# Fast Notes vs Notebook

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fast Notes at none against Notebook's 1. Fast Notes also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3). Notebook's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (523 vs 16). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Notebook sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Fast Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Fast Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notebook has 523 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Fast Notes's written reviews are positive against 71% of Notebook's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Fast Notes ships an update every 6 months, Notebook every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fast Notes | Notebook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fast-notes-memo-and-lists/id1071764370/reviews)** | [4.3 (523 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-notes-and-journal/id1670365742/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **523** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **70.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Emanuele Floris](https://appshunter.io/developer/597490842) | [Solitude Colors](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614422096) |

## What reviewers say

### Fast Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fast-notes-memo-and-lists/id1071764370)

This app offers a modern approach to note-taking and list-making using intuitive gesture controls. It aims to replace traditional pen and paper methods with a digital solution available on Apple devices.

**Highlights:** Gesture-based controls, Note-taking, To-do lists, Digital replacement for pen and paper, Available on iPhone and iPad

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-notes-and-journal/id1670365742)

Organize your thoughts, plans, and ideas with a versatile notebook and list-making application. Create unlimited notes, manage tasks with checklists, and customize your workspace. Sync across devices for seamless access to your organized information.

**Highlights:** Unlimited notes and lists, Folders and organization tools, Rich text editing, Checklists and to-do lists, Cloud sync and backup, Quick search and tags

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Great organization system
- 🚀 Simple and quick
- 🤩 Excellent AI-powered features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 💸 Excessive ads disrupting usage
- 🔒 Lack of customization options
- 🤯 Confusing navigation

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and lost user data
- Compatibility problems with older devices
- Copying and pasting not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add search functionality
- Improve delete/edit options
- Provide subscription-free version
- Enhance calendar integration


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fast Notes free?

Fast Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Notebook free?

Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Fast Notes or Notebook?

Fast Notes is rated higher. Fast Notes averages 4.7 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Notebook averages 4.3 from 523 ratings.

### Do Fast Notes or Notebook have ads?

Both Fast Notes and Notebook show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Fast Notes or Notebook?

Fast Notes ships an update every 6 months, and Notebook every 3 weeks. Most recently, Fast Notes was updated on September 25, 2026 and Notebook on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*