Comparison

Grid Note vs TimeCal

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

Head to head
About

Grid Note

This app offers a unique grid layout for structured note-taking, with a library of templates and organizational tools. It supports markdown and various export formats, with offline use and automatic iCloud backup. Premium features like real-time sync are available via subscription.

Highlights
  • Unique grid format for structured notes
  • Template library
  • Organize notes with notebooks and tags
  • Markdown support
  • Export in various formats
  • Offline use
  • Automatic iCloud backup
Read full description

Grid Note featured an unique "Grid Layout" design to help you structure your thoughts. With lots of buildin note templates (SMART, Cornell Note, 5W1H, etc...) to get you started, but you can feel free to replace those with inventions of your own. === FEATURES === • Unique grid format for structured note • Template library • Organize notes with notebooks and tags • Markdown support • Export in various formats • Offline use • Automatic backup to iCloud • Realtime sync (premium account needed) The core version of Grid Note is free, premium can be unlocked via a single subscription that covers all your devices. The premium subscription has two options: • $0.99 monthly, which offers a 3-day free trial • $9.99 annually, which offers a 1-week free trial Please note that: • Price may vary by location. • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. ---- Support: support@gridnote.app Privacy Policy: https://note.sumi.io/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://note.sumi.io/terms.html

About

TimeCal

This app helps you manage your day by combining task planning, time tracking, and habit building into a single, focused workspace. It aims to reduce distractions and provide a clearer rhythm for your daily activities, offering insights into how you spend your time.

Highlights
  • Task prioritization
  • Daily schedule management
  • Time tracking and analysis
  • Habit building with progress tracking
  • Focus mode timer
  • Cross-device collaboration
Features
Read full description

TimeCal combines task planning, time tracking, and habit building in one focused workspace. Fewer switches, less noise, and a clearer rhythm for your day. How you can use TimeCal • Clear your mental load, then prioritize what matters Capture everything on your mind and quickly rank tasks by priority, so you can act on what truly matters first. • Run your day with clarity From morning to night, see what to move forward and what you already finished—stay busy without feeling scattered. • Adjust plans as your day changes When priorities shift, schedules move, or tasks need to be rescheduled, you can adapt smoothly without losing momentum. • Let data reveal where your time goes Use multi-dimensional stats and trend views to find your peak hours, spot time drains, and review your routines with evidence. • Build habits with visible progress Track consistency on a monthly calendar and turn “sometimes” into “consistently” with small, measurable wins. • Enter focus mode in one tap Start a timer and get into the zone quickly with a clean interface that minimizes distractions. Why TimeCal works for the long run • Clean design and intuitive interactions • A complete loop for tasks, planning, focus, habits, and insights • Cross-device collaboration and better schedule continuity • More than logging—continuous optimization of how you spend time Whether you are a student, a professional, or a freelancer, TimeCal is built to be a reliable long-term companion for your time. Auto-Renewable Subscription Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings after purchase. If you experience a payment issue, please email your Apple ID and proof of purchase to dev@bapaws.com. Privacy Policy: https://uxsyr9xrl46.feishu.cn/wiki/RTthwgG6niQKmxkgVIacpl2snrZ Terms of Service: https://uxsyr9xrl46.feishu.cn/wiki/QHRjwJMMOiepgTk47JEcU5MJnPh Contact us: dev@bapaws.com

Screenshots

Grid Note4 screens
TimeCal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TimeCal at 5.0 against Grid Note's 4.4. TimeCal also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 70%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). Grid Note's advantage is ratings volume (40 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). 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. Grid Note sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and TimeCal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TimeCal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Grid Note has 40 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Grid Note's written reviews are positive against 100% of TimeCal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid Note ships an update every 5 weeks, TimeCal weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Grid Note versus TimeCal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid NoteTimeCal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (40 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings40 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB56 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperSumi Interactive筱彤 余

Customer experience

Grid Note

All ratings38 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral10.5%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive69.8%
Neutral16.3%
Negative14.0%

TimeCal

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Grid Note

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$1.491 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$9.991 Year
3 purchases

TimeCal

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Annual14 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Grid Note free?
Grid Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeCal free?
TimeCal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Grid Note or TimeCal?
TimeCal is rated higher. Grid Note averages 4.4 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while TimeCal averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Grid Note or TimeCal have ads?
Neither Grid Note nor TimeCal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid Note or TimeCal?
Grid Note ships an update every 5 weeks, and TimeCal weekly. Most recently, Grid Note was updated on October 24, 2026 and TimeCal on October 18, 2026.

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