Comparison

Syntax Share vs Steno Notes

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

Head to head
About

Syntax Share

Easily share source code and ASCII art with friends using fixed-width font messages. Features include inline previews, recent snippet support, and quick access to coding characters. An in-app purchase unlocks syntax highlighting and customizable color themes.

Highlights
  • Source code previews in messages
  • Recent snippets support
  • Clipboard contents readily available
  • Support for wide text without clipping
  • Quick access to coding characters
  • Tabs or spaces selection
  • Syntax highlighting (in-app purchase)
  • Customizable color themes (in-app purchase)
Read full description

Finally there's a way to send source code to your developer friends! With Syntax Share you can send fixed-width font messages containing source code or even ASCII images! • Source code previews in Messages. You will be able to see a preview of your source code inline with your messages. • Recent snippets support. • Current clipboard contents are readily available as a selection. • Support for really wide text without clipping or word wrapping. • Commonly used coding characters are just within reach without having to dig through the symbols keyboard. • Choose tabs or spaces. (Let the war begin!) An in-app purchase adds the following features: • Syntax highlighting makes it easy to read the source code you and your friends type. • Pick your favorite color theme from a long list. • Choose a color theme that you personally like and everyone's source code will show up in that theme.

About

Steno Notes

Features
Read full description

Steno is a fast, distraction-free Markdown editor designed for focused, beautiful writing. Built natively for Apple platforms with CloudKit, Steno keeps your documents automatically synced across your devices—without ads, tracking, or external servers. Why Steno? • Seamless iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad • Native performance—no bloat, no lag, just fast • Clean typography with powerful, design-forward customization • Sub-block-level references for linking directly to the exact passage you mean • Deep system integration—Handoff, Spotlight, Siri, and Widgets • Customizable PDF export for polished sharing • No data collection, no AI. Your documents stay on your device and in iCloud • All documents stored as plain Markdown files Whether you're drafting essays, making lists, or capturing ideas, Steno combines speed, clarity, and privacy in a focused writing environment.

Screenshots

Syntax Share4 screens
Steno Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Steno Notes at every 2 days against Syntax Share's every 3 months. Syntax Share's advantage is iOS requirement (10.2 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Syntax Share sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Steno Notes sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Syntax Share ships an update every 3 months, Steno Notes every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Syntax Share versus Steno Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSyntax ShareSteno Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS10.2 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTalynt SoftwareMikail Kraft

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Syntax Share

One-time1
  • Syntax Highlighting and Themes$0.99
4 purchases

Steno Notes

One-time4
  • Tip Jar (Small)$0.99
  • Tip Jar (Medium)$2.99
  • Steno Complete$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Steno Tip (Large)$4.99

Questions

Is Syntax Share free?
Syntax Share is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Steno Notes free?
Steno Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Syntax Share or Steno Notes have ads?
Neither Syntax Share nor Steno Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Syntax Share or Steno Notes?
Syntax Share ships an update every 3 months, and Steno Notes every 2 days. Most recently, Syntax Share was updated on September 29, 2026 and Steno Notes on September 22, 2026.

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