6 Best Fantastical Alternatives in 2024: Features, Pricing, and Detailed Comparison

What is Fantastical?

Fantastical is a renowned calendar application that has earned a strong reputation among Apple device users for its innovative features and user-friendly design. Known for its natural language processing capabilities and aesthetic interface, Fantastical offers a blend of traditional and advanced functionalities, making it a popular choice for those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.

This app not only excels in calendar management but also integrates several smart features to enhance the overall experience of planning and scheduling. Here’s a detailed look at the features that define Fantastical and its place in the realm of productivity tools.

Our review of Fantastical

Fantastical is appreciated for its user-friendly experience and robust features, including effective task and time-blocking capabilities, and natural language input for event addition. However, its premium version is required for full functionality, and it may not be as rapidly evolving as some AI-integrated calendar apps. Moreover, its focus on the Apple ecosystem limits its cross-platform utility. Despite these drawbacks, Fantastical remains a solid choice for Apple users seeking a reliable and well-designed calendar app.

6 Best Alternatives to Fantastical

1. Akiflow
2. Todoist
3. TickTick
4. Things 3
5. Microsoft To Do
6. Google Tasks

Best Alternative to Fantastical: Akiflow

What is Akiflow

Akiflow is a cutting-edge task management and calendar tool designed for the modern, efficiency-seeking individual. It stands out in the crowded field of productivity apps due to its unique blend of features and functionalities, catering to those who aspire to optimize their time and streamline their workflows.

Akiflow is more than just an application; it’s a comprehensive solution for managing your daily tasks, meetings, and personal commitments, all in one integrated platform. Let’s delve into the detailed features that make Akiflow a game-changer in personal and professional productivity.

Key Features of Akiflow

• All-in-One Integration: Akiflow connects with tools like Gmail, Slack, Notion, Asana, and more. It keeps all your tasks and emails in one place.
• Time Blocking and Alerts: Plan your day with time blocks for different tasks. Get customizable alerts for your meetings and tasks.
• Share Your Schedule Easily: With Akiflow, you can easily share when you’re free with your team, making scheduling meetings hassle-free.
• Command Bar: Manage your tasks fast. Use the Command Bar to add, change, or remove tasks and events quickly.
• Simple Navigation, Instant Updates: Switch through the app easily with keyboard shortcuts. Changes you make are updated everywhere right away.
• Easy to Use, Everywhere, Anytime: Akiflow’s design is simple and works on both computers and mobiles. You can even use it without the internet.

Akiflow Pricing

Akiflow offers three main pricing options:

(i) Monthly Premium Plan: Priced at $34 per month

(ii) Yearly Premium Plan: Costs $19 per month, billed annually, which allows you to save 40% compared to the monthly plan.

(iii) Believer Plan: Costs $8.33 per month which is billed every five years, leading to a total of $500 per five years.

In addition to these plans, Akiflow offers discounts for military personnel, students, and healthcare workers. You can contact Akiflow’s support team for more information on these discounts.

Check our detailed comparison of Fantastical vs Akiflow

Todoist

Todoist stands out in the productivity tool landscape with its straightforward yet powerful approach to task management. Renowned for its clean design and user-friendly interface, Todoist simplifies the process of managing daily tasks and long-term projects. It allows users to create, organize, and prioritize tasks with ease, making it an ideal choice for individuals and teams alike. With features like recurring tasks, reminders, and progress tracking, Todoist effectively helps users stay on top of their responsibilities.

Key Features of Todoist

• Task Management: Create, track, and complete tasks with Todoist. Set deadlines, priorities, and reminders for each task.
• Project Organization: Group your tasks into different projects like work, personal, or travel plans. Break them down into smaller subtasks and sections for better organization.
• Labels and Filters: Use labels to categorize your tasks. Filters help you find tasks quickly, like those due today or high-priority ones.
• Recurring Tasks: Set up tasks that repeat regularly, like daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Team Collaboration: Share projects with others, assign tasks, and work together within the app.
• Works Everywhere and Easy to Use: Use Todoist on web browsers, desktops (Windows, macOS), and mobile apps (iOS, Android). The interface is simple, making it easy to start using right away.

Todoist Pricing

(i) Free Version: Suitable for basic task management needs.

(ii) Pro Plan: Typically priced around $3 to $5 per month when billed annually.

(iii) Business Plan: Generally costs about $5 to $10 per user per month when billed annually.

Todoist offers a flexible pricing model catering to a range of users, from individuals to business teams. The free version is a major draw for users with basic requirements.

Check our detailed comparison of Fantastical vs Todoist

TickTick

TickTick emerges as a versatile and comprehensive productivity tool in the crowded task management space. Known for its multifaceted features, TickTick caters to a wide range of users, from busy professionals to students seeking a structured approach to their tasks. The app offers a robust set of functionalities including task management, reminders, habit tracking, and even a built-in Pomodoro timer, making it a multifunctional tool for personal and professional use.

