The Good
- Stylish interface
- Easy to use
- Group sync features
The Bad
- No barcode scanner
- No auto-fill
Shopping List by Hensoft (US$2.99) doesn’t have as many features as some other grocery list apps, but it does have an excellent interface that is stylish and easy to use. So is it a top pick?
See more good options in our list of the best iPhone grocery list apps.
Excellent interface
The first thing I noticed about the Shopping List app is its sleek interface. The background wood paneling, subtle colors, and intuitive menu are all worth checking out. Some shopping list apps have a tendency to look busy and overly complicated, so I like the simplicity shown here.
The app supports multiple shopping lists, and it is easy to add new items to your list by tapping the icon in the bottom right-hand corner. However, I was disappointed that Shopping List doesn’t include an item database or auto-fill like other grocery apps. For example, with the Grocery Gadget app, when I start typing ‘apple,’ the app brings up suggestions like different types of apples and apple juice.
Shopping List, on the other hand, requires you to type the full name of your item and choose your own category. While that’s not a huge downside, it does require a little more time. Although the app’s description says it has an item database, I received a ‘no items found’ message even when I was entering basic items like eggs and milk. On the plus side, the items you have entered previously are remembered for next time, so you can create your own little database. You can also add prices, notes, or amounts with any item.
Some missing features
Once your shopping list is complete, you can email it to yourself or others. Shopping List also includes a Groups feature that allows you to sync your shopping list among various members of your household or different iOS devices. However, that is pretty much it in terms of extra features. For a paid grocery app, I would like to see a few additional features -- a barcode scanner or the ability to edit your lists online would be nice.
The Bottom Line
Shopping List is a good basic app. I love the interface, although it does take a little longer to create your shopping list than with other grocery apps I’ve tried. The group sync feature is a nice perk. I would recommend Shopping List for those who have short, manageable shopping lists; otherwise, take a look at Grocery IQ first. Overall rating: 3 stars out of 5.
What You’ll Need
The Shopping List app is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.