# PackLight for Backpacking vs Backpacker Spender

The clearest difference is update cadence: Backpacker Spender at every 3 days against PackLight for Backpacking's every 2 months. Backpacker Spender also leads on iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, Backpacker Spender every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PackLight for Backpacking | Backpacker Spender |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (991 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packlight-for-backpacking/id1054845207/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **991** | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 4 MB | 122 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.5** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mark Oliveira](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054845206) | [Gabriel Oliveira Santos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1891870880) |

## What reviewers say

### PackLight for Backpacking

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packlight-for-backpacking/id1054845207)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supporter Edition | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful for planning and organizing gear
- 👍 Useful for tracking gear weights
- 👍 Great for creating custom packing lists
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Lack of custom categories
- 🔍 No ability to add notes or details to gear items
- 🔍 No option to track purchase price or date
- 🔍 Inability to easily share lists with others
- 🔍 No cloud sync or backup functionality

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Backpacker Spender

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpacker-spender/id6761869353)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Explorer Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Nomad Mensal | $3.99 | per month |
| Explorer Anual | $11.99 | per year |
| Nomad Anual | $22.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PackLight for Backpacking free?

PackLight for Backpacking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backpacker Spender free?

Backpacker Spender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do PackLight for Backpacking or Backpacker Spender have ads?

Neither PackLight for Backpacking nor Backpacker Spender shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PackLight for Backpacking or Backpacker Spender?

PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, and Backpacker Spender every 3 days. Most recently, PackLight for Backpacking was updated on October 14, 2026 and Backpacker Spender on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*