BusyCal vs Fantastical, Which is Better for macOS or iOS?

We have often said that calendar apps are underrated. If you can pick the right calendar app, you probably won’t need a PA to manage your schedule. BusyCal and Fantastical are two popular options you may have come across while searching for a calendar app for macOS and iOS.

In this detailed comparison guide, we will examine how BusyCal and Fantastical compare to each other. It should help you choose between the two.

TL;DR – here are our quick answers:

• Check BusyCal if you’re a primary Mac user and need a cleaner and more powerful alternative to Apple Calendar. It offers maximum control over the multiple calendar services you may want to manage.
• If you primarily use your iPhone or iPad to manage all your events and tasks and need advanced features for scheduling and customization, you should consider getting Fantastical.

BusyCal: A Quick Look

BusyCal is a well-optimized calendar app available for iOS and macOS devices. BusyCal has been a favorite among professionals who want to manage multiple calendars. You get customization options, and it can use calendars from Google, Microsoft, and Apple, as well as sync them across devices.

Finally, you can utilize the various modules of BusyCal to manage your events, reminders, to-do lists, and alarms. It creates a unified space from which you can manage all these elements. BusyCal is considered the best option for professionals who require maximum control and customization options.

Download: iOS, macOS

Fantastical: A Quick Look

Fantastical is another calendar app that competes with BusyCal for the number one spot as the best calendar app. It also shares similar features but offers improvements in the scheduling department, as it allows you to set custom reminders and alerts throughout the day with a single click.

It is also available for all platforms and can use their respective voice assistants to add custom events and reminders. Compared to its competitors, Fantastical offers a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement of calendars. It is also known for its more intuitive GUI. It is available for Apple devices and Windows PCs.

Download: iOS, macOS

Both apps have their pros and cons, and they primarily compete directly in terms of the features they offer. Let’s examine which one is better and why you should choose it as your primary calendar app for a Mac or iPhone.

BusyCal vs Fantastical: pricing

• BusyCal macOS: $49.99 (Free – 30-day trial); also available through Setapp
• BusyCal iOS: $4.99
• Fantastical macOS: Free, Premium: $4.75/month
• Fantastical iOS: Free (Has in-app purchases)

Overall, the cost of Fantastical has been higher for macOS since it transitioned to a subscription-based model last year. You should also note that Fantastical is available through a two-in-one subscription: Flexibits Premium. This subscription gives you access to both Fantastical and Cardhop from Flexibits.

It is also worth noting that you can obtain the full version of BusyCal through a Setapp subscription, which provides access to over 250 apps for just $10 per month.

While BusyCal does not offer a free-to-use basic version for iOS, it provides excellent value for macOS users who are looking to make a one-time premium purchase. Hence, BusyCal takes the win in this aspect, and we respect developers who give multiple options to users.

Winner – BusyCal

BusyCal vs Fantastical: calendar layout

Both apps feature a standard one-month calendar layout that can be customized and filled with all your events and day-to-day activities. The visibility for the events, dates and upcoming tasks is also great, and both apps offer an outstanding experience in this regard.

BusyCal offers various view options – Week, Month, Year and List. However, the month option looks and feels the best in my personal preference. We also love how easy it is to manage different calendars with BusyCal. For instance, you can use filters to focus on events from specific calendars — such as work or family.

Fantastical, on the other hand, has a significant push towards colors. It allows you to change and personalize everything, from the calendar’s appearance to the events. It also features multiple views, a weather panel, and a separate quick view section on the left, making it suitable for those seeking a highly personalized experience.. However, many of these customization features are only available on the paid version.

Winner: Draw

BusyCal vs Fantastical: macOS integration

BusyCal offers superior features for macOS, allowing you to continually edit tasks and upcoming events with a robust notification and alert system. You can also customize every event notification separately, which is recommended for professional users who are familiar with the settings. Hence, it is the perfect app for professionals looking to sort out and manage their time with utmost precision, featuring a simple, clutter-free, easy-to-use look.

However, Fantastical’s approach is simple and doesn’t require much control over notifications, but it shines when you want to personalize the overall look and aesthetic of the calendar. It is highly recommended for beginners, as the comprehensive integration on macOS makes it easy to learn and manage the notifications. Yet, if you value personalizing your calendar and having widgets and a menu bar integration, Fantastical is for you.

Winner – Fantastical

BusyCal vs Fantastical: iOS integration

BusyCal has a clean and straightforward iOS and iPadOS app to help you manage all your tasks and upcoming events with ease. The small display limits the amount that the calendar can show simultaneously, but the iPad takes full advantage of the powerful features it provides. However, BusyCal shines the most when used with a Mac, and the overall iOS experience feels average compared to the desktop counterpart.

