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Howbout vs. TimeTree: Which shared calendar is actually best for your social life? (2026 review)
If you’ve been on the hunt for a way to sync up with your friends, you've likely stumbled across a few shared calendar apps promising to solve your life’s chaos, and for a long time, the TimeTree app was the big name on the block.
But let’s be real: as our lives get busier, the pull between a calendar that just functions and one that is actually helpful has become harder to find.
Whilst TimeTree has long been a popular shared calendar, newer apps, like Howbout, are emerging as a more intuitive and engaging alternative.
In this head-to-head review, we’re looking at why millions of users are ditching the old way and moving their schedules over to Howbout.
TL;DR: Howbout vs. TimeTree
If you’re choosing between Howbout and TimeTree, the decision usually comes down to who you are planning for.
- Choose Howbout if: You’re organizing a social life. You want to see when friends are free, vote on plans, and keep the admin out of the group chat. It’s built for busy lives and young professionals who value speed and social connection, and feels more like a social app like Instagram than a utility tool like Google Sheets.
- Choose TimeTree if: You’re managing a household. It’s excellent for families or couples who need to track chores, doctor’s appointments, and school runs.
The Core Experience: What’s the best shared calendar for groups?
Howbout: Shared Calendar
Whilst both TimeTree and Howbout are top-rated apps, they approach coordination from different sides:
- The TimeTree App: Think of this as a digital version of a paper family planner you’d find on the fridge. It’s built for logistics and record-keeping. It tells you what is happening in the most basic sense, making it a good option for a household that needs to track plans.
- Howbout: This is the proactive shared calendar for friends, families, couples, and anyone else you need to keep up with! It doesn't just store dates and plans; Howbout finds the gaps in everyone's schedule, handles the "where and when" via time polls, and keeps the chat organized - making all those plans actually happen!
TimeTree
Feature Comparison: 2026 Edition
| Feature | Howbout | TimeTree App |
|---|---|---|
| Availability Sharing | Instantly see "Free/Busy" status across the group. | Manual checking only (requires opening individual calendars) |
| User Experience | Ad-free, fast, and social. | Ad-heavy free version, or a monthly subscription with more features and no ads |
| Decision Making | Built-in polls for dates, times, descriptions, and locations | Basic comments on events |
| Chat | Dedicated group chat for every plan (so no info gets lost) | General comments only |
| Social Integration | Social feed with reactions and photos to keep up with friends | Purely functional/logistical |
| Device Sync | Seamless Google, Apple, and Outlook sync | Basic external syncing |
Deep Dive: Why Howbout Wins for Friend Groups
On the Howbout team, we’ve spent years analyzing why group chats fail.
Co-founder and CEO of Howbout, Neil Tanna, said:
“It started with a simple idea: help people stay close to the ones who matter most, in a world where we’re more connected than ever, yet often feel more disconnected than ever.”
That’s why we made Howbout to keep you connected with your friends where group chats and social media failed. Here’s where Howbout bridges that gap that TimeTree doesn't:
- In TimeTree, you have to look at a cluttered calendar and guess. In Howbout, our Instant Availability feature does the math for you. It highlights exact windows when everyone in the group is free, easily showing you the date and time that all your friends can make!
- You might want your partner to see everything, TimeTree style, but you only want your school friends to see when you're free, not that you have a "Dr’s Appt at 2 PM." Howbout’s granular privacy is built for modern friendships, so you have the option to edit your privacy exactly how you want it.
- TimeTree is about future plans. Howbout is about the fun. After the plan happens, you can share photos and videos directly in the Howbout event, turning your calendar into a social archive of your best memories.
The Verdict: 2026 Rankings
The Best Shared Calendar for friends/groups/couples: Howbout. It’s faster, more social, and removes the friction of "checking in" with everyone. It turns your calendar from a chore into a social tool!
The Best Shared Calendar for domestic planning: TimeTree. If your main goal is reducing domestic "double-booking" and you don't mind a more utility-focused interface, TimeTree is a solid choice.
Why Trust Us?
At Howbout, we’re more than just developers; we’re a team that was tired of the "let's see each other soon" lie and group chat planning chaos.
We've helped over **6 million users** coordinate over 2 million events each week. This comparison is based on direct feedback from users who switched from traditional calendars to a more social way of planning.
FAQs
How do I share my availability without sharing my private event details?
This is a major Howbout advantage. You can share your "Free/Busy" status so friends know you're tied up, without them seeing that you’re at a "Doctor’s Appointment" or "Job Interview."
Which app is better for avoiding the chaos of group chats?
Howbout. By giving every plan its own dedicated chat, you avoid the 200-message WhatsApp thread just to decide on a restaurant. TimeTree uses a comment system, but it isn't a full-blown chat replacement.
Can I use these apps on both iPhone and Android?
Both Howbout and TimeTree are fully cross-platform, ensuring your whole group can stay in sync regardless of their device.
