Cozi alternatives in 2026: all your options
The iOS app for households sharing the mental load: the invisible work of remembering what needs doing at home. Tasks, shopping and events synced in real time for up to six people.
Cozi is a free family calendar with shopping lists and a meal planner. If it's not quite fitting, here are the alternatives - and when each one is the better choice.
Who it's for
Households (usually couples) where one person remembers what needs doing. Up to six people, and it works solo until others join.
Households looking for a Cozi alternative, whether for iOS-only households, a mental load focus, or a different feature set.
Who it isn't for
Work project management, solo GTD / Todoist-style projects, or Android-only households.
Work project management or solo productivity systems.
Price and limits
- Free: 10 open items, 5 shopping items, 2 household members, 5 voice captures
- Carry Plus: $7.99/month, $29.99/year, or $149.99 once for Lifetime
- 7-day free trial on monthly and annual, no payment upfront
- One purchase covers the household, Lifetime included. People who join never pay and never see a paywall
What people look for in a Cozi alternative
iOS only, no Android needed
If your household is all on iPhone, you can use apps that aren't cross-platform. Carry and Apple Reminders work only on iOS, and they don't need to support Android.
Shows who's carrying the mental load
Cozi is calendar-first. If you want to see who is doing the noticing and remembering, not just who's scheduled, look for aging items, activity logs, or a Mental Load Score.
Ad-free without a paid tier
Cozi is free with ads, or you can upgrade to Cozi Gold. Some alternatives are paid from the start but ad-free, or have a free tier with no ads.
Tasks and shopping in the same feed
Cozi separates the calendar, shopping lists, and to-dos. Some alternatives put everything in one shared feed, so you don't have to check multiple tabs.
Cozi alternatives in 2026, compared
These are all real apps with real users. Each one suits a different household situation.
| Compared on | Carry | What each does well |
|---|---|---|
| Carry | Tasks, shopping, and events in one shared feed. Shows the mental load (aging items, Mental Load Score). iOS only. | Pick Carry if you want to see who's doing the noticing, your household is all on iOS, and you want tasks and shopping in one place. See /carry-vs-cozi for the full comparison. |
| TimeTree | Shared calendar with group chat and notes. Premium is ad-free with file attachments and vertical view. | Pick TimeTree if you want a calendar with built-in chat and the family is on both iPhone and Android. |
| Todoist | Task manager with projects and GTD features. Strong for work and solo productivity. Can hold a shared household project. | Pick Todoist if you want work tasks and home tasks in one app. It's not built around the family calendar or mental load. |
| Apple Reminders | Simple shared list, already on your iPhone, free. | Pick Apple Reminders if a basic shared list is enough, you're all on iOS, and you don't need a full calendar or meal planner. |
Get it out of one person’s head.
Free to download, up to six people. Not sure where your household stands? Start with the Mental Load Score.
Common questions
What is the best free Cozi alternative?
Apple Reminders is free and already on your iPhone, but it's iOS only and much simpler than Cozi. TimeTree has a free tier with ads. Carry has a free tier (10 open items, 5 shopping items, 2 household members). For families sharing everything, a paid plan usually fits better.
Is Carry better than Cozi?
It depends. Cozi is calendar-first, free with ads, and works on Android. Carry is mental-load-first, shows who is doing the noticing, and is iOS only. If your household is all on iPhone and one person is carrying the remembering, Carry is the better fit. If you need Android support or a free calendar-first app, Cozi is. See /carry-vs-cozi for the full comparison.
Which Cozi alternative works on both iPhone and Android?
TimeTree and Todoist all work on both iPhone and Android. Carry and Apple Reminders are iOS only. If anyone in your household is on Android, pick a cross-platform app.
Do any Cozi alternatives sync with Google or Outlook calendars?
Todoist integrates with Google Calendar. Carry, TimeTree, OurHome, and Apple Reminders do not sync with external calendars. If calendar syncing is essential, Cozi or Todoist are your best options.
What's the difference between Cozi and a mental load app like Carry?
Cozi is a shared family calendar with shopping lists and meal planning. Carry is built around the mental load: it shows who is doing the remembering (aging items, Mental Load Score, activity log), not just who's scheduled. Pick Cozi if you want a calendar-first app. Pick Carry if you want to see the invisible work. See /carry-vs-cozi for the full comparison.
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