One-way vs. two-way sync: which to choose

One-way sync

With one-way sync, events from the source calendar are mirrored to the destination calendar, but not the other way around. Changes on the destination calendar are not sent back.

When to use one-way sync

• You want your personal calendar to reflect your work schedule, but not vice versa.
• You are syncing a shared team calendar to your own calendar for visibility.
• You want a simple, predictable setup where one calendar is the source of truth.

Example

Your work calendar has a “Client call” at 2 PM. With one-way sync from work to personal, your personal calendar shows a “Busy” block at 2 PM. But events on your personal calendar are not sent to your work calendar.

Two-way sync

With two-way sync, events from both calendars are mirrored to each other. A new event on either side creates a corresponding block on the other.

When to use two-way sync

• You want both calendars to always reflect your complete availability.
• You are a freelancer managing multiple client calendars and need each to see when you are unavailable.
• You want anyone checking either calendar to get an accurate picture.

Example

A “Dentist” appointment on your personal calendar creates a “Busy” block on your work calendar. A “Team standup” on your work calendar creates a “Busy” block on your personal calendar. Both calendars show your real availability.

Which should you choose?

For most users, two-way sync is the right choice — it ensures both calendars always reflect your full availability. Use one-way sync when you only need visibility in one direction and want to keep the other calendar untouched.

You can change the sync direction of a connection at any time from your dashboard.