WE KNEW THIS day was coming. No, literally; Microsoft said it was going to shutter Sunrise nearly a year ago, after it bought the popular calendar app for over $100 million. Some of the app’s features have been absorbed into Outlook, others are now just pixels fading to black. But don’t fret! This may be the first morning without Sunrise, but there are plenty of other darn good calendar apps to get you through the day.
The crazy-powerful Mac calendar app lives on your iPhone and iPad as well. Sure, it’s five dollars (on sale now for $3), but it’s pretty great! It works with Google Calendar, Outlook, and Exchange, but what sets it apart is a slick design, and clever tricks like understanding natural-language event entries (“two o’clock picnic with the colonel” gets the job done). The only real snag is that it’s iOS only, and you’ll need to buy it separately for iPhone and iPad. (iOS)
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Google Calendar
Sorry, I know, this is an obvious pick. But you know what? It’s also dependable, cross-platform, and free. If you use Gmail, it’ll automatically pull in helpful information like upcoming flights. It’s not a flashy choice, but it offers clean, easily digestible views of your upcoming events. Besides, maybe don’t go looking for flashy from your calendar app in the first place. (iOS,Android)
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Calendars 5
Another paid, iOS-only pick, but also another calendar app that’s worth it. Calendars 5 has natural language and drag-and-drop support, integrates with your iPhone’s Calendar and Reminders apps as well as Google Calendar, lets you fine-tune reminders, and looks good doing it. It’s $7 (eep) but it’s also universal, meaning one purchase covers you for iPhone and iPad alike. (iOS)
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Cal
Let’s get cross-platform! Cal is as solid an app as it is a name for a sporty uncle. If you use Any.do as a to-do list, then this is a no-brainer; it’s the same developer, and the two integrate seamlessly. Even if not, though, Cal offers some clever tricks, like suggesting contacts to invite based on an event’s name. Its design can be photo-heavy, but it’s mostly clear and communicative. And it’s free. (iOS, Android)
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DigiCal
Here’s one for the Android folks! And it really is something. Seven different calendar views, six different customizable widgets, 42 colors to play with, purchasable bonus calendars with sporting events, TV shows, holidays, and more, a built-in weather forecast upgrade, Google Now integration, and that’s just for starters. If you’re inclined to tinker, this is your calendar, full stop. There’s a free version with ads, or you can fork over five bucks to go ad-free and unlock a few otherwise paid features. (Android)
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SolCalendar
One underrated benefit of Sunrise? It actually looked good. That’s harder than it might seem (apparently) for a calendar app. SolCalendar captures some of that aesthetic appeal without skimping on features; it’s got Google Maps, Google Tasks, and Foursquare integration, a lunar calendar, weather forecasts, and free stickers (nowhere on your phone is safe from stickers) A lot of apps offer pieces of that, for an upcharge. On SolCalendar, it’s all free. (Android)
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Outlook
You can resent Outlook for being the tangential cause of Sunrise’s demise, but Outlook also offers the most Sunrise-like experience out there. Besides which, it’s actually a pretty great email app no matter what platform you’re on. Go figure! (iOS, Android)
