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Cron Calendar vs OmniFocus 3

Cron Calendar logo

Cron Calendar

Software

The next-generation calendar for professionals

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Software

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cron Calendar has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cron Calendar no longer sold as Cron. Notion acquired it and renamed it Notion Calendar, and cron.com now carries that banner; OmniFocus 3 apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • They diverge on capability: Cron Calendar covers Keyboard shortcuts, OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cron Calendar and OmniFocus 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where Cron Calendar and OmniFocus 3 differ
AttributeCron CalendarOmniFocus 3
Starting priceFree$39.99/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, Windows, Ios, Android, WebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web
Founded20161993

Identical on both: 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 Cron Calendar

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Multi-timezone
  • Scheduling links
  • Team availability
  • Menu bar access
  • Google Calendar
  • Notion
  • Zoom

Only in OmniFocus 3

  • GTD-based task organization
  • Projects and subprojects
  • Contexts and tags
  • Custom perspectives
  • Automation
  • Quick entry
  • Sync across devices
  • Deferred and due dates

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cron Calendar

  • Keyboard-driven calendar for people living in their schedulenot OmniFocus 3
  • Managing several Google calendars in one viewnot OmniFocus 3
  • Scheduling links for meeting availabilitynot OmniFocus 3
  • Joining video calls from the menu barnot OmniFocus 3

OmniFocus 3

  • Getting Things Done style task and project management on Apple devicesnot Cron Calendar
  • Capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cyclesnot Cron Calendar
  • Syncing a personal task database across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watchnot Cron Calendar

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

OmniFocus 3

  • Apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • Web access is not included with a perpetual licence and costs an extra $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
  • The Pro perpetual licence costs $149.99 against $74.99 for Standard
  • Future major upgrades are a paid discount rather than free for perpetual licence holders
  • The $99.99 per year subscription is the only option that bundles Pro plus web access

Pricing, plan by plan

Cron Calendar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Calendar sync
    • Scheduling links
    • Keyboard shortcuts

OmniFocus 3

$39.99/year
  • Standard$39.99/year
    • Mac and iOS apps
    • Cloud sync
    • Core features
  • Pro$99.99/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Advanced automation
    • Perspective management

Which should you pick?

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.
Cron Calendar review

Choose OmniFocus 3 if

  • You need gtd-based task organization.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
  • You also want projects and subprojects.
OmniFocus 3 review

Questions people ask

Is Cron Calendar or OmniFocus 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Cron Calendar starts at Free and OmniFocus 3 at $39.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cron Calendar or OmniFocus 3?
Cron Calendar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cron Calendar and $39.99/year for OmniFocus 3.
Does Cron Calendar or OmniFocus 3 run on more platforms?
Cron Calendar runs on Macos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web. OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
Can I use Cron Calendar for free?
Yes. Cron Calendar has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year.
What is Cron Calendar best used for?
Cron Calendar is most often used for keyboard-driven calendar for people living in their schedule, managing several google calendars in one view, scheduling links for meeting availability, joining video calls from the menu bar. Of those, keyboard-driven calendar for people living in their schedule and managing several google calendars in one view are not what OmniFocus 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Cron Calendar do that OmniFocus 3 cannot?
Cron Calendar covers Keyboard shortcuts, Multi-timezone, Scheduling links, Team availability. OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives.
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