Hest vs Skylight: Do You Need a $280 Screen to Manage Your Household?
Comparing Hest, a free mobile household management app, with Skylight's hardware calendar system. Which approach actually fits your family's workflow?
Skylight has made a name for itself with its wall-mounted family calendar — a dedicated touchscreen that sits in your kitchen and keeps everyone's schedules visible. It's a compelling product, especially for families with kids.
But does household management really require a separate piece of hardware?
Hest takes a different approach: a mobile-first app that puts calendar sync, task management, meal planning, recipe storage, and household records in your pocket — no extra screens, no subscription required.
Here's how they compare.
At a Glance
| Feature | Hest | Skylight |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mobile app | Hardware device + app |
| Shared Calendar | With external sync | With external sync |
| Task Management | Assignable with due dates & categories | Color-coded checklists |
| Meal Planning | Included free | Requires Plus ($79/yr) |
| Recipe Management | Full recipe library with meal plan linking | Requires Plus ($79/yr) |
| Household Records | Document & record tracking | Not available |
| Push Notifications | Real-time for all events | Via app |
| Upfront Cost | Free | $150 – $600 (device) |
| Subscription | Optional premium | $79/year for Plus features |
| Platforms | iOS (Android coming soon) | Proprietary hardware + app |
The Cost Question
This is the biggest difference. Skylight requires a hardware purchase starting at $150 for the 10" model and going up to $600 for the 27" Calendar Max. On top of that, advanced features like meal planning and AI-powered schedule imports are locked behind the $79/year Skylight Plus subscription.
Hest is free to download with a generous free tier. Meal planning, recipe management, tasks, and calendar sync are all included without a subscription. No hardware purchase necessary.
Calendar Sync
Both apps sync with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook. On this front, they're evenly matched.
Where they differ is the interface. Skylight's strength is ambient visibility — the calendar is always on, always on your wall. It's great for families who want a shared "command center" in the kitchen.
Hest lives on your phone, which means it's always with you. You can check schedules, add events, and get push notifications whether you're at home, at work, or on the go. No need to walk to the kitchen to see what's happening Tuesday.
Task & Chore Management
Skylight offers color-coded checklists on the device — good for kids who need a visual reminder of their daily routines. The Plus subscription adds a rewards system where kids earn stars for completed chores.
Hest takes a more flexible approach with assignable tasks. You can assign any task to any household member, set due dates, add categories, and everyone gets a push notification. It's less about gamified chore charts and more about actual coordination between adults (and teens) running a household together.
Meal Planning & Recipes
Skylight locks meal planning behind its $79/year Plus subscription. When you have it, you can plan meals and upload recipes to the device.
With Hest, meal planning is free. You can plan your weekly meals, assign a cook, and link recipes from your personal recipe library. The recipe-to-meal integration means you go from "what should we cook?" to a full plan in minutes — without paying extra.
Household Records
Hest includes a Household Records feature for storing warranties, insurance details, account numbers, receipts, and other important documents. It's a feature no other household management platform offers in this category.
Skylight doesn't have anything comparable. If you need to look up your home warranty info or that receipt from last month, you'll need another app.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Skylight if:
- You value a dedicated, always-visible display in your home
- You have younger kids who respond well to visual chore charts and reward systems
- Budget isn't a primary concern ($150–$600 hardware + $79/year subscription)
Choose Hest if:
- You want a free, mobile-first solution that travels with you
- You need meal planning, recipes, and record keeping without paying extra
- You're coordinating between adults or older family members who live on their phones
- You'd rather not buy and maintain another piece of hardware
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely. Some families use Skylight as a kitchen display for quick schedule visibility and Hest on their phones for on-the-go task management, meal planning, and record keeping. Since both sync with external calendars, the events stay in sync regardless.
But if you're looking for one solution that covers calendars, tasks, meals, recipes, and records — Hest does it all from your pocket, for free.
Hest is available for free on the App Store. Try it today and see how it fits your household.