A Skylight Calendar alternative for families who already own an iPad

Skylight made the kitchen calendar popular, and for good reason: one screen everyone can see beats five apps and a fridge full of paper. But if there's an iPad in a drawer at your house, you may not need a new screen or a subscription to get the same thing. Lifeboard turns the iPad you already have into the family calendar, chore chart, meal planner and photo frame.

The short version

Skylight is a screen you buy, about $300 for the 15-inch, plus $79 a year for Skylight Plus to get rewards, meal planning and photo screensavers. Lifeboard is $29.99 once, on the iPad you already have, with all of that included. Choose Skylight if you'd rather have a dedicated screen or don't have an iPad from 2019 or later.

Last checked October 2026. Skylight's prices and plans change, so check their site for the latest.

Lifeboard and Skylight at a glance

Lifeboard

Skylight Calendar

What you buy

The app, $29.99 once, with a free 14-day trial. It runs on the iPad you already have

A Skylight display. The 15-inch model lists around $300

Subscription

None

The calendar is free. Skylight Plus, $79 a year, adds rewards, meal planning and photo screensavers

Cost over two years

$29.99

About $458: the 15-inch display at around $300, plus two years of Plus at $79

Calendars

Everything in the iPad's Calendar app, including Google, Outlook and work calendars

Syncs Google, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo and Cozi

Chores and rewards

Included. Chores live in Apple Reminders and earn points kids spend on rewards

Chore chart included. Stars and rewards need Plus

Meals and groceries

Included. Plan dinners and the grocery list builds itself, synced to Reminders

Meal planning needs Plus

Photo frame

Included, from your iCloud Photos albums

Photo screensavers need Plus

On everyone's phones

Apple's Calendar and Reminders apps you already use, plus an optional Lifeboard iPhone app

The Skylight app

Where your data lives

In Apple's apps and your own iCloud. Lifeboard has no servers

In your Skylight account

Why families choose Lifeboard

No subscription. One $29.99 purchase, with a free 14-day trial to try it first. Rewards, meal planning, recipes and the photo frame are all included.
Nothing new to buy. Most iPads from 2019 on run Lifeboard, so the one in the drawer gets a second life instead of a landfill.
Nothing new to learn. Add events in Calendar and chores in Reminders, on any iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch, and they show up on the counter.
Private by design. There's no Lifeboard account and no Lifeboard servers. Your family's information stays in Apple's apps and your iCloud.
Kid-proof. Guided Access, built into every iPad, keeps it in Lifeboard until a parent enters the passcode.

When Skylight might suit you better

You don't have an iPad from 2019 or later, and don't want one.
You want a screen bigger than an iPad, mounted on a wall.
Most of your family uses Android. Lifeboard's chores, rewards and grocery list need Apple's apps.

Switching takes about five minutes

Install Lifeboard on an iPad running iPadOS 26 or later.
Tap Allow for Calendar, Reminders, Photos and Home.
Add your kids and pick their chore lists in Reminders.
Stand it on the counter and turn on Guided Access.

The Help page walks through each step.

Questions

Is Lifeboard made by Skylight?

No. Lifeboard is an independent app and isn't affiliated with Skylight.

Can I still use Google Calendar?

Yes. Add your Google or work calendar to the iPad's Calendar app and it shows up in Lifeboard.

Do I need a subscription?

No. Lifeboard is $29.99 once, with a free 14-day trial, and there's no Lifeboard account.

Which iPads work?

Any iPad that runs iPadOS 26 or later, including the iPad 8th generation (2020), iPad Air 3rd generation (2019), iPad mini 5th generation (2019) and every iPad Pro from 2018 on. See the full list.

Lifeboard launches this November. Be the first to know.

Get notified

Skylight is a trademark of its owner. Lifeboard isn't affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Skylight. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc.