GroceryZen 4+

After tiring of the lack of index/search in my original shopping assistant I researched all the ones I could find in the store and trialled four of them. This has proven the best. It is fast to use, whether adding to the shopping list, buying items or adding new items. A purchased item falls to the bottom of the list, clarifying what it is you have still to buy, and management of quantities is very easy, allowing weights or volumes as well as counts.

I like the fact there were not too many items in its pre-loaded list. It made it quicker to get rid of the ones I don't buy or where we use different terms in this country. Changing the "aisles" and adapting them to different purposes was also straightforward. When you have finished buying, the simple Check Out button removes your purchased list from display.

I was not looking for the "Recipes" function but it might prove handy and, most importantly, it does not intrude at all on the main functions. I am pleased that it is not burdened with pricing, budgets, calculators and other time-wasting flummery, but that just expresses what I want and may not be right for you.

For speed, flexibility and effectiveness, this one is first class, and highly recommended.

It is very functional, But i have lost 2 sets of recipes when i had to update, the program is lacking a backup feature. This is a shame, since i got the product for the shop by recipe feature. This works really well. Overall the program is very good, i like the initial food lists, and adding items is easy. Another feature you should consider is allowing quantities in the recipes them selves, not just be a bulk item. I wanted to use the recipe feature to keep recipes so i don't have to find the amounts, it is very tedious to write in the amounts in the instruction section. Other then the backup and refining the recipe input it is a great product, i use it daily now - every time i shop!

... but recent updates have improved this application a lot. I use Grocery Zen to shop so I was relieved when most of the maddening bugs were fixed.
I'm waiting for the feature that allows me to sync, share and enter new items and recipes from my computer. Currently adding recipes manually is laborious.
Whilst the new email feature is good I'd also like to be able to sms my shopping list (I know I know - doesn't EVERYONE have an iPhone or Blackberry?).