Which preparedness tool fits your household?
Short answer: Start with free government checklists if you only need the basics. Choose a low-cost phone app for a kit or family plan. Choose a homestead app to run a working homestead. Ready Homestead is for households that want a guided, whole-home plan for staying put, and are comfortable with a monthly fee.
| Option | Best for | Where it runs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready.gov checklists and the FEMA app | The basics, from the official source | Web, and the FEMA app | Free |
| Ready - Emergency Kit Planner | A 72-hour kit tracker | iPhone | Free; Pro $0.99 a week or $4.99 lifetime |
| ReadyNow Prep | Family plans, go-bags and alerts | Recent Apple devices | Free; Pro $4.99 once |
| HomesteadOS | Running a working homestead | Apple devices and web | Free account; paid hubs and plans from $4.99 a month |
| Graith | Offline homestead records with no account | Android | Free tier; $29.99 unlock through Jan. 31, 2027, then $39.99 |
| Ready Homestead (opening soon) | A guided, whole-home plan for staying put | Any modern web browser | $9.99 a month per household when it opens |
How to choose
- Think about how long you want to be ready for. A few days is a kit. Weeks at home take a plan for water, heat, power, food and sanitation.
- Check your household's devices. Several of these tools only run on one type of phone.
- Work out the cost over time. Ready Homestead's $119.88 a year costs far more than a one-time app. It's only worth it if you'll use the wider plan and keep it current.
- Check how it works offline. Emergencies are when you may lose your connection. Ready Homestead's saved copy lasts only until the device's 14-day sign-in ends, so consider a tool with no sign-in if you expect longer outages.
Detailed comparisons
- Ready Homestead vs. Ready - Emergency Kit Planner
- Ready Homestead vs. ReadyNow Prep
- Ready Homestead vs. HomesteadOS
- Ready Homestead vs. Graith
We make Ready Homestead, so we aren't neutral. We've tried to be fair: these facts come from each product's own public listing or website, checked November 3, 2026. They may have changed, so check the source before you decide. These products aren't affiliated with us. To correct anything, email [email protected].