GNOME Calendar as a Linux alternative to Calendar
Updated
Our verdict
GNOME Calendar is a solid, lightweight replacement for basic Windows Calendar needs. It handles the core tasks: viewing events in day, week, and month views, creating appointments, and setting reminders. It integrates tightly with Evolution Data Server, allowing sync with Google, Exchange, and CalDAV accounts. It is best for users who want a simple, fast, native GNOME experience without the bloat of full email clients. If you rely heavily on complex shared calendars or advanced recurring rule exceptions, you might find it limiting compared to heavier alternatives, but for personal scheduling, it works well out of the box.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 51.0
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports day, week, and month view layouts
- Allows creation, editing, and deletion of personal events
- Includes reminder and alarm functionality
- Supports multiple calendars with distinct colors
- Integrates with system notifications for upcoming events
What is different
- Lacks built-in support for subscribing to raw external iCal feeds directly in the UI (requires EDS backend configuration or third-party tools)
- No built-in printing interface for calendar views
- Does not support complex recurring event exceptions as granularly as some Windows implementations
- Tied to GNOME desktop environment aesthetics and behaviors
Opening your Calendar files
GNOME Calendar does not use a proprietary file format for local storage; it relies on Evolution Data Server (EDS) which stores data in SQLite databases. You can export events to standard .ics (iCalendar) files, which are compatible with Windows Calendar and other iCal-compliant applications. Importing .ics files is supported, allowing you to bring in existing event data from Windows or other systems directly into the GNOME ecosystem.
Switching from Calendar to GNOME Calendar, step by step
- Export your current calendar data from Windows as an .ics file
- Install GNOME Calendar and Evolution Data Server on your Linux system
- Open GNOME Calendar and select 'Import' from the menu
- Choose the exported .ics file and assign it to a new or existing local calendar
- Verify that events appear correctly in the month and week views
- Set up online account sync (Google, Exchange) if you need cross-device access
Key features of GNOME Calendar
- Syncs with online accounts (Google, Exchange, CalDAV)
- Displays day, week, and month views
- Integrated with Evolution Data Server
- Lightweight and fast startup
- Supports multiple calendars
- Event creation and editing with reminders
- Minimalist design matching GNOME style
- Automatic time zone handling
How to install GNOME Calendar on Linux
sudo apt install gnome-calendarsudo apt install gnome-calendarsudo dnf install gnome-calendarsudo pacman -S gnome-calendarsudo zypper install gnome-calendarFrequently asked questions
Can I subscribe to public iCal feeds directly in GNOME Calendar?
Not directly through the standard UI. You typically need to use a tool like 'evolution' or configure the feed via the Evolution Data Server backend, or use a third-party GNOME extension if available. It is not as plug-and-play as adding a URL in Windows Calendar.
Does it sync with Microsoft Exchange?
Yes, it supports Exchange accounts via the Evolution Data Server. You can add your Exchange account in the GNOME Settings or within the app's account management section to sync calendars and events.
Is it available on all major Linux distributions?
Yes, it is packaged in Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu. It is the default calendar app in GNOME-based distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora Workstation.
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