The Calendar app is necessary for most users on their desktops or mobile phones. However, some may not like the built-in calendar application which integrated with their systems, sometimes because they are limited or because of privacy concerns.
Android is no exception, it comes with a built-in Calendar application, which connects and syncs directly with the Google Calendar service.
But what if you are looking for other calendar apps that allow you more freedom and options? Then this article is for you.
Here, we offer you several calendar apps as alternatives to the built-in Android calendar. So, you do not need to feel limited by the default calendar apps.
1- Simple Calendar
Simple Calendar is a free, open-source calendar app that comes with no ads, in-app purchases, or any hidden tracker software that comprises users' privacy.
Simple Calendar comes with a customizable widget, CalDav sync support, multiple views options (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and events list), custom calendar creation, and built-in dark theme support.
With Simple Calendar, you can work completely offline, and backup your events through exporting/ importing .ics files without the need to sync to any online service.
Simple Calendar is available to download from F-Droid and Google Play. It is released as an open-source project under the GPL-v3.0 license.
2- Etar Calendar
Etar Calendar is a popular free, open-source Calendar app for Android. Some may say it is the primary open-source alternative for the proprietary Google Calendar application.
Etar Calendar offers multiple calendar views (Month, Week, Day, and Agenda), supports Android Calendar Sync which works with all calendar services, works seamlessly offline, and supports calendar files import, and export to the local device or SD card.
The name Etar comes from the Arabic word "إيثار", which means "Altruism".
You can download Etar from the F-Droid store.
The source code is released under the GPLv3.0 license.
3- OneCalendar
OneCalender is a feature-rich calendar application for several platforms including Android.
OneCalendar comes with a highly customizable interface that supports personalized theming, multiple views, configurable screen widgets, and a built-in dark mode.
With OneCalendar you can manage your appointments, invite people, set up repeated tasks or events, share appointments with your contact, and work completely offline without the internet.
OneCalendar is compatible with all popular calendar applications and programs like Google Calendar, Outlook, Office 365, Exchange, iCloud, Yahoo Calendar, CalDAV, NextCloud, GMX, and more.
The app is free to download for Android as well as iOS, macOS, and Windows systems. However, it is not an open-source project.
4- MinCal Widget
MinCal is a minimal Android widget application with many customizable options. It allows users to display a resizable calendar (3x2) with all events of the month.
It is a useful tool for users who like to utilize their desktop workspaces.
MinCal is available to download from F-Droid and Google Play Store.
MinCal is released under the BSD-3-Clause License.
5- ShiftCal
ShiftCal is a nifty calendar that helps to manage work shifts and sessions, set alarms, enable automated DoNotDisturb while in-shift, and display shifts and sessions in your system calendar.
The events can have custom colors, or short names, which is a useful feature to set shift priority. Users can export the calendar events, import from the other calendar apps, and easily add new shifts with one click.
If you work in shifts or your work has many shift routines and work sessions, consider trying this app.
ShiftCal is released as a free, open-source project under GPL v3.0.
6- Month Calendar Widget
Month Calendar Widget is another widget app for Android which is released for free and as another open-source under Apache-2.0 License.
If you like to utilize widgets on your mobile screen, then this app can help you set up a useful monthly calendar in no time.
Although the app is available for download from the F-Droid store, it is not maintained.
7- Suntimes Calendar
Suntimes Calendar is a useful app for photographers and early-birds who want to enjoy sunrises and sunsets.
Provides calendar events for the solstices, equinoxes, twilight periods (astronomical, nautical, civil (sunrise, sunset)), and the moon (moonrise, moonset, major phases, apogee, perigee).
The Suntimes Calendar app is a part of 4 useful apps which are Suntimes alarm; helps you set alarms and notifications for daily repeating alarms and notifications, Solunar periods; a hunting and fishing calendar add-on app, and Natural hour; a lightweight 24-hour clock roman keeping add-on.
Download Suntimes calendar from F-Droid app.
Suntimes Calendar are released under GPLv3.0.
8- Standalone Calendar
The Standalone Calendar is a simple Android Calendar as an alternative open-source privacy-focused to Google Calendar. However, it is no longer maintained, but you can still download and use it from the F-Droid store.
9- Calendar Import-Export
This app helps you to import and export your android calendar events without the need to sync through Google.
You can import and export events to ics file, import from local storage, SD card, or a server. It supports both iCal and iCalendar files.
Calendar Import-Export app is released under GNU General Public License V3.0.
10- Seasonal Foods Calendar
Seasonal Foods Calendar helps you identify your seasonal fruit and vegetables. You can browse the items by month, search by availability, or look for special and unusual food items.
Foods that are produced regionally are often cheaper, tastier, and better for the environment due to shorter and more convenient transport.
It supports only one region so far which is Central Europe, and several languages: English, French, Spanish, German, and Polish.
The app is released as open-source, and you can download it from Google Play and F-Droid.
Wrapping up
Calendars applications are significant tools that help many stay organized and focused. Here, we listed the best open-source and privacy-oriented calendar apps for Android that anyone can download, install, use or even inspect or modify their code.
If you know of any other open-source, free calendar app that we did not list here, let us know.