Best Group Decision Apps for Friends (2026)
There is no single best app for deciding things with friends; it depends on what you are deciding and who is in the group. Below are seven options, judged on the same five questions, with sources for every claim about another product. We make Settle, so weigh that in. Settle (settle.ink) is a group decision app: create a poll, share one link, and people vote in their browser with no app or account.
Last updated: 28 October 2026
How we compared them
Each option is judged on the five things that decide whether a friend group actually uses it:
- Do friends need to install something or sign up to vote?
- How do people answer: one pick, several picks, or a view on every option?
- Does the poll close on its own at a set time?
- What happens after the decision?
- What does it cost?
All competitor details were checked on their official pages on 28 October 2026. Features change, so follow the source links before you choose.
Settle: best for mixed groups that turn decisions into plans
The organizer creates a poll in the iPhone or Android app with two to six text or photo options and a deadline, then shares one link anywhere. Friends answer Yes, Maybe or No on every option in their browser, with no app or account. When the deadline passes the top pick wins, Settle makes a settled card for the group, and the result becomes a plan with attendance, a calendar entry and directions. Group memory shows what you picked before.
Limits: up to 10 voters per poll, and one question per poll. Price: first 3 polls free, then Settle Pro at $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year with a 14-day free trial; voting is always free. See the Settle app.
Rally: best free option for iPhone organizers
Rally: Vote on Plans lets you add options such as restaurants or dates, share one link, and watch results update live until you lock the winner. Its App Store listing says friends don't need to install Rally to vote, and it offers multi-date polls, saved groups called Crews, and plan history. It is free, with no purchases, subscriptions or ads, and is iPhone only. Source: App Store listing.
Hangrily: best for choosing a restaurant by swiping
Hangrily is a swipe-based restaurant picker with solo, couple and group modes; in group mode the restaurant with the most agreement wins, and up to 10 people join with a code. It is focused on restaurants rather than any decision. Pricing: a free trial, then $4.99 a month for unlimited sessions. Source: hangrily.app.
StrawPoll: best for quick polls with no signup
StrawPoll runs in the browser with no signup required, and you can set a deadline date and time for a poll. The free plan is supported by ads; paid plans remove ads and add features. It is a general poll maker rather than a plan-making tool. Sources: StrawPoll, deadlines.
Doodle: best for finding a time
Doodle's Group Poll is built for picking dates and times, and participants don't need a Doodle account to respond. On the free plan, Doodle's help pages say deadlines and automated reminders need Doodle Professional, and its creation guide says free users can create one group poll per account. Sources: creating a group poll, free vs Professional.
WhatsApp and iMessage polls: best when everyone is in one chat
Both are built into the chat, so there is nothing new to open. WhatsApp polls let the creator allow one or several answers, and since August 2026 can lock voting at an end time and hide voter names. Source: WhatsApp.
iMessage polls need everyone on iMessage with an Apple OS 26 release or later; others get a message that a poll was sent. They allow up to 12 options and anyone can add more. Source: Apple. For mixed groups, see Settle vs WhatsApp polls and Settle vs iMessage polls.
Which one should you use?
- Everyone is in one WhatsApp or iMessage group and it's a quick question: the built-in poll.
- You need a time that works for many people: Doodle.
- You only ever choose restaurants and like swiping: Hangrily.
- iPhone organizer, free, mostly restaurants and dates: Rally.
- Mixed phones and apps, and the decision should become a plan: Settle.
Questions
What is the best app for a group of friends to decide where to eat?
It depends on the group. If everyone is in one chat, a built-in poll works. For mixed phones, a link poll such as Settle (settle.ink) lets everyone answer Yes, Maybe or No in their browser; Hangrily suits groups who like swiping through nearby restaurants.
Do friends need the Settle app to vote?
No. Only the organizer uses the Settle app. Friends vote in any browser on iPhone, Android or a laptop, with no account or sign-up.
How is Settle different from Rally?
Both share one link and let friends vote without installing an app. Settle asks Yes, Maybe or No on every option, closes at a deadline, works for organizers on iPhone and Android, and turns the winner into a plan with attendance, calendar and directions. Rally is free and iPhone only, per its App Store listing.
Is Settle free?
Creating and previewing polls is free, your first 3 polls send free, and voting is always free. Settle Pro is $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year with a 14-day free trial.