Gmail Calendar vs. Google Calendar: A Comprehensive Comparison
As we grow more into the digital era, organizing and managing your schedule, like daily activities are important in both personal and professional success terms. Over the years, Google has positioned itself as a leader in the industry with its outstanding suite of productivity tools.
Among these, Gmail and Google Calendar are two giant stalwarts that users rely upon and use for managing both their communication and time scheduling.
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However, a common question that arises is whether Gmail Calendar is different from Google Calendar or if maybe they are the same with their different names. In this comprehensive article, I will explore the deep differences between Gmail Calendar and Google Calendar, including their features, integrations, and how important both might be to users.
As a being who attends or receives events on a timely basis, you might find yourself in need of proper management of your activity schedules.
Two of the most popular tools for managing calendars are Gmail Calendar and Google Calendar. Both the time managing apps are owned by a giant tech company, Alphabet (Google). Both platforms offer similar features; there are some key differences you should be aware of.
Understand what’s Gmail Calendar
Gmail Calendar is a built-in calendar application within the Gmail email platform. With its built-in system, it gives users the chance to schedule events, set reminders, and view their schedule directly within their inbox.
Gmail Calendar is a time/day managing platform, which is simply designed as a lightweight and easy-to-use calendar tool. It refers to the calendar functionality embedded within the Gmail interface.
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Gmail, Google’s widely used email platform, incorporates a calendar feature to enable users to schedule events, appointments, and reminders seamlessly. At the moment, it is said to be a popular choice for individuals who primarily use Gmail for their email needs.
Features You Should Know On Gmail Calendar
Gmail Calendar as an inbuilt and lightweight calendar platform has some key features which a user can use and enjoy. Below are some Gmail Calendar key features;
Gmail Integration: Since the lightweight app is connected to Gmail, this allows Gmail users to view their schedules and manage events directly within their inbox. This means as a Gmail Calendar user, you can easily switch between inside email and calendar, which makes it convenient for you to schedule events based on received emails or view upcoming appointments directly within your email interface
Easy to Use: Gmail Calendar has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to schedule events, set reminders, and view your schedule
Device Compatibility: As a Gmail Calendar user, you might find yourself with a different kind of device and want to use the app. So, the app is compatible with usual devices and that’s why it is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices which allows users to over-manage the calendar schedules
Event Creation: While in Gmail Calendar, you can create events directly from your email interface as a user. For example, if an email contains information about a meeting or appointment, you can just click on the date and time within the email to create an event in the calendar. This will save you from taking time to navigate to a separate calendar application
Understand what’s Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a stand-alone and separately-built calendar application that can be accessed alone separately without the need for any app or extension like Gmail. It offers a more comprehensive set of time-managing features than the inbuilt Gmail Calendar.
That’s why it has become one of the most popular time-scheduling platforms and it is a choice for users who need more powerful features. Google Calendar integrates with other Google offered services, such as Google Meet and Google Tasks which enable Google users to enjoy outstanding time-scheduling experience.
Features You Should Know On Google Calendar
As a separately-built calendar app, there are certain key features you should take note of. These key features on Google Calendar include;
Google Calendar Comprehensive Features: Google Calendar offers a wider range of features than Gmail Calendar. These key features include multiple calendar views, recurring events, and the ability to share calendars with others.
Integration with Google Services: As an Alphabet Inc., Google Calendar has the option of integrating other Google services, such as Google Meet and Google Tasks. This gives Google Calendar users the option to automatically use other enabled Google app features.
Device Compatible: Just like other Alphabet Inc. apps, the Google Calendar platform is available on usual devices like iOS and Android devices. This allows users to conveniently access their schedule on the go
Direct Google Calendar Access: As a Google Calendar user, you can easily access Google Calendar thereby navigating to the dedicated website (calendar.google.com.ng.ng) or by using the mobile app available for both Android and iOS devices. Unlike Gmail Calendar, Google Calendar operates as a distinct application with its own interface.
