Keeper is an inspection and hive-management app built for hobbyists and small-scale beekeepers who need a reliable, offline-capable tool in the field. Keeper focuses on fast, tap-friendly data entry so you can record inspections while wearing gloves, schedule follow-up tasks, and keep your records on-device by default. The app supports inexpensive NFC tags to jump straight to a hive record, queues follow-ups like mite counts and re-queen checks, and offers an optional Pro upgrade for cloud sync and unlimited apiaries when you need multi-device access.

Key features

The core of Keeper is its inspection log and task scheduler. Each inspection entry captures condition notes, treatment dates, and simple numeric checks such as mite counts or brood pattern scores. When you save an entry Keeper automatically evaluates what follow-ups or treatments are due and adds them to a queue so nothing is forgotten during a busy season. The visual dashboard turns months of inspections into clear charts that reveal mite trends, colony strength by yard, and winter loss patterns, giving you a seasonal view rather than isolated notes.

How inspections work

Keeper organizes your work around apiaries and individual hives. Inspections are compact, single-screen forms with large touch targets to speed entry. Typical workflow: select or scan a hive, record the basic observations, tap to add a treatment or note, and mark the inspection complete. When an inspection is marked complete Keeper can auto-complete or schedule the next action based on the rules you’ve set, for example reminding you to re-check a treatment window in four weeks or to run a mite count after a treatment period.

Controls and usability

The interface is purpose-built for mid-inspection use: buttons are large, fields are concise, and primary actions remain reachable with one thumb. NFC tag support lets you attach inexpensive physical tags to hives and open the corresponding record immediately without searching lists. Keeper keeps the interaction model simple — taps to add or edit, clear confirmations for task changes, and an intuitive timeline view that shows upcoming follow-ups and recently completed work.

Progression, analytics and replay value

Progression in Keeper is driven by data accumulation across seasons rather than levels. As you add inspections, the app builds trend lines and seasonal summaries that help you spot gradual changes in colony health. That analytical feedback creates replay value: repeated monitoring across spring, summer, and fall refines your treatment timing and yard layout over years, and reviewing past seasons often leads to new management decisions that improve long-term outcomes.

Customization and accessibility

Keeper offers lightweight customization so you can tailor inspections to your routine without a steep setup. You can define common note templates and set default follow-up windows for treatments and checks. The app prioritizes accessibility with high-contrast display options and a compact layout for gloved use; text size and display density can be adjusted so the UI remains usable in different lighting and weather conditions.

Data, privacy and offline play

By default Keeper stores data locally on your device so you can operate without an account or internet connection. That design makes the app resilient far from cell signal and keeps control of your records in your hands. When you need cloud access, the optional Pro tier enables secure sync across multiple devices and removes limits on the number of apiaries and hives. Local-only users retain full inspection functionality and task scheduling without subscribing.

Practical tips

For the fastest yard workflow, attach low-cost NFC tags to boxes and scan each tag at the start of an inspection to open the precise hive record. Use the dashboard regularly to compare mite trends and treatment windows across yards, and lean on Keeper’s queued follow-ups to avoid missed checks during busy times. If you manage multiple devices, consider the Pro upgrade to keep histories aligned between a phone used in the field and a tablet at the bench.