7 Best Family Calendar Apps in 2026 (Tested by Real Parents)
We tested every major family calendar app to find what actually works for busy parents.
The criteria:
- How fast can you add events?
- How easy is sharing with family?
- Does it work across iPhone and Android?
- Is the pricing fair?
- Does it actually solve the family calendar problem?
Here are the 7 best family calendar apps in 2026, ranked.
1. Calendara — Best Overall for Busy Parents
Price: Free tier / Pro at $2.99/month Platforms: Web, iOS (coming soon), Android (coming soon)
Why It's #1
Calendara solves the biggest family calendar problem: getting events into the calendar in the first place.
Take a photo of any school flyer, sports schedule, or activity calendar. AI extracts all events automatically. What takes 2 hours manually takes 2 minutes.
Key Features
✅ AI Photo Extraction — Snap a photo, get all events ✅ Color-Coded Family Members — See whose event is whose ✅ Easy Sharing — QR code or link, no account needed to view ✅ Two-Way Google Sync — Unlike Cozi's read-only sync ✅ Modern Interface — Clean, intuitive design
Best For
Parents drowning in school flyers, sports schedules, and paper calendars. Families leaving Cozi.
Limitations
Shopping lists coming soon (not available yet). Native mobile app in development.
2. Google Calendar — Best Free Option
Price: Free Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Why It Ranks High
Completely free, incredibly reliable, and works everywhere. If your family already uses Google services, it's a natural fit.
Key Features
✅ Free Forever — No premium tier needed ✅ Cross-Platform — iPhone, Android, web, everywhere ✅ Reliable Sync — Google's infrastructure is solid ✅ Integration — Works with Gmail, Google Meet, etc.
Best For
Tech-savvy families who want free and are already in the Google ecosystem.
Limitations
No AI or photo extraction—every event typed manually. Not designed for families (no color-coded members). Sharing setup is complex.
3. TimeTree — Best Free with Ads
Price: Free (with ads) / Premium $4.49/month Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Why It Ranks Here
TimeTree offers solid family features for free (if you tolerate ads). Over 60 million users worldwide.
Key Features
✅ Free Core Features — Calendar sharing, multiple views ✅ Event Chat — Comments on individual events ✅ Recently Added OCR — Basic photo scanning ✅ Cross-Platform — Works everywhere
Best For
Budget-conscious families who don't mind ads. Families who want event-level discussion.
Limitations
Ads on free tier can be intrusive. OCR is basic compared to Calendara's AI. Some users report sync issues.
4. Cozi — Best for Shopping Lists
Price: Free (30-day limit) / Gold $40/year / Max $60/year Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Why It Still Makes the List
Cozi pioneered the family calendar category and still has useful features—especially the shared shopping lists.
Key Features
✅ Color-Coded Family Members — The original ✅ Shopping Lists — Well-designed shared lists ✅ Recipe Storage — Save family recipes ✅ Weekly Digest — Email summary of upcoming week
Best For
Families who need shopping lists integrated with their calendar and don't mind paying.
Limitations
Free tier now limited to 30 days. Google sync is read-only. Limited AI features (Cozi Max $60/year has AI Meal Planner and email-forward photo extraction). Interface feels dated.
5. FamilyWall — Best for Location Tracking
Price: Free / Premium $4.99/month Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Why It Ranks Here
If you want family location tracking bundled with your calendar, FamilyWall is the most comprehensive option.
Key Features
✅ Location Sharing — See where family members are ✅ Check-Ins — Kids can notify arrival at locations ✅ Secure Messaging — End-to-end encryption ✅ Document Storage — Keep important files
Best For
Parents who want to track kids' locations alongside the family schedule.
Limitations
Can feel overwhelming (too many features). Calendar sync requires premium. No AI or photo extraction.
6. Apple Calendar — Best for All-Apple Families
Price: Free Platforms: iOS, macOS, watchOS (Apple only)
Why It Ranks Here
If your entire family uses Apple devices, the built-in calendar with Family Sharing works seamlessly.
Key Features
✅ Built-In — No app to download ✅ Family Sharing Integration — Easy setup for Apple families ✅ Siri Support — Voice commands work well ✅ Clean Interface — Apple design quality
Best For
Families where everyone has iPhones and Macs.
Limitations
Android family members are left out. Limited sharing with non-Apple users. No AI or photo extraction.
7. OurFamilyWizard — Best for Co-Parents
Price: ~$150/year per parent Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Why It Makes the List
Not a general family calendar, but the best option for divorced or separated parents who need documentation.
Key Features
✅ Custody Tracking — Visual custody schedule ✅ Expense Splitting — Track shared costs ✅ ToneMeter — Flags hostile language ✅ Court-Admissible — Documentation for legal purposes
Best For
Divorced parents, high-conflict co-parenting situations, court-ordered communication.
Limitations
Expensive. Overkill for intact families. Not designed for general family use.
Quick Comparison Table
| Rank | App | Best Feature | Price | Photo Extract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calendara | AI extraction | Free/$2.99mo | ✅ AI-powered |
| 2 | Google Calendar | Free & reliable | Free | ❌ |
| 3 | TimeTree | Free with chat | Free/$4.49mo | ⚠️ Basic |
| 4 | Cozi | Shopping lists | Free(30d)/$40yr(Gold)/$60yr(Max) | ⚠️ Email-only (Max) |
| 5 | FamilyWall | Location tracking | Free/$4.99mo | ❌ |
| 6 | Apple Calendar | Apple integration | Free | ❌ |
| 7 | OurFamilyWizard | Co-parenting | ~$150/yr | ❌ |
How to Choose the Right One
"I'm drowning in school flyers and paper schedules"
→ Calendara (AI extraction will change your life)
"I need completely free"
→ Google Calendar (or TimeTree if you tolerate ads)
"I need shopping lists with my calendar"
→ Cozi (but be aware of the 30-day limit on free; paid plans start at $40/year)
"I want to track where my kids are"
→ FamilyWall
"Everyone in my family has Apple devices"
→ Apple Calendar
"I'm divorced and need documentation"
→ OurFamilyWizard
The Bottom Line
The best family calendar app is the one that removes friction from your life.
For most busy parents in 2026, that means:
- Fast event entry (AI extraction)
- Easy family sharing (QR code/link)
- Works with your existing calendar (Google sync)
Calendara hits all three, which is why it ranks #1.
But every family is different. Try your top 2-3 choices with a real schedule and see what sticks.
Related Guides
- Best Cozi Alternative 2026 — Detailed breakdown of why families are leaving Cozi and the best replacements
- Photo to Google Calendar — How to turn any photo into Google Calendar events using AI
- Best Shared Calendar for Divorced Parents — Calendar options for co-parenting and shared custody
- Cozi Pricing 2026: Is Gold or Max Worth It? — Full breakdown of Cozi's pricing tiers and what you actually get
Try the #1 Family Calendar App
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Updates
This list is updated regularly as apps change. Last update: January 2026.
Have we missed an app that should be on this list? Email gustavo@usecalendara.com.
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