Published on

July 16, 2024

5 min read

Is TimeTree a must-have app? | Review

5 min read

The TimeTree Shared Calendar App logo is seen on a green background. Its logo consists of 5 green leaves spreading outwards like a flower.

TimeTree has long been a popular shared calendar app for individuals and teams looking to manage and share their calendars efficiently. In this review, we'll delve into the TimeTree app, its features, pros, cons, pricing, and privacy aspects. We'll answer the most common questions asked about the TimeTree calendar app and talk through the latest alternatives.

How does TimeTree work?

TimeTree is a versatile calendar-sharing app designed to simplify scheduling and event coordination for users across various platforms. It provides a user-friendly interface and compatibility with popular calendar services, making it a go-to choice for many.

Image of the TimeTree Shared Calendar app, showing both a Family calendar and a Work calendar. Beside them is a man and woman, representing a couple.

Is TimeTree a Good App?

TimeTree is a good shared calendar app for all sorts of groups. It's key features include:

Shared Calendars

TimeTree's shared calendar feature helps groups share coordination by allowing users to create and share multiple calendars for various aspects of their lives. Whether it's work, family, or social events, users can collaborate together.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

With TimeTree, accessibility is key. Its synchronization across iOS, Android, and web platforms ensures users can access their schedules anytime, anywhere, and from any device. This feature promotes flexibility and convenience.

Comments and Chat

Facilitating communication directly within the app, TimeTree's comments and chat feature fosters collaboration and clarity. Whether it's discussing event details, sharing updates, or coordinating plans, users can streamline communication.

Sync with External Calendars

TimeTree's integration with external calendar services such as Google Calendar and Apple Calendar enhances its versatility. Users can consolidate all their schedules and commitments in one centralized location, minimizing the risk of double bookings and maximizing efficiency.

Is TimeTree Free?

TimeTree offers both free and paid versions.

Free

The free version allows users to access most basic calendar sharing and messaging features. However, the free version limits the app's capabilities and does come with in-app advertisements which clutter the user's experience.

Premium

The premium subscription allows you to hide ads, and use additional features such as file attachments, event priority, and vertical view. The price varies across locales, but at the time of writing in the US TimeTree premium is $4.49 USD/month or $44.99 USD/annually.

TimeTree Shared Calendar App Pricing Chart, breaking down the differences between free and premium pricing.

Can You Import a Calendar into TimeTree?

Yes, TimeTree supports importing existing calendars from popular platforms like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook, making it convenient for users to migrate their schedules.

Does TimeTree work on Android, iPhone, Desktop?

TimeTree is available for iPhone, Android, and Desktop.

Is TimeTree better than Google Calendar?

TmeTree Shared Calendar App logo displayed beside the Google Calendar logo.

TimeTree and Google Calendar serve different purposes. While TimeTree focuses on collaborative scheduling, Google Calendar is a broader platform offering email integration, business tools, and more. The choice between them depends on your specific needs. However, for calendar sharing, neither offer bullet-proof privacy features that protect your personal data.

Is TimeTree safe?

White lock inside a blue circle with blurred cypertext in the background representing end-to-end encryption and privacy.

TimeTree's privacy settings are somewhat limited, which may not meet the stringent data protection requirements of many users, especially for those sharing intimate personal data such as families and couples. Privacy is a growing concern in today's digital world, and it's crucial to have robust control over who can access your calendar data.

End-To-End Encryption Is The Key To Ultimate Privacy

Your calendar holds a trove of personal and sensitive information. From doctor's appointments to family gatherings and work meetings, it's a window into your life's schedule and commitments. As such, protecting this data is of paramount importance.

In today's digital age, data breaches and privacy violations are becoming more frequent. Unauthorized access to your calendar can lead to identity theft, stalking, harassment, and financial fraud. End-to-end encryption is a powerful security measure that ensures your calendar data remains private and secure.

This ensures that even the service provider cannot access the content of your calendar entries. It ensures that your data remains confidential, even if the server is compromised. You may recognise the term end-to-end encryption from products like WhatsApp that have always strongly stood by the robust security provided by end-to-end encryption technology.

Unfortunately, end-to-end encryption has not been widely adopted in calendar apps. TimeTree, along with it's competitors, do not protect their user's data with end-to-end encryption, leaving it vulnerable to unwelcome access.

Best TimeTree Alnernative: OurCal –– The Privacy-First Shared Calendar App

OurCal is the free shared calendar app helping families, couples, and groups share calendars protected with end-to-end encryption.

