Comparison

Make a List! vs Notes

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Unlimited list creation
  • List sharing
  • Push notifications
  • Audio and picture attachments
  • Due dates
  • Cross-device synchronization
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Make a List!4 screens
Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Make a List! versus Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMake a List!Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.7K ratings)4.8 (654 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.0% of reviews78.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.7K — better654
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB109 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilippo MaguoloOrange Dog

Customer experience

Make a List!

All ratings1,733 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral3.7%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral6.8%
Negative27.2%

Notes

All ratings654 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive78.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative14.0%

User reviews

Make a List!

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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
Show 1 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

1 purchases

Make a List!

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$3.99
1 purchases

Notes

One-time1
  • Disable ads$9.99

Questions

Is Make a List! free?
Make a List! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notes free?
Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Make a List! or Notes?
Notes is rated higher. Make a List! averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Notes averages 4.8 from 654 ratings.
Do Make a List! or Notes have ads?
Both Make a List! and Notes show ads.
Which is updated more often, Make a List! or Notes?
Make a List! ships an update every 4 weeks, and Notes monthly. Most recently, Make a List! was updated on September 23, 2026 and Notes on September 22, 2026.

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