Overview

Instant updates on shared lists and syncing across signed-in devices make AnyList useful when more than one person is adding items or checking what remains. It also handles task, packing, and other custom lists, though its recipe and meal-planning tools are what distinguish it from a general-purpose list manager. Cloud backups add continuity across devices; the privacy policy says information entered is encrypted with SSL and that reasonable safeguards are used, while acknowledging security cannot be guaranteed.

For a wider category comparison, see our Shopping List Apps guide.

Key features

Lists built for shared errands

Autocomplete and automatic grocery categorization reduce the work of keeping a shopping list orderly. Sharing updates instantly, which suits households coordinating a shop in real time. Barcode scanning is supported, and Siri or Alexa can add items by voice. Online shopping integrations include Instacart, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, and H-E-B; that breadth is useful for shoppers using those services, but does not make AnyList a retailer-independent shopping service.

Custom lists extend the app to tasks and packing, making it more flexible than a grocery-only tool. The tradeoff is that users seeking a focused task manager may not benefit from its recipe and food-oriented features.

Recipes tied to meal plans

Recipes can be grouped into collections, searched by name or ingredient, and converted into shopping-list ingredients. Imports work with popular recipe sites and blogs, but the free tier stops at five imported web recipes. Complete removes that ceiling. Its meal-planning calendar accepts recipes and notes, then generates a grocery list from selected dates, a practical link between deciding what to cook and shopping for it.

Pricing

AnyList is freemium. The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes core list creation and sharing, with up to five imported web recipes. It is adequate for shared lists and occasional recipe saving, but not for unlimited imports, meal planning, or Mac and web apps.

AnyList Complete — Individual costs 9.99 USD per year, billed $9.99 / year. It adds unlimited web recipe imports, Mac and web apps, meal planning, and premium features. This is the fit for one person who wants the full recipe-to-shopping workflow across those platforms.

AnyList Complete — Household costs 14.99 USD per year, billed $14.99 / year. It includes the same stated Complete features as the Individual plan under a household subscription, making it the relevant paid option for a household rather than paying for an individual subscription. The plan terms do not state a seat count, so the subscription should not be treated as a specified number of users.

Platforms

AnyList supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, and an extension. The Free plan's platform access is narrower in practice: Mac and web apps are included with Complete. This makes Complete the better fit for people who expect to manage lists from a computer as well as a phone.

Who it's for

Choose AnyList if shared grocery lists are only part of the job and you also want recipes, meal planning, and grocery-list generation connected in one workflow. The free plan can serve list-focused users; recipe-heavy households will get more from Complete. Look elsewhere if the five-import free limit is restrictive and you do not want a subscription, or if your needs are limited to straightforward lists.

Pros and cons

Pros: Instant sharing and cross-device sync support coordinated shopping without relying on one person's list.
Pros: Recipe search, imports, meal planning, and generated grocery lists connect meal decisions to shopping.
Pros: Custom lists, voice entry, barcode scanning, and retailer integrations broaden its usefulness beyond a static grocery list.
Cons: Free imports are capped at five, and meal planning plus Mac and web apps require Complete.
Cons: The platform experience is uneven by plan because desktop and web apps are reserved for Complete.

Alternatives

Pick Buy Me a Pie! if three free shopping lists, sharing with two other accounts, and eight color groups cover your needs; its Pro plan is $2.99 per month, while AnyList's paid plans are annual.

BuyBye is worth considering for a free plan with up to five lists, two people per list, a five-recipe box, and current-week meal planning. OurGroceries suits readers who want all features and list sharing free and can tolerate ads in a few screens; removing ads costs $1.00 per month.

Bring! keeps core functions, including shared shopping lists, recipes, and special offers, free. For a free option with all features included on Android and iOS, consider Grocery Buddy. GroceryShare offers a free Simple plan with grocery lists, smart categories, shopping mode, and basic recipes.

Choose Groly if you want a free, self-hosted Docker app with registration controlled by admin invitations. KitchenOwl is another free, open-source self-hosted option, with support across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

Verdict

AnyList is the right choice for households that want shared shopping lists to flow directly from saved recipes and a meal calendar. Its main advantage is that connected workflow, while its main reason to look elsewhere is the paywall around meal planning, unlimited imports, and computer apps. Start free if lists are the priority; choose Complete when recipes and planning become part of the routine.

	AnyList	Smart Grocery
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	$0.83/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, extension, iOS, macOS, Web	iOS, macOS
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Shared lists	Yes	Yes
Real-time syncing	Yes	—
Barcode scanning	Yes	Yes
Recipe import	Yes	Yes
Recurring items	—	Yes

AnyList vs Smart Grocery

AnyList

Smart Grocery