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Software · head to head

FamCal vs Google Family Link

F

FamCal

Software

Shared family calendar for coordinating activities

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Family Link logo

Google Family Link

Software

Google's free family device management and controls

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; Google Family Link google documents that iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks cannot be supervised with Family Link
  • They diverge on capability: FamCal covers Shared calendar, Google Family Link covers Screen time management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FamCal and Google Family Link actually diverge.

Attributes where FamCal and Google Family Link differ
AttributeFamCalGoogle Family Link
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidAndroid, Web
Founded20152019

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 Google Family Link

  • Screen time management
  • App approval system
  • Device locking
  • Location tracking
  • Settings management
  • Password controls
  • Google Play filtering
  • Account monitoring

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Android 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 Google Family Link
  • Sharing grocery lists, chores and task assignments in a householdnot Google Family Link
  • Tracking and exporting shared trip expenses as PDF or CSVnot Google Family Link

Google Family Link

  • Setting screen time limits and app approvals on a child's Android devicenot FamCal
  • Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not FamCal
  • Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot 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

Google Family Link

  • Google documents that iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks cannot be supervised with Family Link
  • Supervision is built around a Google Account, so activity outside Google accounts and Android devices is not covered
  • Parent controlled account creation applies to children under 13 or the applicable age in the country

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

Google Family Link

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Screen time limits
    • App approval
    • Device locking

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 Google Family Link if

  • You need screen time management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android, Web.
  • You also want app approval system.
Google Family Link review

Questions people ask

Is FamCal or Google Family Link better?
Neither clearly leads. FamCal starts at Free and Google Family Link at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FamCal or Google Family Link?
FamCal starts at Free and Google Family Link at Free.
Does FamCal or Google Family Link run on more platforms?
FamCal runs on Web, Ios, Android. Google Family Link runs on Android, Web.
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 Google Family Link is typically brought in for.
What can FamCal do that Google Family Link cannot?
FamCal covers Shared calendar, Color-coded events, Event notifications, Multiple family members. Google Family Link covers Screen time management, App approval system, Device locking, Location tracking. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support, Android support, English language support.
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Related pages

More on FamCal

More on Google Family Link

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