Comparison

PackLight for Backpacking vs Back In Pack

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

Back In Pack

Features
Read full description

Do you own a lot of backpacking gear? Do you take trips frequently in differing terrains and conditions? Do you plan and change-up your gear lists regularly based on conditions, risks, weather? Do you want to store and manage your gear on your devices? If yes, then Back in Pack is for you.   The app includes: - Packs with category analysis to help you assess your pack weight - Systems or 'pack in packs': reusable groupings to include in multiple packs - Publish your pack to the web for virtual shakedowns - Generate PDF documents of your pack lists and systems, to share with others (shakedowns), publish on your website or use as pack lists for travelling. - Gear locker - store all your gear in one place: see just how much stuff you own! - Build a Wishlist of items, that can be included in your packs to see the impact. - Extended gear attributes to record prices, dates, affiliate links - Themes / Color schemes - Own your data. All your data is stored in your iCloud account and synchronises across devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac (Apple Silicon) If you have any feedback, requests for enhancements or bugs, then please use the forum on our website.

Screenshots

PackLight for Backpacking4 screens
Back In Pack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Back In Pack at none against PackLight for Backpacking's 1. Back In Pack also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Back In Pack asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, Back In Pack every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PackLight for Backpacking versus Back In Pack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPackLight for BackpackingBack In Pack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (991 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews95.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings991 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark OliveiraMark Goodlad

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

Back In Pack

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PackLight for Backpacking

One-time1
  • Supporter Edition$19.99
None

Back In Pack

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PackLight for Backpacking free?
PackLight for Backpacking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Back In Pack free?
Back In Pack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PackLight for Backpacking or Back In Pack have ads?
Neither PackLight for Backpacking nor Back In Pack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PackLight for Backpacking or Back In Pack?
PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, and Back In Pack every 2 weeks. Most recently, PackLight for Backpacking was updated on October 14, 2026 and Back In Pack on October 6, 2026.

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