Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar: Which Is Best for Your Business?

As a small business owner, your calendar is more than just a tool—it’s your lifeline. Keeping your meetings, deadlines, and personal appointments in check is key to running a smooth operation. So, when it comes to choosing between Apple Calendar vs. Google Calendar, which one will serve you best?

Whether you’re all-in on Apple devices or need a flexible calendar that works across platforms, we’ll break down the differences between these two popular calendar apps so you can make the best choice for your business.

Comparison Summary: Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar

Here’s how the two compare in areas that matter most to small business owners:

GCal: flexible, customizable, and a great choice regardless of device

Google Calendar stands out for its flexibility and wide availability. No matter what device you're using—whether it’s an iPhone, Android, or your laptop—Google Calendar syncs perfectly across them all. This makes it an ideal choice for business owners who are always on the go and rely on multiple devices to stay connected.

With Google Calendar, you can integrate with third-party tools like Zoom for virtual meetings, Trello for project management, and Slack for team communication. These integrations make it easier to streamline your business operations, keeping everything from your appointments to your workflows in one place.

Key features on Google Calendar:

• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on iOS, Android, and web.
• Third-party integrations: Syncs with tools like Zoom, Trello, Slack, and many others, helping you schedule and manage your business more efficiently.
• Scheduling flexibility: Easily send event invites, set up recurring meetings, and use color coding for different calendars (e.g., personal, business, team).

If you’re already using the Apple ecosystem, stick with Apple Calendar

If you’re all about Apple, Apple Calendar is the natural choice. It’s built right into every Apple device—iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the Apple Watch—and syncs instantly across them via iCloud. But here’s something a lot of people don’t know: Apple Calendar can also sync with Google, Outlook, and Notion calendars, giving you access to all your events in one place, even on non-Apple devices.

Apple Calendar also shines with its deep integration into the Apple ecosystem. With features like Intelligent Event Suggestions, Siri can automatically suggest calendar events based on emails or messages you receive. For example, if you book a hotel or receive a flight confirmation in an email, Apple Calendar will suggest adding it to your calendar—saving you time and effort.

While Apple Calendar may not have as many collaboration tools as Google Calendar, its simplicity and elegance make it a favorite for users who prefer a streamlined experience. This is especially true when looking to share your Apple Calendar with other Apple users and devices.

Key features of Apple Calendar:

1. iCloud sync: Automatically syncs your events across all Apple devices.
2. Cross-platform access: Sync with Google, Outlook, and Notion for a unified view of your events.
3. Intelligent Event Suggestions: Automatically adds suggested events from emails and messages.
4. Native integration: Works with Siri, Reminders, and other Apple apps.
5. Simple sharing: Create shared calendars with other Apple users.

Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar: Pros and Cons

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons for each calendar to help you decide:

Google Calendar

Apple Calendar

An in-depth comparison into Apple Calendar vs. Google Calendar

Apple Calendar vs. Google Calendar: Ease of setup

Both calendars are super easy to set up, but their user experiences depend on which ecosystem you’re most comfortable with.

• Apple Calendar comes pre-installed on all Apple devices. Open the app, and your iCloud calendar syncs across all your devices. You can also add your Google, Outlook, or Notion calendars to Apple Calendar and view everything in one place—no additional downloads required.
• Google Calendar is equally straightforward. Once you sign in with your Google account, your calendar is available on any device you use. It works natively on Android, iOS, and the web, making it the go-to option for users who need their calendar to work across multiple platforms.

For example, if you’re using a PC at work and an iPhone at home, Google Calendar offers a seamless experience across both. Apple Calendar requires syncing through iCloud to access it on non-Apple devices.

I use both in my daily life, and to be totally honest, both are equally easy to use. My Apple Calendar was set up when I logged in to my new phone, requiring next to no effort on my part. I also synced it with Outlook (I know it’s ancient, but it works and I like it!) and it automatically added appointments scheduled via e-mail.

Google Calendar was equally easy to set up and download. I didn’t like having an extra app on my phone, though, so I don’t use it for my personal calendar at all. It’s super easy to sync multiple calendars together, though, and I love that I can see when my friends are busy.

Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar: Monthly view

Both Apple Calendar and Google Calendar offer great monthly views, but Google Calendar adds extra flexibility for users who manage multiple calendars.

