The invention relates to a method and a device (10) for distributing and/or grouping containers in a container treatment system. The device (10) comprises a supply conveyor (12), a discharge conveyor (16) and a transfer conveyor (14). The transfer conveyor (14) comprises a guide path (28) and several movement devices (30) that can be driven individually, preferably by means of a long stator linear motor (32) and which are guided along the guide path (28). The several movement devices (30) comprise a conveyor device (34) that is designed to transfer several containers from the supply conveyor (12) to the discharge conveyor (16). Said device (10) can preferably be used to reduce the risk of the containers tipping over when being transferred, to reduce the number of movement devices (30) and/or to enable the containers to be pre-grouped.