Notion Calendar

What is Notion Calendar?

Notion Calendar, formerly known as Cron, is a next-generation calendar application designed to revolutionize how professionals manage their time and schedules. Originally developed as Cron by Raphael Schaad and his team, the application was acquired by Notion in 2022 and subsequently rebranded as Notion Calendar. The application seamlessly integrates with Notion’s workspace platform while standing as a powerful standalone calendar solution that prioritizes speed, keyboard navigation, and modern scheduling workflows.

What distinguishes Notion Calendar from traditional calendar applications is its emphasis on speed and keyboard-driven interaction. Every action can be accomplished through intuitive keyboard shortcuts, enabling power users to manage complex schedules without reaching for the mouse. The application introduces features like time blocking, scheduling links, and multi-timezone support as first-class citizens rather than afterthoughts. This approach attracts professionals who spend significant time in their calendars and value efficiency.

Notion Calendar serves knowledge workers, executives, and professionals who need sophisticated calendar management that integrates with their broader productivity system. The deep integration with Notion workspaces enables linking calendar events to projects, databases, and documents, creating connections between time and work that traditional calendars lack. As part of Notion’s vision for connected productivity, the calendar represents a strategic piece in building comprehensive workspace solutions.

Key Features

• Keyboard-First Design: Complete calendar management through keyboard shortcuts enables rapid event creation, navigation, and modifications without mouse interaction.
• Multiple Calendar Support: Connect Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and other calendars with unified viewing and management in a single interface.
• Scheduling Links: Built-in availability sharing and booking links eliminate back-and-forth emails when scheduling meetings with others.
• Time Blocking: Visual time blocking tools help protect focus time, plan deep work sessions, and structure days intentionally.
• Multi-Timezone: Overlay multiple time zones for easy scheduling across global teams with visual representation of availability.
• Notion Integration: Link calendar events directly to Notion pages, databases, and projects for contextual connections between time and work.
• Quick Event Creation: Natural language parsing understands phrases like “meeting tomorrow at 3pm” for rapid event entry.
• Menu Bar Access: Quick glance at upcoming events and fast event creation from the menu bar without opening the full application.
• Dark Mode: Full dark theme support reduces eye strain and integrates with system appearance preferences.
• Team Availability: View colleague calendars and find mutual availability for team scheduling without manual coordination.

Recent Updates and Improvements

Notion Calendar continues rapid development with features focused on Notion integration, collaboration, and scheduling efficiency.

• Deeper Notion Integration: Enhanced linking between calendar events and Notion databases, enabling two-way synchronization of meeting information.
• Windows Support: Native Windows application extends availability beyond Mac and mobile platforms.
• Improved Scheduling Links: Custom availability rules, buffer times, and booking limits provide greater control over external scheduling.
• Team Features: Organization-wide visibility settings and team calendar overlays improve collaboration for businesses.
• iOS Enhancements: Mobile app updates bring keyboard shortcuts to iPad and improved iPhone experience.
• Performance Improvements: Faster synchronization, reduced memory usage, and improved startup times.
• New Keyboard Shortcuts: Expanded keyboard command set for power users seeking maximum efficiency.
• Calendar Analytics: Insights into time allocation and meeting patterns help users understand and optimize their schedules.

System Requirements

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 11.0 Big Sur or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (native M1/M2/M3)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 200 MB available space
• Internet: Required for calendar synchronization

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel or AMD 64-bit processor
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 200 MB available space

iOS/iPadOS

• iOS: Version 14.0 or later
• iPadOS: Version 14.0 or later
• Compatible with iPhone and iPad

Web

• Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• No installation required

How to Set Up Notion Calendar

macOS Installation

1. Download from Notion Calendar website or Mac App Store
2. Open the downloaded DMG or install from App Store
3. Move to Applications folder
4. Launch and sign in with Notion account
5. Connect your calendars (Google, Outlook)

# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask notion-calendar

# Or download from official site
open https://calendar.notion.so

# Launch after installation
open -a "Notion Calendar"

# The app will guide you through
# - Notion account sign in
# - Calendar connections
# - Keyboard shortcut tutorial

Windows Installation

1. Download Windows installer from Notion Calendar website
2. Run the installer executable
3. Follow installation prompts
4. Sign in with Notion account
5. Authorize calendar access

Mobile Setup (iOS)

1. Open App Store on iPhone or iPad
2. Search for “Notion Calendar”
3. Install the application
4. Open and sign in with Notion account
5. Grant calendar access permissions

Connecting Calendars

# Connect Google Calendar
Settings > Calendars > Add Calendar > Google
Authorize Google account access

# Connect Microsoft Outlook
Settings > Calendars > Add Calendar > Microsoft
Sign in with Microsoft account

# Connect Notion Workspace
Settings > Notion > Connect Workspace
Select workspace and authorize access

# Configure visibility
Settings > Calendars > [Calendar Name]
Set default visibility and color

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Keyboard Efficiency: Comprehensive keyboard shortcuts enable rapid calendar management without mouse dependency for power users.
• Beautiful Design: Modern, clean interface with thoughtful typography and visual design that is pleasant to use daily.
• Notion Integration: Deep connection with Notion workspaces creates meaningful links between calendar events and project context.
• Scheduling Links: Built-in availability sharing eliminates need for separate scheduling tools like Calendly for basic use cases.
• Multi-Calendar: Unified view of Google, Outlook, and other calendars simplifies management of multiple accounts.
• Free Tier: Core functionality available free for individual users, with paid plans for advanced features.
• Cross-Platform: Available on Mac, Windows, iOS, and web with consistent experience across platforms.

