Comparison

PackLight for Backpacking vs Peakist

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

Peakist

This app helps hikers meticulously track their visits to various peaks, known as 'Peak Bagging.' It allows users to record where and when they've hiked, monitor progress towards goals, and plan future excursions. The app offers directions to trailheads and the ability to export GPS data.

Highlights
  • Track hiking goals and list completions
  • Visit information synced via iCloud
  • Get directions to trailheads
  • Export GPS coordinates or GPX files
  • Includes numerous pre-defined peak lists
  • Data privacy and export options
Features
Read full description

Peakist is an app to help hikers keep track of visits to various peaks aka 'Peak Bagging'. There are many peaks to see and lists to track. Peakist helps you keep a record of where you went and when. Track your goals and plan your next hike. Track hiking goals and list completions. Visit information synced across platforms via iCloud. Follow your progress on iPhone, iPad and Mac. See the 10 day weather forecast before you head out. Save photos to document your adventures. Quickly get directions to trailheads or parking areas. Export GPS coordinates or GPX files for any location. Includes the following lists: - Adirondack 46ers: Peaks over 4,000' in the Adirondack Mountains - Adirondack Fire Towers: Fire Towers of the Adirondack Mountains - Catskill 100: The 100 highest peaks in the Catskills - Catskill 3500: Mountains over 3,500' in the Catskills of New York - Catskill Fire Towers: Fire Towers of the Catskills - Catskill Waterfalls - Saranac Lake 6ers: Six scenic hikes in and around Saranac Lake, New York - New Hampshire 48: The 48 highest peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - Vermont 5: Vermont peaks over 4,000 feet - Lake Placid 9 - Tupper Lake Triad - Fulton Chain Trifecta - Lake George 12ster - New England 111 - New England One Hundred Highest - US High Points - NY Downstate 28ers - NY Downstate Fire Lookouts - Taconic 12ers - And many more... Additional Lists and Locations coming in future releases! Your data remains your business. We don't track or store your data. Easily export your visit data in multiple formats.

Screenshots

PackLight for Backpacking4 screens
Peakist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PackLight for Backpacking at Free against Peakist's $2.99. PackLight for Backpacking also leads on ratings volume (1K vs 2). Peakist's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On update cadence, 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

PackLight for Backpacking is free to download; Peakist costs $2.99 up front. PackLight for Backpacking sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Peakist asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Peakist holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PackLight for Backpacking has 1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, Peakist every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PackLight for Backpacking versus Peakist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPackLight for BackpackingPeakist
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (1K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews95.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB200 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark OliveiraSquirrel Point Studios

Customer experience

PackLight for Backpacking

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

Peakist

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Peakist

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PackLight for Backpacking

One-time1
  • Supporter Edition$19.99
None

Peakist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PackLight for Backpacking free?
PackLight for Backpacking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Peakist free?
Peakist costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PackLight for Backpacking or Peakist?
Peakist is rated higher. PackLight for Backpacking averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Peakist averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do PackLight for Backpacking or Peakist have ads?
Neither PackLight for Backpacking nor Peakist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PackLight for Backpacking or Peakist?
PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, and Peakist every 6 weeks. Most recently, PackLight for Backpacking was updated on October 20, 2026 and Peakist on October 4, 2026.

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