Benefits of using a to-do list as a couple?
So you and your partner as a couple are looking to start a simple to-do app to share? From managing a grocery list all the way over to what you're looking to achieve as a couple.
You might want something that is robust, easy to use, and allows you to sync with each other on what's the most important thing to get done in the week.
Many couples use these types of applications to keep themselves organized, ranging from smaller tasks around the house and assigning it to each other, all the way to planning a wedding and making sure everything goes smoothly for a new house move.
Whatever it might be, a to-do list application is a great way to strengthen a relationship and build a collaborative environment for you. Honestly, using a shared app can stop those awkward "I thought you were getting milk" arguments at 9pm when you're both tired.
The apps we're covering work differently too. Some focus purely on tasks and checklists, while others bundle in calendar views, chat features, or even gamification to make chores less painful. Your choice depends on whether you want something dead simple or an all-in-one hub for your shared life.
Here's some of the benefits: Great for sharing shopping lists Handy for making chore lists that recur weekly/daily Planning events like weddings, date nights & more Good for remote or long distant relationships Keeping you organized & sane together
🏆 Top Picks
Here's our winners for you to pick from:
Best for All Round - Todoist
Best for Dating Couples - Cupla
Best for Growing Families - Any DO
Best for Microsoft Lovers - Microsoft To-Do
Best for Sharing Alarms - Galarm
Best for Grocery Shopping - Bring
All of these tools have been picked to best suit the needs of couples with a range of use cases.
Todoist
Best for All Round: Todoist
The easiest and most simple to-do list application on our list is Todoist. It's well known in the market as one of the most reliable and easy-to-use experiences.
It's great because you can have a simple to-do list that you can share with up to five people in a project and begin to start assigning it to other people. You can add due dates and reminders as well for keeping in touch with all of the most important things.
And there are additional features like a calendar mode and also board mode which are available through premium, that will allow you to express all of your different to-do lists in many different ways.
For example, you and your partner could use the Kanban board view to help visualize an activity or type of project that you're working on, whether it's replenishing the garden's vegetables all the way to making sure that you clean the house effectively each week. Whatever it is, Todoist is a solid all-round choice.
Best for
Couples who want clean, simple task sharing without learning a complex system. Relationships where one person is organized and needs to gently onboard their partner. Households managing recurring chores, grocery lists, and weekend project planning. Partners who already use Todoist individually and want to share specific projects.
Not ideal if
You need built-in chat features for discussing tasks. Your partner hates learning new apps and needs absolute simplicity. You want couple-specific features like relationship milestones or date night planning. The free limit of 5 collaborators per project feels restrictive as your household grows.
Real-world example
A couple uses shared Todoist projects for household management. The "Groceries" project has recurring weekly items plus one-off additions. The "Home Projects" board tracks renovation tasks with deadlines. Each person has their own personal projects, but shared projects keep them aligned on household responsibilities without mixing personal and couple tasks.
Team fit
Perfect for couples, small families, or roommates (up to 5 people per project on free tier). Works great when one person is the organizer and the other person just needs to check off assigned tasks. Less ideal for larger families that need more collaborators per project.
Onboarding reality
Very easy. Most people understand Todoist within 10 minutes. Adding tasks, setting due dates, and checking things off is intuitive. The hardest part is getting your partner to actually check the app regularly, not learning how to use it.
Pricing friction
Free tier is genuinely functional for couples. Shared projects, task assignment, and basic reminders all work. Premium ($4/month per person annually) unlocks calendar view, board view, and reminders. The per-person pricing means $8/month for a couple, which feels reasonable.
Integrations that matter
Google Calendar sync (see tasks on shared calendar), calendar apps, email-to-task for quick capture, voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant) for hands-free task adding while cooking or cleaning.
Microsoft To-Do
Best for Microsoft Lovers: Microsoft To-Do
Microsoft To-Do is and could be one that you use as a couple. If you both have Microsoft accounts and you use it for work, you can create a Microsoft list that you can share with each other within Microsoft To-Do.
This helps you to collaborate on the list and assign work. It's perfect and simple and good for those who are very Microsoft-centric and like to keep things very rigid. Although the design isn't as attractive, it could be a good alternative that is free to use without the need to upgrade.
They also have this feature where if you're using Outlook, you can flag emails in, which might be nice to see what you need to do as a couple alongside your work emails: or maybe that's a little bit too stressful for you. You'll also find it on our Todoist alternatives list.
