# Trace: Private Voice Journal — Quick capture. No subscription

> Private, minimalist note-taking and journaling app for capturing thoughts and memories. (iPhone/iPad app by Pedro Gomes do Nascimento.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-private-voice-journal/id6762246222 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Pedro Gomes do Nascimento](https://appshunter.io/developer/1893532153)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 89 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-04-28
- Data updated: 2026-10-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-private-voice-journal/id6762246222/reviews.md

## What is Trace?

Catch a thought in three seconds, by voice or text, then get on with your day.
Private by design: no account, no servers, no tracking. Everything stays on your device.
No subscription, ever. Pro is a one-time purchase.

Trace is a home for passing thoughts: ideas, notes, reflections, lists, and the things you don't want to lose. Open it and write, or just talk.

FAST CAPTURE
- Open and write. No setup, no folders to choose first
- On-device dictation, with optional on-device "Tidy my words" cleanup
- "New Trace" control in Control Center (iOS 18)
- Drafts save as you type, so a call or a crash can't take them
- Bullet and numbered lists that continue as you type

FIND IT LATER
- Timeline grouped by day
- Search everything you've ever written, including by date
- Tags to group related thoughts
- Reflections that link back to past entries
- Traceback resurfaces a past entry every month, free

YOURS, NOT OURS
- Data Not Collected. Trace runs no servers of its own
- Export everything as Markdown or JSON, anytime, free. Great with Obsidian
- Deleted something by mistake? It waits 30 days in Recently Deleted

BUILT FOR
- Brain dumps and racing thoughts
- The idea you had in the shower
- Something someone said that stuck
- The end of a long day

TRACE PRO — ONE-TIME PURCHASE, NO SUBSCRIPTION
- Extra inks and themes: Cream, Sage, Midnight, Cocoa
- Matching alternate app icons
- App Lock with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode
- iCloud sync through your own iCloud
- Weekly Traceback review

Paper and Slate inks, Markdown/JSON export, and monthly Traceback stay free for everyone.

## Key features

- Minimalist and calm interface
- Free writing and reflections
- Bullet and numbered lists
- Quick entry search
- Local-first private storage
- Customizable themes (Pro)
- App Lock with biometric support (Pro)

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Trace Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Is Trace safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Trace.

## Is Trace legit?

Trace: Private Voice Journal has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Trace is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-private-voice-journal/id6762246222/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Trace Review

*2026-07-14*

Trace is one of the best note-taking apps I’ve used. Whenever I need to remember something on the spot, I can save a thought in just a few taps. Unlike many other apps that feel cluttered with unnecessary features, Trace keeps things simple and focused. It does exactly what I need without getting in the way, making it fast, intuitive, and incredibly easy to use. If you’re looking for a straightforward app to capture ideas quickly, I highly recommend Trace.

### 5/5 — 10/10

*2026-07-04*

I wanted a better app than “Notes” and this was it! I like jotting down my thoughts so I can remember them later and this is what I’ll be using from now on! Definitely recommend.

### 5/5 — Great for fast note taking

*2026-05-24*

I love this app for jotting down my ideas quickly throughout the day.

## Frequently asked questions about Trace

### What is Trace?

Trace is a minimalist and private journaling app designed for capturing thoughts, notes, lists, and memories. It focuses on a clean, distraction-free writing experience.

### Is Trace free to use?

Yes, Trace is free to download and use with basic features like light and dark themes. Additional customization and security features are available through a one-time purchase of Trace Pro.

### What are the Pro features in Trace?

Trace Pro offers premium themes (Cream, Sage, Midnight, Cocoa), alternate app icons, App Lock with biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID, passcode), and automatic iCloud sync on supported Apple devices.

### How does Trace ensure privacy?

Trace prioritizes privacy with local-first storage, meaning your data is primarily stored on your device. Pro users can further secure their entries with App Lock.

### Can I sync my notes across devices with Trace?

Automatic iCloud sync is available for Pro users on supported Apple devices. This allows you to access your notes across your iPhone and iPod.

### What kind of content can I keep in Trace?

You can use Trace for a variety of content, including morning thoughts, late-night reflections, personal notes, to-do lists, plans, and any moments you wish to remember.

### How often is Trace updated?

The latest version, 1.1.0, was released on July 13, 2026, indicating active development. Users can expect ongoing improvements and updates.

### What devices does Trace support?

Trace is currently supported on iPhone and iPod devices, offering a focused experience for these platforms.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.2 — 2026-10-19

Talk instead of type. Trace now does on-device dictation, plus optional "Tidy my words" that cleans up your transcript without anything leaving your phone. New tags help you group related thoughts. Plus bug fixes and polish.

### 1.2.1 — 2026-10-06

A fresh look, with better ways to capture and find your thoughts.

• A redesigned home screen and writing experience
• Free tags to organize entries, with tag search and filters
• Improved draft recovery, including tag-only drafts
• Clearer dictation setup and cancellation controls
• Layout fixes for larger text sizes

Paper and Slate inks, tags, and journal export remain free. Trace Pro remains a one-time purchase.

### 1.2.0 — 2026-08-11

Your writing is safer, and it's yours to take anywhere.

• Drafts are saved as you write. Background the app, take a call, or force-quit. Your text is waiting when you come back
• Deleted an entry by mistake? Tap Undo, or find it under Settings > Recently Deleted for 30 days
• Export your whole journal as Markdown or JSON, free for everyone, from Settings > Export
• The first screen now gives you somewhere to start
• Fixed: Trace Pro could appear to switch off after launching offline or on a spotty connection. Your purchase now stays recognized
• Restore Purchases and your Pro status are always visible in Settings
• iCloud Sync now shows its status in Settings: synced, syncing, or needs attention

Trace Pro remains a one-time purchase: Cream, Sage, Midnight, and Cocoa themes and matching icons, App Lock, and automatic iCloud sync.

### 1.1.0 — 2026-07-13

Trace now has more ways to make your journal feel like yours.

• A new Trace app icon, plus four matching alternatives with Trace Pro
• Light and Dark themes for everyone, plus Cream, Sage, Midnight, and Cocoa with Trace Pro
• Bullet and numbered lists that continue automatically as you write
• A smoother launch and more reliable swipe-to-delete

Trace Pro also includes App Lock and automatic iCloud sync.

### 1.0 — 2026-04-29

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Trace

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [EchoKeep — Thoughts in Mind](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echokeep-thoughts-in-mind/id6753336417) | — | Free | Productivity |
| [Du Contracts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/du-contracts/id6754901448) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Productivity |
| [Habit Stacker App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/habit-stacker-app/id6792957749) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Productivity |
| [Persista: Consistency Solved](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/persista-consistency-solved/id6794993312) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Productivity |
| [Point – One thought a day](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/point-one-thought-a-day/id6759274178) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Productivity |
| [Habit: Grab It](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/habit-grab-it/id6760203054) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Productivity |

## Related topics

[thought log](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/thought-log)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-24.*