, navigation, and learning curve. No need for a decoder ring here - the best apps should feel like extensions of your mind, not brain teasers.

3. Integration Inferno: Does the app play nice with others? We looked at integrations with email, cloud storage, communication tools, and the like. A seamless ecosystem is key to maximizing efficiency and minimizing frustration.

4. Platform Prowess: Can you access your schedule from anywhere, anytime? We assessed platform availability across desktop, mobile, and web, ensuring you can conquer calendar chaos regardless of your digital habitat.

5. Pricing Puzzle: Is the app a freeloader, a freemium friend, or a paid powerhouse? We untangled the pricing models, weighing value against cost to find the perfect fit for every budget and need.

With these criteria as our compass, we embarked on our quest to find the ultimate calendar app champions. Now, brace yourselves for the grand unveiling of the top 10.

The suspense is almost unbearable!

Top 10 Scheduling Calendar Apps to Conquer Your 2024 Schedule:

1. Google Calendar

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Google Calendar has become a ubiquitous tool for managing schedules, and for good reason. Its intuitive interface, feature-rich functionality, and seamless integration with other Google products make it a powerful and convenient choice for many users.

Who is it best for?

• Busy professionals: Streamline your schedule with powerful reminders, goal setting, and task management features.
• Individuals: Easily organize your personal life with various calendar views and extensive customization options.
• Google users: Enjoy seamless integration with Gmail, Drive, and other Google apps for a cohesive workflow.

Key Features:

• Intuitive interface: Easy to navigate and learn, even for non-technical users.
• Multiple calendar views: Choose from day, week, month, or agenda views for optimal organization.
• Extensive customization: Personalize your calendar with colors, themes, and event details.
• Reminders and notifications: Stay on top of deadlines with email, SMS, and pop-up alerts.
• Goal setting and task management: Break down large tasks into manageable steps and track your progress.
• Free for both personal and professional use: Enjoy all the features without any cost.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Complexity: With its extensive features, the interface can feel overwhelming for some users.
• Limited non-Google integrations: Third-party app integrations might be limited compared to other platforms.
• Advanced features: More specialized functionalities might be missing compared to dedicated to-do list apps.

Overall, Google Calendar offers a robust and user-friendly platform for managing your schedule. Its free accessibility, flexible features, and Google integration make it a strong contender for individuals and professionals alike. However, its potential complexity and limited non-Google integrations might be points to consider for some users.

2. Fantastical

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (with caveats)

Fantastical takes calendar apps to a new level with its intuitive interface and intelligent features. Its natural language processing lets you schedule events simply by speaking or typing, making it a productivity booster for busy professionals and anyone who values efficiency.

Who is it best for?

• Productivity enthusiasts: Leverage natural language scheduling, powerful search, and focus mode to streamline your workflow.
• Busy professionals: Stay organized with advanced calendar sets, smart reminders, and travel time estimates.
• Tech-savvy individuals: Enjoy the unique and intelligent features Fantastical offers beyond basic calendar functionality.

Key Features:

• Natural language processing: Schedule events, set reminders, and even ask questions about your calendar using natural language.
• Powerful search and filtering: Find what you need instantly with comprehensive filtering and search options.
• Focus mode: Minimize distractions and maximize productivity with a clutter-free interface.
• Weather integration and travel time estimates: Stay informed and plan your day efficiently with built-in weather updates and travel time information.
• Advanced calendar sets and reminders: Customize your calendar with multiple sets and customize reminders to fit your needs.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Limited free plan: Basic features only in the free version; most advanced features require a premium subscription.
• Cost: The premium subscription can be a monthly expense, though its features might justify the cost for heavy users.
• Individual focus: Primarily designed for individual users; team collaboration features are limited.

Overall, Fantastical is a game-changer for those who value efficiency and intelligent scheduling. Its interface is intuitive, its features are powerful, and its natural language processing sets it apart. However, the limited free plan and individual-focused features might be worth considering for users on a budget or those seeking extensive team collaboration tools.

3. Microsoft Outlook Calendar

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (for teams)

Microsoft Outlook Calendar isn't just your average scheduler. It's a powerhouse built for professional teams and businesses already invested in the Microsoft Office ecosystem. Its robust features, seamless integration with other Microsoft tools, and focus on collaboration make it a top choice for organizations looking to streamline their workflow and boost productivity.

Who's it Best For?

