The best shared calendar app is one everyone in your household or group will open and update. Family organisers add lists and chores to a shared calendar, social calendars help friends find free time, and the calendar already on your phone can share with others too. Choose the one that works on everyone's phones, because a calendar only half the family uses doesn't work.
Every busy household has the same problem: three people, five diaries and a dentist appointment nobody wrote down. A shared calendar fixes that, as long as everyone uses the same one.
Here are ten shared calendar apps in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from family organisers and friend-group planners to wall displays and the calendars built into your phone. Each description comes from the app's own website, re-checked today.
Start with the people. Does everyone have the same kind of phone? Will the kids use it? Do you want lists and chores too, or just dates? Those answers narrow the choice quickly.
And before you download anything, check what you already have, because your existing calendar may do more than you think.
Shared calendar apps at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or store listing describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free versions usually come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Calendar | Built-in calendar app | Sharing calendars on Apple devices | Yes |
| Cozi | Family organiser app | Family calendar plus shopping lists | Yes |
| FamilyWall | Family organiser app | Calendar, lists and family messages | Yes |
| Google Calendar | Scheduling app | Sharing across Android and the web | Yes |
| GroupCal | Shared calendar app | Group calendars for teams and clubs | Yes |
| Hearth Display | Family wall display and app | A family calendar on the wall | No |
| Howbout | Social calendar app | Finding time with friends | No |
| Outlook Calendar | Email and scheduling app | Sharing alongside work email | No |
| Skylight | Family calendar display | A touchscreen calendar at home | Yes |
| TimeTree | Shared calendar app | Separate calendars for each group | Yes |
Ten shared calendar apps
Apple Calendar
Best for: Households where everyone uses Apple devices and wants to share calendars.
Cozi
Best for: Busy families who want a shared calendar with shopping and to-do lists.
FamilyWall
Best for: Families who want a calendar, lists and messages in one private space.
Google Calendar
Best for: Mixed households who want shared calendars on Android, iPhone and the web.
GroupCal
Best for: Clubs, teams and families who want group calendars everyone can follow.
Hearth Display
Best for: Families who want a wall display showing the calendar, meals and routines.
Howbout
Best for: Friend groups who want to see when everyone's free and make plans.
Outlook Calendar
Best for: People who already live in Outlook and want to share calendars from there.
Skylight
Best for: Families who want a touchscreen calendar in the kitchen.
TimeTree
Best for: People who want separate shared calendars for family, partner and friends.
The family calendar you may already have
Here's a tip worth checking before you install anything. Google's own help page explains that when you create a family on Google, a calendar called Family is automatically created, and anyone who joins your family can find it when they open Google Calendar on any device where they're signed in.
If your household already uses Google accounts, that might be all you need. If you want shopping lists, chores and meal plans alongside the dates, a family organiser app adds those extras on top.
What to look for in a shared calendar
- Works for everyone: iPhone, Android and the web?
- Colour coding: can each person have their own colour?
- Reminders: do alerts reach the right people?
- Lists and chores: do you want more than dates?
- Privacy: who can see and edit each calendar?
Getting the whole family to use it
- Choose one app together, not on everyone's behalf.
- Add every recurring event in the first week.
- Give each person a colour.
- Agree one rule: if it isn't in the calendar, it isn't happening.
- Look at the week ahead together every Sunday.
Calendars for work and play
The same habits that make a family calendar work also make a business calendar work. Here's how to build a content calendar for your marketing.
And once the calendar has a free evening in it, my list of board game apps for family night will help you fill it.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Do you make calendar apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice on shared calendars
The app matters less than the habit. A simple calendar that everyone checks beats a clever one only one person updates.
And keep a weekly look-ahead. Five minutes on a Sunday, looking at the week together, saves a lot of last-minute panic about lifts, kit and birthday presents.
If you run a business from home, keep your work calendar separate but visible. Sharing your busy times with the family stops the school pick-up landing in the middle of a client call.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best shared calendar app?
The one everyone in your group will use, ideally working on all your phones.
Does Google have a family calendar?
Yes. Google's help page says a calendar called Family is created automatically when you create a family on Google.
Is there a free shared family calendar?
Yes. Several apps on this list have free versions, and phone calendars can share for free.
Can iPhone and Android users share a calendar?
Yes, if you choose an app that works on both.
What's the difference between a family organiser and a calendar?
Family organisers add lists, chores and messages to a shared calendar.
Can I share a calendar with my partner only?
Most apps let you create separate shared calendars for different people.
Are wall calendar displays worth it?
They suit families who want the calendar visible in the kitchen.
Can kids use a shared calendar?
Yes. Older kids can add their own events, and younger ones can just see them.
How do I stop people editing my events?
Set permissions so some people can view but not edit.
Can I share a calendar with friends?
Yes. Social calendar apps help friends find free time together.
Do shared calendars send reminders?
Most do, and you can usually choose who gets them.
Should I keep work and family calendars separate?
Yes, but share your busy times so the family can see when you're unavailable.
How do I get my family to use the calendar?
Choose it together and agree that anything not in the calendar isn't happening.