Best for
Couples already deep in the Microsoft ecosystem (Outlook, OneDrive, Windows). Relationships where both people use Microsoft for work and want to keep personal and work tasks in one app. Partners who prioritize free access over design aesthetics. Households that need unlimited sharing without hitting paid tier restrictions.
Not ideal if
You care about visual design and want an attractive couple app. Your partner doesn't have a Microsoft account and doesn't want one. You need advanced features like calendar view, board view, or rich integrations. Mixing work and personal feels stressful rather than convenient.
Real-world example
A couple where both partners work corporate jobs using Outlook creates a shared "Home" list in Microsoft To-Do. They flag important emails (insurance renewals, appointment confirmations) into the shared list. Grocery items go in a "Shopping" list. The integration with their work setup means they're already in the app daily, so checking household tasks happens naturally.
Team fit
Works for couples and small families with Microsoft accounts. No collaboration limits, so extended family members can be added freely. Less appealing for couples where one person doesn't use Microsoft and would need to create an account just for household tasks.
Onboarding reality
Easy if you know Microsoft products. The interface feels familiar to anyone who's used Outlook or other Microsoft apps. Creating lists and sharing them takes minutes. The bland design means there's not much to learn.
Pricing friction
Completely free with no meaningful limits for couples. No premium tier upsell. No per-person charges. No features locked behind paywalls. This is Microsoft's loss-leader to keep people in their ecosystem, so take advantage of it if you're already there.
Integrations that matter
Outlook (flag emails as tasks), Microsoft 365 (access from all apps), OneDrive (attach files), Windows integration (built into OS), Cortana voice assistant for hands-free task adding.
Microsoft To-Do is a to-do list application that can be used to manage lists & tasks.
Any DO
Best for Checklists & Families
Any DO is another consideration as well. It's a very clean, minimal application and, much like Todoist, allows you to share tasks with others.
They even have a family mode, which is a premium upgrade, but will allow you to share your tasks to the family, assigning things to other people and being able to keep simple lists together. It comes with all of the great functionality like being able to add subtasks and notes for each of your tasks that you create and assign to everyone else.
So it makes it easy as a way to collaborate, and if you did need to upgrade, the family plan will put you in good stead. Also featured in best checklist apps.
Best for
Couples who want a clean, minimal interface without clutter. Growing families planning to expand beyond just two people (family mode scales well). Partners who need subtasks to break down bigger household projects. Relationships where one person needs detailed notes on tasks to remember context.
Not ideal if
You want advanced views like calendar or board layouts. Your partner needs calendar integration to see tasks alongside appointments. You're looking for couple-specific features like date planning or relationship tracking. Budget is tight since useful family features require premium.
Real-world example
A couple with two young kids uses Any.do's family mode. The "Groceries" list is shared with both parents. The "Kids Activities" list has subtasks for permission slips, equipment, and carpools. Each parent can add items throughout the week, and the clean interface means checking items off while shopping is fast and simple.
Team fit
Sweet spot is couples transitioning into families (2-5 people). Family mode supports multiple household members without complexity. Works well when everyone uses mobile devices frequently since the apps are polished and responsive.
Onboarding reality
Very easy. The minimal design means there's not much to learn. Add task, set due date, assign to someone, done. Most couples get comfortable within their first shopping trip using it. The simplicity is the selling point.
Pricing friction
Free tier has basic sharing but limited features. Premium is $5.99/month or $2.99/month annually (per person). Family plan pricing isn't clearly listed, requires contacting sales. The per-person premium cost adds up quickly compared to couple-focused apps.
Integrations that matter
Google Calendar, Outlook, WhatsApp (share tasks via chat), Alexa and Google Assistant (voice task adding), Slack (for couples who use work tools at home).
Cupla
Best for Relationships: Cupla
Cupla is another alternative if you're looking for something that includes chat and calendar features. For example, Cupla is a more focused couples to-do list app experience that will help you keep track of all the things you need to do, as well as the ability to communicate through it.
This is a very popular one for couples that want something that doesn't feel so much like a to-do list app but more like a social network: so that they can keep an eye on the calendar, tasks, and chat through, as well as things like their couple's relationship and elements of that blossoming, which can be very nice for many people.
Best for
Dating couples who want relationship-specific features beyond just chores. Long-distance relationships that need chat, calendar, and task coordination in one place. Partners who like tracking relationship milestones, anniversaries, and date nights. Couples in the early stages who want to keep communication organized.
