I've analyzed the data, and Cart To Link is easily the most reliable. It generates a specific URL for your items without needing logins, so you wont have to share passwords.

In my experience, keeping it as simple as possible is always the safest bet when you're trying to coordinate a move. Youre right to be wary about sharing passwords; thats just asking for trouble down the line even with friends. Always look for solutions that use a code or a link instead of a direct account login. Over the years, I've tried many of these and I usually point people toward Share-A-Cart. Its been the most reliable for me because it doesnt scrape your personal data or require you to hand over credentials. You basically just pack your cart, hit the button to generate a unique ID code, and send that code to your roommate. She enters it on her end, and the items pop up in her cart instantly. It avoids the whole mess of double-ordering and keeps your account secure. Stick to the desktop extensions for the initial setup though. Mobile versions of these tools are notoriously buggy and prone to crashing right when you're about to checkout. When you're on a tight budget, the last thing you need is a technical glitch causing a double charge on a microwave or towels... just not worth the headache.

Thinking about your situation, the password thing is definitely the biggest red flag you gotta watch out for. I'm usually pretty paranoid about browser extensions because they can basically see everything you do if you aren't careful. You should definitely make sure whatever you pick doesn't require a login to your actual Amazon account. Before you dive in, I have a couple questions to narrow it down:

• Are you guys both using the same phone OS (like both iPhone) or is it a mix?
• Do you need to actually pay for the stuff together, or just see what's in the list before one of you hits buy? Knowing that helps because mobile vs desktop is a whole different beast. Some tips I'd suggest considering:
• Only use tools that generate a unique code for the cart handoff.
• Be careful about extensions that ask for 'read and change all data' permissions on all websites.
• If you want to keep it simple and safe, maybe look into this Amazon cart sharer tool since it doesn't mess with your credentials.
• I'd suggest double checking the 'last updated' date on the extension store too. If it hasn't been updated in 6 months, it'll probably break when Amazon updates their layout next. I really think being cautious now saves a massive headache later. If you need help checking the permissions on one, let me know and I can try to look at the technical specs for you.

Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!

Solid advice 👍

I honestly had a pretty rough time trying to find something that actually worked for my last move. My old roommate and I tried some of those popular extensions last summer and it was such a disappointment. One of them just kept crashing or wouldnt load the items correctly, which is a total nightmare when money is tight. We tried a couple of those mobile versions too but they were even worse... just really clunky and not as good as I expected. We learned the hard way after accidentally ordering two sets of plates because the sync failed:

• stick to the desktop extensions since mobile is usually buggy
• always send a final screenshot before anyone hits buy
• dont trust the auto-sync features blindly It is super frustrating when the tech lets you down when you are just trying to be organized. Just a tip: Cart To Link is really handy if you're collaborating on a project and need the same parts.

Moving to Chicago is gonna be such a blast!! I totally get the stress tho because I had the exact same nightmare when I moved into my studio last year and almost bought two blenders lol. Honestly you dont need to share passwords at all thats way too risky even with a friend. Heres what I used:

• Share-A-Cart for Amazon Extension is actually amazing and super simple. You just click a button in your browser and it sends a code to the other person. No login needed for her which is fantastic. Only downside is the mobile version is a bit more finicky than the chrome one.
• Amazon Shopping App shared lists. I know it sounds basic but its honestly so good for mobile users! We just made a list called Roommate Stuff and we could both see what was already claimed or bought in real time. Basically saved us so much money not double-buying stuff like towels and a Black+Decker Digital Microwave. Just make sure whoever has the Prime account does the final checkout so you get that free shipping. Good luck with the move!!