Provision Planner vs RationRefill
Honest comparison · We make Provision Planner, and RationRefill is genuinely good at what it aims to do · Facts checked September 26, 2026
The 60 second answer
Provision Planner is the stronger pick for preparedness: iPhone and Android apps, barcode scanning, readiness in days, scenario checks, and recall alerts, free to start. Choose RationRefill if you want one simple free job done in the browser: tracking expiry dates so food stops going to waste.
Facts checked September 26, 2026, against RationRefill's own site.
See how long my preps will lastRationRefill does one job and does it cleanly: stop food from expiring on you. Add items with quantities, storage locations, and expiry dates in the browser, set how early you want the warning, and it flags what to use next. It is free, shows no ads, and does not sell your data.
Provision Planner starts from a different question: if something went wrong this week, how many days would your household last? Supplies go in by barcode scan or search, and the dashboard answers in days, stress-tests your shelves against real scenarios, watches recalls and severe weather near you, and sizes a buy-next list to your family.
Side by side
| Provision Planner | RationRefill | |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness in days | Yes. One number in days for your exact household, updated as your shelves change. | No. Expiry tracking, not readiness math. |
| Household modeling | Adults, kids, infants, and pets drive the math, including water. | No. |
| Scenario stress tests | Hurricane, power outage, winter storm and more, scored against what you own. | No. |
| What to buy next | Guided moves that raise your days, sized to your household. | Not a focus. |
| Live emergency alerts | Live weather and emergency alerts for your area. | No. Expiry warnings only. |
| Expiration tracking | Yes: expiry dates and alerts, folded into the bigger readiness picture. | Yes. The core of the product, with a configurable expiring-soon window. |
| Barcode scanning | Yes, with a catalog behind it (Premium). | Not advertised; items are added by hand. |
| Platforms | Web, iPhone, and Android, always in sync. | Any browser; no store apps. |
| Price | Free to start. Premium is $9.99 a month or $99.99 once for Lifetime. | Free. |
| Your data | We never sell your data. | No ads and no data selling, per their site. |
Details change; where we could not verify a claim about RationRefill, the cell says so rather than guessing. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
Choose RationRefill if
- You only want expiry tracking: free, instant, zero learning curve.
- You like a configurable expiring-soon window and storage-location labels.
- You do not want another phone app; the browser is enough.
Choose Provision Planner if
- You want the shelf turned into a number: how many days your family is covered.
- You want barcode scanning, scenario tests, recall and weather alerts, and a guided buy-next list.
- Your household plans together: shared supplies and up to four logins.
- You want real iPhone and Android apps with web sync, and your AI assistant able to read your own pantry.
See it with your own shelves
The fastest way to compare is your own number.
Set up your household, add a few supplies, and the dashboard answers the question this whole page circles: how many days would your family be covered? Your first readiness number is about two minutes away.
Common questions
Is RationRefill free?
Yes, completely, with no ads. Provision Planner's free plan is also real, and Premium is $9.99 a month or $99.99 once when you want the scanner, scenarios, and household sharing.
Which is better for emergency preparedness?
Provision Planner. RationRefill watches expiry dates; Provision Planner turns your whole inventory into readiness: days of coverage for your exact household, scenario stress tests, recall and weather alerts, and what to buy next.
Do both track expiration dates?
Yes. RationRefill is centered on it and does it well. Provision Planner tracks expiry too, then goes further: recall alerts for what you own and a readiness number that updates as things expire.
Can an AI assistant read my pantry in either app?
Only in Provision Planner. Connect Claude through our connector, built on the open MCP standard, and ask how many days of food you have. The answer comes from your actual shelves.
Shopping the whole category? Read the full roundup: The Best Food Storage Apps of 2026, Compared Honestly, or see all comparisons.