# Time Caps vs Padded

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Padded at none against Time Caps's 6. Padded also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). Time Caps's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Time Caps sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Padded asks for nothing beyond the download.

Time Caps ships an update every 6 weeks, Padded every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Time Caps | Padded |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/time-caps-a-future-diary/id1195852313/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **153** | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 18 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [灿海 陈](https://appshunter.io/developer/1068107051) | [Yosuke Sannohe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1569012675) |

## What reviewers say

### Time Caps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/time-caps-a-future-diary/id1195852313)

This app allows users to create a digital diary with various types of entries, including daily reflections, future messages, and voice notes. It offers features like mood-based coloring, serendipitous retrieval of past entries, and secure privacy protection. Users can also subscribe for enhanced functionalities and premium features.

**Highlights:** Daily mood-based journal entries, Write messages to your future self, Record voice notes for the future, Serendipitous retrieval of past entries, Secure passcode and biometric lock, Daily reminders and widgets, Offline functionality

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time Traveler Pro (Monthly) | $3.99 | per month |
| Time Traveler Pro (Yearly) | $24.99 | per year |
| 1200 Cap Pieces | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2888 Cap Pieces | $1.99 | one-time |
| 3600 Cap Pieces | $2.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Cap Pieces | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Unique concept of time capsules
- 👍 Easy and simple to use
- 💖 Encourages journaling habit
- 😊 Calming and beautiful design
- ✨ Helps self-reflection and growth

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 In-app purchases for features
- 💸 High cost for capsules/features
- 🔒 Password lock feature requires subscription
- 📈 Difficulty in exporting data
- 😔 Word cap can be restrictive

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Interface issues with updates
- 🐛 Face ID issues reported

**Requested features**

- Ability to export previous posts
- Lower gem prices for capsules
- More options for describing the day
- Add template feature
- Support dark mode


### Padded

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padded/id6760927630)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Time Caps free?

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

### Is Padded free?

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

### Do Time Caps or Padded have ads?

Padded shows ads; Time Caps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Time Caps or Padded?

Time Caps ships an update every 6 weeks, and Padded every 2 days. Most recently, Time Caps was updated on October 14, 2026 and Padded on October 9, 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.*