The best grocery list app is the one everyone in your house will open: it should sync instantly, sort items sensibly and be quick to add to. Check sharing, aisle sorting and recipe import. Ten apps follow in no particular order, plus a routine for keeping one shared list that works.
The humble shopping list causes more household arguments than it should. Someone forgets the milk, two people buy bread, and the list on the fridge never makes it to the shop. A shared app fixes most of that, as long as it's simple enough that everyone uses it.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Some are dedicated grocery apps, others are general list tools that handle shopping well. Each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today. If you plan meals for the week, my prompts for meal prep and a weekly shopping list can draft the list for you.
Grocery list apps compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or store listing describes a free app or free version, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Most grocery apps are free to start, with upgrades for recipes or extra lists.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnyList | Shared list app | Lists sorted by store aisle | Yes |
| Apple Reminders | Built-in list app | iPhone households sharing a list | Yes |
| Bring! | Shared shopping list | Picture-based lists for families | Yes |
| Google Keep | Notes and checklists | Quick lists on Android and web | Yes |
| Listonic | Smart shopping list | Quick list building with suggestions | Yes |
| Microsoft To Do | Task and list app | Work and home lists in one place | Yes |
| OurGroceries | Shared grocery list | Instant sync between family phones | Yes |
| Out of Milk | Grocery list app | Pantry and to-do lists together | Yes |
| ReciMe | Recipe and list app | Lists built from saved recipes | Yes |
| Todoist | Task manager | Recurring household lists | Yes |
Ten apps for a shared shopping list
AnyList
Best for: Couples who shop separately and want one shared list that sorts items by aisle and pulls in recipe ingredients.
Apple Reminders
Best for: Households where everyone has an iPhone and just wants a shared grocery list that groups items automatically.
Bring!
Best for: Families with young helpers who like a visual list of item icons that anyone can tap through in the shop.
Google Keep
Best for: Android users who want a quick checklist they can share with a partner and open on any browser.
Listonic
Best for: Shoppers who want a list that suggests items as they type and works on the web with no account.
Microsoft To Do
Best for: People who already use Outlook at work and want their shopping list alongside their tasks.
OurGroceries
Best for: Families who want the list on every phone to update the moment someone adds or crosses off an item.
Out of Milk
Best for: Shoppers who want a grocery list, a pantry list and a to-do list together in one simple app.
ReciMe
Best for: Home cooks who want the list built straight from saved recipes and ordered by supermarket aisle.
Todoist
Best for: Organised households who want recurring shopping items and shared projects for chores as well as groceries.
What food dates really mean
Grocery apps often remind you when food is about to go out of date, so it helps to know what those dates mean. USDA FSIS, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, says that, except for infant formula, product dating isn't required by federal regulations, and phrases such as Sell-By, Use-By and Best if Used By describe quality rather than safety.
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What that means for you: a date passing isn't automatically a reason to throw food away. Treat dates as a quality guide, follow the storage advice on the pack and use your judgement. If an app nags you about dates, it's worth turning those reminders down so they don't push you to waste food that's fine.
Dedicated grocery apps or general list apps
Dedicated grocery apps sort items by aisle, suggest things as you type and pull ingredients from recipes, so you're not hunting for the tinned tomatoes twice. General list and task apps don't know a lemon from a lightbulb, but they're excellent for shared lists, reminders and recurring items, and you may already have one installed.
If your household shops in one or two regular supermarkets, aisle sorting saves real time. If you mostly need a shared checklist, the app already on your phone may be all you need.
Setting up a list your household will share
- Pick one app and agree that it's the only list from now on.
- Invite everyone in the house and check the list syncs on each phone.
- Add your regular items once, so you can re-add them with a tap.
- Sort the list by aisle or store section if the app allows it.
- Add things the moment you run out, not when you're leaving for the shop.
- Clear ticked items after each trip so the list stays readable.
Small habits that make lists work
- Name items the same way. 'Milk' and 'semi-skimmed' as separate items confuse everyone.
- Use quantities. 'Eggs x12' saves a phone call from the shop.
- Keep a staples list. Re-add the weekly basics with one tap.
- Look for savings. My piece on grocery loyalty schemes for families explains how they work.
Do you make a grocery list app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a grocery list app
If your household is new to shared lists, start with whichever free app is easiest to add items to, because speed is what decides whether people use it. Give it two weeks before judging, and let the fridge whiteboard retire.
If you cook from recipes a lot, choose an app that imports ingredients and sorts them by aisle. And keep it to one list app; two apps is how the milk gets forgotten again.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free grocery list app?
Most apps here are free to download and share, with optional upgrades for recipes, more lists or extra features.
Can two people edit the same grocery list?
Yes. Shared list apps sync changes between phones, so items added by one person appear for everyone.
Can a grocery app sort items by aisle?
Several can, either automatically or by letting you set the order for your usual shop.
Do I need a special app for groceries?
Not always. A general list or reminders app handles a shared shopping list well, though it won't sort by aisle as cleverly.
Can I add recipe ingredients straight to my list?
Some apps import ingredients from a recipe link or saved recipe and add them to your list in one go.
Are Use-By dates about safety?
The USDA says that, except for infant formula, product dates describe quality rather than safety, and they aren't required by federal regulations.