Key Features of TickTick

• Voice-Enabled Task Entry: Use voice commands for adding tasks quickly.
• Direct Task Creation from Emails: Easily transform emails into actionable tasks.
• Automated Reminder Setup: Set reminders intelligently based on dates mentioned in tasks.
• Customizable Task Duration: Allocate specific lengths of time to each task.
• Diverse Reminder Options: Set up different types of reminders, including those based on your location.
• Repeating Task Functionality: Simplify the management of tasks that occur on a regular basis.

TickTick Pricing

TickTick offers a tiered pricing structure to cater to different user needs, including a free version with basic functionalities.

(i) Free Version: TickTick’s free version provides a few task management features suitable for individual users

(ii) Premium Plan: For features like detailed calendar views, smart reminders, and enhanced collaboration tools, TickTick offers a Premium plan. The cost of this plan is typically around $35.99 per user per annum.

Check our detailed comparison of Fantastical vs TickTick

Things 3

Things 3, a distinguished entrant in the productivity tools arena, is acclaimed for its elegant design and powerful organizational capabilities. It’s a task management app that combines simplicity with a rich set of features, making it a favorite among users who appreciate both aesthetics and functionality. With its intuitive interface, Things 3 allows for effortless management of to-dos, reminders, and projects, all within a visually pleasing environment. The tool stands out for its unique task categorization approach and seamless synchronization across devices, ensuring users can stay organized wherever they go.

Key Features of Things 3

• Task Management: Organize your tasks easily with deadlines, priorities, and reminders.
• Project Organization: Group tasks into projects with subtasks and sections for better management.
• Calendar Integration: See your calendar events alongside your to-dos for effective planning.
• Quick Task Entry: Add tasks quickly while working in other apps, even using Siri for hands-free entry.
• Customizable Tags: Use tags for easy categorization and searching of tasks.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Keep your tasks updated across all your Apple devices with Things Cloud.

Things 3 Pricing

Things 3 requires purchasing separate applications for different Apple devices: $49.99 for macOS, $9.99 for iPhone and Apple Watch, and $19.99 for iPad, totaling around $80 for the full suite.

Check our detailed comparison of Fantastical vs Things 3

Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To-Do is a streamlined and user-friendly task management application that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem. Designed to enhance productivity for both individual and professional use, MS To-Do stands out with its simple yet effective interface. It allows users to create lists, set reminders, and track tasks across various devices, ensuring accessibility and convenience. The app’s integration with Microsoft services like Outlook makes it a natural choice for users already embedded in the Microsoft environment. MS To-Do’s focus on simplicity and integration caters to those who need a straightforward, no-frills approach to task management while benefiting from the robustness of Microsoft’s technology.

Key Features of Microsoft To Do

• Task Addition: Easily add tasks and organize them in custom lists.
• Task Details: Add due dates, reminders, and files to tasks.
• Task Prioritization: Mark tasks as important for better focus.
• List Sharing and Collaboration: Share lists with others and assign tasks.
• Integration with Microsoft Tools: Seamlessly works with Outlook, Cortana, and other Microsoft applications.
• Customizable Themes and Backgrounds: Personalize the app with various themes and backgrounds for a unique user experience.

Microsoft To Do Pricing

MS To do is absolutely free.

Check our detailed comparison of Fantastical vs Microsoft To Do

Google Tasks

Google Tasks, a part of the extensive Google ecosystem, is a straightforward and efficient task management tool known for its simplicity and integration with other Google services. This app is particularly effective for those who are already using Google Workspace, as it seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Google Calendar, and other Google apps. The minimalist design of Google Tasks allows users to quickly add, organize, and track tasks without the complexity of more feature-heavy tools. Its ease of use and accessibility across devices make it a practical choice for individuals looking to manage their to-dos within the familiar Google environment.

Key Features of Google Tasks

• Simple Task Management: Easily create, edit, and manage tasks.
• Google Workspace Integration: Seamlessly works with Gmail and Google Calendar.
• Subtasks: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
• Due Dates and Reminders: Set due dates and get notifications.
• Customizable Views: Organize tasks by date or priority in different views.
• Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Reorder tasks as needed with a simple drag-and-drop.

Google Tasks Pricing

Google Tasks is free to use.

Check our detailed comparison of Fantastical vs Google Tasks

Conclusion: The Ideal Fantastical Alternative?

Among these top 6 alternatives to Fantastical, you’ll find the support, features, and functionality you require. One standout choice is of course, Akiflow.

Why? Akiflow offers an array of powerful productivity-boosting features, including a universal inbox to centralise your tasks, time blocking for efficient schedule management, keyboard shortcuts for quick task actions, extensive integrations with your favorite tools, and a focus mode to help you complete tasks faster. Plus, Akiflow’s Command Bar, Inbox & Calendar, Share Availability, Rituals, and more are all designed to optimize your workflow and increase productivity.

Akiflow stands out by making time management easy with its beautifully organized schedule, allowing you to easily drag and drop tasks into open calendar slots, creating tasks with any recurrence, and providing a seamless integration between calendar and tasks with the use of keyboard shortcuts. This integration helps in avoiding the hassle of switching contexts, making it a one-stop solution for managing your schedule and tasks efficiently.

Sign up for Akiflow today to take your productivity to the next level.