Almost everybody collects something. But keeping up with that collection isn’t always easy. You could just write it all down, but wouldn’t an app be easier? There are plenty of great apps just for collecting one type of thing. However, collection organizing apps are ideal for managing nearly any type of collection and even multiple collections in a single app.
1. Itemtopia
Price: Free with premium options
Itemtopia is designed to help you track everything from your book collection to receipts. Take images, add pricing, create custom fields, and even add unique spaces to track where your belongings are at any time.
It’s a surprisingly powerful app to add detailed notes about every single item you want to document. Take photos, upload receipts, and even add warranty details. While the app started out completely free, some features are premium only, such as uploading and sharing unlimited items. Backing up data is free, but data syncing isn’t.
Pros:
- Track anything you want
- Share with others
- Detailed reports (perfect for tracking finances, inventories, etc.)
- Create custom categories and item types
Cons:
- Setup may feel overwhelming at first
- May be too complex for simple collections
2. MyCollections
Price: Free
MyCollections allows you to keep track of almost anything, making it one of the best collection organizing apps. You can even share your collections with friends so that you can manage lists together or make sure no one’s buying you something you already have.
There are built-in templates for common collections, but you can create your own as well. Easily add photos and details. There is a built-in search feature that makes finding things easy. My favorite part is that it syncs between devices for free, though you’ll need to sign up for an account to do so.
Pros:
- Built-in templates for common types of collections
- Share and manage collections with others
- Multiple reporting and sorting options
- Syncs between devices
Cons:
- UI feels dated
3. Memento Database
Price: Free with premium options
Memento Database is one of the more popular collection organizing apps. It’s built for both businesses and individuals. Manage everything from business inventory to your stamp collection. You’ll find plenty of templates available, thanks to the large user community. It syncs between devices – and even with Google Sheets.
Enter a variety of details for every item. There are even custom settings to further customize each collection and entry. It may be more powerful than what the average collector needs, but the customization options make it a great choice. However, the free version is fairly limited.
Pros:
- Manage any type of collection (use templates or create your own)
- Also works on Windows and Linux
- Import and export data
Cons:
- Free version is limited to three libraries (unlimited entries per library)
- May be overwhelming for simple collections
Are you collecting funny photos? Check out these Android memes.
4. Libib
Price: Free
If you just need something simple for books, music, movies, and games, Libib is the perfect choice. It only works with these four items but allows you to scan them using the item’s barcode. Of course, you can manually enter information, too. This is helpful with ebooks. Add more ebooks to your collection with these free ebook sites.
You can manage other types of items, but you’ll have to use one of the four main collection types as your template. Feel free to mix and match items within collections. You do have to create a free account, but this lets you sync items between devices. However, everything is free to use.
Pros:
- Scan in items with a barcode scanner
- Search across all collections
- Create multiple collections of each type
- Syncs with Libib.com website
- No ads
Cons:
- No option to use it without an account
5. My Collections
Price: Free with premium option
My Collections, aka Collections, allows you to create a collection for anything. Start by creating a basic collection, then customizing the fields. Add images, sync with Google Drive for backup, and even share your collection with others. You’ll see collections created by other users who choose to make their collections public, but you aren’t required to make anything public.
I do like that you can check out other people’s collections to see what’s possible before creating an account. However, you must create a free account to set up your collections. The app’s ad-supported, but it’s just a simple banner ad and not obtrusive. You probably won’t need to upgrade unless you need to add numerous images per item.
Pros:
- Create fully custom collections with fields
- Tag items for easier searches
- You can view your collection on the Web
Cons:
- Only one image per item is allowed in the free version
6. My … Collection
Platforms: Android
Price: Free
My … Collection is one of the newer collection organizing apps on this list. The developer, Tuyware, already has several popular collection organizing apps in the Play Store (and a few in the Apple Store) for different types of collections, like board games and video games, including retro games.
However, this app is designed to collect everything in a single app so that you don’t need multiple apps. With customizable fields, you can track any collection. While the initial creation tool starts with just a few fields, you can add as many as you need to describe your items later on. There are even themes to customize the app itself. It’s free to use and makes keeping up with your collection much easier. It does have some ads, though.
Pros:
- Customize almost everything with your collection
- Back up locally or to cloud services
- Search lists easily
- Various field types to choose from
Cons:
- Only available for Android
- Not updated as often as other apps
7. Airtable
Prices: Free with premium options
Airtable is an organizer with the power of a database. Customize rich fields to show the exact types of data you want. While designed mainly for businesses, individuals can easily track collections, tasks, vacation plans, and personal projects.
It’s also perfect for freelancers trying to keep track of clients and projects. The free version is more than enough for most individuals. Enjoy unlimited bases (collections) with up to 1,000 records per set. For larger collections, it may be easier to use the web interface, especially during the setup process. Creating all the fields on mobile gets tedious quickly.
Pros:
- Will track anything you want
- Modern interface with tappable cards
- Numerous templates for you to customize
- Collaborate with others
- Sync between iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS devices
Cons:
- Free accounts only allow 1 GB of attachments per database
- Mobile apps don’t work as smoothly as the web interface
8. Magic Home Inventory
Platforms: Android
Price: Free
Magic Home Inventory is one of the more unique collection organizing apps. Instead of a standard database, organize anything and everything in your home. From appliances and their manuals to tracking items in your junk drawer, you can do it all. Plus, easily track any collection, along with where items are located in your home.
It’s ideal for creating a more organized home so that you always know where everything is at any moment. For items in storage, you can list the type or color of the container, along with where it is. At first, it’s a little strange to use. Depending on the room, you’re given various areas and items, such as cabinets and fridges in the kitchen. But once set up, your home will seem like it has never been more organized.
Pros:
- Categorize items by room, property, and location
- Track important documents, manuals, and more
- Visual representations of locations
Cons:
- Can feel clunky
- No sync features (only local backups)
- Only available on Android
9. iCollect Everything
Price: Free with premium options
iCollect Everything is one of the more limited collection organizing apps, but having the option to scan millions of items with just the bar code makes the premium price tag worth it. As the name implies, the app is for any type of collection.
While there are numerous categories to choose from, such as board games, trains, and even LEGO sets, feel free to create your own. The app even supports importing collections from other apps or spreadsheets. Occasionally, you’ll need to manually enter an item, but I love that you can just search for it, as the app populates all the fields for you. What I don’t like is that you can only add 15 items per collection for free.
Pros:
- Sort and filter your collection(s)
- Create wish lists and share collections
- Back up your collection at any time
Cons:
- Very limited free version
- Must create a free account to add items
Collect and Organize
Most collection organizing apps allow you to back up your data or sync it online, though it may be a premium feature. You can also back it up locally to a USB drive or hard drive. If you want to keep growing your collections, try these Amazon money-saving hacks. Or, try these strategies to save while shopping online anywhere.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder
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