Struggling to manage your team’s schedule?
It’s not uncommon—every construction project has tight deadlines, unexpected delays, and a myriad of moving parts. So, in 2024, finding the best calendar app for teams is a necessity.
Calendar apps offer more than just scheduling. They provide features tailored to the needs of modern teams.
An effective calendar app can help your business:
- Steamline team coordination
- Improve time management
- Get real-time updates
- Avoid missed meetings and scheduling conflicts
So, how do you determine which calendar app is best for your team?
We’ve researched and compiled a list of the seven best calendar apps for teams in 2024. These apps stand out for their unique features, ease of use, and ability to integrate with other essential tools.
Ready to take your team’s scheduling to the next level?
Let’s get started.
Top Picks
Below, you’ll find a summary of each app we’ve reviewed, with our scores, each app’s ideal use cases, its pricing, the availability of any free trials or free tiers, and the platforms on which the app is available. Each app has been thoroughly investigated and analyzed for users like you, with pros and cons, key features, integrations, and real user reviews.
Let’s take a look…
EDITOR’S NOTE: We created Workyard – the first app reviewed here – to address issues we encountered while struggling to track and manage construction payrolls for over 700 workers in over 50 construction businesses. We built the Workyard app from the ground up to support construction companies like yours, with industry-essential features like the industry’s most accurate time clock app with GPS and geofencing, intuitive contractor scheduling, construction cost tracking tools, and more.
Learn more about how Workyard works on our main website, or sign up for a 14-day free trial today to see what Workyard can do for your business.
Key Features
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Robust scheduling tools
-
Accurate GPS time tracking
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Seamless integration with other platforms
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Transparent job tracking
-
Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Accurate time tracking with GPS verification
Detailed job costing reports for better budgeting
Easy-to-use interface for quick adoption
Limited customization options
Privacy-centered workers may not like location-tracking
No native integrations for CRMs like Salesforce
Highlights
Workyard offers a host of features designed to improve productivity.
One of Workyard’s primary features is its GPS time tracking capability. It allows team members to clock in and out easily, creating more accurate payroll processing.
When it comes to calendar and scheduling features, Workyard provides real-time updates and seamless integration.
Teams can create, share, and update schedules to keep everyone on the same page. The app’s drag-and-drop interface simplifies schedule adjustments, while notifications alert team members to any changes instantly.
Workyard also offers project management tools that sync with its calendar features, providing a unified platform for task assignments, deadlines, and resource allocation.
In addition, Workyard’s mobile accessibility allows team members to access their schedules and project updates from anywhere. This flexibility is crucial for construction teams who are often on the move.
Robust Scheduling Tools
Workyard’s scheduling tools are designed to handle the complexities of managing construction teams.
The calendar in Workyard allows for tasks and event management. Users can drag and drop tasks to reschedule them, making adjustments quick and straightforward. Workyard’s calendar supports multiple views, including daily, weekly, and monthly layouts.
A standout feature of Workyard is its real-time synchronization. As soon as a schedule is updated, all team members receive instant notifications. This real-time communication prevents information lapses and keeps everyone aligned with the current plan.
Integration with other project management tools within Workyard further enhances its scheduling capabilities. Managers can assign tasks directly from the calendar and link them to specific projects or milestones.
Accurate GPS-Time Tracking
Workyard’s GPS time tracking feature allows team members to clock in and out from their mobile devices, capturing precise location data along with their work hours.
The GPS time tracking feature helps businesses make sure employees are where they need to be when they clock in, eliminating any ambiguity about their location. This is particularly useful for construction projects spanning multiple sites, as it provides real-time verification of attendance.
This feature also integrates seamlessly with Workyard’s payroll system. Accurate time and location data mean payroll calculations are precise, reducing the risk of errors and discrepancies.
Workyard also monitors breaks and any movement during work hours, providing a comprehensive view of employee activity throughout the day. This level of detail helps in analyzing productivity and identifying areas for improvement.
Integration Capabilities
Workyard integrates seamlessly with other tools and platforms.
Native integration with leading payroll and accounting software such as QuickBooks and ADP streamlines payroll processing. By connecting these systems, the time tracking data collected in Workyard can be automatically transferred to payroll, reducing the risk of errors.
Workyard’s API further extends its integration capabilities, allowing businesses to connect with custom or industry-specific applications.
