Encircle Contents vs Scanlily in 2026
Compare Encircle Contents, Scanlily and Packing Buddy for a household: what each source says it does, what it costs, and what to check.
CleverDings is published by the makers of Benefit Buddy, Postal Buddy and Packing Buddy, which are compared here alongside other apps.
Compare Encircle Contents, Scanlily and Packing Buddy for a household move: what each source says it does, what it costs, how to start, and what to check.
| Option | Own price | What its source says it is |
|---|---|---|
| Encircle Contents | not published | Offers field documentation with photos, videos, and notes [1] |
| Scanlily | Ultra $35 USD/mo [2] | Ultra plan supports 5 users and 2,000 items [2] |
| Packing Buddy | Plus $12.99/mo or $59/yr for 100 boxes; Pro $19.99/mo or $99/yr, unlimited boxes [3] | Each box gets a code like K-03; scan the QR code to open that box in the browser [3] [3] |
The short answer
Encircle offers field documentation features including photos, videos, and notes. [1] Scanlily's Ultra plan costs $35 USD per month and its Pro plan costs $9 USD per month. [2] [2] [2] Packing Buddy lets you take photos of what goes into a moving box and has AI list the items and pick the room. [3]
If you want a tool that turns field documentation into a mitigation scope, Encircle says it can do that in minutes. [1] If you want Scanlily's Pro plan, it costs $9 USD per month and its page describes it as for homes, collectors, and solo professionals. [2] If you want to photograph moving boxes and have AI list what is inside, Packing Buddy says it does that. [3]
What Encircle Contents and Scanlily are built for
Encircle offers field documentation features including photos, videos, and notes. [1] It says users can generate a mitigation scope from field documentation in minutes. [1]
Scanlily's Pro plan costs $9 USD per month and is described as best for homes, collectors, and solo professionals. [2] Its Ultra plan costs $35 USD per month and is described as best for small teams that lend, move, and track equipment. [2] The Ultra plan includes equipment booking for checkouts, reservations, and pickups. [2] Check Scanlily for whether it handles moving boxes, item lists, and box labels in the way a household move needs.
Neither source describes a tool made for labeling moving boxes during a household move. Before relying on either, check its pages for whether it handles box labels and item lists the way a household move needs.
What Packing Buddy is built for
Packing Buddy is made by the team that publishes this site. You take photos of what goes into a moving box, and AI lists the items and picks the room. [3] Each box gets a code like K-03, printed on its label. [3] Scanning a box's QR code with any phone camera opens that box in the browser, with no app needed. [3]
You can search your boxes to find which box an item is in. [3] Labels print from a home printer on store-bought Avery 5163 or compatible sheets, or on plain paper you cut out and tape on. [3] You can also print blank QR labels in advance and start a box later by scanning one. [3]
Share links let a partner, friends or movers join by typing their name, with no account needed; the movers link comes with your plan. [3] The app and its AI box lists are available in 30 languages. [3]
Pricing and fees
Encircle Contents: its sources here do not publish a price.
Scanlily: its Pro plan costs $9 USD per month. [2] Its Ultra plan costs $35 USD per month. [2] Scanlily offers annual billing with two months free. [2]
Packing Buddy: Free gives 3 test boxes per device without an account; with a free account, 10 boxes, 25 AI reads and up to 4 photos a box. [3] Plus costs $12.99 a month or $59 a year for 100 boxes. [3] Pro costs $19.99 a month or $99 a year, with unlimited boxes and Bluetooth printers. [3]
If you cancel Packing Buddy, you keep your boxes and can still open, edit, reprint and search them, but you cannot add new ones. [3]
Getting started
For Packing Buddy, the web app is live, and on a computer you can choose photos you already took with nothing to install. [3] It runs on phones and in a web browser; Bluetooth printing works only in the phone app, not on the web. [3] Free gives 3 test boxes per device without an account. [3]
On Pro, Bluetooth label printers work in the phone app, not in the browser. [3] After you sign in, AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can search and read your backed-up boxes, but cannot change them. [3]
For Encircle Contents, check its pages for how to start.
For Scanlily, its Ultra plan has a 14-day free trial. [2] Its sources do not give full sign-up steps, so check the site for how to start.
Things to check before you choose
Ask these of any tool:
- Does it let you photograph a moving box and list what is inside?
- Can it print a label with a code or QR code for each box?
- Can you search your boxes later to find where an item is?
- Can you share access with a partner or movers without making them create an account?
- What does it cost per month, and is there a free way to try it?
- Does it work on a phone and in a web browser, or only one of those?
- If you cancel, can you still see and search what you already saved?
- Is it built for a household move, or for a different job like restoration or equipment tracking?
How to choose
If you want to photograph moving boxes and have AI list what is inside, Packing Buddy says it does that. [3]
If you want to print QR code labels for boxes and scan one with any phone camera to open that box, Packing Buddy says it does that. [3]
If you want a tool for field documentation with photos, videos, and notes that can generate a mitigation scope, Encircle says it does that. [1] [1]
If you want Scanlily's Pro plan, it costs $9 USD per month and its page describes it as for homes, collectors, and solo professionals. [2]
If you want to share your move with a partner or movers without an account, Packing Buddy says it does that. [3]
Check Encircle Contents for its price. Check Scanlily for whether it handles moving box labels or AI item lists.
Frequently asked questions
Is Packing Buddy free?
Free gives 3 test boxes per device without an account; with a free account, 10 boxes, 25 AI reads and up to 4 photos a box. [3] Plus costs $12.99 a month or $59 a year for 100 boxes. [3] Pro costs $19.99 a month or $99 a year, with unlimited boxes and Bluetooth printers. [3]
What does Scanlily cost?
Scanlily's Pro plan costs $9 USD per month and its page describes it as for homes, collectors, and solo professionals. [2] Its Ultra plan costs $35 USD per month and its page describes it as for small teams that lend, move, and track equipment. [2] Scanlily offers annual billing with two months free. [2]
Does Encircle Contents label moving boxes?
The facts available for Encircle do not state that it labels moving boxes or lists items with AI. [1] [1] It offers field documentation with photos, videos, and notes, and says users can generate a mitigation scope from field documentation. [1] Check its site for whether it handles household moving boxes.
Can Packing Buddy share a move with movers?
Share links let a partner, friends or movers join by typing their name, with no account needed; the movers link comes with your plan. [3] You can also search your boxes to find which box an item is in. [3]
Can you still see Packing Buddy boxes after canceling?
If you cancel, you keep your boxes and can still open, edit, reprint and search them, but you cannot add new ones. [3] The web app is live, and on a computer you can choose photos you already took with nothing to install. [3]
Free: 3 test boxes per device without an account; with a free account, 10 boxes, 25 AI reads and up to 4 photos a box. [3]
Try Packing BuddySources
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