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

Simplify your travel packing with an intelligent checklist and planner. Generate customized lists based on trip type and destination, with smart suggestions to ensure you don't forget anything. Reuse past lists for faster packing on future trips.

Highlights
  • AI-powered packing suggestions
  • Pre-made templates for trip types
  • 10-day weather forecast integration
  • Reusable packing lists
  • Power outlet adapter information
  • Trip reminders and widgets
Features
Read full description

Take the stress out of packing. Pack, Repeat helps you build packing lists you can trust, reuse, and share. Start with curated essentials, organize everything by bag or traveler, add documents, check the weather, and bring back your best lists whenever you travel again. Whether you're packing for a weekend away, a business trip, a family vacation, or a multi-stop adventure, Pack, Repeat keeps the whole process calmer from the first item to the last checkmark. "Essential Travel Apps" - Apple "Apps We Love" - Apple "Pack, Repeat is an Essential App for Summer Travel Season" - AppAdvice START WITH A BETTER LIST - 30+ curated categories and 400+ common travel items - Create lists by destination, date, trip type, tags, and notes - Copy a previous trip and adjust it in seconds PACK BY BAG OR PERSON - Organize items by suitcase, carry-on, backpack, toiletry bag, kids' bag, and more - Split shared trips into clear, manageable sections - Hide completed items, sort your way, and bulk-check when you're done GET SMART SUGGESTIONS - Use AI starter lists for your destination, dates, tags, and optional weather - Add weather-based packing suggestions before you leave - Review every suggestion before it goes on your list PLAN FOR THE REAL TRIP - See destination weather for your travel dates - Support multi-destination trips with separate stops - Check power outlet information before you go KEEP TRAVEL DETAILS TOGETHER - Attach tickets, confirmations, PDFs, images, and other travel documents - Import from Files, Photos, or the share sheet - Preview documents when you need them SHARE THE LIST - Share packing lists with family or travel partners - Keep everyone working from the same plan - Track updates across shared trips PACK FROM ANYWHERE - Check progress with Home Screen widgets - Mark items packed from the interactive checklist widget - Open trips quickly through Spotlight, Shortcuts, and app shortcuts NEVER START FROM SCRATCH - Reuse your best lists for repeat trips - Build dependable routines for work travel, family vacations, weekends, and holidays - Spend less time wondering what you forgot Terms: https://packrepeat.com/terms

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 59%. PackLight for Backpacking also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and ratings volume (991 vs 88). Packing List's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). 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 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PackLight for Backpacking has 991 ratings behind it against 88, 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 59% of Packing List's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, Packing List every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PackLight for Backpacking versus Packing List: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPackLight for BackpackingPacking List
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (991 ratings) — better4.6 (88 ratings)
Positive reviews95.2% of reviews — better58.8% of reviews
Number of ratings991 — better88
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark OliveiraPixby Media AB

Customer experience

PackLight for Backpacking

All ratings991 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews145 reviews
Positive95.2%
Neutral2.8%
Negative2.1%

Packing List

All ratings88 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral5.7%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral5.9%
Negative35.3%

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
5 purchases

Packing List

Subscriptions4
  • Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • 12 Months$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • 12 Months7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$59.99

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 991 ratings, while Packing List averages 4.6 from 88 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 5 days. Most recently, PackLight for Backpacking was updated on September 22, 2026 and Packing List on September 23, 2026.

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