This flexibility allows Workyard to be adopted by construction teams with more unique needs, or those using less common business apps.
Job Tracking
Workyard’s job tracking features provide construction teams with comprehensive tools to manage and monitor projects effectively. This functionality tracks every aspect of a job in real time, from initial planning to final completion.
One of the standout features is the ability to create detailed job logs. Managers can record every task associated with a project, assign them to specific team members, and set deadlines.
Workyard also allows team members to update the status of their tasks as they complete them. These updates are instantly visible to the entire team. With this information, managers can quickly identify any delays or issues and take corrective action.
Another significant aspect of Workyard’s job tracking is its ability to monitor labor costs in real time. By integrating time tracking with job logs, managers can see how much time and resources are being spent on each task.
Reporting and Analytics
Workyard’s reporting and analytics features provide detailed data analysis, enabling managers to understand every aspect of their projects and workforce.
One of the primary features is the ability to generate customized reports. Managers can create reports tailored to specific needs, whether it’s tracking project progress, labor costs, or resource allocation.
Workyard also excels in real-time data analytics. The platform continuously collects and processes data, presenting it through intuitive dashboards. These dashboards offer a clear visual representation of key metrics, such as project timelines, budget adherence, and employee productivity.
The comprehensive nature of Workyard’s reporting extends to financial tracking as well. Detailed cost analysis reports help managers understand where the budget is being spent and identify areas for potential savings.
Reviews
At the time of publication, Workyard had the following ratings:
An anonymous iOS user said Workyard helped their time tracking immensely…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just wanted to write this to share that I finally found a time clock app for my company that does something you would expect from all of them. IT WORKS. We were using another app to clock employee hours until out of the blue it started deleting hours. Ended up losing all my information and the company told me there was nothing to do about getting them back. I almost went back to paper but decided to give Workyard a try. We’ve been using it for a few months and it’s been rock solid.”
In June 2024, Android user Ralph M. said he had positive experiences with Workyard’s customer service…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“…When there is an issue, and if you need a question answered they answer quickly and are very professional and do not beat around the bush. They give you an answer that is accurate. I love the things that they have in place to help us as employees to get the right information.”
Business owner Desirea B. said Workyard was the best app for her company…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Workyard has exceeded my expectations in every way! I have been so busy that I haven’t spent enough time doing little things in it that I want to do but I am blown away at how simple it was to implement this into our company and set up the guys saving time and energy chasing down receipts, photos of the jobs, daily updates on job statuses, and timesheets. It is a timesaver and a blessing!”
Pricing
Free Trial?
14-day trial with no credit card required
Time Tracking
Annual: $6 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $8 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Workforce Management
Annual: $13 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $16 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Manage team calendars, time, tasks, and more with Workyard!
See how it worksKey Features
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Shared calendars for team collaboration
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Event notifications with email reminders
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Integration with Google Workspace tools
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Color-coded event categories
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Time zone support for global teams
Integration with Google Workspace ecosystem
Extensive third-party app integrations
Free to use with a Google account
Limited advanced scheduling features
Minimal customization options compared to other apps
Reliance on internet connectivity for full functionality
Highlights
Google Calendar is one of the most popular scheduling tools available, and for good reason. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Google Workspace tools make it a favorite among teams of all sizes.
One of Google Calendar’s standout features is its ease of use. The interface is clean and intuitive, allowing users to create and manage events with just a few clicks. You can view your schedule in various formats, such as daily, weekly, or monthly.
Integration capabilities one of Google Calendar’s strengths. It syncs seamlessly with Gmail, allowing you to create events directly from emails. It also integrates with other Google tools like Google Meet, enabling users to add video conferencing links to events automatically. The app also has one of the most extensive lists of third-party integrations in the world due to its global popularity.
Another highlight is Google Calendar’s sharing features. You can easily share your calendar with team members, allowing them to view your availability and schedule meetings without endless email chains.
However, Google Calendar lacks advanced project management features found in more specialized tools. For instance, it does not offer detailed task assignment and tracking capabilities, which can be a limitation for teams needing comprehensive project oversight.
Another potential drawback is its reliance on an internet connection, which can be an issue in areas with poor connectivity. Offline access is limited, which may hinder productivity in such scenarios.