Separately-Built: One of the main keys of Google Calendar is its separately-Built. Unlike Gmail Calendar, it is not attached to any platform like email. This gives users a chance to focus solely on managing their schedules without the context of email
Wider Range of Features: Google Calendar, as a separate-built calendar platform, offers a broad number of features compared to Gmail Calendar. This includes advanced scheduling options, the ability to create multiple calendars, color-coded events, and integration with other Google services such as Google Meet and Google Tasks
Collaboration and Sharing: Google Calendar gives users a collaboration chance thereby allowing users to share their calendars with others. This makes it an ideal tool for coordinating schedules within a team or family. Users can enable different levels of access to others, enabling others to view their schedule, edit events, or simply see if they are free or busy during specific time slots
Integrations with Third-Party Apps: With the Google Calendar integration option, you can easily link it with a wide range of third-party applications and services. This includes integrations with productivity tools, project management platforms, and other calendar applications. This provides users with the convenient option to connect their calendars with the services they use.
Comparing Gmail Calendar and Google Calendar
Feature | Gmail Calendar | Google Calendar |
Integration | Integrated with Gmail | Standalone Application |
Feature Set | Limited | Comprehensive |
Integration with Google services | Limited | Integrated with Google Meet, Google Tasks, and other Google Services |
Mobile Compatibility | Available as a Mobile App | Available as a Mobile App |
Spreadsheet | Drive Spreadsheet | Export to Sheets |
Dependency | Limited | Can be used independently |
Which Calendar is Right for You?
This depends, yeah it really depends. The best calendar for you will depend on what you need; your preference and what you want to use it for. If you are primarily a Gmail user, like you are a primary user of Gmail that uses it for your email needs, and choose to use a simple and easy-to-use calendar, then Gmail Calendar is a good option. However, if you are in need and interested in using a powerful calendar tool with a wider range of features, then Google Calendar is more of what your choice needs.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between Gmail Calendar and Google Calendar:
Feature | Gmail Calendar | Google Calendar |
Best for | Users who primarily use Gmail for Email and prefer a Simple Calendar | Users who need a powerful calendar tool with a wider range of features |
Key Features | Integrated with Gmail, easy to use, Mobile Compatible | Comprehensive set of features, integrated with Google services, mobile compatible |
Considerations | Limited feature set, less integration with Google services | Standalone application, may require more time to learn |
Mobile Compatibility | Available as a Mobile App | Available as a Mobile App |
Spreadsheet | Drive Spreadsheet | Export to Sheets |
User Interface and Experience | It presents a simplified interface within the Gmail ecosystem, catering to users who prioritize quick event creation and scheduling directly from their email interface | Google Calendar provides a more comprehensive user experience, accommodating a wider range of features for users with diverse scheduling needs |
So, with the above details on both Gmail and Google Calendar, you can go through the below features-breakdowns which will help you know which one you should choose.
Choose Gmail Calendar If:
– You prefer a simplified interface directly embedded into your email platform
– Your scheduling needs are basic, and you want a quick and easy way to create events directly from your emails
– You prefer a unified and inbuilt interface experience where email and calendar functionalities are intertwined
Choose Google Calendar If:
– You need a comprehensive scheduling tool with advanced features such as multiple calendars, event customization, and collaboration options
– You want a stand-alone application that provides flexibility and cross-platform accessibility
– Collaboration and sharing features are crucial for coordinating schedules within a team or family
Integration of Gmail Calendar with Google Calendar
It’s important to note that Gmail Calendar and Google Calendar didn’t differ with many exclusive differences. In fact, Gmail Calendar events are regularly synchronized with Google Calendar. This means that events created in Gmail Calendar will appear in your Google Calendar and vice versa. This connection creates a cohesive experience for users who use both two calendar platforms.
To access your Gmail Calendar events in Google Calendar, simply open Google Calendar and look for the option to toggle between calendars. You should see your Gmail Calendar listed there, and you can choose to display or hide its events within the Google Calendar interface.
Conclusion
Both Gmail Calendar and Google Calendar are valuable tools for managing your schedule. The best calendar for you will depend on what you need; your preference and what you want to use it for. Google Calendar has a more extensive set of features compared to its Gmail counterpart.
This includes the ability to create multiple calendars, customize event details, set reminders, and integrate with third-party applications. While Gmail Calendar is readily accessible within the Gmail platform, Google Calendar offers greater flexibility in terms of cross-platform usage. Users can access Google Calendar from any device with internet connectivity, whether it’s through a web browser or the dedicated mobile app.