Shopping list apps have made it a little easier to get things done in recent years. These apps help you save time at the supermarket and also remind you what to buy, thus avoiding a second trip.
Shopping list apps allow you to choose from countless products from hundreds of stores to create lists that you can share with other users. The apps have built-in databases that help you compare prices and nutritional value, and also allow you to stay informed about discounts and offers that you can take advantage of. With most of these apps, creating a list is as easy as searching for products in the app or simply scanning the barcodes of a few items you have at home.
In short, in 2017, a crumpled piece of paper covered in scribbles is no longer a valid shopping list.
What to Look For?
When looking for a shopping list app, you need a user-friendly interface. The app is designed to make household chores easier, so requiring technical knowledge will defeat its purpose.
Look for apps with a large user base, as they have more products in their database and are more likely to find discount stores. You’ll also want an app that’s easily accessible from multiple devices so everyone in the household can contribute to the shopping list.
How Does It Work?
With shopping list apps, you create a new list and start shopping. Most of them allow you to use a barcode scanner to scan items around your home, which are then automatically added to the list. You can save items as you shop, and they’ll be automatically removed from the list. These apps also let you share the list with multiple people, who can update it in real time. They also let you search for items in their database, and many let you drag and drop items onto the list.
What are These Features?
All of the shopping list apps we reviewed include a barcode scanner, which makes creating lists much easier and should be a standard feature. You decide to make a list before heading to the supermarket, then quickly scan the kitchen to see what you’re missing. Simply scan a box of rice or milk, and the items are instantly added to your list, saving you the hassle of manually typing them in.
Some apps
go even further. Out of Milk lets you add items using voice recognition, while AnyList lets you sync with Siri and dictate your list directly to your iOS device, perhaps on your way to the supermarket.
The next question is: what can you do with the list once it’s online? In most apps, lists can be updated continuously, even long after you’ve left the house. And more importantly, lists can be shared, and other users can update them in real time. In other words, imagine you’ve already left for the supermarket and are strolling through the frozen food aisle when your roommate notices that your cereal is out of stock. With apps like Grocery iQ, you can edit your list at any time via their website, and with Wunderlist, you can access it from your computer, Kindle, iPad, and other devices.
With different
family members have access to a shopping list, it’s important to have someone keep track of it to keep it organized. For example, our Grocery app automatically removes duplicate items so you don’t buy the same thing twice.
What if someone with access to the list makes changes after you’ve already left for the supermarket? With Ease Shopping List, you’ll get real-time notifications when someone adds or removes an item.
With any shopping list app
you’ll probably also want to save money. Many shopping list apps not only let you compare prices, but also set up your account to receive notifications about special offers and discounts at stores in your area. With Grocery Pal, you can get information about local deals and compare prices for items on your list. With Flipp, you can easily find deals at over 800 stores, and the app also lets you sign up for loyalty cards for select stores.
Many users are looking for more than just finding products and comparing prices; they also want to take control of their health and are looking for an app that will guide them.
With Fooducate, you can access a healthy meal planner and scan barcodes to get nutritional information about items. The app will also suggest healthy alternatives for items on your list. With Buy Me a Pie!, you can also receive recipes via Facebook Messenger, with detailed descriptions so you can see exactly what you need to make them.
So, Which One Should I Use?
Just as smartphones have transformed almost everything in our modern lives, the simple shopping list of the past has undergone a profound digital transformation. Shopping list apps that have emerged in recent years allow you to simplify shopping while also helping you take advantage of discounts and access nutritional information about your food. This is another way in which technology has simplified and optimized our daily tasks, and it’s worth seeing if it suits your needs.