Reviews
Google Calendar is a popular part of the Google Workspace ecosystem. Because of this, the app has garnered many positive reviews. However, its one-size-fits-all approach makes it less customizable than other apps in this space.
In July 2024, this anonymous iOS user said the mobile app isn’t as good as the desktop app…
“Could have done more.” – ⭐⭐⭐
“The app was very useful and convenient, as it is easily accessed through school chromebooks and other devices. However, as an iPad user, I wish that there could have been more features and potential for this app. First, the app should allow ipad or mobile users to create the same features as a computer user, such as creating calendars. Second, the widget design for the google calendar could have potentially been better.”
Android user Tiffany B. thinks there should be more viewing options…
⭐⭐
“My biggest issue is that you have it set it to calendar view, then click a day to check what tasks are there. It changes the entire month to list view and is very difficult for me to navigate from there. It also keeps changing the default view to list view, and I’m not sure about other people, but viewing a calendar as a list is extremely difficult for me. I use it because it’s the easiest to sync with my husband’s phone, but I really don’t like it.”
Marketing Manager Mitchell W. said the notifications leave a lot to be desired…
“Notifications consistently don’t work.” – ⭐⭐⭐
“Notifications are so bad. Even with checking over and over that desktop notifications and reminders and alerts are turned on, both on the computer and the mobile app, I rarely get them. I miss meetings because of this. it’s ridiculous.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free-to-use with Gmail
Business Starter
(Google Workspace)
$6 / mo. per user
Business Standard
(Google Workspace)
$12 / mo. per user
Business Plus
(Google Workspace)
$18 / mo. per user
Key Features
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Visual task boards with drag-and-drop
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Built-in messaging for team communication
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Detailed analytics for project tracking
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Customizable workflows
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Task dependencies
Visual task boards for project management
Built-in messaging
Detailed analytics provide in-depth project insights
Limited integration options
Higher learning curve for non-technical users
Slow customer support
Highlights
Taskworld is a project management tool that provides a comprehensive solution for managing complex projects.
One of Taskworld’s standout features is its task management system. Users can create tasks, assign them to team members, and set deadlines easily. This system is highly visual, utilizing Kanban boards and timelines to help teams track progress and stay organized.
Taskworld’s calendar and scheduling capabilities are also noteworthy. The calendar integrates with the task management system, allowing users to view tasks and deadlines in a calendar format. This integration helps in planning and scheduling, keeping all team members aware of upcoming deadlines.
Collaboration features are a major strength of Taskworld. The platform includes built-in chat and file sharing, enabling team members to communicate and collaborate without leaving the app.
However, some users find Taskworld’s interface to be less intuitive compared to other tools on this list. A learning curve is needed to get the most out of Taskworld, which can be a barrier for teams looking for a quick and easy solution.
Reviews
Taskworld’s mixed reviews are likely due to the app’s bugs and the support team’s inactivity.
This anonymous iOS user said they don’t receive notifications from Taskworld, despite having the right settings…
“Notifications don’t work.” – ⭐⭐
“Even though I have everything set in my phone and in the app to receive notifications—silence. I have to go into the app to see any kind of notification. I don’t want to have to check the app several times a day to see if my client has messaged me.”
Android user Kevin B. had syncing issues…
⭐
“Can the app please sync data offline so that you can edit tasks and let it upload when you get a connection again? Google tasks works like this, and I work in very remote areas, so this is an issue. I now have to use both Google tasks and task world. Also please add a calendar to the app because the Google calendar sync is extremely slow.”
Tech Co-founder Marcel O. said the quality of customer support has dropped significantly since he first started using the app…
“Software and support starting to slide.” – ⭐⭐⭐
“Customer technical support has definitely dropped in standard since Taskworld started. Also there are now consistent and annoying issues with bugs and very slow loading times that didn’t used to exist. Support’s rote response seems to be “use Google Chrome” when there are problems which seems disingenuous to me. In one scenario, we had to wait nearly six months for a simple bug to be fixed that severely impacted our ability to use the product.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free up to 3 users
Premium
Annual: $8 / mo. per user
Monthly: $11 / mo. per user
Business
Annual: $15 / mo. per user
Monthly: $19 / mo. per user
Key Features
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Customizable views for personalized workflows
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Integrated time tracking
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Team communication tools
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Task dependencies for project planning
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Multiple calendar views
Extensive customization options
Comprehensive feature set
Frequent updates and new feature releases
Steeper learning curve due to numerous features
Occasional performance issues with large projects
Overwhelming interface for users preferring simplicity
Highlights
ClickUp is a project management tool that stands out due to its flexibility and robust functionality.
