I ditched Google Calendar for Proton Calendar, and that was a mistake

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Earlier this 12 months, I looked for a brand new Android calendar app to exchange Google Calendar. I attempted Enterprise Calendar 2 and Digical, and each offered viable alternate options with loads of worth provides. Nonetheless, and that is necessary, neither of those apps is an impartial platform — they each nonetheless depend on Google Calendar to avoid wasting and serve occasions. To discover a true G Cal different, I’d need to look elsewhere. That’s the place my curiosity about Proton Calendar is available in.

Maybe greatest recognized for its VPN and mail purchasers, the Swiss-based firm Proton provides customers a whole calendaring platform impartial of Google Calendar. Proton Calendar is without doubt one of the front-running contenders for individuals who wish to deGoogle their units and their lives. However is it any good? Nicely, I attempted it, and I've blended emotions.

Which is the perfect calendaring platform? 13 votes

Google Calendar

54%

Proton Calendar

0%

One other calendaring service (point out which in feedback)

46%

The Google Calendar query and the Proton reply

<img class="e_ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="proton calendar google calendar 3" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="proton calendar google calendar 3" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-3.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

Regardless of my reliance on its providers, I gained’t for a minute counsel that every thing Google makes is the perfect in its class. That is additionally true for Calendar. Whereas I depend on the app as a core a part of my productiveness workflow, I’m not so caught in my methods to utterly shirk potential alternate options. There’s additionally the query of privateness, which Proton continues to push as a part of its product identification. Regardless of this stance, you'll be required to create an account to check any of its apps or providers. If you wish to merely glimpse the opposite aspect of the fence, I counsel you utilize a throwaway e mail deal with. However, the sign-up course of is simple. I additionally admire that Proton lets me create an account for all of its providers within the Calendar app and doesn’t require me to hop onto an internet platform or the Mail app.

After deciding on a username, making a password, and fixing a CAPTCHA, you possibly can entry the Proton Calendar interface. Notably, earlier than I added any calendars of my very own, the app already included a “Holidays in South Africa” calendar. That’s fairly helpful, but additionally extremely problematic — I’ll clarify why in a bit.

Proton Calendar locations an emphasis on privateness and safety.

As for the interface, it may be my favourite facet of Proton Calendar’s purple palette. It’s beautiful, packing clear strains, satisfying font weight and spacing, and loads of calendar views. You’ll discover not one of the overly playful Google aesthetic that may develop decidedly annoying in sure views. Talking of, like Enterprise Calendar 2 and DigiCal, I can select between broad month-wide, week-wide, or shorter day or 3-day views. However I completely love the Agenda possibility, which stacks month and single-day views on prime of each other. I’d fortunately commerce this for Google’s Schedule different.

Creating an occasion is so simple as deciding on a date after which tapping the + button. The occasion creation display screen is essentially according to Google and different calendar apps of its ilk, offering some extent of familiarity. However, finally, that is the place I began to note the clear gulf between Proton Calendar and Google Calendar.

<img class="e_ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="proton calendar google calendar 4" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="proton calendar google calendar 4" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-4.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

Whereas it’s in all probability obvious, contemplating that it doesn’t plug into Google’s providers, Proton lacks the choice to incorporate a Drive attachment. This shall be a deal-breaker for some, particularly those that depend on the simple interchange of content material through e mail. Google additionally makes it a lot simpler to collaborate relating to schedules. When deciding on a time in Proton, you’re counting on guesswork that the occasion recipient is out there. Proton additionally lacks the choice to simply share a calendar with others, a function that I depend on particularly with my accomplice and household. Then, in fact, there’s integration with different Google providers, like Meet.

This isn’t the one drawback I got here throughout whereas utilizing Proton.

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<img class="e_ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> The place the Proton expertise falls aside

<img class="e_ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="proton calendar google calendar 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="proton calendar google calendar 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/proton-calendar-google-calendar-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

A number of Proto Calendar options are solely accessible once you scoop some money into the corporate’s pocket. Relying on how you're feeling concerning the different Proton choices, like VPN, Mail, Cross, and Drive, you won't wish to fork out $9.99 month-to-month simply to entry a handful of further options. Nonetheless, one necessary function calls for fee: entry to greater than three calendars.

Checking my Google Calendar, I've over 12 calendars throughout my household, work, and private accounts. I’d need to pay for Proton Calendar to get pleasure from this freely out there function on Google Calendar. Given the real lack of distinctive options right here and the truth that I don’t use another Proton product, I don’t see the necessity.

In contrast to Google Calendar, Proton locks in any other case freely-available options behind a paywall.

Whereas Proton makes importing Google calendars tremendous easy, I couldn’t import occasions from a number of calendars right into a single Proton calendar, making this restriction extra painful. This could go a great distance towards skirting that three-calendar restrict.

A premium Proton subscription additionally unlocks a handful of different calendar options, together with the choice to color-code occasions. For a lot of, this vital organizational function permits customers to establish leisure, work, private tasks, and different classes extra instantly. I perceive the necessity for smaller firms to cost for his or her providers, however do we actually have to lock such a universally out there function behind a paywall?

Why pay for options that I presently get at no cost?

<img class="e_ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Google Calendar app on smartphone stock photo (1)" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Google Calendar app on smartphone stock photo (1)" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Calendar-app-on-smartphone-stock-photo-1.jpg"/> Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

I do know: “When you aren’t paying for a service, you're the product,” as they are saying. However, when you aren’t obsessed together with your on-line privateness, I don’t explicitly see the necessity to pay for Proton Calendar to entry options that I get at no cost on Google Calendar. I do know paying for Proton gained’t get me Calendar alone, however premium options throughout Proton’s different providers. Nonetheless, this doesn’t fulfill my necessities if all I’m in search of is a calendaring answer and nothing else.

Granted, I can perceive the value-add for individuals who already pay for Proton VPN or Proton Mail might wish to soar in on Calendar too. With the $9.99/month Limitless subscription, you achieve assist for as much as 25 calendars, which ought to be greater than sufficient for the common person, and the choice to assign colours to occasions. You resolve if that’s definitely worth the value or not. Frankly, I can’t fairly perceive why premium customers nonetheless have an arbitrary calendar restrict.

When you're coming from Google Calendar, want an alternate, and do not wish to pay for it, look elsewhere.

Total, I like Proton Calendar as an app. It’s fast and cheerful, well-designed, and steady. The fundamentals are there, and there are greater than sufficient calendar viewing choices to fulfill my wants. It even trumps Google’s providing in sure facets. Nonetheless, a calendar app is greater than the app alone, and as a longtime Google Calendar person, that is the place Proton fails me.

The restrict of simply three calendars is the true deal breaker for Google Calendar people with extremely particular workflows. That features me and presumably many different potential customers.