Not ideal if
You're expanding into a family and need more than two people sharing. The relationship-focused features feel too sentimental or unnecessary for your dynamic. You already use separate tools for chat and calendar that work fine. Privacy concerns about having all relationship data in one third-party app.
Real-world example
A long-distance couple uses Cupla to stay aligned. The shared calendar shows when they'll visit each other. The task list tracks trip planning (book flights, pack, plan activities). The built-in chat keeps date night planning organized. Anniversary reminders ensure no one forgets important dates. Having everything in one couple-specific app feels more intentional than scattered tools.
Team fit
Built specifically for couples, not families or roommates. Works best for dating couples or newlyweds who want to strengthen coordination and communication. Less useful once you have kids and need to add more household members.
Onboarding reality
Easy. The app is designed for non-technical couples. Calendar sync, task adding, and chat are all straightforward. Getting your partner to actually use it consistently is the challenge, not learning the interface.
Pricing friction
Free tier has limited features. Premium is $34.99/year for the couple (not per person), which is reasonable. That's about $3/month total. The pricing model acknowledges you're one household unit, which feels better than per-person charges.
Integrations that matter
Google Calendar sync (see shared events), iOS Calendar, push notifications for reminders and chat messages. The integration list is intentionally minimal to keep the app simple and couple-focused.
Notion
Best for Planning: Notion
Notion is another consideration that many couples have started to move towards. Ben Lang and his partner is a good example of that!
Now, obviously, this is a large trend, but you can share and collaborate inside of Notion with no real limits, and you can use the databases to help create a nice layout for you and your partner to organize your work, chores, and activities: as well as being able to use it as a journal, a note-taker, and many other things, thanks to the really flexible layout that Notion offers. It also appears on our best note-taking apps list.
Best for
Couples who want an all-in-one life operating system (tasks, notes, journals, goals, finances). Power users who enjoy building custom systems and databases. Partners planning big life events (weddings, moves, renovations) that need extensive documentation. Relationships where at least one person already uses Notion and wants to bring their partner in.
Not ideal if
Your partner just wants a simple checklist and finds databases confusing. You need something that works immediately without setup time. Mobile experience is critical since Notion's apps lag behind desktop. Neither of you enjoys tinkering with systems and just wants tasks to work.
Real-world example
A couple planning their wedding builds a Notion workspace. One database tracks vendors with budget, contact info, and status. Another tracks tasks with deadlines and assignments. A third holds inspiration images and notes. They also use it for meal planning, shared reading lists, and vacation research. Notion becomes their couple's wiki for life planning.
Team fit
Works for couples where at least one person is technical or enjoys organizing systems. Less suited for couples who both find databases intimidating. Scales well from just two people to families since you can add members freely.
Onboarding reality
Moderate to heavy. The blank canvas is overwhelming at first. Setting up databases, views, and templates takes time. One partner usually becomes the Notion admin while the other just uses what's built. Budget a weekend to set things up properly.
Pricing friction
Free tier is generous for couples. Unlimited blocks, pages, and collaborators. Plus plan ($10/month per person) adds version history and advanced permissions. For most couples, free works fine. The per-person pricing feels steep if you both need paid features.
Integrations that matter
Notion Calendar (see tasks on calendar), Google Calendar sync, Google Drive (embed files), Figma (embed designs for home projects), and web clipper for saving recipes or travel ideas.
TickTick
Best for Habit Tracking: TickTick
TickTick is another alternative if you and your partner are looking for something that is simple as a task management system you can share and collaborate on to-dos together.
But one of the special features is you can actually habit track together. This is clutch if you're both trying to build better routines, like hitting the gym three times a week or cooking at home more often. You can track each other's progress without being annoying about it.
One of the special features is that you can use habit tracking to help you keep an eye on your habits alongside your tasks: which for a lot of people is a nice way to better manage the system, which is really nice. The app also has a built-in Pomodoro timer and calendar view, saving you from installing separate apps for those features. It's included in our best habit tracking apps and ADHD time management tools collections.
Best for
Couples working on shared habits and goals together (fitness, cooking, reading). Partners who want calendar view and multiple task views in one app. Households balancing personal tasks alongside shared responsibilities. Relationships where both people like gamification and habit streaks for motivation.
