Tutanota Calendar

Overview

Tutanota Calendar (now part of the rebranded “Tuta” ecosystem) is one of the world’s most secure calendar applications. While Google Calendar functions by scanning your events to provide suggestions and build a profile for advertising, Tutanota operates on a “zero-knowledge” principle. This means that every single entry you make—from a doctor’s appointment to a private meeting—is encrypted on your device before it ever reaches the server.

Based in Germany, Tutanota benefits from some of the strictest privacy laws in the world (GDPR). It is designed for users who want the convenience of a digital, cloud-synced calendar without the privacy trade-offs inherent in “free” services provided by Big Tech. It isn’t just a calendar; it is a specialized security tool for your time.

Key Features

End-to-End Encrypted Architecture

Every aspect of your event is encrypted. This includes the subject, the location, the description, and even the list of attendees. Unlike “encryption at rest” used by mainstream providers (where the provider holds the keys), Tutanota uses “end-to-end” encryption where only you hold the keys.

Encrypted Reminders

A common privacy leak in other “secure” calendars is the notification system. Usually, when a reminder pops up, the server sends the event title in plain text to your phone’s notification service (Apple or Google). Tutanota sends an encrypted trigger, and your local app decrypts the message to show you the reminder, keeping the event details hidden from your OS provider.

Open Source Transparency

Trust is earned through transparency. Tutanota publishes its code openly, allowing the community to audit the encryption implementation. This ensures that the privacy promises made by the company are backed up by the actual code running on your device.

Privacy & Security

Tutanota’s security goes beyond simple encryption. The service uses a combination of AES-128 and RSA-2048 to secure data. Furthermore, because the company is headquartered in Germany, they cannot be forced to comply with “Gag Orders” from the US or other jurisdictions that would compromise user data without a valid German court order—and even then, they could only provide encrypted data they cannot read.

Getting Started

1. Create an Account: Visit Tuta.com and sign up for a free or premium account.
2. Secure Your Recovery Code: During setup, you will receive a recovery code. Store this safely; because the service is zero-knowledge, Tuta cannot reset your password if you lose it.
3. Import Existing Events: Export your Google Calendar as an .ics file. In the Tutanota web app or desktop client, go to Settings > Calendar and select ‘Import’ to upload your file.
4. Install the Apps: Download the Tuta app on your smartphone and desktop to ensure your encrypted schedule is always accessible and synchronized.

Who Is It Best For?

Tutanota Calendar is ideal for privacy-conscious individuals, activists, journalists, and professionals (like lawyers or healthcare providers) who handle sensitive scheduling information. It is also a great choice for families who want to share a schedule without a third party tracking their movements and habits.

Final Verdict

If your priority is absolute privacy and you are willing to trade off some of the “smart” features found in Google (like automatic flight bookings pulled from your email), Tutanota Calendar is the gold standard. It provides a clean, functional interface that feels familiar while offering security features that Google simply cannot match due to its business model.

While the free version is slightly limited in terms of sharing, the paid tiers are very affordable and offer a comprehensive suite of tools for anyone looking to de-Google their life completely.