Comparison

PackLight for Backpacking vs My EchoMap

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

My EchoMap

Read full description

Discover EchoMap, the ultimate interactive travel diary built for real explorers, backpackers, and everyday adventurers. EchoMap turns your world into a stunning interactive map of your best memories, built around one uncompromising rule: Zero Fake. Forget filters, edits, and deceptive uploads. When you drop a "Spot", you capture the genuine moment, right where you are standing. ZERO FAKE, 100% AUTHENTIC • Snap a photo or record a video live through our dedicated camera. No cheating from your camera roll! • Every single capture is securely and permanently stamped with its exact date, precise GPS coordinates, and the authentic background sound of your environment. • Your captured moments earn the official "Zero Fake" badge of authenticity. BREATHTAKING 3D CINEMATIC VIDEOS • With a single tap, turn your road trips into stunning 3D drone-style videos ready to go viral on TikTok, Reels, or Instagram. • The app generates a dynamic cinematic fly-over across a gorgeous 3D Apple Maps landscape, flawlessly displaying your photos and playing your floating video clips mid-flight! BECOME THE WORLD'S TOP EXPLORER (Game Center) • Earn unique explorer badges and climb the global leaderboards using only your genuine "Zero Fake" spots. • Do you have enough authentic discoveries to conquer the #1 spot in the World Ranking? SECURE & PRIVATE iCLOUD SYNC • Unlike intrusive social networks, your adventures belong exclusively to you. Your spots are silently saved and directly synced to your private iCloud container (Apple CloudKit). No tracking, absolute privacy. SMART PAST IMPORTS • Want to visualize your previous holidays on the map too? The smart Apple Photos bridging tool elegantly imports your old memories directly onto your local map (these are neatly isolated to keep your global Game Center score 100% pure). Drop your Pins, relive your journeys, and build the map of your life with EchoMap!

Screenshots

PackLight for Backpacking4 screens
My EchoMap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: My EchoMap at every 3 days against PackLight for Backpacking's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 My EchoMap sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, My EchoMap every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PackLight for Backpacking versus My EchoMap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPackLight for BackpackingMy EchoMap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews95.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark OliveiraIvan BESEVIC

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

My EchoMap

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PackLight for Backpacking

One-time1
  • Supporter Edition$19.99
2 purchases

My EchoMap

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$24.991 Year

Questions

Is PackLight for Backpacking free?
PackLight for Backpacking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is My EchoMap free?
My EchoMap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PackLight for Backpacking or My EchoMap have ads?
Neither PackLight for Backpacking nor My EchoMap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PackLight for Backpacking or My EchoMap?
PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, and My EchoMap every 3 days. Most recently, PackLight for Backpacking was updated on November 13, 2026 and My EchoMap on November 5, 2026.

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