OurCal Shared Calendar App previews from the App Store.
Shared Calendars, Reminders, and Chat

OurCal boasts all the scheduling features of TimeTree - shared calendars, calendar chat, events, reminders, and customisation - with the added protection of certified end-to-end encryption to ensure your shared calendar is kept secure.

Key Features

  • Shared Calendars: For seamless collaboration among families, couples, and groups.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: For easy access across iOS and Android.
  • Secure Chat: End-to-end encrypted chat for quick and effective communication.
  • Calendar Groups: Create your group and invite members to share calendars instantly.
  • Calendar Customisation: Color-coding to easily categorize events and identify them at a glance.
  • Reminders & Updates: Customizable event reminders and notifications to stay on top of appointments.
  • Recurring Events: For scheduling repetitive tasks effortlessly.
  • Natural Language Input Event Creation: Just type in natural language to create events fast.
  • External Calendars: Integration with external calendars like Google Calendar and Apple Calendar.
  • Import Calendars: Easily bring existing events into OurCal from any calendar.
  • iOS Only Calendar Widgets: Choose from multiple homescreen widgets.

Privacy Features

  • Certified End-to-End Encryption: OurCal protects all your data with end-to-end encryption certified by third-party experts.
  • No Sign-Up Required: OurCal can be used without signing up, signing up will let you move account data between devices.
  • 2-Factor Authentication Required: Once signed up, we require users to add a secondary method of authentication.

TimeTree vs OurCal: The Verdict

TimeTree logo beside OurCal Shared Calendar App logo. OurCal is seen on a dark background with a blue gradient, radiating calendar security.

TimeTree has undoubtedly made significant contributions to calendar sharing, and it continues to be a valuable option for many users.

However, OurCal's advanced features, enhanced privacy, and seamless user experience makes it a superior choice for those looking for a more comprehensive calendar-sharing solution.

If you're seeking a robust and versatile app to manage and share your calendars with complete security, OurCal is the solution already serving thousands of families, couples, friends, teams, caregivers, and colleagues – the future of calendar sharing awaits.

4.9

1000+

Share calendars safely to organise life together

4.9/5

Share calendars safely to organise life together

Published on

Feb 6, 2024

5 min read

Is TimeTree a must-have app? | Review

The TimeTree Shared Calendar App logo is seen on a green background. Its logo consists of 5 green leaves spreading outwards like a flower.

TimeTree has long been a popular shared calendar app for individuals and teams looking to manage and share their calendars efficiently. In this review, we'll delve into the TimeTree app, its features, pros, cons, pricing, and privacy aspects. We'll answer the most common questions asked about the TimeTree calendar app and talk through the latest alternatives.

How does TimeTree work?

TimeTree is a versatile calendar-sharing app designed to simplify scheduling and event coordination for users across various platforms. It provides a user-friendly interface and compatibility with popular calendar services, making it a go-to choice for many.

Image of the TimeTree Shared Calendar app, showing both a Family calendar and a Work calendar. Beside them is a man and woman, representing a couple.

Is TimeTree a Good App?

TimeTree is a good shared calendar app for all sorts of groups. It's key features include:

Shared Calendars

TimeTree's shared calendar feature helps groups share coordination by allowing users to create and share multiple calendars for various aspects of their lives. Whether it's work, family, or social events, users can collaborate together.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

With TimeTree, accessibility is key. Its synchronization across iOS, Android, and web platforms ensures users can access their schedules anytime, anywhere, and from any device. This feature promotes flexibility and convenience.

Comments and Chat

Facilitating communication directly within the app, TimeTree's comments and chat feature fosters collaboration and clarity. Whether it's discussing event details, sharing updates, or coordinating plans, users can streamline communication.

Sync with External Calendars

TimeTree's integration with external calendar services such as Google Calendar and Apple Calendar enhances its versatility. Users can consolidate all their schedules and commitments in one centralized location, minimizing the risk of double bookings and maximizing efficiency.

Is TimeTree Free?

TimeTree offers both free and paid versions.

Free

The free version allows users to access most basic calendar sharing and messaging features. However, the free version limits the app's capabilities and does come with in-app advertisements which clutter the user's experience.

Premium

The premium subscription allows you to hide ads, and use additional features such as file attachments, event priority, and vertical view. The price varies across locales, but at the time of writing in the US TimeTree premium is $4.49 USD/month or $44.99 USD/annually.