Not ideal if
You find habit tracking stressful rather than motivating. Your partner doesn't care about productivity features like Pomodoro timers. You want couple-specific features instead of general task management. The interface feels too busy compared to minimal apps like Any.do.
Real-world example
A couple uses TickTick to manage both tasks and habits. Shared lists handle groceries and household chores. Individual habit trackers help them both hit the gym three times weekly and cook dinner instead of ordering out. The calendar view shows all upcoming tasks and deadlines. They can see each other's progress without nagging, which reduces friction.
Team fit
Works well for couples and small families (2-5 people). Particularly good for productivity-minded couples who want advanced features. Less appealing for casual users who just need basic task sharing without habit tracking complexity.
Onboarding reality
Moderate. More features than Todoist means more to learn. Calendar view, habit tracking, and Pomodoro timer require some exploration. Most couples get comfortable within a week of regular use. The learning curve is worth it for power users.
Pricing friction
Free tier includes shared lists, basic habit tracking, and 2 calendar views. Premium ($35.99/year per person) unlocks unlimited habits, calendar feeds, and advanced features. The per-person annual pricing means $72/year for a couple, which is reasonable for the feature set.
Integrations that matter
Google Calendar (two-way sync), Apple Calendar, Alexa and Google Assistant (voice adding), Siri shortcuts, email-to-task, and IFTTT for custom automations.
Galarm
Best for Shared Alarms: Galarm
If you're just looking to share reminders, or alarms, so you don't forget - this might be a good option. Galarm is a smart app that allows you to share reminders or alarms. Whilst this isn't a to-do list app, for some couples they just want to add a title, adding reminder dates and getting a shared notification or alarm on each other's phones.
Why is this useful? If you don't want a task list, but want to nudge each other, you could find the benefit in a shared way of using alarms. These social alarms are good for holidays, group activities or just couples who don't want to forget key dates or reminders.
Best for
Couples who just need shared reminders without task management overhead. Partners with different memory strengths where one person helps remind the other. Relationships where both people hate managing to-do lists but forget important things. Simple use cases like medication reminders, pickup times, or recurring events.
Not ideal if
You actually need a task list with assignments and completion tracking. Constant notifications feel stressful rather than helpful. Your partner finds nudging annoying instead of supportive. You want to organize tasks by project or category, not just remind about them.
Real-world example
A couple uses Galarm for time-sensitive reminders. "Pick up dry cleaning by 6pm" pings both phones. "Take medication" reminds at the same time daily. "Garbage night" rings every Sunday evening. They don't need task completion tracking, just nudges to remember things in the moment. The simplicity keeps them consistent.
Team fit
Perfect for couples, can expand to small groups. Works best when both people are forgetful and appreciate external reminders. Less useful for organized couples who already remember everything or find alarms annoying.
Onboarding reality
Very easy. Set a reminder, choose who to notify, done. There's almost nothing to learn. The simplicity is the entire point. Getting your partner to install the app takes longer than learning how to use it.
Pricing friction
Free for basic personal alarms. Premium ($0.99/month or $24.99 lifetime) unlocks group alarms for couples. The lifetime pricing is a steal at $25 total, not per person. For couples who commit, buying lifetime makes sense.
Integrations that matter
None really. Galarm is intentionally simple and standalone. It sends push notifications to phones. That's it. The lack of integrations is a feature, not a bug, keeping the app focused on just reminders.
Which is the best to pick?
What is the best free shared to-do app for couples?
Narrow down your choices with our recommendations: Todoist is the best free and easy to start sharing.
You can add up to 5 people for free to each project. Bring or Google Keep are good for checklist management. Habitica and Todoist are good for making chores fun.
Habitica is better for habit tracking & tasks too, and comes with a score. Todoist gives you a "Karma" score that you can build up and compete against each other.
Benefits of Sharing Lists
Reduced Friction
Many couples and family members who share their tasks digitally can benefit in these ways: Couples who are out and about and need to call each other for what to get on their shopping lists might rely on the other person too much.
This might interrupting their day; with shared lists and tasks, you can update this list in real-time.
Everything from things that need to be done on days off to what to get in the grocery shop.
Being able to tally things that need to be done allows you to delegate tasks equally amongst those in the relationship, perfect for spreading responsibilities.
This can result in better communication and a sense of teamwork together as you conquer a common goal of keeping organized.
More RecommendationsThese alternatives have shared abilities for planning and collaborating together:









