Count This・Counting Things App

Android Only

Free· User Rating

How Count This fits into everyday counting work

A focused tool instead of a full business suite

The app belongs to the Business category, although its interface is easier to understand as a visual counting utility. It is not trying to replace accounting software, warehouse management, a spreadsheet, or a barcode workflow. Its job is much more direct: use a picture to estimate how many similar objects are visible.

That focus is its main appeal. If I have a tray of components or a stack of packaged goods, I do not need to create product records before getting a useful result. I can begin with the image itself. For occasional checks, that is less effort than setting up a formal inventory process.

The developer is AIBY Inc., and the app is free to install. The free entry point makes it easy to test with the kinds of objects I actually handle rather than deciding from a description alone. In-app purchases are listed from $3.99 to $19.99 per item, so the important value question is not simply whether installation costs money. It is whether the free experience is enough for occasional counting and whether the paid options are worthwhile for repeated use.

What the image-based approach does well

Traditional counting has two common problems: it takes time, and it is easy to lose place. A photo gives me a fixed record of the scene, which is already helpful even before the automatic count. I can inspect the same arrangement again, compare the result with the visible objects, and avoid relying entirely on memory.

A realistic example would be a small workshop receiving a shipment of identical rods. Instead of moving each rod aside and marking a tally, I could arrange the pieces so they are separated as clearly as possible, capture the group, and use the result as a first count. If the number looks wrong, the image shows whether overlap, glare, or a cropped edge caused the problem. That is more useful than a bare number with no visual context.

The same workflow can suit a shop employee checking boxes before shelving them. It can also help someone count coins spread across a table, provided the objects are visible enough for the image analysis to distinguish them. The benefit is greatest when there are many similar items and the cost of a small counting mistake is manageable.

Accuracy depends on how I prepare the photo

The app should not be treated as magic that can separate every object in every photograph. Counting from an image is naturally sensitive to visibility. Items touching one another, hiding behind another object, blending into the background, or appearing in poor lighting are harder to distinguish than cleanly separated pieces.

My practical advice is to make the photo easy to read before asking the app to count it. Spread objects out when possible, use a plain contrasting surface, avoid strong shadows, and keep the whole group inside the frame. For long items such as lumber or pipes, a wider view may prevent cropping, but the objects should still be large enough to see clearly. A second image from a slightly different arrangement can be a useful sanity check when the result matters.

This is one of the less obvious trade-offs: arranging the objects may take some of the time the app is supposed to save. Even so, arranging a group once can be faster than counting it manually, particularly when the items are numerous and interchangeable. If the objects are already mixed, tangled, or stacked deeply, the app cannot solve the visibility problem created by the physical arrangement.

Useful habits for better results

I would use three simple checks after every count. First, compare the displayed result with the number of visible rows or clusters rather than accepting it immediately. Second, look around the edges of the picture, where partially cut-off items are easy to miss or misread. Third, inspect overlaps in the center, since touching objects can appear to be one shape.

For recurring work, keeping a consistent setup is more valuable than chasing a perfect-looking photograph each time. The same background, similar distance, and comparable lighting make results easier to compare across batches. This is particularly helpful for a small business that wants a quick visual check of incoming materials without turning every count into a formal stocktaking session.

Another useful workflow is to use the app for a preliminary count and a manual check only when the number is close to a threshold. For example, if a box should contain a certain quantity, an automatic result can quickly identify obvious shortages, while a careful recount can be reserved for boxes that appear incomplete. That makes the tool a filter for attention rather than a replacement for judgment.

Cost: free access with a paid layer

Because the app is free, trying it on a personal photo or a small work task has little financial friction. That is a meaningful advantage over buying a specialized counting device for a problem that may only appear occasionally. I would start with representative images rather than assuming the free option will suit every workflow.

The paid items range from $3.99 to $19.99 each. Those prices make the app more relevant to someone who counts regularly than to a person who needs one quick answer, but the value depends on what the purchase unlocks in practice and how often the user needs it. I would not pay solely because the app is convenient; I would first confirm that it handles my object type and typical photography conditions reliably.

This is also why the app should be judged differently by different users. For a warehouse or workshop, saving repeated manual effort may justify spending on the paid layer. For a household count of coins or a one-time pile of items, free access may be the sensible stopping point. The app offers a low-risk trial path, but a paid purchase deserves a real workflow test rather than an assumption that more automation always means better value.

Where it differs from ordinary alternatives

The usual alternative is manual counting with a tally mark, spreadsheet, or calculator. Those methods are slower for large groups but remain dependable when objects overlap or when every individual item must be verified. A spreadsheet is also better for recording suppliers, dates, costs, locations, and stock changes, while this app is concerned with the visual count itself.

Another alternative is barcode scanning. Barcode tools are stronger when every product has a readable, standardized code and the goal is to identify products or update inventory. Count This is more interesting when objects do not have useful barcodes, when the items are loose, or when I need to count physical pieces visible in one scene.

Manual counting is still the better choice for high-stakes tasks such as medication reconciliation, expensive components, or a final shipment quantity. The app can assist with a first pass, but a visual estimate should not become the only control when one missed or duplicated object has serious consequences. In those situations, a two-person check, a scale, a barcode process, or dedicated inventory software may be more appropriate.

Who will get the most value

I think the strongest audience is made up of people who repeatedly handle groups of similar physical objects but do not need a full inventory platform. Small workshops, craft sellers, repair businesses, classroom organizers, and people sorting household items may all find the focused workflow useful. The app is especially appealing when the objects are loose and visually distinct, yet numerous enough to make manual counting annoying.

It can also be useful for a quick receiving check. Imagine a seller opening a delivery of small boxes and photographing the batch before putting it away. The result can flag an obvious mismatch early, while the image provides a reference for a later recount. That does not create a complete stock record, but it can improve the first stage of a simple receiving routine.

People who count only a handful of objects will probably see less benefit. Manual counting is already quick at that scale, and taking a photo may add more steps than it removes. The same goes for users whose objects are transparent, highly reflective, tightly stacked, irregularly shaped, or visually similar to the background. A counting app is only as useful as the scene it can interpret.

Device and access considerations

The app runs on Android devices using version 8.0 or newer. Its current version is 2.4.3, and the content rating is Everyone, which makes it broadly approachable for general users. I would still test it on the actual phone used for work, because camera quality, screen size, and the ease of positioning the device can affect the practical experience even when the operating system is supported.

Its reach is reflected in more than 500K installs, while the average rating is 3.9 from around 13K ratings. Those figures suggest that many people are willing to try the idea, but they do not remove the need to test accuracy on personal objects. A rating in that range feels consistent with a specialized utility that can be very convenient in the right conditions and frustrating when a photo is difficult to interpret.

The app has also accumulated around 181 written reviews. I would read those with a specific question in mind: do users describe objects and scenes similar to mine? A complaint about counting crowded objects may be highly relevant to a warehouse, while praise for loose, clearly separated items may be more useful to a hobbyist. Broad approval is less informative than matching the app’s working conditions to my own.

Questions I would answer before relying on it

Can it count any object I place in front of the camera? I would answer that cautiously. The app is designed around counting visible objects in a photo, and its examples cover varied physical items, but object visibility and separation remain decisive. I would run a small test with the exact materials I use before building a routine around it.

Does it replace inventory software? No. It can support a visual count, but it does not turn a photograph into a complete stock-management system. Anyone needing purchase history, item identification, reorder levels, or audit trails should use a spreadsheet, barcode solution, or inventory platform alongside it.

Is the free version enough? It may be for occasional counting, and the fact that installation is free makes that easy to discover. Regular users should examine how much of their normal workflow is covered before considering an in-app purchase. Since individual purchases range from $3.99 to $19.99, I would judge the paid value by saved time and repeat reliability rather than by the price alone.

Can I trust the result without checking? I would not. Even a clean photograph deserves a quick visual review, and a difficult scene deserves a manual recount or another method. The best use is as a fast assistant that narrows the work, not as an unquestioned authority.

My verdict for practical use

Count This is worth trying if I regularly face piles, batches, or groups of similar objects and want a quicker first count without adopting a full business system. Its free installation lowers the barrier, its purpose is immediately understandable, and a well-prepared photograph can make repetitive counting less tedious.

I would skip it when the count must be legally precise, when objects are heavily overlapped, or when the real need is product tracking rather than visual quantity. In those cases, manual verification, barcode scanning, weighing, or dedicated inventory software is the safer choice.

My recommendation is to test it with three representative scenes: a clean, separated group; a normal working pile; and the messiest arrangement I would realistically encounter. If the results are consistently useful, the app can earn a place in a lightweight counting workflow. If it struggles with the everyday scene, paying for extra access will not fix the underlying mismatch. Used with that realistic expectation, it is a focused and potentially valuable business utility rather than a substitute for careful stock control.

Pros

Quickly counts multiple objects using the phone’s camera.
Useful for inventory
shopping
sorting
and everyday organization.
Simple interface with little setup required.
Can reduce manual counting errors for large groups of items.
Convenient portable alternative to a handheld tally counter.

Cons

Results can vary when objects overlap or are poorly arranged.
Good lighting is often needed for reliable recognition.
Irregular shapes and similar-colored items may be counted incorrectly.
Large collections may require several scans or adjustments.
Some features may be limited without a paid upgrade.

FAQ

What is Count This・Counting Things App used for?

Count This is a counting utility designed to help you quickly determine how many similar objects appear in a photo. Instead of manually counting items one by one, you can take a picture or choose one from your gallery, identify the objects you want counted, and let the app analyze the image. It can be useful for inventory checks, classroom activities, household organization, gardening, and other everyday situations.

How accurate is Count This when counting objects in photos?

The app can be very helpful when objects are clearly visible, separated from one another, and photographed in good lighting. However, its results should be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed answer. Overlapping items, shadows, unusual shapes, cluttered backgrounds, poor image quality, or objects that look alike can affect recognition. For important inventory or business records, it is best to review the detected objects and manually verify the final number.

Can I use an existing photo, or do I need to take a new picture?

Count This generally supports both capturing a new image and selecting an existing photo, making it convenient for different counting tasks. You can photograph items directly when they are in front of you, or use a picture already stored on your device. For the best outcome, choose an image with a clear view of the objects, minimal obstruction, suitable lighting, and enough space between items whenever possible.

Is Count This free to download, and are there in-app purchases?

The app may be available to install at no initial cost, but some features, usage limits, or advanced counting options can depend on the current subscription or in-app purchase model. Pricing and included tools may also vary between Android and iOS and can change over time. Before confirming a purchase, check the app-store listing carefully for trial conditions, recurring billing, cancellation rules, and the features included in each plan.

Does Count This require an internet connection, and is my photo data private?

Whether an internet connection is required can depend on the version of the app and how its image-recognition system processes photos. Some operations may work locally, while others can require online processing. Because counting often involves personal images, review the app’s privacy policy and requested permissions before use. Avoid uploading sensitive photos unless you understand how images are handled, stored, and potentially shared.