OneCal Alternative: Calendar Sync That Runs on Your Mac
OneCal is a popular cloud-based calendar sync service. Very Good Calendar Sync takes a different approach: it runs entirely on your Mac, keeps your data local and costs a fraction of the price.
| Very Good Calendar Sync | OneCal | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Your Mac, native macOS app | Cloud (web-based) |
| Calendar data | Stays between you and your calendar providers | Processed on third-party servers |
| Credentials | Managed by macOS Internet Accounts | OAuth sign-in to OneCal |
| Redact mode | Built in, syncs only busy/free status | Configurable per sync |
| Day & time filters | Per-sync day and time range filters | Not available |
| Platforms | macOS | Web (any platform) |
| Free tier | Keep 2 calendars in sync, forever free | 14-day trial only |
| Pricing | From £1.99/mo or £39.99 once | From $5/user/mo (billed annually) |
| Lifetime option | Yes, £39.99, yours forever | No |
Why choose Very Good Calendar Sync?
Your data stays on your Mac
OneCal routes your calendar data through cloud servers to synchronise it. Very Good Calendar Sync runs entirely on your Mac and talks directly to your calendar providers. No middleman, no data collection, no third-party access to your schedule.
No accounts to create
OneCal requires you to sign in with your Google or Microsoft account on their website. Very Good Calendar Sync uses the calendar accounts you've already set up in macOS System Settings. No new logins, no OAuth grants to a third party.
Pay once, use forever
OneCal starts at $5 per user per month ($60/year) for just 2 calendars. Very Good Calendar Sync offers unlimited syncs from £1.99/month. Or pay £39.99 once and never think about it again. No per-user pricing, no calendar limits on paid plans.
Built for macOS
A native Mac app that sits in your menu bar and works with Calendar.app. No browser tabs to keep open, no web interface to learn. Set up your syncs once, then forget about it.
When OneCal might be the better fit
Because Very Good Calendar Sync runs on your Mac, it only syncs while your Mac is awake. If you need your calendars to stay in sync around the clock, even when your computer is off, a cloud-based service like OneCal will be a better fit.
OneCal also works on any platform with a browser, so if you're not on macOS it's a solid option. It offers scheduling links and a unified calendar view in the browser, which Very Good Calendar Sync doesn't. It focuses purely on keeping your calendars in sync.