Fantastical
Flexibits Inc.
Fantastical is an award-winning calendar app for macOS with powerful features like natural language text parsing, multiple calendar views (day, week, month, quarter, year), a mini window for quick access, tasks and reminders support, and time zone management. It aims to be the best calendar and tasks app you'll ever use, streamlining event and task creation with beautiful views and a smart event list.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Intuitive natural language input for event creation
- Beautiful and customizable interface
- Cross-platform availability (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)
- Integration of calendars and reminders/tasks
- Powerful features for managing schedules and events
Top Dislikes
- Subscription-based pricing model
- Can be expensive compared to free alternatives
- Some features locked behind premium subscription
- Notifications issues reported by some users
Popular Comments
Julian - Medium
2023
Fantastical Premium is an app I can't live without... (Fantastical is) ... the only calendar app I need, offering more power and flexibility than any alternative from Apple or the App Store.
Federico Viticci - MacStories
2023
(Fantastical is) ... the only calendar app I need, offering more power and flexibility than any alternative from Apple or the App Store.
John Gruber - Daring Fireball
2023
The interface of the apps, as usual from Flexibits, is exquisite.
Jomama64 - App Store User
2022-08-16
Longtime user, it's time for me to leave... I've had your $40 subscription for a couple of years now. I've stuck with you even when you would just crash on my macbook every day to the point where I had to uninstall the desktop application entirely.
AlexReyes - MacUpdate User
2021-06-01
I never thought I'd find a Calendar app liked so much but Fantastical has won me over.
zlazkow - MacUpdate User
2023-02-06
very-heavy-duty (70mb!!!) .....for just a 'calendar' ??? plus 'subscription'.. amazing!
Detailed Review
Fantastical is a highly-regarded calendar application for macOS, praised for its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and seamless integration across Apple devices. Developed by Flexibits, it is designed to enhance the native calendar experience with features like natural language input for creating events and tasks, and versatile calendar views including day, week, month, quarter, and year. While the base app is available for free, accessing its full potential requires a subscription to Fantastical Premium, which unlocks advanced features and cross-device sync.
Standout Features
- Natural Language Input: Quickly add events and tasks by typing phrases like "Dinner with Sarah on Tuesday at 7pm" and Fantastical intelligently parses the details.
- Multiple Calendar Views: Offers a variety of views (day, week, month, quarter, year) to suit different scheduling needs, providing both detailed and overview perspectives.
- Tasks and Reminders Integration: Manages both calendar events and tasks in one place, integrating with Apple Reminders, Todoist, and Google Tasks.
- Cross-Platform Sync: Available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, ensuring your schedule is consistent across all your Apple devices (with premium subscription).
- Calendar Sets: Allows users to create sets of calendars to view specific aspects of their schedule, like work or personal events, enhancing focus and organization.
- Meeting Proposals & Openings: Premium feature to streamline scheduling meetings by suggesting times and availability.
Conclusion
Fantastical is a robust and beautifully designed calendar app that significantly improves upon the default macOS Calendar. Its natural language input and flexible views make scheduling and managing events efficient and enjoyable. For users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and seeking a feature-rich calendar experience, Fantastical Premium is a worthwhile investment. However, the subscription model and cost may be a barrier for users content with basic calendar functionalities or those seeking free alternatives. While the free version offers a good starting point, the true power of Fantastical is unlocked with a premium subscription.
