Howbout
An app that shows when your friends are free to make plans.
What Howbout does
Howbout is a social calendar. Instead of asking everyone in a group chat when they're free, you share your calendar (or just your free and busy times) with friends and see at a glance when everyone can meet. It's free on iPhone, iPad and Android, with an optional paid upgrade.
Howbout is built for the most annoying part of making plans: finding a time that works. You add your plans, choose whether each one is private, shared, or shows only as busy, and your friends do the same. Then you can see when the group is free and suggest a plan right there.
Each plan keeps its own details in one place, like the location, notes, photos and a chat, and everyone gets a notification when something changes. You can bring your work, school and personal calendars into Howbout so your free time is accurate, and an Up Next widget keeps the next plan on your home screen.
It's not just for friend groups. Couples can use it to avoid double-booking weekends, and families for school runs and appointments. The catch is that it only works well when the people you plan with are on Howbout too, so it's best for groups willing to switch.
Howbout is free. Howbout+ is an optional subscription for extra colors, themes and planning tools.
Alternatives to Howbout
Who it's for
Skip it if: Families who need shared lists, chores or meal plans. Groups where most people won't install another app.
Pricing
Free planHowbout is free to download and use. Howbout+ is an optional subscription that adds customization like colors and app themes, plus extra planning tools. We couldn't confirm its US price, so check the app before you subscribe.
Prices can vary by country. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What people like
- Free, with an optional upgrade for extras
- Choose what friends see for each plan
- Plans, chat and details live together
- On both iPhone and Android
Watch out for
- Only useful if your friends use it too
- No web or desktop version
- Some people report sign-in issues across devices
Want a planner that fits how your crew makes plans? Build your own.
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Try this idea: “an app where my friends and I mark which evenings we're free each week and it shows the nights we can all hang out”
Questions people ask
Is Howbout free?
Yes. Sharing your calendar, seeing when friends are free and making plans are free. Howbout+ is an optional paid upgrade.
Do my friends need Howbout too?
To see each other's free time and plan together, yes. The app is built around friends sharing calendars inside Howbout.
Can couples use Howbout?
Yes. Partners can share calendars, see each other's plans and avoid double-booking.
Can I hide my event details from friends?
Yes. You can keep a plan private, share it, or share only that you're busy.
Does Howbout connect to Google Calendar or iCloud?
It can bring in your work, school and personal calendars so your free time is accurate, but we couldn't confirm which calendar services it supports. Check in the app before you rely on it.