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 in 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?
Every grocery list app that we reviewed includes a barcode scanner, which helps a great deal with list-making and should be considered a standard feature. Before you went to the grocery store, you decide to make a list and then take a spin through the kitchen to see what’s running low. Simply scan that box of rice or carton of milk and the items will be instantly added to your grocery list, saving you the trouble of punching in any items manually.
Some apps
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
With different household members allowed access to the grocery list, you’re going to want a watchful eye keeping tabs on things. Our Groceries for instance, automatically weeds out duplicate items so you don’t end up doubling up on certain items on your list.
What if someone with access to your list makes changes after you’ve already left for the supermarket? With the Ease shopping list app, you’ll get real-time notifications when someone adds or removes an item.
With any shopping list app
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 the Grocery List app, you can get information about local offers and discounts and compare prices for the 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 at select retailers.
Many users are looking for more than just finding products and comparing prices; they also want to monitor 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 products. The app will also suggest healthy alternatives for the items on your list.
So, Which One Should I Use?
Just as smartphones have transformed almost every aspect of our modern lives, the simple shopping list of yesteryear has undergone a profound digital transformation. Shopping list apps that have emerged in recent years allow you to simplify grocery shopping while also helping you stay informed about discounts and nutritional information about the foods you consume. This is another way in which technology has simplified and made our daily activities easier, and it’s worth checking out if it suits your needs.
