Product Comparisons: "Free" Calendars and Address Books

If you have very simple calendar and address book requirements, here are some of the options of free software available that may provide you with some of the capabilities you're looking for.

Mac-Based Solutions

iCal and Address Book
If you use a Mac, especially if you use Mac OS X, you might find iCal and Address Book, which are included with the operating system to be adequate solutions. Apple provides these simple, single-user applications for basic scheduling and keeping an uncomplicated address list.

Neither are multi-user solutions and are not designed to be used in a business setting, but if it's just you and your requirements aren't complex, you might find them an excellent place to start.

Click here for more information on iCal and Address Book

Palm Desktop
Even if you don't use a Palm handheld computer, you can download and use the free Palm Desktop software. Once again, it is best suited to simple scheduling and contact lists and does not support sharing or networked use.

In addition, Palm has indicated that it will not support this application in the future.

Click here for more information on Palm Desktop software.

Microsoft Entourage
Entourage from Microsoft is not free. It is part of Microsoft Office.

 

Windows-Based Solutions

Microsoft Outlook
Outlook is another simple calendar and contact manager that is available free to many Windows PC users pre-installed on their systems (although if you have to purchase it will cost you $109). Once again, if you are a single user with an undemanding schedule and minimal contacts, this might be a good solution for you.

Click here for more information on Microsoft Outlook

Palm Desktop
Even if you don't use a Palm handheld computer, you can download and use the free Palm Desktop software. Once again, it is best suited to simple scheduling and contact lists and does not support sharing or networked use.

Click here for more information on Palm Desktop software.

Internet-Based Solutions

A quick search on the web will present you with a handful of simple, web-based calendar and address book solutions. They do, however, require you to be online to use them and it may be difficult to keep your data secure. These are also single user, basic solutions.