Comparison

PackLight for Backpacking vs Packing List

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PackLight for Backpacking

This app helps backpackers create lightweight packing lists by organizing gear, tracking weights, and visualizing their impact. It allows users to build custom lists, share them, and even import from other services. An optional supporter edition unlocks advanced features for a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Organize gear by name, weight, and category
  • Build weight-aware packing lists
  • Visualize pack weight impact
  • Packing checklist functionality
  • Share packing lists via link or CSV
  • Import lists from LighterPack
  • Offline access to data
Features
Read full description

Keep your pack weight down and never forget crucial gear with PackLight, the packing list app for backpackers. Get PackLight today and be confident that you have exactly what you need - and only what you need - on your next adventure. CORE FEATURES (100% free / no sign up / no ads) - Organize Your Gear -- Inventory your gear by name, weight, and category. - Build Packing Lists -- Use your gear to build weight-aware packing lists. - Keep Your Backpack Light -- Instantly see how your gear choices impact pack weight. - Packing Checklist -- Check off items as you pack to ensure nothing is forgotten. - Share Packing Lists -- Post your list on packlightapp.com and share a link or send a CSV of your list to anyone. - Visualize Weight Distribution -- Use the bar graph to compare gear categories. - Custom Categories -- Organize items your way with your own categories. - Import From LighterPack -- Don't start from scratch - import your LighterPack lists (unaffiliated). - Offline Access -- Access your data even off the grid. Works without internet. ADVANCED FEATURES (Supporter Edition) Supporter Edition is a one-time purchase that supports ongoing maintenance and improvements to PackLight and grants permanent access to these advanced features: - Kits for Quick Packing -- Create kits to group items that you normally pack together, like a first aid kit or cooking gear, so you can add them all to a list at once. - Unlimited Base Lists -- Create new packing lists based on any combination of your other lists and kits. - Inventory Search -- Quickly find gear in your inventory. ABOUT PACKLIGHT PackLight was originally built for my own use and published free on the App Store to share with other backpackers. All of the core features are still free and always will be and it's been great to see PackLight become a favorite for so many! Thank you! If you think PackLight has earned it, I'd really appreciate your honest rating and review. They help a lot and I read every last one. Got an idea for improvement? Email me any time with feedback or feature requests at packlightapp@gmail.com.

About

Packing List

Create efficient, lightweight packing lists for any trip. Track luggage weight in real-time and organize essentials with an intuitive interface. Sync lists across devices via iCloud and export them as PDF or CSV.

Highlights
  • Create custom packing lists
  • Real-time luggage weight tracking
  • Intuitive item organization
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Export lists to PDF/CSV
  • Tailored lists for different trip types
Features
Read full description

Build a packing list for your next trip. Track bag weight as you pack. Packing List: Trip Organizer helps you plan what to bring for weekends, work trips, and vacations. Add or remove items, group them by bag or category, and watch the total luggage weight update in real time so you stay under airline limits. BUILT FOR REAL TRIPS • Create packing lists for any destination • Track suitcase or backpack weight as you go • Organize items by bag or category • Reuse lists for trips you take often • Export as PDF or CSV when you want a copy • Keep lists in sync across iPhone and iPad with iCloud Pack lighter. Leave the guesswork behind. Upgrade to Premium for the full packing toolkit. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PackLight for Backpacking4 screens
Packing List4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PackLight for Backpacking at 95% against Packing List's 33%. PackLight for Backpacking also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (1K vs 6). Packing List's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PackLight for Backpacking sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Packing List sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PackLight for Backpacking holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PackLight for Backpacking has 1K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 95% of PackLight for Backpacking's written reviews are positive against 33% of Packing List's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, Packing List every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PackLight for Backpacking versus Packing List: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPackLight for BackpackingPacking List
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1K ratings) — better4.2 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews95.2% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark OliveiraRobert Pinl

Customer experience

PackLight for Backpacking

All ratings991 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews146 reviews
Positive95.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative2.1%

Packing List

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

PackLight for Backpacking

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional issues with alphabetical sorting of lists
  • Reported bug with displaying the correct list when selected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to track purchase price and date for gear items
  • Implement custom category creation
  • Include option to add notes and details to gear items
  • Implement cloud sync and backup functionality
  • Add sharing capabilities to easily collaborate with others

Packing List

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PackLight for Backpacking

One-time1
  • Supporter Edition$19.99
4 purchases

Packing List

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly2 variants$1.997 Days
  • Yearly3 Days trial$12.991 Year
  • Yearly$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is PackLight for Backpacking free?
PackLight for Backpacking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Packing List free?
Packing List is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PackLight for Backpacking or Packing List?
PackLight for Backpacking is rated higher. PackLight for Backpacking averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Packing List averages 4.2 from 6 ratings.
Do PackLight for Backpacking or Packing List have ads?
Neither PackLight for Backpacking nor Packing List shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PackLight for Backpacking or Packing List?
PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, and Packing List every 3 weeks. Most recently, PackLight for Backpacking was updated on October 29, 2026 and Packing List on October 27, 2026.

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