BusyCal vs OmniFocus
OmniFocus organizes projects and tasks, with nested project structure and regular reviews. BusyCal focuses on calendar planning, with tasks alongside events. It brings iCloud, Google, Microsoft 365 and Exchange, and CalDAV calendars into one window.
Last reviewed: October 16, 2026.
At a Glance
| Criteria | BusyCal | OmniFocus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary model | Calendar-first scheduling | Project and task management |
| Best fit | Planning around time and availability | Breaking projects into tasks and reviewing progress |
| Strength | Calendar context and schedule visibility | Project hierarchy and task control |
| Trade-off | Lighter project hierarchy | Fewer calendar planning tools |
Calendar & Sync Comparison
| Capability | BusyCal | OmniFocus |
|---|---|---|
| Native CalDAV account sync | ✓ | |
| Microsoft 365 / Exchange calendar sync | ✓ | |
| Calendar subscriptions (.ics / holiday feeds) | ✓ | |
| Multiple provider calendars in one app (iCloud + Google + Exchange + CalDAV) | ✓ | |
| Calendar views (Day / Week / Month / Year Planner) | ✓ | |
| Calendar Groups | ✓ | |
| Smart Date Picker with real-time suggestions | ✓ | Accepts shorthand, no suggestions |
| Favorite Time Zones | ✓ | |
| Show event locations on a map | ✓ | |
| Apple Watch app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Widgets (multiple sizes) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shortcuts / Siri integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Task-database sync via first-party cloud or WebDAV | ✓ |
Where OmniFocus May Be Better
- You want to break projects into smaller tasks and review them regularly.
- You follow a structured method for managing tasks.
- You prefer OmniFocus sync via Omni Sync Server or WebDAV.
Where BusyCal May Be Better
- You want to plan calendar events and tasks together.
- You plan work around calendar events and available time.
- You need to see several calendars together.
- You want Calendar Groups to organize many calendars into folders.
- You want to see iCloud, Google, Microsoft 365, Exchange, and CalDAV calendars in one app.
- You want to view event locations on a map and include travel time in your schedule.
Booking Meetings with BusyCal
Use BusyCal Bookings to let clients or colleagues choose an available meeting time through a link. For example, offer a 30-minute project call with a break afterward. Bookings checks busy times from your chosen calendars, lets you approve requests if needed, and adds confirmed meetings to your calendar. Learn More.
Bookings is currently available only in BusyCal for Mac. Once you activate it on your Mac, the iPhone app automatically syncs free/busy times if both devices use the same iCloud account. Access depends on your Mac license’s update coverage, an active Mac App Store subscription or Setapp membership, or the free trial. See the access requirements.
BusyCal Account Sync Docs
- Office 365 via Microsoft Graph
- CalDAV account sync
- Public WebDAV calendar subscriptions
- Google Calendar sync
- iCloud calendar sync
- View event locations and plan travel time
Common Questions
- Does BusyCal sync with OmniFocus?
- Not directly, but OmniFocus can publish its items as a WebDAV subscription, and BusyCal can subscribe to it. BusyCal has built-in support for CalDAV and WebDAV servers and subscriptions, so it works with any app that supports the same.
- Can BusyCal manage projects the way OmniFocus does?
- Not to the same depth. OmniFocus is built for project hierarchy, review cycles, and sequential tasks. BusyCal keeps tasks beside your calendar for time-based planning instead.
- Is BusyCal a subscription?
- No. BusyCal for Mac is a one-time purchase of $49.99 from our store, with a perpetual license and a free 14-day trial. BusyCal for iPhone and iPad is $9.99 on the App Store.
Official Links
Want to compare a few more options before deciding? Browse all BusyCal comparison guides.