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Article updated on April 23, 2024 at 2:00 AM PDT

Best Party-Planning Apps for 2024

Plan your next event with one of the best party-planning apps available for download right now.

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Katie Teague
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Katie Teague Writer II
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
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Our Picks

See at Pro Party Planner
pro-party
Best all-in-one party planner
Pro Party Planner
View details
See at Evite
evite
Best invitation maker
Evite
View details
View details
See at Pinterest
pinterest
Best for finding inspiration
Pinterest
View details
View details
See at BigNight
bignight
Best for planning party meals
BigNight
View details
View details
See at Cocktail Flow
cocktail-flow
Best for becoming the party bartender
Cocktail Flow
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See at Spotify
spotify
Best for finding party music
Spotify
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View details
See at Yokee
karaoke app
Best for a karaoke party
Karaoke
View details
View details
See at Warner Bros.
heads-up
Best party game
Heads Up
View details

Planning an event, especially a big one, used to require weeks or even months of effort. But these days, there are several apps designed to make the job of planning a lot easier. There's seriously an app for everything, from music and games to drinks, and they can help you throw the greatest shindig your friends and family have ever attended.

Check out these party-planning apps to throw a bash your guests will be talking about for the rest of the year.

See at Pro Party Planner

Best all-in-one party planner

Pro Party Planner

Pro Party Planner (download for iOS) serves as your event planner.

Once you know how many guests are coming, create a task list to get everything done before the big day. The feature also lets you set reminders, so you won't fall behind. You'll need to set a budget and start building your shopping list for the party. Track your budget for food, decorations and party favors.

Manage guests attending by sending them invitations and checking off RSVPs. If applicable, create a seating chart with Pro Party Planner's augmented reality feature to better visualize what your party will look like.

Pro Party Planner costs $5 to download and $3 for the premium version.

See at Evite

Best invitation maker

Evite

Before you begin planning an event, you need to get an idea of how many people will be there. You don't want to plan for 50 guests only to have 10 show up and leave you with tons of uneaten food. 

Use Evite (download for iOS or Android) to invite your guests with personalized invitations. Design templates with photos from your phone, and add the event name, time and location. 

Send invitations via text or email. Track the RSVPs to see who has viewed your invitation, and who has accepted or declined. Nudge guests who haven't responded and create polls for party and food ideas.

See at Pinterest

Best for finding inspiration

Pinterest

Planning a party from scratch isn't easy, so gather inspiration from Pinterest (download for iOS or Android). If you have an idea of what theme you want, search for it on Pinterest to see thousands of boards with party designs. 

If you're planning a low-key party, search for "simple party ideas" or if you're planning a more upscale event, search for "fancy party ideas." Sometimes people will post where they found the decorations and the cost.

See at BigNight

Best for planning party meals

BigNight

Begin planning the meals you're going to cook for your event with BigNight (download for iOS). If you're hosting a formal party, create a menu for your guests. Name the menu and organize by courses, like drinks, appetizers and the main dish. 

Import recipes from Pinterest or your favorite recipe website by using the in-app browser. Then create a shopping list with the ingredients you'll need. Check each item off the list as you shop.

Set reminders for each task, like bake the cheesecake the night before, and add whipped cream one hour before the party begins.

BigNight costs $4 to download.

See at Cocktail Flow

Best for becoming the party bartender

Cocktail Flow

Your guests will be impressed with your bartending skills when you use Cocktail Flow (download for iOS or Android). The app gives you detailed drink recipes that you can make with ingredients you already have.

Plan ahead of time by having a cocktail menu for your guests and include classics like wine, beer or fun cocktails. You can customize the drinks for your event attendees by liquor, drink type (tropical, creamy, shot) and strength (light, medium, strong). 

See at Spotify

Best for finding party music

Spotify

A good party doesn't last long without music. It puts people in a good mood and helps loosen them up.

Spotify (download for iOS or Android) is our music streaming service of choice, with more than 50 million tracks available and 232 million users, according to the company. Keep in mind what your guests like, and make or find a playlist with a good variety of songs, or find a station that will play fun party favorites from every decade.

Spotify is free to use if you listen with commercials. To listen commercial-free, subscribe to Spotify Premium. It's $11 per month for an individual account. 

See at Yokee

Best for a karaoke party

Karaoke

Once everyone is feeling good, keep the party going with Karaoke (download for iOS or Android). Whether your guests like country, pop or rock, there's a huge catalog of songs to choose from, ranging from 7 Rings by Ariana Grande to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton.

Browse through categories like popular, recommended and genre to find a song. Tap Sing when you're ready to begin your karaoke session.

Record your songs and hear them played back. Don't worry if singing isn't your forte -- the app uses sound effects to auto-enhance your voice.

See at Warner Bros.

Best party game

Heads Up

For guests not interested in singing karaoke, set them up with a game full of laughs, like Heads Up (download for iOS or Android). This game can be played with any number of people, so everyone can get involved. 

The player selects a category and then holds the phone to their forehead so the other players can see the screen. The other players act out what's on the screen so you can guess what it is. Category options are celebrities, animals, movies and more.