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Dato alternatives

Dato compared with 5 alternatives: Itsycal, MeetingBar, Fantastical, BusyCal and Calendar 366.

Dato is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $18 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
DatoThis toolFree trial · from $18 one-timeTrial onlymacOS
ItsycalFreeFreemacOS
MeetingBarFreeFreemacOS
FantasticalFree plan · from $4.75/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS
BusyCalFree plan · from $49.99 one-timeYesmacOS, iOS
Calendar 366Free plan · from $19.99/yrYesmacOS, iOS

How each one differs from Dato

  1. Itsycal

    Free, tiny menu bar calendar for the Mac

    • Itsycal is free. Dato starts at $18 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store.
    • Itsycal has a free plan. Dato does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Itsycal is open source, according to its own site.
    • Dato can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Mac users who want a quick month view without opening a calendar app

    Itsycal vs DatoItsycal pricing and details

  2. MeetingBar

    Free Mac menu bar app that shows and joins your next meeting

    • MeetingBar is free. Dato starts at $18 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store.
    • MeetingBar has a free plan. Dato does not, though it has a free trial.
    • MeetingBar is open source, according to its own site.
    • Dato can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: People with back-to-back video calls who want one click to join

    MeetingBar vs DatoMeetingBar pricing and details

  3. Fantastical

    Calendar and tasks app for Apple devices and Windows

    • Fantastical starts at $4.75 per month, billed annually ($6.99 billed monthly). Dato starts at $18 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store.
    • Fantastical has a free plan. Dato does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fantastical lists Windows and iOS apps.
    • Dato can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Fantastical also covers templates, tasks, natural-language input and booking links.

    Suits: People with Google, iCloud and Microsoft calendars who want them in one app

    Fantastical vs DatoFantastical pricing and details

  4. BusyCal

    Customizable calendar and task app for Mac and iPhone

    • BusyCal starts at $49.99 one-time for Mac, or $39.99 per year on the Mac App Store; iOS app $9.99. Dato starts at $18 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store.
    • BusyCal has a free plan. Dato does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only BusyCal lists an iOS app.
    • BusyCal also covers tasks and natural-language input.

    Suits: Mac users who want fine control over how their calendar looks

    BusyCal vs DatoBusyCal pricing and details

  5. Calendar 366

    Calendar and task app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac

    • Calendar 366 starts at $19.99 per year for Pro on the App Store. Dato starts at $18 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store.
    • Calendar 366 has a free plan. Dato does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Calendar 366 lists an iOS app.
    • Calendar 366 also covers tasks and natural-language input.

    Suits: People who keep everything on Apple devices and want events and tasks in one app

    Calendar 366 vs DatoCalendar 366 pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Dato

  • Mac only. The current version requires macOS 26 or later; older macOS releases get older versions of the app.
  • The vendor calls it a read-only view of your events: it can create events, but editing one or answering an invitation opens Apple's Calendar app.
  • It has no sync of its own. Google, Outlook and other accounts must first be added to the built-in Calendar app.
  • Natural-language entry is not supported yet, and the menus and settings are in English only.
Dato pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Dato?

The alternatives to Dato in this directory are Itsycal, MeetingBar, Fantastical, BusyCal and Calendar 366. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Dato.

Is there a free alternative to Dato?

Yes. Itsycal and MeetingBar are free to use. Fantastical, BusyCal and Calendar 366 have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Dato alternatives work on Windows?

The Dato listing does not include a Windows app. Fantastical lists one.

Which Dato alternatives work on iOS?

The Dato listing does not include an iOS app. Fantastical, BusyCal and Calendar 366 list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Dato?

Itsycal and MeetingBar are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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