ExpiNotif: Expiration dates

What it does

ExpiNotif is a focused utility designed to help users track and manage expiration dates for a variety of items. From critical documents like passports to everyday products like milk or digital services like Netflix subscriptions, the app serves as a centralized repository for deadlines. Its core function is to provide timely notifications before these items expire, helping users avoid lapses, late fees, or other inconveniences.

Where it shines

The app's strength lies in its simplicity and clarity. The process of adding a new document is straightforward, as seen from 00:25 onwards. The user fills out a clean form with fields for name, date, and an optional category. The main dashboard (02:38) is particularly effective, using color-coded icons and clear text like "4 days remaining" to provide an instant, at-a-glance overview of what needs attention. This removes any mental guesswork for the user. The category management system is also well-integrated, allowing users to create and color-code new categories directly from the item creation form (00:56), which is a thoughtful touch that prevents workflow interruptions.

UX highlights

Inline Category Creation: Instead of navigating to settings, users can create and color-code new categories within a modal while adding a document (01:05). This keeps the user in context and reduces friction.
Contextual Tooltips: A small info icon (01:20) provides a detailed explanation of the notification settings with a clear example, educating the user without cluttering the main interface.
Actionable Dashboard: The home screen isn't just a list; it's a functional dashboard. It uses color and relative time labels ("328 days remaining") to communicate urgency effectively.
Clear Filtering: The app provides simple yet powerful filtering options at the top of the main screen (03:38), allowing users to sift through documents by category or status.
Flexible Notification Timing: Users can set a custom time limit for notifications (e.g., 7 days, 1 month) before an item expires (01:24), tailoring the alerts to their needs.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is handled through a 'Plus Version' subscription, accessible from the side menu (04:03). The paywall screen clearly lists the benefits of upgrading, such as unlimited documents and no advertising. It offers three distinct plans: a monthly subscription, an annual plan framed as a money-saving option, and a one-time lifetime payment. The purchase is processed through the standard App Store flow, which includes a 3-day free trial for the annual plan (04:09), a common strategy to lower the barrier to entry.

Who it’s for

This app is ideal for organized individuals or anyone looking to get a better handle on their personal administration. Its use cases are broad, ranging from tracking official documents (passports, IDs), to managing household items (food, medicine), to keeping tabs on recurring digital subscriptions. The straightforward interface makes it suitable for users who want a no-frills tool that solves a specific problem effectively, without a steep learning curve.

Notes & opportunities

The initial user experience presents immediate friction by requiring account creation before the user can see or interact with the app (00:02). Allowing users to add one or two documents locally before prompting them to sign up could demonstrate the app's value first and potentially increase conversion. Additionally, while the form for adding a document is clean, the error message for entering a past date (03:09) could be more visually prominent to ensure the user notices it immediately.