Question 1

What is the best family calendar app for a busy household?

Accepted Answer

HomeHQ is built for families specifically — one shared calendar, chores, and meals in one place, color-coded per person, on the iPad in your kitchen and every phone. Google Calendar is fine for two adults sharing events but does not handle chores, meal planning, or per-person kid views. Dedicated displays like Skylight and Hearth cost $300–$700 up front.

Question 2

Do we all need iPhones?

Accepted Answer

No. The HomeHQ app runs on iPhone and iPad, but the family calendar itself lives in Google Calendar, so everyone can see it and add to it from the web or an Android phone too. Nobody gets left out, even on a different platform.

Question 3

Will this make me switch calendars?

Accepted Answer

No. Connect the Google Calendar you already use, or create a new shared one in a couple of taps. HomeHQ keeps it in two-way sync, so your existing events appear automatically, color-coded per person. Nothing to migrate.

Question 4

Is there a free family calendar app?

Accepted Answer

Google Calendar is free and handles the basics. Cozi has a free tier but added a 30-day limit in May 2024. HomeHQ is $12/month billed annually (or $14.99 month-to-month) for the whole household — one simple plan, every feature included.

Question 5

Can multiple family members use the same calendar app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Invite your whole household by email during setup. Each person gets their own color, avatar, and personalised view. When anyone adds an event, marks a chore complete, or updates a meal, the shared Google calendar updates for everyone.

Question 6

Do I need to buy a dedicated family display?

Accepted Answer

No. Mount the iPad you already own in the kitchen and HomeHQ runs as an always-on family display that changes with the time of day — no $300–$700 dedicated screen required.

Question 7

How do you sign in to HomeHQ?

Accepted Answer

With your Google account today — one tap, and it connects your calendar at the same time. Sign in with Apple is coming, with a separate step to connect your family calendar.

Question 8

Does it sync with Google Calendar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Two-way Google Calendar and Google Tasks sync is the core of HomeHQ. Connect each family member's account once and existing events pull in automatically — color-coded by person, visible on every device including the kitchen iPad.

Question 9

How much does HomeHQ cost?

Accepted Answer

HomeHQ is $12/month billed annually ($143.99/year), or $14.99 month-to-month. That covers the infrastructure, ongoing development, and every feature — shared calendar, meal planning, chores, and two-way Google Calendar sync. No tiers, no add-ons, no ads.

Question 10

What makes HomeHQ different from just Google Calendar?

Accepted Answer

Google Calendar is a calendar. HomeHQ adds the parts families actually run on — chores with points and a weekly recap, meal planning, per-person kid views, and an always-on kitchen display — all on top of the Google calendar you already have.

The HomeHQ blog.

How to turn an old iPad into a family calendar display (free, in 10 minutes)

Why Google Calendar fails for families (and what actually replaces it)

What is a family command center? A definition, the history, and how to build a digital one.

Bring the calm home.