Essential vs Pack Check
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Essential
This productivity app focuses on the core essence of a calendar, inspired by Dieter Rams' philosophy of "less, but better." It provides daily weather, exchange rates, and historical events, aiming for a clean and focused user experience without unnecessary clutter.
- Minimalist design
- Daily weather updates
- Exchange rate information
- Historical daily events
- Focused calendar experience
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Introducing Essential, a new calendar. Essential boldly holds back on colour to create a minimalist design focused on what truly matters. Unlike other apps, events carry no colours, giving your schedule a calm, well-organised feel. Essential brings a [Monthly Calendar] and a [Timeline] together on a single screen. No need to switch screens to see the details of your day. Essential is built around [Continuity]. Whether you're searching for an event or changing a setting, you can do it without leaving the page. For example, tap the magnifying glass in the top right corner. Instead of taking you to a new screen as most apps do, the icon turns straight into a search field, so you can search right where you are. Beyond its design, Essential offers a few special features. 1. Detailed Weather Useful for those who work outdoors. Hourly forecasts, daily highs and lows, and more, made for anyone who keeps an eye on the weather. 2. A little joy in checking your schedule: "On This Day" An ordinary day for some was a meaningful one for others. While checking your schedule, discover events from history based on real facts. Topics span world history, film, art, economics, design and more. 3. Postpone Move an event to the next day. Plans don't always go as planned, so Essential's postpone feature embraces that uncertainty. It simply moves your event by one day. A little room for the days that don't go perfectly. It's okay not to be perfect. 4. The Dial Essential is inspired by the design philosophy of Dieter Rams, the world-renowned industrial designer. To celebrate his work, we've included a tribute object: the dial in the bottom right corner. Press it to add (+) a new event. Turn it like a dial to move through the timeline in one-hour steps. βββ Privacy Policy: https://dieter-rams-project.minimal-calendar.workers.dev/privacy/en
Pack Check
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"Umbrella? Wallet? Did I turn off the stove?" If you always forget something on your way out, this app is for you. Pick what you need to take today, and Pack Check keeps reading out each item in a clear voice until everything is packed. Tap an item when you've packed it and it stops mentioning it. It keeps going until you have it all. GREAT FOR - Anyone who always leaves one thing behind - Parents getting kids ready for school every morning - Packing for a trip without missing anything - Remembering everything on your grocery run FEATURES - Item lists: 220+ items for Travel, Daily, School, Home, Gym, Baby and Pet. - Pack Up: hear only the items you haven't packed yet, over and over. Choose a single category such as Travel if you like. - Reminders when closed: after you start, close the app or lock your phone and a notification reads the remaining items every minute until you're done. - Home checks: add things to do before leaving, like locking the door, turning off the lights or setting the alarm. - Shopping list: pick from 170 everyday groceries or type your own, then hear what's left to buy. - Shop by place: sort your list by Supermarket, Market, Pharmacy and more, or add your own places. - Your own voice: record any item in your own voice. Let your kids hear Mom or Dad remind them. - Your own categories: create categories like Golf, Camping or Work and fill them with your items. - Reorder categories: press and hold a category to move it. - Widgets: see what is left on your Home Screen or Lock Screen and check items off right there. - Add your own items anytime. - Available in English and Korean. PRIVACY Your lists and recordings stay on your iPhone and are never sent anywhere. REMOVE ADS One small purchase removes the ad banner forever.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Essential at none against Pack Check's 1. Essential also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 9 days) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Pack Check sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Essential asks for nothing beyond the download.
Essential ships an update every 4 days, Pack Check every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Essential | Pack Check |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | β |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days β better | Every 9 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | β |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch β better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 β better | 26.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chang Hyun Lee | SANG WOOK YEO |
In-app purchases
Essential
No in-app purchases
Pack Check
- Remove Ads$0.49
Questions
Is Essential free?
Is Pack Check free?
Do Essential or Pack Check have ads?
Which is updated more often, Essential or Pack Check?
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