One of ClickUp’s standout features is its customizable workspace. Users can tailor their workspace to fit their needs, utilizing different views, such as lists, boards, calendars, and Gantt charts.
ClickUp’s calendar and scheduling capabilities are strong. The calendar view integrates with tasks and project timelines, providing a clear overview of deadlines and schedules. Users can drag and drop tasks to reschedule them, and the changes are reflected across all views.
Another key feature is ClickUp’s task management system. Tasks can be broken down into subtasks, assigned to team members, and tracked through various stages of completion. Additionally, ClickUp supports time tracking, allowing teams to monitor how much time is spent on each task.
ClickUp also has communication tools like built-in chat, comment sections on tasks, and file sharing. This centralization of communication helps reduce email clutter and keeps all project-related discussions in one place.
However, ClickUp’s extensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users. Mastering all of ClickUp’s features involves a learning curve, which requires a significant time investment for teams seeking a quick setup.
Another potential drawback is performance. Some users report ClickUp as slow or laggy, especially when handling large projects with many tasks.
Reviews
While ClickUp has many positive reviews, many users report the mobile app as falling short of its desktop counterpart.
iOS user Mario M. said they were disappointed by the mobile app…
⭐
“It’s hard to believe this is even made by the same company as the desktop app. The app NEVER connects to its servers, which always leads to a constant “Rate Limit Reached” warning which prevents you from doing even the most BASIC thing such as creating new tasks. This is a task app that can’t even successfully let you write down tasks! It also isn’t smooth or fluid, doesn’t communicate to the desktop app sometimes, and is just a terrible mobile app. This alone is enough to switch to another platform.”
Android user J. Thomas said the app feels outdated…
⭐⭐
“Can’t drag and drop subtasks. Overdue does not work in mobile, so it is tough to know what tasks are actually overdue, at least with the function that is supposed to tell you. The app has gotten better over time. Typing in the Description could be updated in terms of typography. Feels old.”
An anonymous Capterra user in the Marketing Industry says the app feels clunky…
“Decent – but too complicated.” ⭐⭐⭐
“While it’s versatile, it’s also slow and feels clunky. The functionality is better than for example Asana and Notion in many ways, but I still prefer to use those for the simplicity, and Notion specifically since it’s even more versatile (but not as technical).”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free Forever Plan
Unlimited
Annual: $7 / mo. per user
Monthly: $10 / mo. per user
Business
Annual: $12 / mo. per user
Monthly: $19 / mo. per user
Key Features
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Automated scheduling for meetings
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Integration with major calendar platforms
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Customizable booking pages
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Time zone detection for global teams
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Group event scheduling options
Simple, user-friendly interface
Extensive integration options with popular calendar platforms
Automatic time zone detection
Limited customization options for free plan users
Lack of advanced project management features
Limited offline functionality for remote work
Highlights
Calendly is a popular scheduling tool known for its simplicity and efficiency in managing appointments and meetings.
One of Calendly’s standout features is its automated scheduling system.
Users can set their availability preferences, and Calendly generates a link that can be shared with clients or colleagues. This link allows others to book time slots that fit within the pre-set availability, avoiding scheduling conflicts.
Calendly integrates with major calendar platforms like Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar. These integrations allow appointments booked through Calendly to be automatically reflected in users’ calendars, maintaining up-to-date schedules without the need for manual updates.
Calendly also supports reminders and follow-ups.
Automated email reminders and confirmations help remind attendees about their appointments, reducing the number of no-shows. Follow-up messages can also be set up to thank participants or provide additional information after the meeting.
However, Calendly is less robust for managing complex project schedules or coordinating large teams. It lacks the comprehensive project management features found in tools like Workyard or ClickUp.
Reviews
Calendly is a popular app with thousands of reviews on the iOS App Store, Google Play, and Capterra. However, many users note its lack of customization and syncing issues as major faults.
iIn May 2024, this anonymous iOS user had issues with data transfer…
“Doesn’t work.” ⭐
“I literally downloaded this app to be able to be more efficient from my phone. But any changes I make to my Calendly via the app do not transfer. I had days marked off as unavailable but someone was able to book one of those days. Super annoying and causing me extra work.”
