KarlCal vs Cozi

KarlCal vs Cozi.
Round by round.

Cozi has been the go-to family calendar since 2005. KarlCal is the newer one, with an assistant named Karl who does the typing for you. We put them head to head on what busy families actually care about.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle PlayNo phone handy?Sign up on the web
  • Free for the whole family
  • No ads
  • No credit card
  • iPhone, iPad, Android and web
Prices and features checked October 15, 2026. Competitor plans change, so check their site for the latest.
KarlCal app screenshot
“Jake has soccer Tue 6:30”Karl added it ✓
Cozi Max: $79/yrKarlCal Pro: $39.99/yr
The 30-second verdict

Which one fits your family?

Most families

Pick KarlCal if…

  • You’re done typing every event into a form. Text Karl instead, or ask Alexa with Pro.
  • You want chores the kids actually check, with points and a weekly scoreboard.
  • You want the smart tools without paying $79 a year for them.
  • You want a free plan with no ads.

Pick Cozi if…

  • You want an app with nearly 20 years of history behind it.
  • You mostly need a basic calendar, shopping list and recipe box.
  • You’re happy entering events by hand.
Meet Karl

Stop typing. Just say it.

Most family calendars make you fill in a form for every event. With KarlCal you text Karl (or, with Pro, ask Alexa) the way you would tell your partner. Tap an example to see it.

  • You type“Jake has soccer Tuesday at 6:30”
  • Or ask Alexa (Pro)“Move the dentist to Friday at 2”
  • You type“Add milk to the grocery list”
  • Or ask Alexa (Pro)“Cancel the dentist”
K
KarlYour family calendar assistant
 
 
📅
  
Head to head

Who wins what.

5 KarlCal
1 Cozi
KarlCal
Cozi
Free plan
No ads. Shared calendar, family chat, lists, weather and rain alerts, reminders and Dinner From My Fridge. Unlimited family members.
Calendar, lists and recipes, with ads. You can only add or view events up to 30 days ahead.
Adding events
Say or type it in plain English. Karl adds, moves or cancels the event for you.
Fill in the event yourself. AI Event Import (from email) needs Max.
Price of the full version
$39.99/year (or $4.99/month) for Pro, with a 7-day free trial.
$79/year for Max, the plan with the AI tools. Gold is $39/year without them.
Works with Alexa
Yes, with Pro. Its own skill: add, move and check events, lists and chores by voice.
Not mentioned on Cozi’s plans page or App Store listing.
Chores
Assign chores, kids earn points, weekly scoreboard.
Shared to-do lists.
Meal planning
Dinner From My Fridge is free. Weekly Meal Planner with a built-in grocery list on Pro.
Recipe box and meal planning. AI Meal Planner and Recipe Creator on Max.
Track record
The new kid: built for how families plan in 2026.
Around since 2005, with more than 20 million registered users as of 2022.

Cozi details from Cozi’s Compare Plans page and App Store listing, checked October 15, 2026. User count from Cozi’s 2022 acquisition announcement.

Do the math

What it really costs.

Slide to see what each plan adds up to. Cozi’s AI tools only come with Max.

3 years

Yearly plan prices in US dollars, before tax. Monthly KarlCal Pro is $4.99.

Inside the app

See it before you download it.

KarlCal dashboard showing today's brief, upcoming events for each family member, tonight's dinner and the weather
KarlCal month calendar, color-coded for each family member
KarlCal meals screen with Dinner From My Fridge, Daily Planner, Weekly Meal Planner and Meal Remix
Where Cozi shines

Credit where it's due.

  • Nearly 20 years of track record, and a huge user base.
  • A familiar, no-surprises calendar and shopping list.
  • Gold at $39 a year is a fair price for an ad-free calendar.
Where KarlCal shines

Why families switch.

  • Karl does the data entry: “Jake has soccer Tuesday at 6:30” becomes an event in seconds.
  • Hands-free with Alexa (Pro) when you’re cooking or driving.
  • Chores with points and a scoreboard kids actually check.
  • Meals, groceries, chat, weather and the calendar in one place.
Switching is easy

Switch from Cozi tonight.

  1. 1 min

    Get KarlCal

    Download it on iPhone or Android, or sign up on the web. Free, no credit card.

  2. 1 min

    Invite your family

    Add everyone. Unlimited family members on the free plan, each with their own color.

  3. 3 min

    Bring your Cozi events

    Export your Cozi calendar, then import it into KarlCal. Your existing events come with you.

Questions

Good to know.

Is KarlCal free?

Yes, and the free plan has no ads. The shared calendar, family chat, lists, weather alerts, reminders and Dinner From My Fridge are free, for unlimited family members. KarlCal Pro is $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year and adds the Weekly Meal Planner with a built-in grocery list, Meal Remix, the Daily Planner and birthday reminders.

Is Cozi still free?

Cozi has a free plan, but it shows ads and only lets you add or view events up to 30 days ahead. Removing both takes Cozi Gold at $39 a year, and Cozi’s AI tools need Cozi Max at $79 a year.

Is KarlCal cheaper than Cozi?

For the full version, yes. KarlCal Pro is $39.99 a year. Cozi Max, the plan with Cozi’s AI tools, is $79 a year, about twice as much.

Does Cozi work with Alexa?

Cozi’s plans page and App Store listing don’t mention Alexa. KarlCal Pro includes its own Alexa skill: add, move and check events, lists and chores by voice.

Can I move from Cozi to KarlCal?

Yes. Export your Cozi calendar, then import it into KarlCal so your existing events come with you.

Does KarlCal work on Android?

Yes. KarlCal is on Google Play, and also works on iPhone, iPad and any web browser.

Your family’s week, sorted tonight.

Set up your household in two minutes. The shared calendar, family chat and lists are free for everyone in the family, with no ads and no credit card.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle PlayNo phone handy?Sign up on the web
Pro is optional: $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial.