Andy Walker / Android Authority
Earlier this year, I searched for a new Android calendar app to replace Google Calendar. I tried Business Calendar 2 and Digical, and both presented viable alternatives with plenty of value adds. However, and this is important, neither of these apps is an independent platform — they both still rely on Google Calendar to save and serve events. To find a true G Cal alternative, I’d have to look elsewhere. That’s where my curiosity about Proton Calendar comes in.
Perhaps best known for its VPN and mail clients, the Swiss-based company Proton offers users a complete calendaring platform independent of Google Calendar. Proton Calendar is one of the front-running contenders for those who want to deGoogle their devices and their lives. But is it any good? Well, I tried it, and I have mixed feelings.
Which is the best calendaring platform? 40 votes Google Calendar 50 % Proton Calendar 23 % Another calendaring service (mention which in comments) 28 %
The Google Calendar question and the Proton answer
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Despite my reliance on its services, I won’t for a minute suggest that everything Google makes is the best in its class. This is also true for Calendar. While I rely on the app as a core part of my productivity workflow, I’m not so stuck in my ways to completely shirk potential alternatives. There’s also the question of privacy, which Proton continues to push as part of its product identity. Despite this stance, you will be required to create an account to test any of its apps or services. If you want to merely glimpse the other side of the fence, I suggest you use a throwaway email address. Nevertheless, the sign-up process is straightforward. I also appreciate that Proton lets me create an account for all of its services in the Calendar app and doesn’t require me to hop onto a web platform or the Mail app.
After selecting a username, creating a password, and solving a CAPTCHA, you can access the Proton Calendar interface. Notably, before I added any calendars of my own, the app already included a “Holidays in South Africa” calendar. That’s pretty useful, but also highly problematic — I’ll explain why in a bit.
Proton Calendar places an emphasis on privacy and security.
As for the interface, it might be my favorite aspect of Proton Calendar’s purple palette. It’s gorgeous, packing clean lines, satisfying font weight and spacing, and plenty of calendar views. You’ll find none of the overly playful Google aesthetic that can grow decidedly annoying in certain views. Speaking of, like Business Calendar 2 and DigiCal, I can choose between broad month-wide, week-wide, or shorter day or 3-day views. But I absolutely love the Agenda option, which stacks month and single-day views on top of one another. I’d happily trade this for Google’s Schedule alternative.
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