Software · head to head
BusyCal vs Cron Calendar
The short version
- Each has a real cost: BusyCal mac and iOS only, no Windows or Android support; Cron Calendar no longer sold as Cron. Notion acquired it and renamed it Notion Calendar, and cron.com now carries that banner
- They diverge on capability: BusyCal covers Customizable views, Cron Calendar covers Keyboard shortcuts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BusyCal and Cron Calendar actually diverge.
| Attribute | BusyCal | Cron Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, iPad | Macos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2007 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in BusyCal
- Customizable views
- Weather integration
- Natural language
- To-dos
- Travel time
- iCloud
- Exchange
- CalDAV
Only in Cron Calendar
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Multi-timezone
- Scheduling links
- Team availability
- Menu bar access
- Notion
- Zoom
- Google Meet
Both cover
- Google Calendar
- Macos support
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
BusyCal
- Schedulingnot Cron Calendar
- Appointment bookingnot Cron Calendar
- Time trackingnot Cron Calendar
- Resource managementnot Cron Calendar
- Team coordinationnot Cron Calendar
Cron Calendar
- Keyboard-driven calendar for people living in their schedulenot BusyCal
- Managing several Google calendars in one viewnot BusyCal
- Scheduling links for meeting availabilitynot BusyCal
- Joining video calls from the menu barnot BusyCal
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
BusyCal
- Mac and iOS only, no Windows or Android support
- Cannot sync iCloud calendars with Google Calendar directly, requiring workaround of hosting calendars on separate services
Cron Calendar
- No longer sold as Cron. Notion acquired it and renamed it Notion Calendar, and cron.com now carries that banner
- Tied to the Notion account system rather than standing alone
Pricing, plan by plan
BusyCal
Free- Free EditionFree
- Basic calendaring needs
- Premium Subscription$39.99/year
- Advanced features
- 14-day trial available
- Perpetual License$49.99/once
- One-time purchase
- Lifetime use
Cron Calendar
Free- FreeFree
- Calendar sync
- Scheduling links
- Keyboard shortcuts
Which should you pick?
Choose BusyCal if
- You need customizable views.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on macOS, iOS, iPad.
- You also want weather integration.
Choose Cron Calendar if
- You need keyboard shortcuts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Macos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want multi-timezone.
Questions people ask
- Is BusyCal or Cron Calendar better?
- Neither clearly leads. BusyCal starts at Free and Cron Calendar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BusyCal or Cron Calendar?
- BusyCal starts at Free and Cron Calendar at Free.
- Does BusyCal or Cron Calendar run on more platforms?
- BusyCal runs on macOS, iOS, iPad. Cron Calendar runs on Macos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use BusyCal for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is BusyCal best used for?
- BusyCal is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what Cron Calendar is typically brought in for.
- What can BusyCal do that Cron Calendar cannot?
- BusyCal covers Customizable views, Weather integration, Natural language, To-dos. Cron Calendar covers Keyboard shortcuts, Multi-timezone, Scheduling links, Team availability. Both handle Google Calendar, Macos support, Ios support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
BusyCal: How much does BusyCal cost?
BusyCal offers a one-time perpetual license for $49.99 USD, a premium subscription at $39.99/year or $4.99/month, and a free edition for basic calendaring needs with 14-day trial for premium features.
SourceBusyCal: What calendar services does BusyCal sync with?
BusyCal syncs with iCloud, Google Calendar, Exchange, and CalDAV servers. However, you cannot directly sync iCloud calendars with Google Calendar through BusyCal; you must host some calendars on iCloud and some on Google.
SourceBusyCal: What platforms does BusyCal support?
BusyCal is available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
SourceBusyCal: What are BusyCal's key features?
BusyCal includes day/week/month/year/list views, availability panel for finding open time slots, timezone side panel, travel time trackers, and integrated to-do lists.
Source