The list lives in a group chat
Requests get buried between messages. tally gives the flat one list that stays current, so nothing is three days up the chat.
For roommates
A shared shopping list that works when nobody is in charge.
Shared flats have a specific problem: everyone buys household things, nobody tracks it, and either the same washing-up liquid gets bought three times or it never gets bought at all. tally gives a flat one live list and one honest number for what it cost.
The bits that usually go wrong
Two people buy the same thing
Items check off live. If your flatmate grabs the milk while you are still in the shop, you see it disappear before you reach the dairy aisle.
Nobody knows what shared stuff costs
Add prices as you shop and the flat gets weekly and monthly totals — a real number to talk about instead of a vague feeling.
One person owns the loyalty card
Put the card in the shared wallet once and whoever is at the checkout can scan it, even if that person is out.
Setting it up for a flat
- Create a list for the shared household things — the stuff everyone uses.
- Send the invite link in the group chat once. Everyone joins from the link.
- Give housemates edit access so anyone can add what has run out.
- Add prices while you shop so the flat can see the running total.
- Keep personal shopping on your own separate list — those stay private.
What this does not do
tally shows the household what was bought and what it cost. It does not calculate who owes whom. Plenty of flats pair tally with a dedicated bill-splitting app: tally for the list and the running total, the other for settling up.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can share one list?
A whole flat is no problem. Share the same invite link with everyone and they all join the same list.
Can I keep my own shopping private?
Yes. Only the lists you deliberately share are visible to housemates. Your own lists, wallet cards, and budget stay private unless you share them.
What if a housemate moves out?
You can rotate the invite link so the old one stops working, and remove members from the list.
Is tally free for roommates?
Yes. Shared lists, the wallet, and budget tracking are free, with no ads.