Score the app with one real feed
| What to check | A practical test |
|---|---|
| Logging speed | Enter starter, flour and water in grams, plus time. Edit an incorrect entry without replacing your whole history. |
| Reminder control | Change the next feed after an early feed. Check recurring schedules, snooze and what happens when the starter goes into the fridge. |
| Observations | Save a starting mark, a later rise reading and the relevant temperature. See whether they sit with the same feed. |
| History and export | Find an older entry and check how much history is available. Try exporting a sample record in a format you can open elsewhere. |
| Cost and privacy | Check the tier you need, whether an account is required, and where the app says photos and notes are stored. |
If an app has multiple starter profiles, use them only when you actually keep different cultures or maintenance routines. Separate a rye starter from a wheat one so the histories mean something. A one-jar routine can be simpler. The printable feeding log gives you a way to test the fields you use before you commit to an app.
Compare what the listings actually describe
The examples below are from UK App Store listings checked 10 November 2026. Treat listed features as developer descriptions and check the app on the device and tier you would use.
| App | What the listing describes | What to verify during a trial |
|---|---|---|
| Loaflo | Feed logging, hydration and growth tracking. Its release notes mention starter reminders and Pro bake schedules. [1] | Whether reminders fit your routine and whether history or exports meet your needs. |
| Surdeg | Recurring reminders per starter, feeding history, a bake journal and local storage. The listing describes premium limits for some history and multiple starters. [2] | What is included on your tier and how you would retain a copy of your data. |
For Android, check the exact developer name before installing. Google Play has several apps with similar names. The listing for Sourdough Tracker identifies the app by its package and explains its own tracking features. Read the device and availability details on the store page, then run the same test. [3]
Check whether your history changes a decision
After three comparable feeds, ask whether you can find the one that peaked earliest. Can you tell whether it was warmer, fed at a different ratio or recorded at a different time? An app that only says you fed on Tuesday may cover the reminder job. A feed log with observations can help you decide how early to build a levain for a Saturday loaf.
Try this sequence once before you pay. Log a feed, add a height observation, adjust the next reminder and retrieve both records the next day. If you use two devices, check whether the records appear where you expect. If you care about keeping your own archive, make a sample export and open it. An export option has more value when the file includes the weights, time and notes you need.
Crispy Crust is upcoming. Its planned starter log connects feed weights and rise observations to bake planning, so you could use the history to decide when to build your levain. Treat the plan as a preview and use the store listings to compare tools you can try now.
Choose a trial that matches the problem
If you mainly miss feeds, try a reminder through a real change in routine. Record an early feed and check whether the next alert follows the new time. If the main problem is inconsistent rise, record three comparable feeds before judging the history view. A photo is more useful if the starting level and time sit next to it. Before subscribing, check whether the tier you tried is the one that includes the features you used. Keep a note of any limitations you hit during the trial.