It was really difficult to find a convincing iOS shopping list app. I tried several, most of which were simply trying to do too much. They were overly complicated and bloated They lacked a desktop app for quick data entry. They had food databases that weren’t localised in German or needed lots of additions. None of them could convince me to give up pen and paper.
Things changed when I came across Portmanteau’s Listary. By reducing it to a shopping list app, I’m actually doing it wrong. It’s a simple, easy-to-use Simplenote client that transforms plain text notes into lists with checkboxes. You can easily tick items off and even batch delete them afterwards. Ticked items are automatically moved to the bottom of the list, out of sight.You can even hide them completely to keep your list tidy and focus on what’s still left (there is a status bar which says how many there are).
As it syncs with Simplenote you can create or edit your lists not only in the app but also on any desktop computer. I use Simplenote’s elegant web interface, but of course any Simplenote client including Notational Velocity or nvALT will do.Then tag the note with “Listary”, and it will be downloaded by the app. More precisely, Listary ignores any note without the tag, which keeps the interface uncluttered. There are some more neat things, like drag and drop list reordering, an easy way to enter several items in a row without much hassle, or a quick entry button that saves to an inbox list which should suit the GTD crowd quite well.
As Listary is incredibly easy to use and Simplenote allows to share notes between users, you can sync your shopping lists with your family. Synced shopping lists are incredibly convenient: when you go shopping after work, there’s no need to call your partner and ask whether there’s anything you have to bring. When you arrive at home, you won’t be sent on a quest for Roquefort straight away. Anything the others think of in the course of the day is already on your list. And the really great part for lazy people like me is: it works the other way around too. Come home and find the wine you put on the list in your break right on the kitchen table. My wife and me save a lot of time that way. Time we can spend with our children, our personal projects, each other.
All in all, it’s the first time I’m really happy with a shopping list app. It’s stable, beautiful and easy to use. Listary is available for €2.39 / $2.99 on the App Store.
