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Self-Hosting CalDav: Your Own Calendar Server

Free yourself from Google Calendar. Self-host a CalDAV server and sync calendars across all your devices.

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Why Self-Host Your Calendar?


Google Calendar knows every meeting, appointment, and event in your life. Self-hosting a CalDAV server keeps your schedule private.


CalDAV Explained


CalDAV is an open standard for calendar synchronization. Any CalDAV client can connect to any CalDAV server. It's how calendars should work — open, interoperable, and not tied to one vendor.


Server Options


Nextcloud Calendar

If you already run Nextcloud, you already have CalDAV. Nextcloud includes a full calendar application.


Radicale

Ultra-lightweight CalDAV/CardDAV server. Minimal resource usage, simple configuration.


Baikal

Slightly more featured than Radicale with a web admin interface.


Client Setup


iOS / macOS

Settings → Calendar → Accounts → Add Account → Other → Add CalDAV Account

  • Server: your-nextcloud.example.com
  • Username: your username
  • Password: your app password

    • Android

    Install DAVx5 from F-Droid or Play Store. Add your CalDAV server URL. Calendars sync automatically.


    Thunderbird

    File → New → Calendar → On the Network. Enter your CalDAV URL.


    Outlook

    Use CalDav Synchronizer plugin for Outlook.


    Features You Keep


  • Multiple calendars with color coding
  • Shared calendars between users
  • Event invitations and RSVPs
  • Recurring events
  • Reminders and notifications
  • All-day events
  • Time zone support

    • Features You Might Miss


  • Google's AI scheduling suggestions
  • Automatic event creation from emails
  • Find a time feature (but Nextcloud has scheduling polls)

    • The Privacy Win


    Your calendar data is some of the most personal data that exists. Where you go, who you meet, when you're free. Keeping it on your own server is a significant privacy improvement.


    Deploy Nextcloud on TinyPod and your calendar, contacts, and files are all on your server.