Howbout review
Howbout keeps family availability, plans and event conversations together on mobile.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Howbout is a mobile shared-calendar app for families, couples, friends and roommates. It brings shared calendars, availability views, plans, reminders and event-specific chat into one place. Families can use it for school runs, appointments, weekends and vacations, while groups can coordinate around changing schedules. The free plan covers core calendar coordination, and the app is available on iOS and Android.
The plan structure is straightforward. Free includes a shared calendar, availability sharing, plans and event details, plus real-time notifications. Howbout+ Monthly and Howbout+ Annual add premium customization and additional planning features. The two paid options provide different billing periods rather than different listed feature sets. Subscription pricing is shown through the US App Store and may vary by country and platform, so buyers should review the applicable listing before subscribing.
Availability is the standout workflow: family members and groups can share when they are free, while privacy controls let users manage calendar and availability visibility. Plans can include locations, notes and reminders, and event-specific group chat keeps related messages and media with the event. Synchronization with Google Calendar, Outlook and iCloud helps it fit alongside existing calendars, while real-time notifications and home-screen widgets support ongoing coordination. Howbout suits families and small groups that prioritize shared availability and event planning. Those wanting a broader household-management tool or a non-mobile deployment should consider a different option.
Questions about Howbout
Does Howbout have a free plan? Yes, there is a free plan.
What does Howbout run on? iOS and Android. It runs as a mobile app.
What does Howbout integrate with? 3 integrations: Google Calendar, Outlook and iCloud.
Who is Howbout built for? Solo users and small businesses (our editorial estimate).
Howbout pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Availability views make it easier to find time across family members and groups.
- Plans combine locations, notes, reminders and event-specific group chat.
- Syncs with Google Calendar, Outlook and iCloud across iOS and Android.
- Where it doesn't
- The experience is limited to iOS and Android mobile apps.
- Free access does not include premium customization and extra planning features.
- Subscription pricing may vary by country and platform.
Howbout fact sheet, pricing and score →
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