Make a List! vs Notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Make a List!
Create and share unlimited lists with friends and family. Automatically syncs across all your iOS devices and Mac. Supports audio notes, pictures, and due dates for enhanced organization.
- Unlimited list creation
- List sharing
- Push notifications
- Audio and picture attachments
- Due dates
- Cross-device synchronization
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Fast and easy way to create FREE unlimited lists to share with your friends and family! "Make a List!" automatically synchronises all your lists with all your iOS devices and Mac (app on Mac App Store). Key features: • Push Notifications • List sharing • Audio notes attachment • Picture attachment • Highlighted text • Marked item • Export list • Print list • Comments • Due dates Data synchronisation requires iCloud Drive enabled. For feedback or suggestions write to info@makealist.net
Notes
This app combines a notepad, to-do list, and memo functionality into a single, intuitive interface. Easily create notes from text, voice, or images, and organize them with reminders and sorting options. Secure your data and transfer it to new devices.
- 3-in-1 notepad, to-do list, and memos
- Create notes from photos, images, and voice
- Set notifications and reminders
- Sort notes by urgency, category, due date, color
- Secure notes with a security code
- Data transfer to new devices
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Notes: notepad and lists is a convenient app that helps you make notes and keep lists. Why should you choose Notes: notepad and lists? - 3 in 1 Replace your to-do list, notepad and memos with this simple, all-in-one app. - Easy to use Notes: notepad and lists is an extremely simple and intuitive app. No instructions or tutorial necessary. - Fast Create a note or a list in literally seconds - the perfect way to jot down important information. A notepad, diary and to-do list that suits your face-paced lifestyle. - Multiple formats Create notes from photos, images, and voice messages, and make your to-do list or shopping list. Use it on the go, or even behind the wheel - all you have to do is record your message or take a photo. - Editing You can edit your notes, or add comments, attachments, details and notifications at any time. - Planning Notes: notepad and lists also works as a to-do list: you can set notifications and reminders (one off or repeated) for each note, and the easy-to-use calendar system helps you keep track of deadlines. - Sorting You can sort your notes by urgency, category, due date, and color, so searching through your content is quick and easy. - Security Notes: notepad and lists lets you protect your personal data with a short security-code, meaning only you can access your notes and lists. - Transfer your info If you get a new device, you won't lose your information - registered users can restore their data.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Notes at 4.8 against Make a List!'s 4.6. Notes also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 66%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Make a List! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 654 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Make a List!'s written reviews are positive against 79% of Notes's.
Make a List! ships an update every 4 weeks, Notes monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Make a List! | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (1.7K ratings) | 4.8 (654 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.0% of reviews | 78.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | 654 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 109 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Filippo Maguolo | Orange Dog |
Customer experience
Make a List!
Notes
User reviews
Make a List!
From 1.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Accessible for visually impaired users
- 👍 Customizable settings
- 👍 Useful for decorating lists
- 👍 Provides pictures for list items
- 👍 Easy to use
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy, with items randomly disappearing from lists
- 🐛 Unreliable list sharing
- 🐛 Difficult to reorder lists
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🔋 Excessive ads in free version
Notes
From 654 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simple and easy to use interface
- 🎨 Highly customizable with colors and themes
- 🆓 Free app with no ads
- 🔒 Password protected notes
- 📱 Well-organized layout
Room to improve
- 📺 Excessive ads despite paid subscription
- ❓ Unclear note retention policies
- 🤔 Complicated question/support system
Bugs and requests
Make a List!
Reported bugs
6 issues- Items randomly disappearing from lists
- Duplicate lists being created
- Inability to view new list entries
- Reordering lists not working as expected
- Syncing issues between devices
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- Compatibility problems with Apple Watch
Requested features
7 requests- Add alarm functionality
- Allow sub-tasks within lists
- Improve list sorting and reordering
- Provide a way to delete entire lists
- Remember previously added items to avoid retyping
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Add more color and icon options
- Improve Apple Watch integration and complications
Notes
Reported bugs
1 issue- Unexpected ads appearing after recent updates for paid subscribers
Requested features
3 requests- More engaging task motivation features
- Clearer documentation on note persistence
- Improved customer support interface
In-app purchases
Make a List!
- Remove Ads$3.99
Notes
- Disable ads$9.99
Questions
Is Make a List! free?
Is Notes free?
Which has better reviews, Make a List! or Notes?
Do Make a List! or Notes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Make a List! or Notes?
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