Groceree vs OurGroceries: an honest comparison
Groceree and OurGroceries solve the same problem: one grocery list shared across a household, updating in real time. OurGroceries is the older and more broadly connected app. Groceree is newer, mobile-first, and built around a cleaner interface. Both are free to start and both show ads until you upgrade.
People usually look for an OurGroceries alternative because they want an interface that feels more current, or because they are curious what else is out there. Neither means OurGroceries is a bad app — it has been reliable for a long time.
This page is written by the team behind Groceree. The facts below are checked against OurGroceries’ own store listing, and we have been explicit about where it beats us.
Feature comparison
The differences that actually change how the app feels day to day.
| Feature | Groceree | OurGroceries |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 16.4+), Android | iPhone, iPad, Android, web, Alexa |
| Shared lists | Free, via invite link | Free |
| Real-time sync | Yes | Yes |
| Ads in the free tier | Ad-supported; premium subscription removes them | Ad-supported; paid upgrade removes them |
| Push notification when someone adds an item | Yes | Yes |
| Categories sorted by store aisle | Yes, reorderable | Yes, with region-specific presets |
| Photos on items | Included | Paid upgrade |
| Offline use | Yes — lists stay readable and editable offline, syncing when you reconnect | Yes, in the free tier |
| Store loyalty cards | Yes — scan a card barcode and show it at checkout | Not listed |
| Web and desktop access | No — mobile only | Yes |
| Voice assistant integration | No | Alexa |
| Lock Screen widget | Yes, via Live Activities on iOS | Not documented |
| Recipes | No | Yes |
| Maturity | New — small but strong ratings base | Established, very large ratings base |
A cell marked “Not listed” means the feature is not mentioned in that app’s own store listing, feature page, or help documentation. It may still exist — we would rather say we could not confirm it than claim it is missing.
When OurGroceries is the better choice
Several of these are genuine gaps on our side.
- You want to manage the list from a computer. OurGroceries has web access; Groceree does not.
- You add items by talking to Alexa. That integration is a real convenience and we do not have it.
- You want region-specific category presets for the UK, Ireland, Canada, or Australia — OurGroceries ships these.
- You want recipes attached to the list. OurGroceries has them; Groceree does not.
- You prefer a very long track record over a newer app.
When Groceree is the better choice
Where we think the trade goes the other way.
- You want item photos without paying for them.
- You want a Lock Screen widget so you can read the list while carrying bags.
- You care about how the app looks and feels. This is subjective, but a modern interface is the most common reason people move to us.
- You keep supermarket loyalty cards on your phone. Groceree scans and stores card barcodes so you can show them at the till without a separate wallet app.
- You want a say in the roadmap. Groceree has a public feature-request board with voting.
The short answer
OurGroceries is the safer pick if you need web access or Alexa — those are real capabilities we do not match yet. Groceree is the better pick if your shopping happens entirely on phones, you want loyalty cards in the same app, and you prefer a more modern interface. Both are free to try, and the shared-list setup takes about a minute in either.
Common questions
- Is Groceree free like OurGroceries?
- Both have free tiers and both are ad-supported until you upgrade. The difference is the upgrade model: Groceree removes ads through an optional premium subscription, while OurGroceries offers a one-off purchase.
- Does Groceree work on the web like OurGroceries?
- No. Groceree is currently iPhone and Android only. If managing the list from a laptop matters to you, OurGroceries is the better choice today.
- Can I use Groceree offline?
- Yes. Your lists stay readable and editable without a connection, and any changes you make sync automatically once you are back online. This matters in supermarkets, where reception is often poor. OurGroceries also works offline, so neither app has an advantage here.
- Which app syncs faster between family members?
- Both sync in seconds in normal use. This is not a meaningful difference between the two — pick on the features above instead.
Try Groceree free
Free on iPhone and Android. Create a list and share one link to see how it feels.