• Professionals: Stay organized and on top of your schedule with powerful meeting management tools and advanced calendar features.
• Teams: Facilitate seamless collaboration with shared calendars, meeting room booking, polls, and RSVP tracking.
• Businesses using Microsoft Office: Enjoy effortless integration with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and other familiar tools.

Key Features:

• Microsoft Office Integration: Schedule meetings directly from Outlook, access shared calendars from Teams, and attach documents from OneDrive—all within the familiar Office interface.
• Professional Calendar Features: Book meeting rooms, create polls for quick decision-making, track RSVPs, and manage complex schedules with ease.
• Extensive Customization: Personalize your calendar view with different layouts, colors, and formatting to match your workflow preferences.
• Strong Team Collaboration: Share calendars, assign tasks, and keep everyone informed with real-time updates and notifications.
• Multi-Platform Accessibility: Access your calendar and manage your schedule from anywhere with web, desktop, and mobile app versions.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Complexity: The feature-rich interface might feel overwhelming for individual users or those unfamiliar with Microsoft Office.
• Learning Curve: Mastering the advanced features might require some initial investment in learning and exploration.
• Paid Features: Some powerful functionalities, like meeting room booking and advanced customization, require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

Overall, Microsoft Outlook Calendar is a champion for professional teams and businesses deeply integrated with the Microsoft Office suite. Its robust features, seamless collaboration tools, and powerful integrations make it a valuable asset for streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. However, its complexity and reliance on paid subscriptions might not be ideal for individual users or those seeking a simpler scheduling solution.

4. Apple Calendar

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for Apple users)

Apple Calendar might not be the flashiest scheduler out there, but for Apple users, its simplicity and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem make it a dream come true. If you live and breathe Apple, this calendar is your perfect match.

Who's it Best For?

• Individual Apple Users: Stay organized and on top of your personal schedule with a clean interface and natural language input.
• Small Apple Teams: Easily share events and collaborate with other Apple users within the familiar iCal environment.
• Mac and iOS Users: Enjoy effortless syncing and cross-device accessibility between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Key Features:

• Apple Ecosystem Harmony: Schedule events directly from Reminders, Mail, or Siri, and enjoy automatic syncing across all your Apple devices.
• Clean and User-Friendly Design: Navigate your schedule with ease thanks to the intuitive interface and familiar Apple aesthetics.
• Natural Language Input: Add events and set reminders effortlessly by simply speaking or typing in plain language.
• Multiple Calendar Views: Choose from day, week, month, or agenda views to find the perfect fit for your schedule overview needs.
• Free and Accessible: No subscriptions or additional costs—Apple Calendar comes pre-installed on all Apple devices.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Limited Feature Set: Compared to some competitors, Apple Calendar lacks advanced features like meeting room booking, powerful search, or extensive customization options.
• Team Collaboration Limitations: While event sharing is possible, collaborative features for larger teams or complex projects might be lacking.
• Apple-Centric Focus: Cross-platform compatibility is limited, making it less ideal for users who switch between different devices or ecosystems.

Overall, Apple Calendar is a perfect fit for individual Apple users or small teams that thrive within the Apple ecosystem. Its seamless integration, user-friendly interface, and free access make it a convenient and effortless scheduling solution. However, its limited feature set, focus on individual use, and Apple-centric nature might not be ideal for power users or those seeking robust collaboration tools or cross-platform accessibility.

5. Notion

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for organized overachievers)

Notion isn't just a calendar. It's a superpower for conquering complex projects and streamlining your workflow. This all-in-one workspace lets you blend notes, tasks, projects, and calendars into a beautiful tapestry of organization, making it a dream come true for planners, teams, and ambitious individuals.

Who's it Best For?

• Teams: Collaborate seamlessly on projects, share schedules, and keep everyone on the same page with powerful collaborative features.
• Individuals with Complex Projects: Break down ambitious goals into manageable tasks, track progress, and stay focused with flexible calendar views and drag-and-drop functionality.
• Organization Enthusiasts: Embrace the customizable haven of Notion to tailor your calendar experience with custom templates, integrations, and a plethora of organizational tools.

Key Features:

• Calendar and Beyond: Notion isn't just about events; it's about connecting them to your broader workflow. Integrate notes, tasks, and projects within your calendar for a holistic view of your work.
• Flexibility Reigns: Craft custom calendar views, utilize drag-and-drop functionality to rearrange schedules, and personalize your experience with countless customization options.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Share calendars, assign tasks, collaborate on projects, and stay in sync with real-time updates and notifications.
• Integration Powerhouse: Connect Notion with your favorite tools and services, from Asana to Slack, to bring all your workflows together in one place.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Learning Curve: Unleashing Notion's full potential requires dedication and exploration. This isn't your quick-and-easy calendar app.
• Feature Overload: The vast functionality can feel overwhelming for those seeking a simple scheduling solution.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free plan restricts features, making the paid plans necessary for advanced users and teams.

Overall, Notion is a game-changer for those who crave organization and productivity on a grand scale. Its powerful features, customizable calendar experience, and collaborative capabilities make it ideal for ambitious individuals and teams tackling complex projects. However, its learning curve and feature abundance might intimidate users seeking a simpler scheduling solution. For the organized overachievers, though, Notion is a playground of productivity waiting to be explored.

6. Todoist

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for productivity enthusiasts)

Todoist isn't just a "to-do" list; it's a productivity playground where tasks and schedules dance in perfect harmony. This award-winning platform seamlessly integrates task management with your calendar, transforming your day into a symphony of accomplishment.

Who's it Best For?

• Busy Professionals: Juggle projects, deadlines, and appointments with ease thanks to Todoist's powerful task management features and clear calendar integration.
• Students: Conquer coursework, study sessions, and extracurriculars with organized tasks, priorities, and subtasks.
• Gamification Fans: Unleash your inner productivity warrior with Todoist's engaging gamification system, earning Karma points and unlocking rewards for staying on top of your game.

Key Features:

• Task & Calendar Harmony: Schedule tasks directly in your calendar, set reminders, and track progress, creating a unified overview of your day.
• Organization Arsenal: Craft recurring tasks, subtasks, priorities, and labels to structure your workload and conquer chaos.
• Gamified Productivity: Earn Karma points, unlock levels, and celebrate achievements with Todoist's playful approach to keeping you motivated.
• Search & Filter Mastery: Find tasks and events instantly with powerful search and filtering options, navigating your to-do list with lightning speed.
• Platform Playground: Seamlessly integrate Todoist with your favorite apps and tools, from Gmail to Google Calendar, creating a centralized productivity hub.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Free Plan Limitations: The free plan restricts features and collaborators, potentially hindering teamwork and advanced organization.
• Feature Depth: Some powerful features, like customizing recurring tasks, might be tucked away, requiring exploration to unlock their full potential.
• Overkill for Some: For individuals with simple scheduling needs, Todoist's robust features might feel like overkill.

Overall, Todoist is a productivity powerhouse for those who thrive on gamified organization and integrated task management. Its clean calendar interface, powerful features, and playful approach to motivation make it a game-changer for busy professionals, students, and anyone who wants to turn their to-do list into a thrilling quest for accomplishment. However, the free plan limitations and slightly hidden features might not be ideal for everyone, and its robust functionality might be unnecessary for users with simpler scheduling needs.

7. Calendly

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (for streamlined meeting scheduling)

Calendly doesn't just schedule meetings; it banishes the back-and-forth dance of finding a time that works. This scheduling wizard lets you share your availability with ease, so others can book appointments without the endless email ping-pong. If you're tired of scheduling conflicts, Calendly is here to save the day.

Who's it Best For?

• Busy Professionals: Simplify your meeting scheduling and protect your precious time by letting others book slots that fit your calendar.
• Freelancers and Consultants: Streamline client bookings and eliminate scheduling headaches, making it easier to focus on your expertise.
• Sales and Customer Success Teams: Optimize your outreach and availability for prospects and clients, ensuring timely connections and swift responses.

Key Features:

• Effortless Scheduling: Connect your calendar, set your availability preferences, and share your personalized link to let others book meetings in a snap.
• No More Back-and-Forth: Eliminate the time-consuming email chains and calendar juggling that often accompany meeting arrangements.
• Time Zone Genius: Say goodbye to scheduling snafus with automatic time zone adjustments, ensuring everyone's on the same page, no matter where they're located.
• Video Conferencing Integration: Effortlessly sync Calendly with popular video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams for seamless virtual meetings.
• Analytics and Insights: Track meeting behavior, identify scheduling trends, and optimize your workflow with valuable data and reporting.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Focused Functionality: Calendly excels at meeting scheduling, but it's not a full-fledged calendar app with task management or broader calendar views.
• Customization Limitations: The options for customizing the scheduling experience and branding might be limited, especially on the free plan.
• Free Plan Restrictions: The free plan restricts features, integrations, and customization, making the paid plans necessary for power users and teams.

Overall, Calendly is a game-changer for anyone who juggles multiple meetings and wants to streamline their scheduling process. Its ease of use, seamless integrations, and time-saving features make it a must-have for busy professionals, freelancers, and teams who value efficiency and clear communication. However, its focus on meeting scheduling and limited customization might not be ideal for users seeking a full-fledged calendar app or extensive branding options.

8. TickTick

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for productivity enthusiasts)

TickTick isn't just a calendar; it's a personal productivity playground where tasks, goals, and schedules dance to the beat of your focus. This powerful platform combines a calendar, focus timer, and Kanban boards into a multifaceted productivity haven, empowering you to conquer your day with laser-sharp efficiency.

Who's it Best For?

• Individuals on a Productivity Quest: Unleash your inner achiever with TickTick's powerful combination of task management, goal setting, and focus techniques.
• Teams Seeking Workflow Harmony: Collaborate on projects, share schedules, and keep everyone on track with TickTick's intuitive interface and Kanban boards.
• Visual Task Jugglers: Thrive with TickTick's vibrant Kanban boards, providing a clear and colorful overview of your workload and progress.

Key Features:

• Calendar and Task Fusion: Schedule appointments, manage tasks, and set reminders, all within a unified interface for seamless workflow management.
• Focus Timer Master: Boost your productivity and conquer distractions with the built-in Pomodoro timer and other focus techniques.
• Habit Tracking Hero: Cultivate positive habits and watch your goals blossom with TickTick's intuitive habit tracking system.
• Kanban Board Bonanza: Organize projects and tasks visually with customizable Kanban boards, dragging and dropping your way to success.
• Customization Chameleon: Personalize your calendar view, adjust notification settings, and tailor TickTick to fit your unique preferences.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Free Plan Limitations: The free plan restricts features and integrations, potentially hindering collaboration and advanced productivity tactics.
• Feature Feast: The abundance of features and options might feel overwhelming for users seeking a simpler scheduling solution.
• Interface Vibrancy: Compared to some minimalistic options, TickTick's interface can feel slightly cluttered for those who prefer a more streamlined visual style.

Overall, TickTick is a productivity powerhouse for individuals and teams seeking a comprehensive and visually engaging solution. Its calendar, focus timer, task management, and Kanban boards combine into a versatile platform for conquering goals and streamlining workflows. However, the free plan limitations and slightly cluttered interface might not be ideal for everyone, and its abundance of features could overwhelm users seeking a simpler scheduling solution.

9. Any.do

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (for AI enthusiasts seeking a streamlined experience)

Any.do doesn't just manage your tasks; it anticipates your needs. This AI-powered productivity partner takes the guesswork out of scheduling, prioritizing tasks, and suggesting deadlines, making it the perfect companion for those who crave a little extra guidance in their busy lives.

Who's it Best For?

• Task Tamers Seeking AI Assistance: Let Any.do's intelligent assistant help you organize your workload, suggest priorities, and stay on top of deadlines without constant manual effort.
• Fans of Natural Language: Embrace the ease of adding and managing tasks using natural language input, feeling like you're chatting with a helpful productivity coach.
• Teammates in Sync: Collaborate seamlessly on shared projects, assign tasks, and keep everyone in the loop with Any.do's intuitive collaboration features.

Key Features:

• AI at Your Service: Rely on the AI-powered assistant to suggest priorities, set deadlines, and streamline your task management process.
• Natural Language Simplicity: Speak or type tasks in plain language for effortless scheduling and task management.
• Smart Lists and Folders: Keep your tasks organized and accessible with smart lists, folders, and customizable filters.
• Location-Based Reminders: Never miss an important task with reminders that pop up based on your location, ensuring you're always on point.
• Calendar Integration: View your tasks alongside your calendar events for a comprehensive overview of your schedule and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Free Plan Limitations: The free plan restricts features, including collaboration and advanced AI functionalities, potentially hindering teamwork and personalized insights.
• Learning AI Curve: The AI assistant might make unexpected suggestions or have occasional hiccups as it learns your preferences and patterns.
• Minimalist Approach: The interface prioritizes simplicity, which might feel too streamlined for users who prefer extensive customization and control.

Overall, Any.do is a strong choice for individuals and teams who value simplicity, appreciate AI assistance, and enjoy natural language interaction. Its AI-powered features, intuitive interface, and seamless calendar integration make it a user-friendly and efficient productivity tool. However, the free plan limitations, occasional AI quirks, and minimalist design might not be ideal for everyone, especially those seeking extensive customization or more consistent AI performance.

10. Evernote

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (for knowledge curators and note-taking enthusiasts)

Evernote isn't just a calendar; it's a vast digital library for your thoughts, ideas, and schedules. This note-taking powerhouse seamlessly blends calendar and task management into its expansive ecosystem, making it ideal for those who see organization as an art form.

Who's It Best For?

• Knowledge Curators: Gather, organize, and retrieve information with ease, turning Evernote into your personal research hub and knowledge base.
• Note-Taking Ninjas: Capture notes, web clips, images, audio, and more in one central location, ensuring your ideas have a vibrant home.
• Project Planners: Connect your notes with tasks and deadlines, transforming Evernote into a project management tool that fuels productivity.

Key Features:

• Idea Hub: Capture notes in various formats, clip web articles, record audio, and store images, creating a rich tapestry of knowledge.
• Organization Symphony: Organize notes with tags, notebooks, and advanced search capabilities, ensuring you can always find what you need, when you need it.
• Calendar and Tasks Fusion: Integrate events and to-dos within your notes, linking your schedule to your thoughts and projects for a holistic view.
• Web Clipper Extraordinaire: Effortlessly save valuable content from the web, organizing it within your Evernote library for future reference and inspiration.
• Offline Access: Stay productive even without internet, accessing your notes and tasks seamlessly offline.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Free Plan Limitations: The free plan restricts features and storage, potentially hindering knowledge management and advanced workflows.
• Interface Depth: The abundance of features and options can feel overwhelming for users seeking a simpler note-taking or scheduling experience.
• Focus on Capture and Storage: Evernote excels at gathering and organizing information, but its emphasis on storage might overshadow action and completion of tasks.

Overall, Evernote is a powerful choice for individuals and teams who prioritize knowledge management, extensive note-taking, and a versatile platform for organizing information and schedules. Its integration of calendar and task management within a robust note-taking system makes it a unique and flexible solution. However, the free plan limitations, feature density, and focus on knowledge storage might not be ideal for everyone, especially those seeking a simpler calendar experience or stronger emphasis on task execution.

Streamlining your schedule through automated note-taking and summaries

Managing a busy schedule can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with meeting notes and overflowing calendars. ScreenApp can be a helpful tool to address this challenge by offering features that:

• Automatically capture key points and action items from meetings, appointments, and calls. Say goodbye to frantic note-taking or missed highlights. ScreenApp intelligently listens and analyzes conversations, saving you valuable time and mental energy.
• Generate concise summaries of your schedule entries. No more wading through long notes or struggling to recall decisions made in past meetings. ScreenApp automatically creates clear and organized summaries, allowing you to easily stay on top of your commitments and responsibilities.

Whether you're a busy professional juggling multiple commitments or someone seeking a more efficient way to organize your daily activities, ScreenApp can offer valuable support. By automating note-taking and summarizing your schedule, it can help you:

• Reduce the time spent on note-taking and summarizing meetings. Focus on active participation and key discussions, knowing that ScreenApp is capturing the essential information.
• Improve recall and stay organized. Easily search through notes and summaries by date, topic, or participant, ensuring you never miss important details.
• Free up mental space and reduce stress. By having your notes and summaries readily available, you can feel confident and in control of your schedule, minimizing the burden of remembering everything.

ScreenApp is not a magic solution, but it can be a valuable tool to enhance your schedule management and note-taking practices. If you're looking for a way to become more efficient, organized, and focused, it might be worth exploring.

Conclusion

Having explored the top contenders in the calendar app arena, it's time to pick your champion! Here are some quick recommendations based on your needs:

• Busy Professionals: Tackle overflowing inboxes and deadlines with Google Calendar's robust features and integrations. For those who crave smart scheduling and productivity boosts, Fantastical might be your magic wand. If your team thrives on collaboration and Microsoft Office integration, Outlook Calendar is the perfect partner.
• Students and Individuals: Keep your studies and personal life on track with Apple Calendar's clean interface and seamless Apple ecosystem integration. For productivity enthusiasts, Todoist's gamified task management and TickTick's focus timer can be game-changers. Need a versatile all-in-one workspace? Notion has you covered.
• Meeting Masters: Ditch the email ping-pong and schedule like a pro with Calendly's effortless meeting scheduling. For those who value AI assistance and simple organization, Any.do might be your match.

Remember, the ideal calendar app is a personal choice. So, don't hesitate to try out the apps mentioned, explore their free plans and trial versions, and find the one that sings to your organizational soul.