PackLight for Backpacking vs FeatherPack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
FeatherPack
Read full descriptionHide full description
FeatherPack turns your gear closet into a weighed, organized packing list - without the typing. Point your camera at a piece of gear and FeatherPack recognizes what it is and estimates its weight. No scale, no spreadsheet, no guessing. Scan your whole gear closet in the time it takes to walk around the room. HOW IT WORKS Snap a photo of any item - a jacket, a tent, a stove - and FeatherPack identifies it and adds it to your inventory with a weight. Build your inventory: one library of everything you own, each item logged once with a photo and a weight. Pack for a trip: drag items from your inventory into a trip-specific pack, and watch your base weight add up as you go. See what's weighing you down: compare your pack against ultralight and light targets before you leave home, so you know exactly what to cut. Share a pack: send a link to your packing list so hiking partners can see exactly what you're bringing. Built for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and anyone who wants to know their base weight without a spreadsheet. FeatherPack Pro is an auto-renewing subscription. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.featherpack.app/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: FeatherPack at daily 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
Both are free to download. PackLight for Backpacking sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and FeatherPack sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PackLight for Backpacking ships an update every 2 months, FeatherPack daily. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PackLight for Backpacking | FeatherPack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 93 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mark Oliveira | HAKON REINE |
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
FeatherPack
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
PackLight for Backpacking
- Supporter Edition$19.99
FeatherPack
- FeatherPack Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
- FeatherPack Pro (Annual)$24.991 Year






