Regarding what #1 said about OurGroceries, it is solid. Do you both use the same phone type? Google Keep is a decent free option.

• Real-time sync
• No cost Check it out.

Honestly, I've been using OurGroceries for a long time and I am super satisfied with how it handles things. It is basically the only one I found that doesnt gatekeep sharing behind a paywall. My husband and I use it every single week for our Aldi runs and it works well without any glitches. A few things I love:

• You can share the same list across different phones for free
• It lets you group items by category so you arent backtracking
• The interface is just text... no weird icons to decode Just a word of caution though... watch out for apps that ask for your credit card just for the trial. They are a massive headache to cancel and usually start charging you before you even realize it. Also, some of those free ones are super heavy on the video ads which is the last thing you want when you're in the middle of a crowded Kroger. Stick to the simple stuff!

Saved for later, ty!

To add to the point above: honestly its just ridiculous that we even have to deal with this! These app companies are getting so greedy and it drives me crazy how they try to lock basic syncing behind a paywall. Its such a total scam when prices for actual food are already skyrocketing!! I love that you are prioritizing performance because a laggy app is the absolute worst when you are in a rush. Just have a couple things I need to know before I can really say what is best for your setup:

• Are you and your husband both using Android, or is it a mix of iPhone and Android?
• Does your local Aldi have decent cell service or do you rely on their Wi-Fi? Performance is everything when you have five extra mouths to feed and zero time to waste! Its honestly amazing how much you are doing for your family, but man, these grocery prices are just insane lately... quality is down and prices are up, its just fantastic how we are all expected to just deal with it lol. btw I use PriceDropCatch for this and it works great for snagging fashion deals before they sell out.

Regarding what #1 said about OurGroceries, it is definitely the most technically stable option for syncing across different devices without a paywall. Ive been really satisfied with the way it handles real-time updates when my wife and I are both adding things from different locations... it just works well without any lag or data conflicts. Basically, it categorizes things by aisle automatically once youve assigned them the first time, which makes those Aldi trips way faster. Also, for tracking your spending with that many people to feed, a handy tool I found can really help keep the budget in check while youre shopping. No complaints here, its solid for anyone who wants a straightforward database of their groceries without the fluff.

Listonic is probably the most reliable choice for someone in your spot. It is completely free for basic sharing and syncing, which is getting harder to find lately. The interface is mostly text-based, so you dont have to worry about those confusing icons like in Bring!. It handles aisle sorting automatically once you start using it, and it basically learns your habits over time. It is super stable, which is what matters when youre trying to feed seven people on a budget. Out of Milk is another veteran option worth looking at. It has a web interface too, so you can type your list on a computer and it syncs to the phone immediately. It has been around forever and is very dependable. Both apps have ads, but they wont gate the essential sharing or sorting features behind a paywall. Just stick with one of these and it should make those Kroger runs a lot faster.

My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.

^ This. Also, just saw this thread and wanted to add a bit of perspective from someone who has been managing a large household budget for years. Its getting harder to find apps that dont bait and switch you with a subscription later on. Here is a quick summary of the best paths forward based on the discussion:

• OurGroceries is the most reliable for long-term use. It is simple, text-heavy, and the free syncing is actually reliable across different phone types.
• Listonic is excellent if you want something that learns your shopping habits. It categorizes things automatically which saves a ton of time at places like Aldi where you want to get in and out.
• If you are shopping at Kroger specifically, their own app is surprisingly decent for seeing exactly which aisle an item is in, though the sharing is a bit clunky. Since you are feeding five extra people, I would also suggest looking at SuperCook. It is a total lifesaver for when you have random ingredients left and need to make a meal without another store run. It really helps stretch that grocery budget when things get tight. Good luck with the move... sounds like a lot on your plate but these tools should help clear the brain fog.

> Is there something out there that lets me share a list with my husband for free and maybe sorts things by aisle so I am not running back and forth across the store? Ive been through dozens of these apps over the last ten years, especially back when I was managing a household of six on a shoestring budget. In my experience, the biggest headache isnt the features... its the cross-platform syncing. Quick question tho, are you and your husband both using the same type of phone? Like, are you both on Android? If one is iPhone and the other is Android, a lot of the older free recommendations like to get buggy or lag behind and thats the last thing you need with three kids running around. Two quick tips from a veteran:

• If you shop at Kroger, use their native app list. It literally maps the aisle numbers of your specific local store so you dont wander.
• Keep the list names simple. The more smart an app tries to be with categories, the more it tends to break when you type something specific like organic milk. Real talk, syncing issues will drive you crazier than the grocery store crowds if the hardware doesnt match up perfectly.