Introducing: BeardRanks
I’ve always been a list maker. Movies, games, albums, even the best burritos near me. I can’t help but sort, compare, and rank them. It’s fun, but it’s also a way to bring order to the chaos of endless choices. Over the years, I’ve used spreadsheets, notes apps, and even scraps of paper to keep track of my rankings. None of them felt right. So I built something better.
Today, I’m excited to share it with the world: BeardRanks.
Why I Built It
This app started as a tool for me. I wanted a simple, fast, and flexible way to rank anything. I didn’t want to fight with clunky UIs or force my thoughts into rigid formats. I just wanted the fun part: comparing things head-to-head, building tier lists, and entertaining my wife with blind rankings.
What began as a side project quickly turned into something I couldn’t stop using. And then I realized: if I love this so much, maybe others would too. BeardRanks was born out of that realization. It started as a simple web app that I built in a couple evenings. Since I’ve already published two other iOS apps, this was an obvious next step.
How It Works
BeardRanks makes ranking effortless. You start with a list, movies, games, books, whatever matters to you. Then you let the app guide you:
- Head-to-head matchups: Compare two items and pick your winner. The app then presents you with a complete ranking list of all the items you compared.
- Tier lists: Drag and drop items into tiers, gaming style.
- Blind rankings: Present items in the list in random order, then you’re forced to pick a rank without knowing what’s coming next. This is great for passing your phone to your friends to try.
Getting started takes minutes. The app walks you through everything step by step, so you spend more time ranking and less time fiddling with settings.
The Fun of Ranking
There’s something uniquely satisfying about seeing your personal order take shape. Maybe your top five movies aren’t the same as anyone else’s. Maybe you find out you’ve been underrating a favorite band for years. BeardRanks makes that process not only possible but enjoyable.
I’ve found myself reaching for it when I finish a game, when I wrap up a TV season, or even when debating the best fried potato shapes. It’s a lightweight way to capture your preferences, and over time, you build a living snapshot of your tastes.
Privacy Matters
I’ve always been wary of apps that collect more than they give. BeardRanks is different. Your lists are yours. All your data stays securely on your device, under your control. Nothing leaves unless you choose to share it. For now, it’s free. My time isn’t cheap, but as a hobby project, I can gift the world this simple app.
Available Now
BeardRanks is now live on the App Store. Whether you’re a fellow obsessive list maker or just someone who loves putting order to the things you care about, I think you’ll enjoy it.
Download BeardRanks on the App Store
I built BeardRanks for me, but I’m sharing it for you. Ranking is a simple joy, and I wanted to create the best possible tool for it. If you try it, I’d love to hear what you rank first.