Rede
Coming soon to iPhone
Family apps 2026
Shopping lists, a screen in the kitchen, crash alerts or a family inbox. Seven apps, and the family each one suits.
There isn't one best family app, because families want different things from one. Cozi is the one for lists and meal plans, and Life360 for safety on the road. TimeTree is a free shared calendar, Skylight is a screen for the kitchen, and Apple's Family Sharing is there if you don't want another app at all. Rede is for families who want the calendar, chat, photos, map and school emails in one app, paid once.
We make Rede, so we're not neutral. Every price below is from the App Store or the app's own website on 30 October 2026, and every app gets its strengths listed before its weaknesses.
The things a family does in an ordinary week: checking the calendar, finding out where someone is, sorting out pick-ups, sharing photos and dealing with the school's emails. Then what each app costs after one year and after five, and whether it shows ads.
$149.99 once
A family app with a shared calendar, chat, photos, a map and the family's own email address. It runs on iPhone and Apple Watch now, with Mac, the web and Android later.
Best for: iPhone families who are tired of subscriptions
Free with ads; Gold $39 a year
The classic family calendar, with shopping lists, recipes and a meal planner. Rede vs Cozi →
Best for: Families who plan the week around the shopping list
Free; Premium $44.99 a year
An all-in-one family app with a calendar, messages, photos, lists, recipes, a budget and, with Premium, location. Rede vs FamilyWall →
Best for: Families who want every tool and don't mind a subscription
Free with ads; Premium $44.99 a year
A shared calendar for any group, with comments on events. Rede vs TimeTree →
Best for: Couples and groups who only need a calendar
Free; Silver from $9.99 a month
Location sharing with safety features. The paid plans add crash detection, SOS and driving reports. Rede vs Life360 →
Best for: Families with teenage drivers
The screen, plus Plus at $79 a year
A touchscreen calendar for the wall that brings in your existing calendars. Rede vs Skylight →
Best for: Families with young children
Free
Find My, a shared calendar, a shared album and group chats in Messages, built into every iPhone. Rede vs Apple Family Sharing →
Best for: Families who don't want another app
Prices from the US App Store and the apps' own websites, read 30 October 2026.
It depends on what you organise. Cozi for lists and meals, FamilyWall for an all-in-one with a free plan, TimeTree for a free calendar, Skylight for a screen in the kitchen, and Rede for everything in one app on iPhone without a subscription.
TimeTree and Cozi both have free versions with ads. Apple's iCloud shared calendar is free without ads, but everyone shares one colour.
Yes. Rede costs $149.99 once for the whole family, and Skylight's screen also works without its Plus plan.
Rede is coming to iPhone soon.
See everything in Rede