Softwr

Software · head to head

FamCal vs Apple Screen Time

F

FamCal

Software

Shared family calendar for coordinating activities

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Screen Time logo

Apple Screen Time

Software

Apple's built-in parental controls for iOS and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: FamCal the whole family shares one account, logging in with individual email addresses but a single shared password; Apple Screen Time parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone
  • They diverge on capability: FamCal covers Shared calendar, Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FamCal and Apple Screen Time actually diverge.

Attributes where FamCal and Apple Screen Time differ
AttributeFamCalApple Screen Time
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidIos, Ipados, Macos
Founded20152016

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 FamCal

  • Shared calendar
  • Color-coded events
  • Event notifications
  • Multiple family members
  • Calendar syncing
  • Event reminders
  • Location tagging
  • Notes and details

Only in Apple Screen Time

  • Screen time tracking
  • App limits
  • Downtime scheduling
  • Content filtering
  • App restrictions
  • Communication limits
  • Purchase controls
  • Family Sharing management

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment
  • Ios support
  • English language support

What people use each for

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

FamCal

  • Running a shared colour-coded family calendar across membersnot Apple Screen Time
  • Sharing grocery lists, chores and task assignments in a householdnot Apple Screen Time
  • Tracking and exporting shared trip expenses as PDF or CSVnot Apple Screen Time

Apple Screen Time

  • Screen time managementnot FamCal
  • Content filteringnot FamCal
  • Device controlnot FamCal
  • Family safetynot FamCal

Where each one falls short

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

FamCal

  • The whole family shares one account, logging in with individual email addresses but a single shared password
  • Subscriptions are sold only as weekly or annual terms
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period
  • The account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

Apple Screen Time

  • Parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone

Pricing, plan by plan

FamCal

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Shared calendar
    • Basic notifications
    • Up to 6 members
  • Premium$2.99/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited members
    • Advanced notifications

Apple Screen Time

Free
  • Included with iOS/macOSFree
    • Screen time limits
    • App restrictions
    • Content filtering

Which should you pick?

Choose FamCal if

  • You need shared calendar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want color-coded events.
FamCal review

Choose Apple Screen Time if

  • You need screen time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Ipados, Macos.
  • You also want app limits.
Apple Screen Time review

Questions people ask

Is FamCal or Apple Screen Time better?
Neither clearly leads. FamCal starts at Free and Apple Screen Time at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FamCal or Apple Screen Time?
FamCal starts at Free and Apple Screen Time at Free.
Does FamCal or Apple Screen Time run on more platforms?
FamCal runs on Web, Ios, Android. Apple Screen Time runs on Ios, Ipados, Macos.
Can I use FamCal for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is FamCal best used for?
FamCal is most often used for running a shared colour-coded family calendar across members, sharing grocery lists, chores and task assignments in a household, tracking and exporting shared trip expenses as pdf or csv. Of those, running a shared colour-coded family calendar across members and sharing grocery lists, chores and task assignments in a household are not what Apple Screen Time is typically brought in for.
What can FamCal do that Apple Screen Time cannot?
FamCal covers Shared calendar, Color-coded events, Event notifications, Multiple family members. Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking, App limits, Downtime scheduling, Content filtering. Both handle Cloud deployment, Ios support, English language support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on FamCal

More on Apple Screen Time

Keep looking

Other head to heads