Comparison

Archi vs Lister

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Archi

This app scans documents, extracts text and metadata using on-device AI and OCR, and syncs with a self-hosted server. It prioritizes user privacy with no cloud subscriptions or data sharing. Ideal for managing receipts, invoices, and personal records securely.

Highlights
  • On-device OCR with Apple Vision
  • AI metadata extraction with Gemma 4
  • Automatic title, tag, and correspondent suggestions
  • Import PDFs and images via Share sheet
  • Browse and search Paperless-NGX archive
  • Offline queue for scanning
Features
Read full description

Archi is the Paperless-NGX client for iPhone, iPad and Mac that runs AI and OCR entirely on your device — no cloud subscription, no data sharing, zero privacy compromises. Try it for free: the first 10 captures are included. After that, a one-time purchase unlocks the full version — no subscription, no cloud, no data collection. Note: AI metadata extraction requires a one-time download of the Gemma 4 model (approx. 2.4 GB) after installation. ■ WHAT ARCHI DOES Scan a document, recognize text, extract metadata — all in seconds, all locally. The document then lands neatly categorized in your self-hosted Paperless-NGX server. ■ ON YOUR DEVICE, NOT IN THE CLOUD • OCR with Apple Vision — fast, offline, free • AI metadata extraction with Google's Gemma 4 — runs directly on your iPhone, no server needed • Automatic title, tag and correspondent suggestions based on content • Import PDFs and images from other apps via the Share sheet ■ PAPERLESS-NGX INTEGRATION • Browse and manage your entire document archive • Full-text search across all documents • Filter by tags, document type and correspondent • Offline queue — scans saved locally until you're back online ■ REAL-WORLD USE CASES Tax Season: Scan every receipt, invoice and bill as it arrives. Archi automatically recognizes the date, vendor and amount — and suggests the right tags. Come April, your IRS paperwork is already done. Home Office & Business: Incoming invoices, delivery notes, contracts — Archi reads the document and proposes correspondent, document type and filing date without you lifting a finger. Medical & Insurance: Digitize EOBs, lab results, insurance policies and medical records securely. Your health data never leaves your device. No Wi-Fi? No Problem: Scan documents in the subway, in a basement archive or while travelling. Archi queues everything locally and syncs automatically when you're back online — unlike server-dependent alternatives. Homelab & Self-Hosting: Running Paperless-NGX on a Synology NAS, Proxmox, Docker or a Raspberry Pi? Archi was built for exactly your setup. No SaaS, no monthly fees, no vendor lock-in. ■ PRIVACY FIRST No account. No subscription. No cloud. Your documents stay on your device and your server — and nowhere else. All AI processing, all OCR, all metadata extraction runs exclusively on your iPhone. Archi never transmits document content to any external server — not Apple's, not Google's, not ours. ■ TECHNICAL DETAILS • AI model: Gemma 4 E2B INT4 (Google open weights) — runs fully on-device via LiteRT, Metal GPU accelerated • OCR: Apple Vision Framework — free, offline, privacy-preserving • Backend: Paperless-NGX (self-hosted, URL and token fully configurable) • Offline queue: SQLite-based, zero data loss when offline • On-device AI: iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or an iPad with 6 GB RAM (M-series). Scanning, uploading and your archive work on all supported devices — even without AI. • Runs on iPhone, iPad and Apple silicon Mac. Archi requires a self-hosted Paperless-NGX server.

About

Lister

Features
Read full description

MAKE THE LIST. SEE THE PLAN. FINISH THE WORK. Lister is a focused home for lists. It keeps everyday capture simple, then adds stronger tools only when they fit the work. INCLUDED FROM THE START Create, edit, reorder, flag, pin, archive, and complete lists. Keep lists current across your Apple devices with iCloud. Invite a friend to discover Lister. TOOLS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE Add rich lists, repeating routines, dates and reminders, quick capture, and batch actions. PLAN BIGGER WORK See projects as a calendar, timeline, or board. Use Focus Mode, folders, smart rules, and progress reports. FIND, PROTECT, AND SHARE Add power search, history and restore, secure lists, themes, export and print tools, or shared lists with member access and activity. SMART ASSIST Turn a photo into a list or generate a practical plan checklist. Recognition happens on your device. Credits are used only when Lister produces a result. CHOOSE WHAT FITS Lister offers focused tool bundles, complete tools, time-limited project access, optional Premium services, and Smart Assist credits through Apple’s App Store. Built for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. Terms: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/Lister-terms.html Privacy: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/Lister-privacy.html

Screenshots

Archi4 screens
Lister4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Lister at none against Archi's 1. Lister also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Archi's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price and ads 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. Archi sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Lister asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Archi ships an update weekly, Lister every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Archi versus Lister: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArchiLister
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArne StenmannsMyworkingmemory LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Archi

One-time1
  • Full Version$3.99
None

Lister

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Archi free?
Archi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lister free?
Lister is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Archi or Lister have ads?
Neither Archi nor Lister shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Archi or Lister?
Archi ships an update weekly, and Lister every 2 months. Most recently, Archi was updated on October 11, 2026 and Lister on October 1, 2026.

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