Comparison

PRD Characters vs RPG Notebook

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

Head to head
About

PRD Characters

Create, level up, and track characters for the Pathfinder gaming system. Get guidance on ability scores, classes, races, and spells. Includes a die roller and iCloud backup.

Highlights
  • Character creation and leveling
  • Ability score guidance
  • Class and race selection
  • Spell slot tracking and preparation
  • In-app die roller
  • iCloud backup and sync
Features
Read full description

PRD Characters allows you to create, level-up, and track characters for the PRD(Pathfinder Reference Document) gaming system. The App will give you choices and guidance for such aspects as ability scores, class selection, race selection, feature choices, spells, and more. Pop-up menus will display exactly how scores are calculated, allowing you to add your own adjustments if there is something else you want taken into account. Spell tracking tells you how many spell slots you have, lets you prepare spells in those slots, and keep track of which ones have been cast. You can back up and sync your characters between devices using Apple's iCloud. In addition, the App provides a die-roller for performing standard die rolls, as well as custom die rolls for any need. The free version allows you to create and level up characters up to level 4 using all the Core Rulebook races and 4 basic classes, Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, and Wizard. Buying a subscription gives you access to all the Core Rulebook and Advanced Player's Guide classes (except for Loremaster and Pathfinder Chronicler) and allows character levels all the way up to 20. PRD Characters now supports races from the Advanced Race guide. See demonstration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFX52Z751pA There are two Full Functionality Subscriptions, one for 3 months and the other for 1 year. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account after you confirm purchase. These are auto-renewable subscriptions, which means they automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Accounts will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the same charge as the initial purchase. 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. The Privacy and Terms of Use can be found at: http://shinybuttonsoftware.com/prd-characters/prd-characters-privacy-policy/

About

RPG Notebook

This app helps you build worlds, manage your tabletop RPG campaigns, and organize all your notes. It offers customizable entries, linking between ideas, and map management. Keep your game world organized and accessible.

Highlights
  • Campaign management
  • Customizable entries with various section types
  • Automatic hyperlinking between entries
  • Map creation and pin functionality
  • Themed templates for different settings
  • Extensive icon library
  • Backup and export options
Features
Read full description

RPG Notebook will help you build worlds, manage campaigns, and keep your notes tightly organized. Here are some of its great features: *CAMPAIGNS: Choose a name, select a theme that matches your setting, and simply start filling it with all your ideas. *ENTRIES: They can be customized any way you like with 8 types of sections (from simple text fields to trackers, checklists, and images) that you can name and place in any order you like. *TEMPLATES: If there's a section arrangement that you like, save it as a template for future use. *HYPERLINKS: When you finish writing something, the app checks if your text contains any phrases that match an existing entry or group name and automatically creates a link for you. *MAPS: Every campaign has a dedicated segment where numerous maps can be added. *MAP PINS: You can add simple note pins or special pins that link to an entry, group, or map. *JOURNAL: Journal notes will help you keep track of important events that happened during your sessions. *THEMES: The fantasy theme is great for the most popular tabletop RPG systems like dnd 5e or pathfinder, but the app also has themes for other settings: cthulhu, sci-fi, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, steampunk and wuxia. *ICONS: There are over 4000 built-in icons and 40 colors that you can use in your entries, but you can also add your own. *BACKUP: You can create a backup file and store it locally or export it so it can be shared with other devices. *MODES: Both light and dark modes are supported. *EVERYTHING IN YOUR POCKET: No more forgotten or lost notes. You will always be prepared for the next session or be able to immediately write down ideas that suddenly come to your mind wherever you are! :)

Screenshots

PRD Characters3 screens
RPG Notebook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PRD Characters at none against RPG Notebook's shown. PRD Characters also leads on ratings volume (146 vs 48) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 15.6). RPG Notebook's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 56%). On price, rating, 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. PRD Characters sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 3 months and RPG Notebook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for PRD Characters against 4.0 for RPG Notebook. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 146 and 48 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of PRD Characters's written reviews are positive against 69% of RPG Notebook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PRD Characters ships an update every 4 months, RPG Notebook monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 17, 2026 and August 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PRD Characters versus RPG Notebook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPRD CharactersRPG Notebook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (146 ratings) — better4.0 (48 ratings)
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews69.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings146 — better48
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.3 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB198 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperShiny Button Software, LLCMarta Fecio

Customer experience

PRD Characters

All ratings146 ratings
Positive76.7%
Neutral9.6%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral12.5%
Negative31.3%

RPG Notebook

All ratings48 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral10.4%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral16.7%
Negative13.9%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PRD Characters

Subscriptions2
  • 3 Month Subscription$2.493 Months
  • 1 Year Subscription$5.491 Year
1 purchases

RPG Notebook

One-time1
  • Premium$4.99

Questions

Is PRD Characters free?
PRD Characters is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RPG Notebook free?
RPG Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PRD Characters or RPG Notebook?
PRD Characters is rated higher. PRD Characters averages 4.1 out of 5 from 146 ratings, while RPG Notebook averages 4.0 from 48 ratings.
Do PRD Characters or RPG Notebook have ads?
RPG Notebook shows ads; PRD Characters does not.
Which is updated more often, PRD Characters or RPG Notebook?
PRD Characters ships an update every 4 months, and RPG Notebook monthly. Most recently, PRD Characters was updated on July 17, 2026 and RPG Notebook on August 20, 2026.

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