Best shared family calendar apps in 2026

We make Sova. Read this with that in mind. Competitor details are from public listings as of October 2026 and may change.

What “best” means here

Families do not all need the same tool. Some only need one shared calendar. Others need groceries next to school pickup, a trip packing list, and a Home Screen glance that shows the whole day. We compared six well-known options on platforms, sharing, lists and notes beyond events, ads, and price — as of October 2026. We make Sova, so that bias is disclosed up front.

Short picks

Choose TimeTree if you want a free shared calendar that works on Android and iPhone. Choose Cozi if recipes and meals sit next to the family calendar. Choose FamilyWall if you want a broader family hub (messaging, photos, and more on Premium). Choose Apple Calendar if everyone is already in Apple Family Sharing and events alone are enough. Choose Google Calendar if the household already lives in Google accounts. Choose Sova if it is an all‑iPhone household that wants shared lists, a calm day view, and a large widget — with someone on Android able to join a shared list in the browser when needed.

How the table reads

“Best for” is a job, not a score. Prices are approximate public figures as of October 2026; check each product’s own page before you buy. Sova Free stays complete for everyday planning; Pro is optional for Screenshot Scan, Dictate, and higher sharing limits.

TimeTree

TimeTree is built as a shared calendar: people join the same calendar on iPhone, Android, and the web. Free includes ads; Premium removes them and adds extras. If mixed phones are non‑negotiable and your main need is events with comments, TimeTree is often the simplest honest answer.

Cozi

Cozi is a family organizer: shared calendar, shopping and to‑do lists, and a recipe box that works on phones and computers. Free is ad‑supported; Cozi Gold is about $39 a year as of October 2026 (one subscription for the household, per Cozi’s plan page). Pick Cozi when meals and recipes are half the reason you want an app.

FamilyWall

FamilyWall aims at an all‑in‑one family hub: calendar and lists plus messaging, photos, and more. Premium is commonly listed around $45 a year as of October 2026 — confirm on FamilyWall’s own pricing page. Choose it when you want one app for family chatter and plans together; choose something calmer if you only need the plans.

Apple Calendar and Google Calendar

Apple Calendar with Family Sharing is already on every iPhone. If the household only needs shared events — school nights, flights, birthdays — it can be enough without another app. Google Calendar is the same idea for Google‑first homes, including Android and the web. Both are excellent calendars; neither is built as a shared grocery list with a day widget next to notes and groups.

Sova

Sova is an everyday planner for iPhone: notes, lists, and your calendars in separate groups (home, work, friends, a trip), brought together on Today and a large Home Screen widget. Share a group with a link or QR; people join with Sign in with Apple. Free includes a complete ritual — notes, Today, calendar views, widgets, six active groups, and two shared lists (up to 10 people each). Pro adds Screenshot Scan and Dictate, higher sharing limits, attachments, and more. Someone without an iPhone can still join a shared list in the browser. Private groups you never share stay on the device.

How to choose without overthinking

Start with phones. If Android is in the house for the full planner, TimeTree, Cozi, FamilyWall, or Google Calendar fit better than an iPhone‑first app. If everyone has an iPhone and you keep losing the grocery list in chat, try Sova Free for a week: one shared list, Today, and the widget. If recipes are the centre of gravity, try Cozi. If Apple Family Sharing already works and you only fight about calendar events, stay on Apple Calendar.

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