Looking for a simple, smart, and family-friendly calendar to replace your Skylight Calendar? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re tired of syncing issues, want more free features, or just need something that fits better with your daily life, there are amazing alternatives out there. These tools are not only easy to use but also packed with features that make organizing your family or personal schedule a breeze.
What Is the Skylight Calendar?
The Skylight Calendar is a digital calendar display that sits right in your home. Think of it as a tablet or smart display mounted on your wall, showing your family’s shared calendar in real time. It’s designed to simplify family organization by allowing everyone to see what’s happening each day, from dentist appointments to soccer practice.
It connects to services like Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar, pulling events and tasks into one beautiful visual layout. With a bright, easy-to-read display and touch screen, it’s a modern replacement for traditional wall calendars or dry-erase boards. It also allows you to add chores and events right from the screen, which is super handy.
Why Look for Skylight Calendar Alternatives?
Even though Skylight Calendar is well-loved by many families, it’s not perfect for everyone. First off, it can be expensive—both the initial device and the optional paid subscription. Some families want a calendar app or display that’s free or more customizable. Others may find the features too limited, especially when trying to coordinate complex schedules across multiple devices.
Another common reason people look for Skylight Calendar alternatives is the need for better mobile integration. Some tools work better on phones, tablets, or smart displays like Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub. Others simply want more flexibility—like syncing with task apps, offering color-coded calendars, or allowing full access from anywhere.
Best Family Calendar Tools Like Skylight
If you’re searching for something like Skylight but maybe more mobile-friendly, less expensive, or packed with more features, here are some of the best family calendar tools that can do the job—and maybe even better.
Cozi Family Organizer
Cozi is one of the most popular family calendar apps for a reason. It’s simple, colorful, and built from the ground up for busy households. Whether you’re tracking soccer games, grocery lists, or dinner plans, Cozi keeps everyone on the same page.
With Cozi, each family member gets their own color in the shared calendar. You can create to-do lists, grocery lists, and even meal plans. The app works perfectly across phones, tablets, and computers. There’s also a free version that includes most core features, and a paid version with extras like birthday trackers and more themes.
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TimeTree
TimeTree is another excellent option if you want to keep your family or group organized. It’s a shared calendar app that focuses on communication and planning. What makes it different is how interactive it is. You can comment on events, make notes, and even attach images or links.
TimeTree is great for couples, roommates, or families. Each calendar can be shared with just a few or many people. It’s super mobile-friendly and works across iOS, Android, and web. Unlike Skylight, it’s completely free and full-featured.
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Google Calendar (with a twist)
Yes, we all know Google Calendar—but not everyone is using it to its full potential. When used as a shared family calendar, especially on smart devices like Nest Hub or Android tablets, Google Calendar becomes a powerful alternative to Skylight.
You can create a shared calendar, color-code everyone’s schedule, and integrate it with Google Tasks or Keep for a complete productivity suite. Pair it with a wall-mounted tablet or Echo Show, and you’ve got a DIY Skylight alternative for much less money.
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Free Calendar Apps That Work Great
If you don’t want to spend money on a physical calendar device, there are tons of free calendar apps that can still give you that same organized feeling. Apps like Cozi, TimeTree, and even Google Calendar (as mentioned above) provide robust free versions that do more than you might expect.
These apps allow shared access, reminders, notes, and lists—all from your phone. You don’t need to buy a screen when you can just use a tablet or smartphone you already have. And the best part? They’re all easy to use and set up within minutes.
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Wall Calendar Screens That Are Smart
Wall-mounted digital calendar displays are still a great idea, especially if you want a quick glance at your week without pulling out your phone. But you don’t have to be limited to Skylight. There are plenty of smart screen options that can turn your home into a command center.
Whether it’s a tablet mounted on the wall or a smart display device, you can run apps like Google Calendar, Cozi, or TimeTree on them. Some even let you customize your dashboard with weather, photos, and news.
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Amazon Echo Show
If you already own an Echo Show, or are considering buying one, it’s one of the best Skylight Calendar alternatives out there. Not only can it show your Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar, but it also supports voice commands, which is super convenient when your hands are full.
You can say things like, “Alexa, what’s on my calendar today?” or “Add dentist appointment to my calendar.” You can also use Alexa Routines to create reminders, daily schedules, and even chore lists. Plus, you get bonus features like music, recipes, and smart home control.
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Dakboard
Dakboard is another smart wall calendar option that’s fully customizable. It can show your calendar, to-do lists, weather, photos, and more on a large digital display. Many people use an old tablet or monitor and turn it into a family dashboard using Dakboard’s software.
You can link Google Calendar, iCloud, Microsoft Outlook, and even Trello or Todoist. The design is super clean and perfect for mounting in your kitchen, hallway, or office. It’s an excellent DIY solution that gives you full control over the layout.
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Calendars That Work Well With Phones
Let’s face it—everyone’s glued to their phones. So having a calendar that works smoothly across iPhone and Android is a must. Thankfully, apps like Google Calendar, Cozi, TimeTree, and Apple Calendar do exactly that. They sync across devices, send notifications, and update in real-time.
If you have both Android and iPhone users in your household, make sure to pick a calendar app that works across platforms. Shared calendars and notifications make life easier, especially when planning family trips, school pickups, or dinner nights.
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What to Look for in a Family Calendar App
When choosing a family calendar alternative to Skylight, here are some things to look for:
- Ease of Use: Can a 10-year-old or grandparent use it easily?
- Sharing Features: Can you invite others and manage multiple users?
- Color Coding: Helps visually separate each person’s events.
- Reminders & Alerts: Crucial for staying on track.
- Device Compatibility: Does it work on phones, tablets, or smart displays?
- Customization: Can you change layouts or themes?
- Free vs Paid: What do you get without a subscription?
Finding the right tool is all about matching it with how your family operates.
How to Switch From Skylight Calendar
Switching from Skylight Calendar to another app or device doesn’t have to be complicated. First, choose your new tool—maybe it’s Cozi, TimeTree, or Google Calendar. Then, export your existing events if Skylight supports it (usually via connected Google or Apple Calendar), and import them into your new app.
Set up sharing permissions for your family, install the app on all phones and tablets, and mount a display if you want that “wall calendar” experience. With everything synced, you’ll be up and running in no time.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to stick with just one solution like the Skylight Calendar when there are so many amazing options out there. Whether you want a free shared family calendar app, a smart display like Echo Show, or a customizable dashboard like Dakboard, there’s something perfect for your lifestyle.
The key is finding a calendar tool that’s easy, reliable, and flexible enough to grow with your needs. With the right setup, your family can stay connected, on schedule, and a lot less stressed—without breaking the bank.
No matter which Skylight Calendar alternative you choose, you’re one step closer to a more organized life—and that’s always a win.
