# Split Note vs Side Notes

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.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Split Note | Side Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/split-note-two-column-notes/id1329483992/reviews) | **[3.9 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/side-notes-pros-and-cons-list/id1555821224/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **22** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **57.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 24 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Keiko Nishie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1287545061) | [Straw Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/1120982866) |

## What reviewers say

### Split Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/split-note-two-column-notes/id1329483992)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Side Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/side-notes-pros-and-cons-list/id1555821224)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*