Cons

• Notion Dependency: Best experience requires Notion account, potentially unwanted for those using other productivity systems.
• Limited Android: Android support lags behind iOS, limiting cross-platform teams with diverse devices.
• Young Product: As a newer application, some features are still maturing compared to established calendar applications.
• Learning Curve: Keyboard-centric approach requires learning shortcuts to unlock full productivity benefits.
• Enterprise Features: Some team and administrative features are still developing for larger organizations.

Notion Calendar vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Notion Calendar?

Notion Calendar is ideal for:

• Notion Power Users: Those already invested in Notion who want calendar integration with their workspace and databases.
• Keyboard Enthusiasts: Power users who value keyboard efficiency and want to minimize mouse usage for calendar management.
• Remote Workers: Professionals working across time zones who need robust multi-timezone support and scheduling tools.
• Meeting-Heavy Roles: Executives, salespeople, and consultants who need efficient scheduling link capabilities.
• Design-Conscious Users: Those who appreciate thoughtful interface design and modern aesthetics in their productivity tools.
• Multi-Calendar Managers: Professionals juggling personal and work calendars who need unified viewing and management.

Notion Calendar may not be ideal for:

• Android Users: Those primarily on Android devices may find the current mobile experience limited.
• Enterprise Requirements: Large organizations with complex administrative needs may find enterprise features developing.
• Calendar Minimalists: Users with simple calendar needs who don’t need advanced features may find it overkill.
• Non-Notion Users: Those using other productivity platforms lose significant integration benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Notion Calendar free?

Notion Calendar offers a free tier that includes core calendar functionality, calendar connections, and basic scheduling links. Premium features like advanced scheduling options, team visibility, and enhanced Notion integration require a subscription. The free tier is sufficient for most individual users’ basic calendar needs. Pricing aligns with Notion’s overall approach of providing substantial free functionality with paid upgrades for power users.

Do I need a Notion account to use Notion Calendar?

A Notion account is required to use Notion Calendar, even if you don’t actively use Notion workspaces. This enables the identity system and potential future integration. However, you don’t need to use Notion’s note-taking or database features to benefit from the calendar. Many users adopt Notion Calendar first and later explore Notion’s broader workspace capabilities.

How does Notion Calendar compare to Cron?

Notion Calendar is the continuation of Cron after Notion acquired the company. The core team continues developing the product with the same design philosophy. Major differences include Notion integration features, rebranding, and expanded platform availability. Existing Cron users were migrated to Notion Calendar with their data and preferences preserved. The keyboard-first approach and core features that made Cron popular remain central to Notion Calendar.

Can Notion Calendar replace Calendly?

For basic scheduling needs, Notion Calendar’s built-in scheduling links can replace Calendly. You can share availability, let others book time, and receive confirmations. However, Calendly offers more advanced features like team scheduling, round-robin assignment, payment collection, and extensive integrations that Notion Calendar doesn’t replicate. Individual professionals with straightforward scheduling needs may find Notion Calendar sufficient; those with complex scheduling requirements likely still need dedicated tools.

Does Notion Calendar work with Microsoft Outlook?

Notion Calendar fully supports Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 calendars. You can connect multiple Microsoft accounts alongside Google calendars for unified viewing. Calendar events sync bidirectionally, and you can create events that appear in Outlook. Integration includes support for Teams meeting links and Microsoft’s scheduling features. Enterprise Exchange deployments work when configured for external application access.

Final Verdict

Notion Calendar represents a thoughtful reimagining of calendar software for modern knowledge workers. The keyboard-first approach, combined with built-in scheduling tools and Notion integration, creates a productivity-focused experience that power users appreciate. The acquisition by Notion and continued development suggests long-term viability and expanding capabilities.

The application excels for professionals who value speed and efficiency in calendar management. The keyboard shortcuts become second nature with use, enabling rapid event creation, navigation, and modifications that feel slow in traditional calendar applications. Built-in scheduling links eliminate context switching to separate booking tools for routine scheduling needs.

Notion Calendar earns strong recommendation for Notion users seeking calendar integration, keyboard-oriented professionals, and those managing complex schedules across time zones. The free tier provides substantial functionality for individual use. Those requiring Android support, extensive enterprise features, or freedom from Notion’s ecosystem should evaluate alternatives. As calendar software that genuinely rethinks daily workflow rather than replicating existing patterns, Notion Calendar deserves consideration from anyone spending significant time managing their schedule.