Is BusyCal worth the price?
BusyCal's pricing is fair, offering perpetual licenses for its Mac applications at $49.99 each, or a bundle for $79.99.
The iOS app is a very reasonable one-time purchase of $9.99. This model is generous for users who prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions, especially with included updates for a significant period.
Pricing Plans
Free TrialBusyCal + BusyContacts Complete Productivity Bundle (New Customers)
$79.99 USD
- Perpetual license
- All updates, improvements, and new features until 2 August, 2027
BusyCal (New Customers)
$49.99 USD
- Perpetual license
- Advanced Calendar Management
- Requires macOS 11.0+
- All updates, improvements, and new features until 2 August, 2027
BusyContacts (New Customers)
$49.99 USD
- Perpetual license
- Powerful Contact Management
- Requires macOS 12.0+
- All updates, improvements, and new features until 2 August, 2027
BusyCal iOS (New Customers)
$9.99 USD
- Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
- Requires iOS 15.0+
- One-time purchase
- No subscription required
- Supports Family Sharing
BusyCal Renewal
$39.99 USD
- Latest Version + additional 18 months of updates included
- Requires macOS 11.0+
BusyContacts Renewal
$39.99 USD
- Latest Version + additional 18 months of updates included
- Requires macOS 12.0+
BusyCal Sidegrade (if you own BusyContacts)
$29.99 USD
- Requires macOS 11.0+
- Discounted pricing for existing customers
BusyContacts Sidegrade (if you own BusyCal)
$29.99 USD
- Requires macOS 12.0+
- Discounted pricing for existing customers
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Updates beyond August 2027 require renewal ($39.99)
Separate purchases for Mac and iOS versions
Requires specific macOS/iOS versions
Which Plan Do You Need?
Mac users seeking perpetual license
Professionals needing robust calendar/contact management
Users avoiding subscription fatigue
How BusyCal Compares to Competitors
Compared to Fantastical, which primarily uses a subscription model (e.g., $4.99/month or $39.99/year for premium features), BusyCal's one-time purchase of $49.99 for the Mac app offers better long-term value for users who prefer ownership. Apple Calendar is free but lacks the advanced features BusyCal provides.
BusyCal Pricing FAQ
How much does BusyCal cost?
BusyCal starts at $9.99/month on the BusyCal iOS (New Customers) plan. It offers 8 paid tiers ranging from $9.99/month up to $29.99/month.
Does BusyCal have a free plan?
BusyCal does not offer a permanent free plan. However, a free trial is available.
Does BusyCal offer a free trial?
Yes, BusyCal offers a free trial. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.
What is the cheapest BusyCal paid plan?
The cheapest paid plan for BusyCal is "BusyCal iOS (New Customers)" at $9.99/month. Key features include: Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, Requires iOS 15.0+, One-time purchase.
Is there a cheaper alternative to BusyCal?
Yes. Popular alternatives to BusyCal include Cron, Reclaim, SkedPal. Free alternatives include Cron, Reclaim. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to BusyCal
Direct competitors with similar features. Many offer free tiers or lower per-seat pricing.
