Comparison

FSNotes vs gjLists

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

Head to head
About

FSNotes

A fast, modern notes manager for macOS and iOS that uses plain text Markdown files. It's designed for speed and keyboard shortcuts, allowing for seamless iCloud syncing and support for images, code blocks, and math.

Highlights
  • Plain text Markdown notes
  • Fast launch and operation
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • iCloud syncing
  • Markdown preview
  • Image and code block support
Currently charting
Read full description

FSNotes is a fast, modern notes manager for macOS and iOS. Write and organize your notes in pure Markdown with full control over your files. All notes are stored as plain text on disk, so your data stays open, portable, and future-proof. FSNotes is built for speed. It launches instantly, stays lightweight, and works smoothly even with tens of thousands of notes. Designed for keyboard lovers, it lets you capture ideas and find information in seconds using powerful shortcuts. Sync seamlessly via iCloud Drive, preview Markdown, work with images, code blocks, diagrams, and math — all in a clean, distraction-free interface. Fast. Open. Keyboard-driven.

About

gjLists

Features
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Use gjLists to manage your lists and to-do items using a clean, simple, and intuitive interface. A list is just a collection of items (names, words, sentences, etc.), but by marking items as done/complete, it can be used as a to-do list. Features: - Requires iOS 17.5 or later. - Designed for iPhone and iPad. - Swipe actions to delete lists/items and mark items as done/undone. - Strikeout completed/done items or mark with a checkmark. - Drag to rearrange lists and items. - Copy lists and items to and from the clipboard. - Duplicate lists. - No limit on the number of lists or items in a list. - Backup and restore your lists. - iCloud list synchronisation across devices. - Supports system dark and light modes. All features are free to use but there is a tip jar if you want to show your appreciation and support the developer

Screenshots

FSNotes4 screens
gjLists4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: gjLists at Free against FSNotes's $4.99. FSNotes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

gjLists is free to download; FSNotes costs $4.99 up front. gjLists sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. FSNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FSNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, gjLists every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
FSNotes versus gjLists: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFSNotesgjLists
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (87 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews65.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings87 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#84 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOleksandr HlushchenkoGavin Jerman

In-app purchases

None

FSNotes

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

gjLists

One-time4
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$1.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Enormous Tip$9.99

Questions

Is FSNotes free?
FSNotes costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is gjLists free?
gjLists is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FSNotes or gjLists have ads?
Neither FSNotes nor gjLists shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FSNotes or gjLists?
FSNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, and gjLists every 2 months. Most recently, FSNotes was updated on October 26, 2026 and gjLists on October 20, 2026.

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