Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

AnyList

Free with in-app purchases

AnyList is an intuitive app designed to help you create and share grocery lists and recipes with ease. It provides features like syncing lists across devices and organizing lists by store.

Our take

Easy list sharing and recipe storage in one app.

Alright, so let's talk about AnyList. You know how most apps promise to make life easier but end up feeling like another chore? Well, AnyList is a bit different. You can create and share lists with whoever you want, and it syncs across all your devices. No more squinting at crumpled paper lists or scrolling through a million note apps. The real kicker is how smoothly it all works — the app's interface is clean, and the features make sense without feeling like you need a manual to get started.

What's really neat is the recipe import feature. If you're like me and find yourself saving recipes from everywhere on the internet, you'll appreciate this. You can pull in recipes from almost any website and it breaks them down into ingredients and steps automatically. This means you can go from browsing a tasty looking dish online to having a complete shopping list in seconds. It sounds small, but it’s a game-changer for meal planning.

Now, not everything is sunshine and rainbows. One thing that might bug you is the subscription model. Sure, the basic version is free, but to unlock some of the cooler features, like the meal planning calendar and some customization options, you’ve got to shell out for a premium subscription. It's one of those things where you need to weigh if the extra features are worth the annual cost for your lifestyle. I get why they do it, but it's still something to chew on.

Sharing lists with others is straightforward, which is a big plus if you’re coordinating groceries or tasks with a partner or roommate. The real beauty is that you can both add or check off items in real-time, so you’re always on the same page. No more "I thought you were picking that up" conversations. It’s like everyone’s got the same list in their pocket, and that's pretty handy.

Overall, AnyList is a solid tool if you’re trying to streamline your list-making life. It’s got its quirks, like the subscription thing, but the daily convenience it offers might just be worth it. If you find yourself juggling lots of lists and recipes, it’s definitely worth giving the free version a spin to see if it fits your groove. At the end of the day, it’s about making life a bit easier, and this app mostly delivers on that front.

Free with in-app purchases

$30/month subscription