Fantastical is much better with iOS and iPadOS, as it features a simplified design and a refined touch experience for touch-enabled devices. It also supports your Apple Watch and can relay alerts, making it the perfect option for iPhone and iPad users. The iOS app is also straightforward to use, and most of the features are completely free to use.

Winner – Fantastical

BusyCal vs Fantastical: scheduling features

Scheduling all your tasks and events is one of the most crucial parts of the Calendar app experience, and both apps provide excellent customization options.

BusyCal offers standard features that allow you to customize each event individually and use custom icons to navigate all your set events easily. You can also add custom reminders and alerts for your day and set the frequency at which you need to be notified about them.  However, it lacks the collaborative features and home screen integration. You may also find that BusyCal has a rather steep learning curve, particularly when it comes to advanced controls.

With Fantastical, however, you get an impressive suite of scheduling features. For starters, Fantastical easily integrates with your email accounts and video-conferencing tools, such as Google Meet and Zoom. More so, you gain advanced scheduling features, including Openings and Proposals. These features allow you to make events by collaborating with others. Its advanced RSVP functions and multi-platform sync are also impressive additions to the package.

Winner – Fantastical

BusyCal vs Fantastical: cross-platform sync

Syncing all your events through your devices can help you have a seamless experience managing your day across all your devices. It even helps minimize the clutter and have a uniform look across all your devices. Both of the apps come with cross-platform sync and work seamlessly across all Apple devices.

You can also sync them with Google and Windows devices, and you won’t have any problem managing your tasks, upcoming events, and work calls from Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other apps with relative ease.

Winner – Draw

FAQs

Why do you need a calendar app?

You may wake up without any clear ideas or direction to guide you through the day. However, you can quickly see what to do at a glance through your phone, including upcoming events and who you should wish a Happy Birthday to. This was just a basic scenario that every regular individual might face daily, and professionals take this to the next level, such as having clear agendas for the entire day and ensuring that they can manage their day most effectively and efficiently for their work and personal life.

Is BusyCal better than Apple calendar?

Yes, BusyCal is significantly better than Apple Calendar, as it offers many more professional features and can also be synced across all platforms. Apple Calendar is limited to Apple devices, but BusyCal helps you expand your device ecosystem and offers greater compatibility with various apps.

What is the best app for scheduling?

BusyCal and Fantastical are two of the best apps for scheduling. It offers a range of tools and customization options for scheduling everyday tasks, events, work calls, and upcoming holidays and birthdays with ease. However, it would be helpful if you learned the scheduling tools a bit before filling your calendar with all the events.

Is Fantastical safe?

Yes, Fantastical is entirely safe to use and free of bugs or malware. It is rated as one of the best calendar apps for iOS and macOS devices, boasting a clean and user-friendly UI that is highly regarded by many users. Hence, you can rest assured that the app is safe and secure to use. However, it requires many permissions from a Mac, which is not the case with BusyCal.

Does Fantastical sync with Apple calendar?

Yes, Fantastical can sync with the Apple Calendar and incorporate all your previously set events and tasks with a single click. You can also use all the other available calendars from Google or Windows to have a better cross-platform experience.

What makes for a good calendar app?

First, ensure that you choose a calendar app specifically designed to serve as both a calendar and an activity manager. Secondly, look for apps with a robust notification pane. Also, most calendar apps nowadays come with support for Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
However, if your calendar cannot sync up and take commands with your voice, then it’s time you start looking for a new one. Finally, good and easy-to-use UI placements may come in much handier than any regular run-of-the-mill calendar app.

Finally, BusyCal vs Fantastical, what should I choose?

Both the apps are great, but are built for separate use cases and individuals. BusyCal is a clean, easy-to-use app that is a great deal for light spenders. In contrast, Fantastical takes the opposite approach, integrating many collaborative and customization options with an expensive premium annual subscription plan.

Get the BusyCal app if:

• You need in-depth control over all your events and tasks.
• You are a professional user and want an Apple Calendar replacement.
• You need an overall cheaper alternative with all the premium features.
• If you want customizable notifications and alerts for all upcoming events.

Get the Fantastical app if:

• You need a free app and don’t want to subscribe to the premium version.
• You are a primary iPhone or iPad user and use your Apple Watch to check alerts quickly.
• If you need a simple and easy-to-use UI with customizable colors and personalization options.
• If you love having widgets and want a menu bar integrated calendar in your Mac.

For more details about each app, please check out our full detailed BusyCal review and Fantastical review.

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