From work to social to just plain getting stuff done, these are the very best calendar apps for iPad!
Looking for the best iPad apps to help you get your calendaring done faster and better? Sure, the iPad comes with Apple's own Calendar app and it'll suit some people just fine. If you want something different, however, whether it's a different focus, different interface, or different features, the App Store has a lot of alternative calendar apps available. But which ones are the very best?
Fantastical 2
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Fantastical 2 for iPad by Flexibits combines both your calendar events and reminders into one beautiful app that's just as easy to use as it is powerful. It's also got its own native notifications so you can completely ditch the calendar and reminders apps if you'd like. Since Fantastical pulls from existing calendars and reminders you have set up already with iCloud or any other service, there's zero setup required. The natural language and shortcut options in Fantastical are some of the best I've ever used, an added bonus when it comes to productivity.
Fantastical 2 is the calendar app Apple should have built. If you want simplicity combined with powerful features, you need Fantastical 2.
- $9.99 (on sale, regular price $14.99) - Download Now
Calendars 5
Calendars 5 by Readdle can pull from local calendars that already exist on your iPad or you can log in directly to Google calendar. Reminders is where Calendars 5 really shines and turns them into a get things done section. To start it can pull in all your lists from iCloud. From there you can add new lists right inside Calendars 5 and also throw things in an inbox to file them later. It works just like a full on todo app would work, but alongside your calendar.
If you want a calendar, reminder, and todo setup all in one, look no further than Calendars 5.
- $6.99 - Download Now
Sunrise Calendar
Sunrise Calendar also combines calendars and reminders into one but takes a slightly different approach. Not only can you link iCloud and Google accounts, you can also link social accounts such as Foursquare, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Any events that you get invited to on Facebook and accept can automatically be imported into Sunrise. The same applies for Foursquare checkin. Since you can hide and unhide calendars in just a tap, they stay out of the way when you need to get work done.
If you want a calendar that fits both productivity and social needs, check out Sunrise.
- Free - Download Now
Calvetica
Calvetica imports all your existing calendars, like Fantastical 2. This means it too works with iCloud, Exchange, Google calendars, and pretty much anything else the official Calendar app would allow you to use. Calvetica also has support for reminders and shows them off to the side at all times, unless of course you change the view. The views are one thing that make Calvetica stand out. There are lots of them and they're unique from many other calendar apps. You can also sync all your settings with iCloud so if you have Calvetica on multiple iOS devices, all of your settings and preferences always change together.
If you're picky about how your calendars are set up and want the same settings across all devices as seamlessly as possible, Calvetica makes that possible.
- $2.99 - Download Now
Pocket Informant
Pocket Informant isn't just a replacement calendar app, but a productivity powerhouse that combines your calendars, reminders, and notes in one place. The interface of Pocket Informant is gesture driven. Swipe down with two fingers from anywhere in order to reveal the quick entry field. Swipe to the left across any event or reminder to see a menu containing all the ways you can interact with that appointment or task. You can also purchase the weather add-on for a on time purchase of $0.99 and see weather in your calendar as well. Pocket Informant's official sync service is available on a wide variety of platforms as well, which makes it an ideal solution for cross-platformers.
For the most control and widest amount of options when switching between iOS and Android devices, there is only Pocket Informant.
- Free ($14.99 in-app purchase to unlock full premium version) - Download Now
Your picks?
Calendars are definitely a personal decision and one that should be based on your workflow and what kind of schedule you have. While I think these are the best all around choices, that doesn't mean there aren't other good ones out there. Which calendar app you use and why? Did you go with one of my choices above or something else? Let me know in the comments!
