Howbout review

Howbout is the most social app on this list. Instead of starting from a shared calendar, it starts from the planning problem: finding a time that works for a group. While you make a plan, you can see your group's schedules and check everyone's availability for the date you have in mind. Plans carry headers, locations, details, RSVPs and reminders, and each event has a group chat for updates, photos, videos and GIFs. Privacy is flexible, since you can share your whole calendar or only your availability. Howbout also syncs work, school and personal calendars so plans do not clash, and it says it has 10M downloads. The app is free; Howbout+ costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year on the US App Store and adds colors, themes and smarter planning tools. It runs on iOS and Android only, with no web app mentioned on its site, and it has no admin roles, so it fits friends and couples better than clubs with officers or small work teams.

Who it is for

Friend groups, couples and roommates who want to find a free evening without a long chat thread.

Price

Free; Howbout+ $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year (about $3.33 per month) on the US App Store.

Howbout+ Monthly $4.99 Howbout+ Annual $39.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• See friends' availability while you make plans
• Share your full calendar or only your availability
• Plans with locations, details, RSVPs and reminders
• Built-in group chat with photos, videos and GIFs on events
• Import of work, school and personal calendars

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Built for the question of when everyone is free
• Strength: Chat sits next to each plan, so details stay in one place
• Strength: You choose whether friends see events or just availability
• Weakness: Mobile apps only, on iOS and Android
• Weakness: Extra customization and planning tools sit behind Howbout+
• Weakness: Aimed at social plans, with no admin controls for teams

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes
• Howbout+: $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year (US App Store)
• Platforms: iOS and Android
• Downloads: 10M, per Howbout

Where it ranks

Howbout is No. 3 in our Best Shared Calendar Apps verdict.