Comparison

Split Note vs Side Notes

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

Head to head
About

Split Note

This notebook app allows you to write notes in two columns, optimizing screen usage and enabling parallel entry and viewing of information. It's designed for efficient work and structured note-taking.

Highlights
  • Two-column note-taking
  • Efficient screen utilization
  • Parallel entry and viewing
  • Structured note organization
  • Adjustable character size
  • Concentrated work mode
Features
Read full description

"Split Note" is a simple notebook app that you can write in 2 columns as its name suggests. Writing notes in two columns makes effective use of the screen size. In addition, since it allows you to enter and view two items at the same time in parallel, it also leads to more efficient work. # Example of use - Idea Memo Left column: fill in the theme Right column: fill in details - Schedule Left column: fill in date and time Right column: fill in the details of the schedule - Vocabulary Notebook Left column: fill in English words Right column: fill in Japanese translation - List of Baggage Contents Left column: fill in the list of your own belongings Right column: fill in the list of children's belongings - Cooking Menu Left column: fill in a weekly cooking menu Right column: fill in required foodstuff The rest is up to your ingenuity. Taking notes in two columns is said to be "Two-Column Note-Taking", and as one of effective methods to write notes in a clear and systematic manner, attention is very much in the field of education and business We are gathering. It is a simple and easy way to fill in the subject in the left column and fill the details in the right column, but it is useful for structuring the relationship of things by organizing in two stages. # Usage (See screenshots No.3,4) 1. You can create a new document by tapping the "+" icon. 2. You can edit by tapping the saved document. 3. You can delete saved documents by swiping left. 4. You can save the document by tapping the "Save" icon. 5. You can change the character size by tapping the "+" icon, "-" icon in the bottom right. The screen will not be locked while using this application, so you can concentrate on your work. By all means, please try this.

About

Side Notes

This app helps you organize thoughts by viewing multiple notes simultaneously. It offers layouts for comparing options, conducting analyses, or structuring complex ideas. Focus on your thinking with a clean, intuitive interface and privacy-focused design.

Highlights
  • Side-by-side note viewing
  • Multiple layout options (Dual, Four, Single)
  • Visual comparison of ideas
  • SWOT analysis and Eisenhower Matrix support
  • Rich text editing
  • Offline functionality
  • Export notes as PDF or text
Features
Read full description

See both sides of every decision at once. Side Notes shows several notes on one screen, so your pros and cons, two options or a SWOT analysis sit side by side instead of hiding in separate lists. Pick a template, start typing, and compare at a glance. Free, with no ads and no account. START FAST WITH TEMPLATES • Pros & Cons: two columns, one clearer answer • Option A vs Option B: compare two choices side by side • SWOT analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in one grid • Eisenhower matrix: sort tasks by urgent and important • Retrospective: went well, to improve, ideas, actions • Blank board: any layout, your own structure THREE LAYOUTS FOR THE WAY YOU THINK • Dual: two notes side by side • Four: a 2x2 grid for matrices and frameworks • Single: one full note when you need room to write Tap any note to edit it full screen, then swipe to move to the next one. MADE FOR REAL DECISIONS Should you take the job offer? Which apartment, which laptop, which city? Put every argument where you can see it. Run a SWOT on a business idea or a career move, plan your week with the Eisenhower matrix, and close a project or a sprint with a retrospective. ON ALL YOUR DEVICES, NO SIGN UP Your boards sync with iCloud across iPhone, iPad and Mac. There is no account to create and nothing to log in to. WRITE, THEN FIND IT AGAIN • Rich text formatting such as bold and italic (iOS 26 and later) • Word count on every note • Search board titles and note content, filter by Today or This week • Swipe to duplicate or delete a board, or long press for more options SHARE YOUR THINKING Export any board as a PDF or share it as text, ready for a meeting, a teammate or your future self. MAKE IT YOURS Light or dark mode and the Ink accent color, with Brick, Forest and Ocean in Side Notes Plus. A calm, paper-like design with serif titles. GREAT ON IPAD AND MAC More room to see every note at once, plus keyboard shortcuts on iPad and Mac (Apple silicon). Fully translated into 34 languages and redesigned for the latest iOS with Liquid Glass. GO FURTHER WITH SIDE NOTES PLUS Everything above stays free. Side Notes Plus is an optional upgrade for when you want more: • Advanced templates: weighted decision matrix, OKR, weekly review, 5 whys • Your own templates: save any board as a template • Lock a board with Face ID or Touch ID • All accent colors: Brick, Forest and Ocean • Markdown export to Notion, Obsidian or any editor Choose a yearly plan with a 1-week free trial, a monthly plan, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Side Notes is free, with no ads and no account. Just a clear space to think things through. Side Notes Plus is an optional auto-renewable subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account; it renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://side-notes.app/en/privacy

Screenshots

Split Note4 screens
Side Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Side Notes at 3.9 against Split Note's 2.7. Side Notes also leads on ratings volume (22 vs 7). Split Note's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Side Notes holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Split Note's written reviews are positive against 57% of Side Notes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Split Note ships an update every 5 days, Side Notes every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Split Note versus Side Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSplit NoteSide Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (7 ratings)3.9 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings722 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKeiko NishieStraw Technologies

Customer experience

Split Note

All ratings7 ratings
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Side Notes

All ratings22 ratings
Positive68.2%
Neutral9.1%
Negative22.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral28.6%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

Split Note

No in-app purchases

None

Side Notes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Split Note free?
Split Note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Side Notes free?
Side Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Split Note or Side Notes?
Side Notes is rated higher. Split Note averages 2.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Side Notes averages 3.9 from 22 ratings.
Do Split Note or Side Notes have ads?
Neither Split Note nor Side Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Split Note or Side Notes?
Split Note ships an update every 5 days, and Side Notes every 2 months. Most recently, Split Note was updated on October 9, 2026 and Side Notes on October 11, 2026.

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