Illustration showing the difference between ICS and iCal calendar formats for event scheduling
ICS vs iCal: Why Understanding the Difference Matters for Modern Event Scheduling

ICS and iCal are both widely used calendar file formats, but they serve slightly different purposes and platforms. While ICS (.ics) is the universal standard for sharing calendar invites across systems like Google, Outlook, and Apple Calendar, iCal refers to Apple’s proprietary calendar app that also supports ICS. Understanding the difference helps event organizers and

Illustration showing the difference between an iCal standard and an ICS file used in calendar applications like Outlook, Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar.
What is an iCal File and How It Differs from ICS Files

An iCal file is a digital calendar format used to share event information across platforms and devices. Often saved with a .ics extension, iCal files allow users to import or subscribe to events in calendar applications like Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar. While “iCal” and “ICS” are often used interchangeably, iCal refers to the

Illustration of an ICS calendar file icon next to modern webinar platforms and digital calendar interfaces"
What Is an ICS File? How It Works and Why It’s Becoming Outdated for Modern Webinars.

ICS files (.ics) are calendar event files used to share meeting details across platforms like Outlook, Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar. While once standard for distributing invites, they’re increasingly outdated in today’s fast-paced webinar landscape. ICS files often rely on manual downloads, lack real-time updates, and pose challenges for personalization and mass distribution. As modern