KarlCal vs Skylight.
$0 vs $300.
Skylight is a good-looking screen for your kitchen wall. KarlCal puts the same family calendar on the phones you already own, plus an assistant that types for you. Here is what each really does, and what each really costs.
- Free for the whole family
- No ads
- No credit card
- iPhone, iPad, Android and web
Which one fits your family?
Pick KarlCal if…
- You’d rather not spend $300 or more on a screen.
- You want the plan with you at work, at practice or in the grocery aisle, not just on the kitchen wall.
- You want Karl to add events for you from a quick text.
- You’d rather pay $39.99 a year for extras than $79.
Pick Skylight if…
- Little kids without phones need to see and tap the schedule.
- You want a big, always-on screen that doubles as a photo frame.
- The hardware budget isn’t a concern.
Stop typing. Just say it.
Most family calendars make you fill in a form for every event. With KarlCal you text Karl (or, with Pro, ask Alexa) the way you would tell your partner. Tap an example to see it.
- You type“Jake has soccer Tuesday at 6:30”
- Or ask Alexa (Pro)“Move the dentist to Friday at 2”
- You type“Add milk to the grocery list”
- Or ask Alexa (Pro)“Cancel the dentist”
Who wins what.
Skylight details from Skylight’s store and help center, checked October 15, 2026. Calendar Max is $599.99 to $629.99 depending on the retailer.
The real cost of a wall calendar.
A Skylight is a one-time purchase plus a yearly plan for the features most families want. Slide to see how it adds up.
US prices before tax. Skylight includes the first month of Plus free with a new Calendar 2. Prices change with sales.
Everything Skylight shows, in your pocket.
Credit where it's due.
- A big, always-on screen everyone walks past.
- Great for little kids who don’t have phones.
- Doubles as a photo frame.
- Nothing to open: the week is just there on the wall.
Why families pick the app.
- No $300 device. It’s on the phones you already own.
- You see the plan at work, at practice or in the store.
- Karl adds events from a quick text, and Pro adds Alexa.
- Want a wall screen too? Put KarlCal on an old iPad in the kitchen.
Want a wall screen anyway? Make one for $0.
- 1 min
Find an old tablet
An old iPad or Android tablet from the drawer is all you need.
- 1 min
Sign in to KarlCal
Install the app, or open karlcal.com in the browser, and sign in.
- 2 min
Stand it in the kitchen
Put it on a stand, plug it in, and set the screen to stay awake (on iPad: Settings › Display & Brightness › Auto-Lock › Never).
Good to know.
Do I need to buy a device for KarlCal?
No. KarlCal runs on iPhone, iPad, Android and the web. If you want a kitchen display too, an old iPad or tablet on a stand works well.
Does Skylight need a subscription?
The basic calendar works without one, but meal planning, rewards, Magic Import and the photo screensaver need Skylight Plus at $79 a year.
What does Skylight cost over three years?
The 15-inch Calendar 2 is $299.99, and Skylight Plus is $79 a year. Over three years that is about $537. KarlCal Pro for three years is about $120, and the free plan is $0.
Is KarlCal free?
Yes, and the free plan has no ads. The shared calendar, family chat, lists, weather alerts, reminders and Dinner From My Fridge are free for the whole family. KarlCal Pro is $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year.
Can I use KarlCal as a wall calendar?
Yes. Sign in on an iPad or tablet, stand it in the kitchen and keep it plugged in. You get a family display without buying new hardware.
Your family’s week, sorted tonight.
Set up your household in two minutes. The shared calendar, family chat and lists are free for everyone in the family, with no ads and no credit card.
Pro is optional: $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial.