Whether you’re trying to make weekend plans, keep up with your friends, or just figure out when everyone’s free, using the right calendar app can make or break how smoothly the planning goes.

Google Calendar is probably your default app when it comes to work scheduling, and for a lot of people, it works fine. But when it comes to social planning like nights out, dinner with friends, and spontaneous weekend hangouts, it can feel a bit... stiff.

That’s where Howbout comes in, the social calendar app for live updates from friends.

Let’s break down how the two compare, and why Howbout is the better shared calendar app for friends in 2025.

TL;DR: Use Google Calendar for work. Use Howbout for your social life.

• Google Calendar = best for meetings, deadlines, and structured schedules
• Howbout = best for seeing when friends are free, making social plans, and actually keeping up with each other

If your calendar is mostly filled with meetings, Zoom links, and colour-coded work blocks, Google Calendar is great.

But if you’re just trying to grab drinks, plan a night in, or see what your flatmates are up to this weekend, then Howbout is way more fun, way more social, and way less stressful.

What is Howbout?

Howbout is a social calendar app designed for your social life, not spreadsheets.

You can:

• See what your friends are up to
• Add updates directly in the app
• Sync your existing calendars
• Share events, chat about them, vote on details, and keep it all in one place

Basically, it’s the app you wish your group chat could be, without all the mess.

What is Google Calendar best for?

Google Calendar is the go-to for productivity. It’s:

• Reliable and clean
• Easy to sync across devices
• Built around time blocks, reminders, and recurring events

It’s ideal for:

• Work meetings
• Uni schedules
• Class timetables
• Managing multiple calendars for different responsibilities

But socially? It falls short. You can’t see when your friends are free. You can’t share availability. There’s no chat. The fun bit just isn’t there. It’s not made for quick back-and-forth or casual coordination with friends.

Feature Comparison: Howbout vs. Google Calendar for Friend Planning

Why Howbout is better for planning with friends

1. You can see what your friends are up to

On Howbout, you don’t need to ask "when are you free?" - you can just check. Friends can choose to share their availability or calendar entries, so you can build plans around each other without having to play a guessing game.

2. Every plan stays organised in its own space

Each plan has a chat, invite list, date/time, location link, and even photo sharing. It’s like giving each plan its own group chat, without making another one for every event in WhatsApp.

3. No back-and-forth to figure out details

Need to pick a restaurant or date? Howbout polls make it easy. Vote on options, see what works, and move on - all in the same place.

4. It’s built for friendship, not formatting

Google Calendar is rigid. It’s built for structure, alerts, and efficiency.

Howbout is flexible, and built for connection, spontaneity, and actual follow-through from friends.

Final Thoughts: Which should you use?

• Google Calendar is great for keeping track of deadlines, meetings, and reminders.
• Howbout is better for making plans with your friends, syncing up availability, and actually spending time together.

If you’re juggling meetings and lecture blocks, use Google Calendar.

But if you're trying to get out of the group chat spiral and actually make plans that happen, Howbout is the better shared calendar app for friends in 2025.

Download Howbout today

Make your calendar social. Plans = easier. Friends = closer.