Android user Melissa A. had trouble with customization…
⭐⭐
“Not happy with this app. Found it difficult to use. I couldn’t adjust time slots. An appointment for thirty minutes had to be scheduled as two fifteen minute blocks. It would not allow me to put in all the info I needed for my customers to have a smooth transaction. Not for me, maybe sometime with more computer knowledge.”
On Capterra, Founder Sarah H. said Calendly didn’t hold up against similar tools…
“Missing key features, sneaky billing for empty seats.” – ⭐⭐
“There are dozens of other tools out there that provide this same functionality, and Calendly makes zero effort to come out on top. Deal breakers include 1. not being able to edit availability or any other settings for one-off meetings after you click the button (can’t count how many times I had to start over from scratch); 2. not relaying the chosen event title to the calendar event; 3. forcing this question “please share anything that will help us prepare” for one-off events, which creates extra work for our clients and makes them think we’re not listening; 4. inability to set turnaround for one-off events (so clients can book it 20 minutes before the start time); among other flaws.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free Plan
Standard
Annual: $10 / mo. per user
Monthly: $12 / mo. per user
Team
Annual: $16 / mo. per user
Monthly: $20 / mo. per user
Enterprise
Starts at $15,000 / yr.
Key Features
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Visual timelines for project planning
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Task dependencies
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Color-coded task labels
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Drag-and-drop task scheduling
-
Team availability tracking
Intuitive visual timelines simplify project planning
Easy drag-and-drop task scheduling
Effective team availability tracking
Limited integration options with third-party apps
Basic reporting features compared to competitors
Non-intuitive mobile app
Highlights
Toggl Plan is a visually-oriented project management tool designed to simplify planning and scheduling for teams.
One of Toggl Plan’s key features is its timeline view.
This feature allows users to create and view project plans in a timeline format. Tasks can be easily added, assigned to team members, and scheduled along the timeline, providing a clear overview of project progress and deadlines. The drag-and-drop functionality makes adjusting schedules straightforward.
Toggl Plan’s calendar integration enhances its scheduling capabilities. The calendar view syncs with the timeline, allowing team members to see their tasks and deadlines in a calendar format.
Collaboration is another strength of Toggl Plan.
The tool includes features like task comments and file attachments, which facilitate communication and information sharing within the team. By centralizing project-related discussions, Toggl Plan helps reduce email clutter and keeps all relevant information in one place.
Toggl Plan also supports workload management. Managers can view team members’ workloads and distribute tasks evenly. This feature helps prevent burnout and keeps your team from getting overwhelmed with too many tasks at once.
However, Toggl Plan lacks advanced project management features. For instance, it does not offer detailed reporting and analytics, which can be a drawback for teams needing in-depth performance insights.
Another potential drawback is its simplicity. While the straightforward interface is great for ease of use, it may not provide enough functionality for larger teams or more complex projects. Teams requiring extensive customization and advanced features might find Toggl Plan lacking.
Reviews
Toggl Plan reviews are mixed. While advocates for the software praise its ease-of-use on desktop, other users say the mobile app doesn’t hold up as well.
This anonymous iOS user said Toggl Plan has a long way to go to catch up with competitors…
“Still a long way to go.” – ⭐⭐⭐
“Can’t drag to adjust or resize tasks on timeline views even on an iPad… that’s the main whole function of your product and you can’t do it. What a cop out. Also still no support across the product for custom fields, zapier, or adding other views like a shared notes tab to capture basic project notes. Sadly toggl plan is moving too slow and other apps we’ve tried have already outpaced it so it’s hard to see sticking with this platform much longer.”
Android user David said the app isn’t intuitive on mobile…
⭐⭐
“Reasonably displays togl data, but UI is not intuitive on mobile. I would expect to long click on a day to add a task, and be able to drag and drop and resize timelines and to zoom in and out. Also please stop putting important buttons like save at the top of the screen. Our thumbs are at the bottom, you wouldn’t put the keyboard up there, why are confirmation buttons up there?”
