If you're still sending .ics files to invite people to your events, it's time for an upgrade. .ICS files are outdated and cause unnecessary friction. And let's face it, anything that slows down your audience from saving your event is hurting your attendance. With CalendarLink, you create one simple link that works for everyone, everywhere. Read our analysis on .ics files vs. Add-to-Calendar Links. Interested? Start your free account.
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.ICS Files vs Add-to-Calendar Links
When you compare .ICS files to Add-to-Calendar links, the differences are clear. .ICS files are static and outdated—they require users to manually download and import event details into their calendar app. This process is often confusing and prone to errors. In contrast, Add-to-Calendar links are dynamic and user-friendly. One click instantly populates the user's preferred calendar with all the correct details.
Add-to-Calendar links also support modern features that .ICS files can’t match, like tracking event engagement, adding reminders automatically, and adjusting for time zones without user input. For mobile users, the difference is even greater—.ICS files often don’t open properly on mobile devices, while Add-to-Calendar links open smoothly in the native calendar app. The result? A faster, clearer, and more reliable way to get your event on your audience’s calendar.
.ICS files were designed for a different era of event planning. Back then, sending a file was the only way to get an event on someone’s calendar. But today? It’s one more thing your audience has to download, open, and figure out.
Here’s what usually happens:
The result? Fewer calendar saves. More no-shows.
CalendarLink replaces the outdated .ics file with one single Add-to-Calendar link. Your audience clicks—and your event is instantly added to Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar, and more. No downloads. No accounts. No confusion.
Here’s why CalendarLink works better:
Setting up your calendar takes just minutes. Here's the step-by-step process:
Log into CalendarLink and click "Create Event." Add details like:
Bonus: Want to save time? Automate event creation with Zapier or our smart Event Links.
Once your event is saved, enable both the Add-to-Calendar and Subscribe-to-Calendar features. CalendarLink automatically creates a universal Add-to-Calendar link. It’s ready to go in seconds, no tech skills required. This lets people:
Paste the link in your email campaigns, event landing pages, or social media posts. Use clear CTAs like "Save to Calendar" so your audience knows what to do.
Use CalendarLink’s built-in analytics to see how many people viewed, saved, or RSVP’d for your event. Adjust your messaging or timing to improve results for your next invite.
An add-to-calendar action is 140% more likely to be completed than a 'buy this free ticket' CTA.
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While .ics files seem simple, they actually add complexity to your event communications. Every manual step your audience needs to take reduces the likelihood of them adding your event to their calendar. And without that calendar entry, your event is easily forgotten. Worse, broken or incorrectly formatted .ics files can frustrate your users and damage your event’s professional image.
Many modern email platforms and mobile devices even warn users when opening file attachments. This creates an unnecessary trust barrier—especially when a simple, one-click Add-to-Calendar link feels so much more secure and user-friendly. In a world where trust and simplicity drive action, CalendarLink provides both.
Timing is everything. The faster your audience can add your event to their calendar, the more likely they are to do it. With an .ics file, there are delays—they might leave the email to deal with it later, or worse, forget entirely. With an Add-to-Calendar link, saving the event takes one second, right in the moment of excitement or interest.
This immediate action helps lock in their commitment. And when your event is sitting in their calendar—complete with reminders—you dramatically reduce the chances of a no-show.
Today’s audiences are mobile-first. Your attendees aren’t sitting at their desks opening email attachments—they’re on their phones, tablets, and smartwatches. Add-to-Calendar links are designed to work seamlessly across all these devices, opening directly in the user’s preferred calendar app without compatibility issues.
Whether someone is using Outlook on a laptop or Google Calendar on Android, the experience is smooth and reliable.This universal compatibility eliminates the frustration of trying to open an .ics file that doesn’t play nicely with certain platforms. It’s about meeting your audience where they are, with tools that fit their modern workflows.
People are busy. If it’s complicated to save your event, they won’t. With CalendarLink, there’s no friction. Just one click and it’s done. Your event is saved right where it matters most: their calendar.Stop relying on .ICS files. Start using Add-to-Calendar links that actually drive attendance.
👉 Create your free Add-to-Calendar link now and make every invite count.
With CalendarLink you can automate your event creation right inside the tools you already use and instantly improve attendance rates.
Create events on-the-fly with our smart calendar links or create one-time events right inside our app.
Boost your attendance and other opportunity rates with calendar reminders. Grow attendance and boost sales.
No credit card required.
✔ Unlimited events ✔ Adds-to-Calendar ✔ RSVP ✔ Subscribe-to-Calendar ✔ Notifications