TimeTree Shared Calendar App Pricing Chart, breaking down the differences between free and premium pricing.

Can You Import a Calendar into TimeTree?

Yes, TimeTree supports importing existing calendars from popular platforms like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook, making it convenient for users to migrate their schedules.

Does TimeTree work on Android, iPhone, Desktop?

TimeTree is available for iPhone, Android, and Desktop.

Is TimeTree better than Google Calendar?

TmeTree Shared Calendar App logo displayed beside the Google Calendar logo.

TimeTree and Google Calendar serve different purposes. While TimeTree focuses on collaborative scheduling, Google Calendar is a broader platform offering email integration, business tools, and more. The choice between them depends on your specific needs. However, for calendar sharing, neither offer bullet-proof privacy features that protect your personal data.

Is TimeTree safe?

White lock inside a blue circle with blurred cypertext in the background representing end-to-end encryption and privacy.

TimeTree's privacy settings are somewhat limited, which may not meet the stringent data protection requirements of many users, especially for those sharing intimate personal data such as families and couples. Privacy is a growing concern in today's digital world, and it's crucial to have robust control over who can access your calendar data.

End-To-End Encryption Is The Key To Ultimate Privacy

Your calendar holds a trove of personal and sensitive information. From doctor's appointments to family gatherings and work meetings, it's a window into your life's schedule and commitments. As such, protecting this data is of paramount importance.

In today's digital age, data breaches and privacy violations are becoming more frequent. Unauthorized access to your calendar can lead to identity theft, stalking, harassment, and financial fraud. End-to-end encryption is a powerful security measure that ensures your calendar data remains private and secure.

This ensures that even the service provider cannot access the content of your calendar entries. It ensures that your data remains confidential, even if the server is compromised. You may recognise the term end-to-end encryption from products like WhatsApp that have always strongly stood by the robust security provided by end-to-end encryption technology.

Unfortunately, end-to-end encryption has not been widely adopted in calendar apps. TimeTree, along with it's competitors, do not protect their user's data with end-to-end encryption, leaving it vulnerable to unwelcome access.

Best TimeTree Alnernative: OurCal –– The Privacy-First Shared Calendar App

OurCal is the free shared calendar app helping families, couples, and groups share calendars protected with end-to-end encryption.

OurCal Shared Calendar App previews from the App Store.
Shared Calendars, Reminders, and Chat

OurCal boasts all the scheduling features of TimeTree - shared calendars, calendar chat, events, reminders, and customisation - with the added protection of certified end-to-end encryption to ensure your shared calendar is kept secure.

Key Features

  • Shared Calendars: For seamless collaboration among families, couples, and groups.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: For easy access across iOS and Android.
  • Secure Chat: End-to-end encrypted chat for quick and effective communication.
  • Calendar Groups: Create your group and invite members to share calendars instantly.
  • Calendar Customisation: Color-coding to easily categorize events and identify them at a glance.
  • Reminders & Updates: Customizable event reminders and notifications to stay on top of appointments.
  • Recurring Events: For scheduling repetitive tasks effortlessly.
  • Natural Language Input Event Creation: Just type in natural language to create events fast.
  • External Calendars: Integration with external calendars like Google Calendar and Apple Calendar.
  • Import Calendars: Easily bring existing events into OurCal from any calendar.
  • iOS Only Calendar Widgets: Choose from multiple homescreen widgets.

Privacy Features

  • Certified End-to-End Encryption: OurCal protects all your data with end-to-end encryption certified by third-party experts.
  • No Sign-Up Required: OurCal can be used without signing up, signing up will let you move account data between devices.
  • 2-Factor Authentication Required: Once signed up, we require users to add a secondary method of authentication.

TimeTree vs OurCal: The Verdict

TimeTree logo beside OurCal Shared Calendar App logo. OurCal is seen on a dark background with a blue gradient, radiating calendar security.

TimeTree has undoubtedly made significant contributions to calendar sharing, and it continues to be a valuable option for many users.

However, OurCal's advanced features, enhanced privacy, and seamless user experience makes it a superior choice for those looking for a more comprehensive calendar-sharing solution.

If you're seeking a robust and versatile app to manage and share your calendars with complete security, OurCal is the solution already serving thousands of families, couples, friends, teams, caregivers, and colleagues – the future of calendar sharing awaits.

Onin is a secure calendar app for your personal and social life. The app is currently invite-only as we gradually roll out early-access to our waitlist. For regular updates, follow us on Twitter.