Best Family Calendar/Organizer App

[SeaConquest]

I  know this has been discussed before, but our search feature sucks and it's 2020, so I am going to ask again in case there are any cool new updates. I'd like to be able to sync calendars/schedules across family members. Bonus points if it has functionality for things like chores/tasks, grocery lists, storing docs, or any other cool things for which one might use these apps.

I saw this list, which seemed pretty good: https://www.developgoodhabits.com/family-calendar-apps/

What says the Hive? What do you use? Why? How do you use it? Why do you like it? How has it made your family run more smoothly?

[PeterPan]

I'm on mac and I use Calendars5. It's easy to load house keeping schedules in as recurrent events. I can make as many calendars as I want on the main account and then on each device just tick which calendars I want to show. So my dd has lots of calendars, as do my ds and I, but I only see the ones of theirs I want to see, not private ones, homework, etc.This app has color codng and looks the best on my phone.

I keep my grocery lists with Things3. I can have it divided by store, move things easily, and enter with Siri because I'm still in a splnt igh.

I need to up my game on menu planning in an app now that dd is back. 

If youwant ONE, probably google calendar. My ds' providers expect to send appts through google calendar. I have to learn to sync that next.

[SeaConquest]

Thanks, Peter Pan. I will check those out. I am leaning towards Google Calendar, but I am wondering if I am missing out on something cool. I really want to learn to use Trello, but am intimidated.

[Pen]

Cozi has what you are looking for, I think.  It is especially helpful if others in family will participate in using it.

Otherwise my preferred choice for myself alone is Summit 

 

[PeterPan]

29 minutes ago, SeaConquest said:

Trello

I messed up my hand so i'm [layong with trello. It's ok but you still need a calendar. at least i do. I need a really well done app, not so much integration. then make widgets on phone and automate with siri.

[PeterPan]

Just now, Pen said:

Cozi

fee?

[Pen]

5 minutes ago, PeterPan said:

fee?

 

There’s a free version with ads.  Iirc. It was many such apps I tested and was best imo for family use, with color flags etc.    but I didn’t advance to premium paid type with it

[catz]

We love google calendar.  We can access anywhere on any device and can set up custom notifications.  Compatible with homeschool planet online planner.  Compatible with some other apps we use.  Has worked great for our family for many years plus the price is right.  

[Tree Frog]

I have Cozi premium. I wasn't going to upgrade again since the kids are out of the house again and just use the basic, but there were enough features with the calendar and lists only available on the upgrade that I decided to pay the $30. I liked it because everyone could sign in and put their own stuff on it and be notified of upcoming events. The only thing I didn't like was that everyone could see everyone else's items on the calendar. So if I had a doctor appt I didn't want the kids to know about, they could see it. 

[marbel]

We have always used google calendar and google keep for lists and such. Everyone can see everyone else, and everyone can add to and see any lists (groceries, school/office supply needs, wines we have liked).  It's simple and works for us. 

 

[Laura Corin]

I use Google programmes: Calendar for scheduling  and Keep Note for lists. You can set reminders and the notes  can Show on the calendar.

[PeterPan]

1 hour ago, wilrunner said:

The only thing I didn't like was that everyone could see everyone else's items on the calendar. So if I had a doctor appt I didn't want the kids to know about, they could see it. 

Oh dear. And with just the basic calendar that comes with apple products you have the abiity to check and hid calendars so that isn't happening. I use calendars5 t make kt pretty

[PeterPan]

58 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

You can set reminders and the notes  can Show on the calendar.

Yes, apple products do that natively too. So android people I gess use google

[Tree Frog]

1 hour ago, PeterPan said:

Oh dear. And with just the basic calendar that comes with apple products you have the abiity to check and hid calendars so that isn't happening. I use calendars5 t make kt pretty

It wasn't a big deal at the time, but had the potential for problems.

[katilac]

I like Google Calendar for linking all the calendars; I like that I can see just my stuff, or everyone's stuff, or a combination thereof. 

Alexa is my go-to for lists, reminders, and alarms. Everyone can add to lists via an Alexa device or via their phone. My husband will literally lean on the written grocery list as he tells me we need something 😂 so I like being able to tell Alexa to add it right then. It's also great when you're in the midst of cooking and use the last of something, you don't have to wait or pause cooking to add it. 

And, and, you can add your Google Calendar to Alexa! So you can add and delete events by voice. I have the Echo Show with the little screen. When I tell it to show me my Google calendar, it pops up on today and you can scroll backwards or forwards. It shows all events of people I have linked to my Google calendar; I don't think there's a way to show only mine like I can in the actual app. 

Trello is lovely and I want to use it so much, but I don't find it that practical or helpful. 

[PeterPan]

1 minute ago, katilac said:

Google Calendar to Alexa!

Ooo that's smart. I use Siri and you can do give a "using" command to get it to use an app that isn't default. 

[Pen]

2 hours ago, wilrunner said:

It wasn't a big deal at the time, but had the potential for problems.

 

One can put “mom, appointment” and block out the time so others know it is not available,  and a memo of “notes in notes” type information if not wanting to share details.

[mom2scouts]

We use the free version of Cozi. Everyone can access it and add to it and we use the store lists too.

[SeaConquest]

I really like that Alexa functionality. We are Android and Alexa people, so that would be a big plus for us. Does Cozi sync with Alexa too?

[katilac]

11 hours ago, SeaConquest said:

I really like that Alexa functionality. We are Android and Alexa people, so that would be a big plus for us. Does Cozi sync with Alexa too?

Just lists, not calendars. 

[Laura Corin]

Zombie here for the craic. 

[Vlastelyn]

Well, I'm preparing our family calendar for Christmas, and I enter the most important information there for my family and mark significant dates and birthdays. It helps us to get information about when to congratulate someone, and it suits even the oldest family members who do not know how to use smartphones and other applications.    Also, if any significant events occur during the year, I prepare a calendar of preparation for the holiday using templates like the printable July 2023 calendar. In such a calendar, you can make an additional column where you will enter passwords and usernames from applications so everyone can use them.