Comparison

HighNotes vs PenCake

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

Head to head
About

HighNotes

This app encourages frequent, brief journaling to build a consistent habit. Easily add photos to your entries to make them more engaging and enjoyable to revisit.

Highlights
  • Frequent, brief note-taking
  • Builds journaling habit
  • Attach photos to notes
  • Enhances memory
  • Improves emotional health
Features
Read full description

Never miss a meaningful moment! HighNotes is a journaling app designed in a way that encourages you take smaller notes more frequently so it doesn't feel much of a commitment. It makes it easier to build a regular journaling habit. Attaching photos to your notes makes them more engaging and enjoyable to read. Keeping a journal many advantages like enhancing memory muscles, boosting comprehension, improving emotional health and communication skills. There are countless benefits you can count on with HighNotes.

About

PenCake

A minimalist writing app designed for focused journaling, storytelling, and personal expression. Enjoy a distraction-free interface with elegant typography and seamless cross-device syncing. Secure your work with auto-save and biometric protection.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Elegant typography
  • Cross-device syncing
  • Auto-save and version history
  • Markdown support
  • Organized by Stories
Features
Read full description

A beautifully minimal space for your thoughts. Pencake helps you focus on your words—whether you’re writing a journal, a story, or something just for yourself. Since 2018, more than 2.3 million writers have chosen Pencake as their space to write in peace. Its clean, distraction-free interface helps you focus entirely on your words. No clutter, no noise—just you and your story. With elegant typography and smooth spacing, writing on Pencake feels as natural and beautiful as writing in a real book. Minimalist, yet powerful - Clean and aesthetically refined interface - Designed to enhance focus and creativity - Beautiful fonts and themes that suit your mood Writing made effortless - Start writing instantly with an intuitive experience - Enjoy smooth performance even with long-form writing - Stay organized with “Stories” that group related entries Write anywhere, anytime - Sync your work seamlessly across all your devices - Continue writing wherever inspiration strikes Safe and secure writing - Auto-save, version history, and trash recovery - Face ID / Touch ID protection Built for real writers - Supports Markdown for flexible formatting - Word and character count, image insertion, and preview mode - Ideal for all kinds of writing—journaling, blogging, novel writing, and fanfiction Whether you're an aspiring writer or just someone who loves writing in peace, Pencake offers a simple yet inspiring place to put your thoughts into words. * Some features such as auto-sync, desktop access, themes, and advanced fonts are available through Premium. --- - Official website: https://pencake.app/ - Desktop app: https://pencake.app/download/desktop/ - FAQs: https://pencake.app/faq/ - Format text: https://pencake.app/guide/markdown/ - Email: pencake.app@gmail.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pencakeapp - X (Twitter): https://x.com/pencakeapp Please help translate into your language. https://crowdin.com/project/pencake Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://pencake.app/privacy/

Screenshots

HighNotes4 screens
PenCake4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HighNotes at none against PenCake's 13. PenCake's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 73%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. PenCake sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. HighNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for HighNotes against 4.3 for PenCake. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 106 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of HighNotes's written reviews are positive against 86% of PenCake's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HighNotes ships an update every 2 months, PenCake monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HighNotes versus PenCake: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHighNotesPenCake
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (47 ratings) — better4.3 (106 ratings)
Positive reviews72.7% of reviews85.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings47106 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.09.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB102 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAleksandr FiodorovDiffathy, Inc.

Customer experience

HighNotes

All ratings47 ratings
Positive85.1%
Neutral6.4%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral13.6%
Negative13.6%

PenCake

All ratings106 ratings
Positive82.1%
Neutral4.7%
Negative13.2%
Written reviews284 reviews
Positive85.9%
Neutral7.0%
Negative7.0%

In-app purchases

None

HighNotes

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

PenCake

Subscriptions3
  • Tip the Developer (Subs)$1.491 Month
  • Premium Yearly Subscription$6.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly Subscription$9.991 Year
One-time10
  • Tip the Developer$0.99
  • Upgrade to Premium$1.99
  • Tip the Developer$2.99
Show 7 more
  • Upgrade to Premium$2.99
  • Upgrade to Premium$3.99
  • Upgrade to Premium$5.99
  • Tip the Developer$9.99
  • Lifetime Premium Access$15.99
  • Upgrade to Premium Lifetime$19.99
  • Lifetime Premium Access$23.99

Questions

Is HighNotes free?
HighNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PenCake free?
PenCake is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HighNotes or PenCake?
HighNotes is rated higher. HighNotes averages 4.4 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while PenCake averages 4.3 from 106 ratings.
Do HighNotes or PenCake have ads?
Neither HighNotes nor PenCake shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HighNotes or PenCake?
HighNotes ships an update every 2 months, and PenCake monthly. Most recently, HighNotes was updated on October 13, 2026 and PenCake on October 18, 2026.

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