• Google Calendar allows you to layer multiple calendars (e.g., work, personal, team) in one view, making it easy to see everything at once. You can also color-code your events to keep your schedule organized.

• Apple Calendar offers a clean, minimalist monthly view, but it doesn’t allow for as much customization or layering of calendars. However, if you prefer simplicity, Apple Calendar is visually appealing and less cluttered.

Here’s how Redditors feel about monthly views of Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar (and it’s not looking good for Apple.)

Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar: Mobile experience

If you’re always on the go, having a calendar that works seamlessly on your mobile device is key.

• Apple Calendar is optimized for iOS devices, offering a smooth, native experience. You can also access your calendar on a PC by syncing through iCloud. Adding events is easy, and everything is intuitively laid out for Apple users.
• Google Calendar offers a consistent experience across all mobile platforms—whether you’re using iOS, Android, or a web browser. Plus, it integrates with Google Tasks and Google Meet, allowing you to manage your meetings and tasks directly from the app.

Apple Calendar vs Google Calendar: Integrations

When it comes to integrations, Google Calendar takes the lead with its extensive range of third-party options.

• Google Calendar integrates with apps like Slack, Zoom, Trello, and countless others. This makes it perfect for businesses that need to manage meetings, projects, and team communications all in one place.
• Apple Calendar integrates natively with Apple apps like Siri and Reminders, and can also sync with Google, Outlook, and Notion. One of its coolest integrations is with Apple Maps--it’ll show you your ETA and commute time on your calendar. However, it offers fewer options for third-party business tools. 

YouCanBookMe works with you, no matter which calendar you pick

Here’s the thing—YouCanBookMe isn’t here to play favorites with calendars. Whether you’re a ride-or-die Apple Calendar fan or live for the cross-platform flexibility of Google Calendar, YouCanBookMe has one goal: to make scheduling a breeze for you.

We don’t care about the app you use—we care about you. Running a business is hard enough, so why should scheduling meetings be? 

With YouCanBookMe, you’ll:

• Sync your availability effortlessly: We offer TONS of integrations designed to make your life easier. We’ll pull your free time from Apple Calendar or Google Calendar (we can actually sync with any calendar, really), so clients can book you when you’re actually available. No more back-and-forth emails.
• Send smart reminders: Want to remind clients about upcoming meetings? We've got you covered with automatic email or the ever-effective SMS reminders that keep everyone on track (without you having to lift a finger).
• Avoid awkward double bookings: We’ll make sure your schedule stays conflict-free. No more "Oops, I accidentally booked two meetings at the same time" moments.

And here’s the best part: YouCanBookMe is designed with humans and small businesses, just like yours, in mind. It’s not just a tool—it’s a friendly assistant that works for you. Think of it as your personal scheduling superhero, ready to swoop in and save the day, no matter which calendar app you’re using.

So, whether you’re team Apple Calendar or team Google Calendar, YouCanBookMe will keep things running smoothly. We’ve got your back—let’s get to work!

FAQ

Is Apple Calendar or Google Calendar better?

It really depends on your needs! If you’re all about the Apple ecosystem and prefer simplicity, Apple Calendar is a great choice. But if you need cross-platform flexibility, collaboration tools, and lots of customization, Google Calendar is your best bet.

What are the disadvantages of Apple Calendar?

While Apple Calendar is perfect for Apple lovers, its biggest downside is limited third-party integrations compared to Google Calendar. It's also restricted to Apple devices, unless you sync through iCloud on a PC. Collaboration features are also more limited.

What is the best calendar for my iPhone?

If you’re using an iPhone, both Apple Calendar and Google Calendar work beautifully. Apple Calendar is already built in and syncs with your iCloud. But if you’re also using other devices (like a Windows PC or Android tablet), Google Calendar gives you more flexibility across platforms.

Can Apple Calendar sync with Google Calendar?

Yes! You can sync your Apple Calendar with Google Calendar by adding your Google account to your Apple devices. This way, you can see and manage events from both calendars in one place.

What’s the best calendar app for my family on iPhone?

Apple Calendar is great for family scheduling, especially if everyone is on iPhones. You can easily create shared calendars with family members and even get alerts for family events. If you’re looking for more customization, Google Calendar works just as well and offers color coding to keep track of everyone’s events.