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.
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1. Itemtopia
Itemtopia (Android / iOS) 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 that’s ad-free and free to use with no limitations. Small businesses and teams will also love how easy it is to track finances and inventory.
Pros:
- Track anything you want
- Syncs across devices
- Share with others
- Detailed reports (perfect for tracking finances, inventories, etc.)
- Backups
Cons:
- Setup may feel overwhelming at first
- May be too complex for simple collections
2. MyCollections
MyCollections (Android / iOS) allows you to keep track of almost anything. 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.
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
You can add photos and details. There is a built-in search feature that makes finding things easy. Despite an outdated looking interface, it’s a powerful app that even syncs between devices, though you’ll need to sign up for a free account to do so. It’s completely free with no limitations.
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3. Memento Database
Memento Database (Android / iOS) 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.
Pros:
- Great for individuals and businesses
- Manage any type of collection (use templates or create your own)
- Syncs between devices and Google Sheets
- Also works on Windows and Linux
- Import and export data
Cons:
- Free version is limited to three libraries (unlimited entries per library)
- Might be overwhelming for simple collections
It may be more powerful than what the average collector needs, but the customization options make it a great choice. However, it’s not free. The free version limits you to 100 MB and three collections. You can upgrade starting at $3/month for 2 GB of storage and unlimited collections.
4. Libib
If you just need something simple for books, music, movies, and games, Libib (Android / iOS) 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. You can manage other types of items, but you’ll have to use one of the four main collection types as your template. You can mix and match items within collections.
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, even in free version
Cons:
- If syncing to Libib.com, free accounts are limited to 5,000 items and 100 collections
- No upgrade option is available in the app
Also read:10 of the Best Free Ebook Download Libraries
5. My Collections
My Collections (Android / iOS), 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. You don’t have to make anything public.
Pros:
- Create fully custom collections with fields
- Tag items for easier searches
- Back up to Google Drive and view on the Web
- Share with others and even view public collections
Cons:
- Setting up a collection can be cumbersome at first
- Outdated looking interface and website
The account creation process is a bit tricky, but otherwise, it’s one of the more straightforward collection organizing apps. The app is free, and you may not need to upgrade. It’s $3.99/year to add up to ten images per item, remove ads, and add more social features.
6. My … Collection
My … Collection (Android) 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 made to collect everything in a single app so that you don’t need multiple apps.
Pros:
- Create fully custom creations with as many or as few fields as you want
- 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
With customizable fields, you can track any collection. While the initial creation tool starts out 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.
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7. Airtable
Airtable (Android / iOS) 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 lets you collaborate with up to five people and include 2 GB of attachments per database. You can upgrade at any time starting at $10/user/month.
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 limited to 1,200 records per database (unlimited databases)
- Mobile apps don’t work as smoothly as the web interface
8. Magic Home Inventory
Magic Home Inventory (Android) is a more unique collection organizing app. 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.
Pros:
- Track any collection in your home or storage unit(s)
- Categorize item by room, property, and location (such as drawer or closet)
- Track important documents, manuals, and more
- Visual representations of locations
Cons:
- Can feel clunky
- No sync features (only local backups)
- Only available on Android
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. Plus, it’s completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export and import my data from one Collection app to another?
If you’re already using an app or even a spreadsheet to track your collection, some collection organizing apps do let you import/export data. Check with the app to see what types of file formats are supported. For instance, if you’re importing a spreadsheet, it may need to be in CSV format first.
Most apps that allow you to back up files do offer a spreadsheet option. However, before you add many items, check to see whether the file can be used elsewhere or just for the that particular app.
If you’ve just expanded your collection using these Amazon shopping hacks, you may not look forward to adding everything in. If you want to add a large number of items to an app at once, quickly entering data into a spreadsheet with the appropriate column names (names should match the fields in the app) and importing it may be faster.
Do I need an account to manage my collections?
Many of the apps listed here do require you to have an account. This is mainly for cloud backups so that you can sync between devices.
If you don’t want to create an account, apps like MyCollections and Memento don’t require an account. However, you’ll need one if you want to back up anything to the cloud.
Will I lose my collections if I change devices?
If you don’t have a backup or use an app that syncs with your account, you will lose all your data if you change devices. For any collection apps that only offer local backups, please create new backups regularly and store them off your device. For example, you could store the backup file on Google Drive, an external hard drive, or a flash drive. If using external storage, SSDs and flash drives usually last the longest.
Are my collections private?
Some apps allow you to share your collections publicly. However, you can choose to keep them private. If you’re worried about storing your collection on a cloud-based app, use an app that doesn’t require a login. Without a login, your data is only stored locally, and you’re free to store your backup wherever you want.
Image credit: Karen Vardazaryan via Unsplash
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