On Capterra, Producer Alan R. said the software is frustrating for his team to use…
“Good software, can be frustrating.” – ⭐⭐⭐
“It can be slow sometimes and some of the functions could be improved. It sometimes freezes and sometimes when you scroll, the loading of the previous weeks takes quite a bit of time. Also I liked the old task view more, since it was easier to modify and it didn’t take up the whole screen.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
14-day free trial
Team
Annual: $8 / mo. per user
Monthly: $9 / mo. per user
Business
Annual: $13.35 / mo. per user
Monthly: $15 / mo. per user
Key Features
-
Natural language event creation
-
Multiple calendar views
-
Integration with popular calendar services
-
Shared calendars for team collaboration
-
Time zone support for global scheduling
Natural language input simplifies event creation
Elegant, user-friendly interface
Excellent integration with the Apple/iOS ecosystem
Premium subscription required for full feature set
Not available to non-Apple users
Higher cost compared to some alternatives
Highlights
Fantastical is a calendar app designed for users who demand both functionality and aesthetics. Known for its sleek design, Fantastical offers a unique approach to managing schedules and appointments.
One of Fantastical’s standout features is its natural language processing.
Users can create events and reminders simply by typing phrases like “Lunch with John on Friday at 1 PM.” This makes scheduling quick and intuitive, reducing the time spent on manual entry and minimizing errors. The app intelligently parses the input and automatically fills in event details.
Fantastical’s calendar view is highly customizable, allowing users to choose between daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly views. This flexibility allows users to see their schedule in the format that works best for them. The app also supports multiple calendars, enabling users to manage personal, work, and shared calendars within a single interface.
Fantastical’s integration capabilities are another strength. The app syncs seamlessly with popular calendar services like Google Calendar, iCloud, Exchange, and Office 365. Fantastical also supports various task management services, allowing users to manage tasks and events together.
However, Fantastical has its shortcomings. It only has the option for annual billing, which can be a drawback for businesses that prefer a monthly plan.
Another potential drawback is its availability. Fantastical is primarily designed for Apple users, with apps available on macOS, iOS, and watchOS. Users on other platforms, such as Windows or Android, will need to look for alternatives.
Reviews
As we mentioned, Fantastical is only available for Apple users. While reviews are generally positive, many users experience data syncing issues and glitches.
In July 2024, this anonymous user said the app was buggy…
“The app constantly crashes and freezes.” – ⭐
“Every now and then when I go to the app to check off task or reminders, the app completely freezes on me and I have to swipe out and go back in it more than one time before it unfreezes itself. Very frustrating.”
On Capterra, Publisher Krystal K. said she experience glitching with the software…
“Decent.” – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Sometimes Fantastical has a glitch where people book an appointment but it no longer sends them a Zoom link. Also, there is only an option to book a Zoom appointment and no choice for a phone call or in-person meeting instead.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
14-day free trial
Teams & Business
$4.75 / mo. per user (billed annually)
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best calendar app for your team in 2024 can significantly impact your productivity and project management efficiency.
Each tool we’ve reviewed offers unique strengths. From the comprehensive project management capabilities of Workyard and Taskworld to the user-friendly interfaces of Google Calendar and Calendly, there is an app to suit every team’s requirements.
Workyard stands out for its robust scheduling tools, accurate GPS time tracking, and seamless integration capabilities, making it an excellent choice for teams looking to streamline their operations.
Its detailed job tracking and advanced reporting and analytics features help projects run smoothly and stay on budget.
Ready to enhance your team’s scheduling and project management capabilities?
Sign up for a free trial of Workyard today and see how Workyard can transform your project management and scheduling efficiency.
Our Scoring System Explained
Our 8-part scoring system was created to help you understand the potential value of any software we review simply and fairly.
We created it after reviewing dozens of software products, which we covered in depth, but without providing a direct and simple way for readers to compare products on their merits – without spending a lot of time looking through our articles for the information they needed to make an informed decision.
Every app we review will include Customer Support and Company scores, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Many of the factors reviewed in this article will also be consistent across most (or all) of our software reviews, with some differences:
The 8 factors assessed and their contribution to a product’s overall score may differ slightly from product to product based on various factors, such as the use case we’re reviewing for, the type of business these products are tailored to, and other considerations. However, all reviews will feature an 8-part score, weighted and combined to calculate each product’s overall score.
How We Score Software
All factors in our reviews are scored on a 10-point scale – technically 11 points – from 0-10. However, we only give products a score of 0 if it does not include an essential feature at all, and we try to avoid giving out 0 scores if a product can demonstrate any functionality in line with the specific factor being reviewed.
