Comparison

PaintNotes vs Unloop

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PaintNotes

This app offers a minimalist digital notebook with an infinite canvas for freeform writing and drawing. Easily import files and organize your thoughts without delay.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas
  • Freeform writing and drawing
  • File import
  • Minimalist interface
  • Unlimited drafts
Read full description

The PaintNote are simple, freely written notebooks. The minimalist interface and simple features make it easier to use. Start to write without any waiting. Unlimited draft paper, free to move, zoom and position. You can import files in a variety of formats.

About

Unloop

This app helps you break free from addictive digital habits by creating automated boundaries around distracting apps and websites. Reclaim lost time for deep work, study, or family by setting up instant focus modes, location-based restrictions, and smart schedules.

Highlights
  • Instant Focus Modes
  • NFC Tap-to-Lock
  • Location Zones
  • Smart Routine Schedules
  • School Time Focus
  • Parental Controls
  • Family Sharing
Features
Read full description

Unloop is a mindful digital wellness system that turns smartphones back into intentional tools. By combining system-level app shielding with physical NFC friction and automated routines, Unloop creates a deliberate pause between impulse and distraction—helping you reclaim up to 3 hours of lost time every day. Social feeds and algorithmic apps are engineered to steal hours without you noticing. Willpower alone rarely wins against digital habit loops—real focus requires physical boundaries and automated routines that work even when your discipline slips. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose what to shield: Select distracting apps (social networks, games, video streaming apps), entire categories, or specific website domains. 2. Set your trigger: Tap a physical NFC tag, walk into a geofenced location, or let your smart schedule take over automatically. 3. Live without distraction: Enjoy uninterrupted deep work, restful sleep, and present family time. KEY FEATURES • Physical NFC Tap-to-Lock: Tap any standard NFC tag, sticker, or key fob on your desk or nightstand to immediately start or end a focus session. • Physical Master Key: Assign a dedicated NFC tag located in another room as your exclusive emergency unlock tool to eliminate reflex bypassing. • Smart Automated Schedules: Set autonomous recurring time windows (e.g., Work Hours 9–5, Sleep Protection 11–7) that run reliably via background systems, even if the app is closed. • Location Zones (Geofencing): Automatically engage focus shields the moment you arrive at the office, campus, or gym. • App, Category & Web Shielding: Block individual apps, entire categories, or adult domains, and restrict websites. • Supervised Mode & PIN Lock: Safeguard focus schedules, bedtime rules, and trigger settings behind a secure PIN to prevent tampering. • Child Safety & App Store Locks: Restrict in-app purchases, prevent new app installations, and filter explicit content during focus intervals. • Dynamic Island & Live Activities: Keep track of remaining session time and focus states directly from your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. • Activity Timeline & Insights: Review your progress, skipped sessions, and habit patterns over time. • 100% On-Device Privacy: Zero account sign-up required. Your browsing history, location data, and app usage never leave your device. DESIGNED FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE • Professionals: Protect high-leverage flow states from notification pings and reflex scrolling. • Students: Automate classroom and library study sessions without willpower fatigue. • Morning & Evening Routine: Protect your sleep windows and first morning moments from screen glare and doomscrolling. • Parents & Families: Enforce healthy homework and bedtime boundaries across shared family devices. Terms and conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PaintNotes4 screens
Unloop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Unloop at 5.0 against PaintNotes's 3.8. Unloop also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). PaintNotes's advantage is ratings volume (29 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PaintNotes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Unloop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Unloop holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PaintNotes has 29 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, Unloop every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PaintNotes versus Unloop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaintNotesUnloop
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (29 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer心悦 吕Jose Luis Duran

Customer experience

PaintNotes

All ratings29 ratings
Positive65.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative24.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Unloop

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PaintNotes

One-time1
  • Unlocking features$3.99
2 purchases

Unloop

Subscriptions2
  • Individual Plan7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Family Plan7 Days trial$14.991 Year

Questions

Is PaintNotes free?
PaintNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Unloop free?
Unloop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PaintNotes or Unloop?
Unloop is rated higher. PaintNotes averages 3.8 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Unloop averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PaintNotes or Unloop have ads?
Neither PaintNotes nor Unloop shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PaintNotes or Unloop?
PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, and Unloop every 5 days. Most recently, PaintNotes was updated on October 11, 2026 and Unloop on October 13, 2026.

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