Making plans
Howbout vs. OurCal: Which shared calendar is actually better for your social life in 2026?
Back in the day, the only calendars you used were either Google Calendar for work or a paper calendar hung on your fridge.
But in 2026, the way we plan has changed. We don't just want to see where someone is, we want to make plans happen without the 50-message WhatsApp spiral.
Today, we’re pitting two shared calendar apps against each other: Howbout and OurCal. Whilst both work as shared calendars, they are built for very different people.
TL;DR: The 30-Second Verdict
If you are managing a high-stakes family schedule or need high encryption for your data, OurCal is your vault.
But if you actually want to see your friends, avoid the "When are you free?" text loop, and turn your calendar into your very own social hub, Howbout is the undisputed winner. It’s faster, more social, and built for real planning in 2026.
| Feature | Howbout | OurCal |
| Best For | Social lives, friend groups, couples, & flatmates | Families, & high-security needs |
| Availability Finder | ✅ Built-in (see when friends are free) | ❌ Manual (must check individual events) |
| Device sync | ✅ Import events from all major providers (Google, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo, AOL) and any calendar in your native Calendar app | ✅ Import events from Google, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo, AOL. |
| In-App Chat | ✅ Per-event group chats | ✅ Built-in chat |
| Polls & Voting | ✅ Yes (date, time, location) | ❌ No |
| Privacy | Flexible (choose what to share) | Strict (end-to-end encrypted) |
Deep dive: Three reasons why Howbout is winning the shared calendar game
Howbout: Shared calendar for friends
1. The Experience: Howbout’s colorful and fun UI vs. OurCal’s functional interface
Howbout is designed to be as vibrant as your actual plans. With a focus on color-coded organization and a sleek, modern UI, it’s built for speed and aesthetic. You can effortlessly toggle between different friends’ calendars: groups, flatmates, or sports teams - all with a single tap. It’s designed to be fun to use, making the act of planning feel like part of the party, not a chore.
OurCal takes a much more traditional approach. Whilst its interface is clean, it leans toward a utility-focused, formal aesthetic. It’s perfect for checking off tasks or managing a household, but it lacks the visual energy and "social-first" navigation that makes Howbout feel like a hub for your friendships.
2. Planning: Howbout’s "Smart Scheduling" vs. OurCal’s Manual Work
The biggest drain on our social lives isn't the event itself; it's the coordination and planning that go into it.
Howbout features an Instant Availability feature that’s the ultimate tool for finding who’s free. Instead of checking five different calendars, you simply start a plan, and the app overlays your friends' schedules and instantly shows you colour-coded dates: green for when everyone is free, and red for when they're not.
OurCal is built for structure, not spontaneity. It’s a great repository for information, but it doesn't help you find the time as quickly as Howbout. You’re still doing the manual labor of scrolling through dates to see who is busy, which often leads back to the group chat chaos we're all trying to avoid.
3. Privacy & Security: A Matter of Intent
OurCal’s claim to fame is its ANSSI-certified end-to-end encryption. This is a powerful feature for groups sharing sensitive financial reminders or families with strict data needs.
Howbout is designed to be open enough to make plans happen, but private enough to keep you in control. You’re able to set your privacy of events from friends to let them know that you’re busy, but not what you’re doing. Howbout’s branding is not focused on privacy in the same way as OurCal, but the app still deals with users’ data and privacy with utmost importance.
OurCal: Privacy-first calendar
The Final Verdict
Choose OurCal if:
- You are a family or couple where data security is the #1 priority.
- You need a private digital diary.
Choose Howbout if:
- You want to keep up with your friends in 2026.
- You’re tired of the "When are you free?" text dance.
- You want an app that acts as the "social layer" of your life.
Ready to start actually spending more time with your friends? Download Howbout for free and see why millions of people have made the switch to the world’s favorite social calendar.
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.
Co-founder and CEO of Howbout, Neil Tanna, said:
“Before raising our Series A, many believed we couldn’t break through the noise. We’ve only made it this far because of our obsession with building a product people genuinely love — and a mission they resonate with.”
Frequently asked questions
Is Howbout better than OurCal? For social groups and friend coordination, yes. Howbout includes instant availability finders, color-coding and polls that OurCal lacks. For high-security family needs, OurCal’s encryption is their speciality.
Can I sync Google Calendar with Howbout? Yes. Howbout allows you to sync Google, Outlook, and iCloud calendars so you can see your full life in one social view.
Does OurCal have a social feed? No. OurCal is designed as a private utility. Howbout features a social feed where you can see what your friends are up to and join in on the fun.
