Howbout

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2020
Developer: Zyng (inferred from Android package)
Pricing: Freemium
Open source: No
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web

Indexes

Calendar

Overview

Howbout is a shared calendar application designed for coordinating plans with friends. It enables users to view friends' availability, create group events, and manage schedules through color-coded overlays and privacy controls.¹²⁵⁸ Targeted at social users seeking an engaging alternative to traditional calendars, it emphasizes quick planning and visual appeal without revealing sensitive event details.⁵⁷

Key Features

Instant Availability - Overlays friends' schedules to show color-coded free (green) and busy (red) times for quick planning.
Plan Creation - Create events with categories, invite friends from contacts, set locations, and adjust availability impact.
Privacy Controls - Set events to share with Friends, Best Friends, or No one, hiding details from non-invited users.
Color-Coded Organization - Toggle between friends' calendars using colors for groups, flatmates, or teams.
In-App Chat - Communicate within plans for coordination and updates.
Profile Customization - Upload or remove profile pictures and personalize calendar colors.
Event Editing - Edit, rearrange, or cancel plans post-creation.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	Free	Basic shared calendar, plan creation, availability checks, privacy settings.
Premium	Not specified in sources	Advanced features (inferred from freemium model).

Platforms & Requirements

Available on iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play, and web at howbout.app. No minimum requirements detailed; functions as native mobile apps with web access. Limitations not specified per platform.¹²⁸

Integrations & Ecosystem

Phone contacts for inviting friends
Native calendar sync
In-app chat
Mutual friends visibility

Alternatives

App	Difference
OurCal	OurCal emphasizes privacy branding more than Howbout, which focuses on vibrant UI and speed.⁵
Google Calendar	Google Calendar offers broader professional sharing; Howbout prioritizes social friend planning with fun visuals.
Apple Calendar	Apple Calendar integrates natively with iOS; Howbout adds social availability overlays and event privacy.
Fantastical	Fantastical provides advanced natural language input; Howbout specializes in friend-specific shared views.

Reputation

Howbout is perceived as a fun, visually appealing shared calendar for friends, with strengths in instant availability checks and easy social planning.¹²⁵ Users appreciate its speed and color-coded interface over more privacy-focused competitors like OurCal.⁵ No major criticisms noted in available sources, though promotional claims like '#1 shared calendar' appear in app stores without independent verification.¹²

Sources (9)