In general, the 0-10 range translates as:
- 9.0 – 10 – One of the absolute best in its category (amazing).
- 7.5 – 8.9 – Very good, but with some minor issues (very good).
- 6.0 – 7.4 – Mediocre performance with notable shortcomings (average).
- 3.0 – 5.9 – This feature is not ready for prime time (borderline).
- 1.0 – 2.9 – This feature actually makes its product worse (unacceptable).
- 0 – The product doesn’t include this important feature at all.
How We Calculate Overall Scores
The 8 factors reviewed are weighted based on an overall total of 100%:
- Ease of Use: 20%
- Time Tracking Accuracy: 20%
- Scheduling Features: 15%
- Job Tracking: 15%
- Integrations: 10%
- Customer Support: 15%
- Company: 5%
Methodology for Each Factor
Ease of Use
We evaluate a product’s ease of use based on three main considerations:
- How easy is it to set up this app?
- How easy is it for managers to use the backend dashboard?
- How easy is it for frontline workers to use the (mobile) app?
These three considerations cover the main ways you and your team would use the software being reviewed – when you first obtain it, when someone (a manager, executive, team leader, or similar role) needs to use it to manage people, money, data, and other things, and when workers you’re tracking use the app (usually a mobile version of the software designed for frontline and/or field team members) to clock in, clock out, record time worked, or address other day-to-day needs.
Time Tracking Accuracy
Every minute matters when you’re trying to control payroll costs. This factor accounts for various features and common needs in time-tracking apps, such as…
- How accurate or precise is its GPS tracking capability?
- How accurate – and how customizable – is its geofencing feature?
- How accurate is its travel and mileage tracking (if available)?
- Can it automatically clock workers in and out based on the above?
- Can you set and/or restrict rules for clocking in and out?
- Can the app continue tracking workers while offline?
- How easy is its mobile app and/or kiosk for frontline workers?
Scheduling Features
Many construction businesses prefer to manage as many aspects of employee labor activity as possible in a single app, which is why many time-tracking apps also include worker scheduling as a core feature.
When we consider a product’s scheduling features, we look at:
- Its dashboard customizability (daily, weekly, or monthly views).
- Its project-based scheduling and visibility.
- Its real-time updates and notifications for workers.
- Its real-time map views of worker locations for best-fit scheduling.
- Its recurring schedule (copies to subsequent weeks, etc.) functionality.
Job Tracking
This factor helps you understand if the software can also provide insight into specific projects, which is particularly handy when your business deals with many customers or clients who generally need shorter-term work. Effective job tracking typically also includes accurate job costing functionality for construction companies.
We assess several things when calculating a product’s job tracking score:
- Its project-based tracking for multiple projects per day/week/etc.
- Its ability to track multiple / many projects simultaneously.
- Its use of (and your ability to customize) construction cost codes.
- Any built-in job costing views.
- Any integrations for cost coding (QuickBooks etc.)
Integrations
No business can operate on a single app, which is why integrations with other apps and tools are such important aspects of modern business software.
To calculate a product’s integration score, we’ll examine:
- How many native integrations (the simplest connection) does it offer?
- How effective and easy-to-use are its integrations with payroll software?
- Does it have robust data import and export features?
Customer Support
Learning how to use a new app can be frustrating, even if it’s meant to be the most user-friendly app around. That’s why great customer support is so essential when considering which time-tracking app to use.
Customer support scores are calculated based on:
- Live support channels available (phone, email, chat, etc.).
- Live support hours (business hours only, 24/7, etc.).
- The strength of the product’s online help center and/or FAQs.
- What other users say about support in online reviews.
Company
A great company with a highly customer-friendly approach can often make up for shortcomings in their software products – at least up to a point.
When assessing this score, we’ll examine:
- Transparency (easy-to-find pricing, etc.)
- Trial period (duration, feature availability, credit card requirements, etc.).
- Subscription flexibility (contracts, required durations, etc.).
- Ease of cancellation or pausing subscriptions.
- Customer perceptions (online product reviews).
- Website (a minor consideration, but great companies tend to have great websites).
Any questions about our scoring system? Have any suggestions on how we could make it even better? Click here to send us your feedback – we’d love to hear from you!