6 of the Best Packing Apps for Travelers

When preparing for a trip, many travelers use a packing list to make sure they’ve got everything they need. Some enthusiastic people even get all carried away and create a full packing spreadsheet. We are not those people.

In the age of personal branding, Instagrammers have also started to treat packing like some sort of art form. Their feeds are full of images of color-coordinated gear, in (of course) picture-perfect bags.

Meanwhile, countless articles extol the virtues of packing “light”, packing “smart”, or packing “like a pro”. In short, packing is taken very seriously. At least by some people.

So, what’s the best way to do it? There’s no one answer to that question, but if you’re struggling, packing apps can help. At their best, these tools can be the difference between a stress-free trip and that awful sinking feeling at the airport.

Most good packing apps have a free version available, although you’ll often need to pay a few dollars to unlock every feature. I’ve checked out the available options, and although none fit all my requirements perfectly, many definitely have their uses.

Packpoint

If you’re looking for a hassle-free app, Packpoint is a solid choice. While this app doesn’t have many bells and whistles, it’s straightforward and easy to use.

You start by entering information about yourself and your trip, such as gender, destination, travel dates and purpose, and potential activities. The app then automatically generates a packing list based on your preferences and the likely weather at your destination.

From there, you can select the items you want to pack. There are some limitations with the free version, however. You can select a quantity for each item of clothing you want to pack, but not for other items like toiletries, power adapters, or cameras.

The free version is also a bit clunky with importing data, and I experienced issues when trying to export my customized list to Gmail. Upgrading to Premium lets you access custom templates, sync with TripIt and EverNote, and remove advertisements.

Overall it’s a decent app, but is pretty minimal without the premium upgrade.

iOS or Android, free or $2.99 for Premium.

Packing Pro

If you’re traveling in a large group, check out Packing Pro. This app provides extensive packing lists for the entire family, including children, babies, adults, and even pets.

An “expert” assistant automatically generates lists for multiple people, and there’s a master catalog available with an additional 800 items. You can also add images, alerts, and a list of priorities.

Once complete, you can print or email your packing lists, sync them to iCloud, or export into Excel, Numbers, or Google Docs. The main downside of Packing Pro is mostly cosmetic; it’s not a beautiful or particularly streamlined app. In fact, the design is a bit ugly.

For travelers who want their apps to inspire a sense of unbridled wanderlust, Packing Pro may prove disappointing. If you value functionality and features over good looks, however, it could be the way to go.

iOS, $2.99

PackKing

The free version of PackKing is pretty limited. You can manually create a list from scratch, and that’s about it. The app really shines when you pay for the Premium service, however, unlocking a slew of extra features.

You can find automatic recommendations based on your gender, mode of transportation, expected weather, and planned activities. The app is intuitive and user-friendly, with the ability to scroll between various lists, such as “Gadgets,” “Hygiene,” and “Clothing,” at the top of the screen.

One feature I really like is the inclusion of a “To-Do’s” section. It’s a smart choice, as packing preparation often goes hand-in-hand with general trip preparation. The premium version also adds unlimited packing lists, exporting to PDF and other apps, backing up your data, and removing ads.

iOS or Android, free or $4.99 for Premium

Packr

Packr is ideal for a multi-destination trip. When planning a trip with this app, you can select as many destinations as you like. Honestly, I’m shocked that not all packing apps have this feature.

You can also get a daily breakdown of the weather forecast for your intended destinations. This is very handy, and a better model than other apps that generate packing recommendations based on the forecast, yet never explicitly tell you what kind of weather lies in store.

Packr can also auto-generate packing suggestions. Lists can be shared with others, and synchronized across your devices.

iOS, free or $2.99 for Premium

PackTeo

If you just want to manually create a packing list, take a look at PackTeo. Unlike many other packing apps that focus on auto-generated lists, PackTeo is well-suited for manual list creation. You can choose items from a general catalog, or may simply type in the items you plan to pack.

PackTeo lets you add multiple items at once to help simplify the process, or you can do so individually if you’d prefer. The physical side of packing is also taken into account, since you’re asked about the quantity and weight of your items, and which bag you’ll put them in.

To clarify, PackTeo does also allow auto-generation of packing lists; it’s just that the manual aspects of the app are particularly well done.

Android, free

Packing List Checklist

The final app on this list is a jack-of-all-trades option. Packing List Checklist doesn’t have any unique features or special offerings, but is a great general-purpose packing tool for travelers.

Creating a packing list is straightforward, with several hundred items to choose from across two dozen categories. You can also add your own categories and items as needed, or begin from scratch.

You can create multiple packing lists, then print them out, save to PDF, or share via email, messaging apps, and more. To-do lists are also available, where you can again pick from a list of suggestions or start with an empty page.

Most features are available in the free version, but some (like setting item quantities, reminders, and iCloud backup and sync) are only unlocked by paying a few dollars.

iOS, free or $2.99 for Premium

Final Thoughts

While there are tons of packing apps for travelers, broadly speaking, they’re all pretty similar. I’d like to see companies taking a few more risks with them.

For one, I hope that these apps become less heteronormative (such as Easy Pack) or laden with assumptions about gender. Who says all female travelers want to pack dresses, birth control, and makeup, or that male travelers wouldn’t pack any of those things?

I also hope these apps eventually do a better job of addressing different types of travelers. Some people go on short vacations a few times a year, some visit many destinations over an extended period of time, and others may not have any set destinations or timelines at all.

This variety of travel styles is poorly reflected in the majority of packing apps, and they’re less useful as a result. Despite their flaws, though, I’m still glad that packing apps exist. With any luck, they’ll only improve and grow in the future.

---

Have you used a packing app? What did you think? Share your insights in the comments!

Images via Alexas_Fotos (suitcase with teddy bear),  PxHere (Girl in airport with bag),  PxHere (holiday luggage)