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Meal planning and grocery lists are two of the best ways to save money — and they matter even more right now as higher prices, driven in part by global conflict, hit gas pumps and grocery stores across the country.
"The longer the conflict lasts, the more profound these potential effects will be," says Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet's senior economist.
If you're trying to stick to a strict budget but always forget your list, it might be time to consider a grocery list app. These apps offer real-time syncing and sharing capabilities, making them great for households, friends or roommates looking to share the mental load of keeping the fridge and pantry stocked.
We assessed app features and user reviews to arrive at top choices for you to consider.
How we chose the apps on our list
To come up with the list above, we looked for apps that offer the following:
- Real-time list sharing and syncing across multiple devices so everyone is on the same page.
- Automatic organization of similar items into groups to simplify the shopping experience.
- Cross-platform availability so that phone operating systems won't be a barrier to access.
We also looked for nice-to-have features, such as voice-assistant support, recipe organizing, pantry inventory tracking and ad-free plans.
All of our top choices have free versions. Some charge a fee to access premium features.
User experience and feedback matters, too. We only included apps that received at least 4.5 stars out of 5 in the iOS App Store or 3 out of 5 on Google Play, with at least 1,000 reviews. Those ratings were checked and updated on March 6, 2026.
Best overall grocery list app: Bring!
Bring! tops our roundup of grocery list apps.
Why we recommend it: The app has a colorful, user-friendly interface.
When building a list, the app suggests categories including fruits and vegetables, bread, meat and frozen foods. Choosing “fruits and vegetables” displays pictures of everything from apples to zucchini in colorful squares. Tap an option to get more specific — do you want canned or fresh tomatoes? Or just four on the vine?
There are a few features that make this app stand apart, including the ability to add store loyalty cards and pre-populated lists for things such as hosting a brunch or building a garden. There’s also an iPhone widget that makes adding items to your list easy from your home screen.
Cost: There is a free option and Bring! Premium ($1.99 a month or $8.99 a year). Bring! Premium gets you an ad-free experience, the ability to customize themes and lists and faster customer service.
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Best grocery list app for beginners: AnyList
AnyList is a no-frills app that gets the job done.
Why we recommend it: The free version is great for people who frequently shop at more than one store because users can create customizable lists, including shopping lists and check lists. Sharing lists is easy and syncing happens in real time.
AnyList allows users to save and share recipes, then add the ingredients directly to relevant lists. It’s compatible with voice-assistant technologies, like Alexa and Siri, for people who like to make lists on the go.
Cost: AnyList offers a free version and AnyList Complete for $9.99 per year for an individual or $14.99 per year for a household. Premium features include meal-planning calendar, access to a web app version and the ability to add photos for list items.
» Learn how to get coupons and cut grocery costs
Best grocery list app for busy families: Cozi Family Organizer
If you’re looking for a hub to organize the logistics of family life, Cozi Family Organizer might be for you.
Why we recommend it: Cozi Family Organizer lets you create grocery lists, but it also offers a lot of other functionality, including shared household calendars, a meal planner and the ability to delegate and track chores.
Cost: Cozi offers a free version, but if you want advanced features, Cozi Gold is definitely on the pricier side. Cozi Gold ($39.00 a year) eliminates ads and allows users to add and edit events more than 30 days in advance. There are more robust reminders, a birthday tracker and a widget for your smartphone home screen.
Best grocery list app for tracking pantry inventory: Out of Milk
Out of Milk is a straightforward, clean app that offers basic list creation, syncing and a to-do list.
Why we recommend it: What makes this app different is the barcode scanner that allows users to scan items to add them to their shopping list and take inventory of their pantries. There are options to note whether you’re low on ketchup or have a full canister of flour so you don’t buy duplicates you don’t need. Another thing that makes this app different: it displays a running total as you shop, so you don’t have sticker shock at the register.
Cost: Free.
» MORE: What is the average cost of groceries per month?
Best grocery list app for roommates: OurGroceries
OurGroceries has a simple appearance and could be a good choice for roommates because it doesn’t integrate personal features, such as household calendars and chores.
Why we recommend it: Users have the ability to add items to their list by scanning a barcode or simply taking a photo, thanks to AI technology. If you’re sharing shopping duties, you can also upload photos of items directly to your list to make sure the person shopping gets the right product. The app can store favorite recipes and add ingredients to the appropriate shopping list with one touch.
Cost: The app is free and so are its features. Users can pay $0.99 per month, $5.99 per year or a one-time fee of $19.99 to remove ads.
» MORE: Other ways to save money on groceries
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