Comparison

FSNotes vs ShortKeys

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
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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

ShortKeys

Features
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Stop typing the same thing twice. ShortKeys is a text expansion keyboard for iOS. Create custom ShortKeys that instantly expand into full text — emails, addresses, phone numbers, code snippets, whole paragraphs — right as you type, in any app. FEATURES • Custom iOS Keyboard — your ShortKeys expand automatically as you type, with haptic feedback and keyboard sounds • Undo Expansion — expanded something you meant to type literally? One backspace puts back exactly what you typed • Favourites Bar (Premium) — star up to three ShortKeys to keep them in a bar above the keyboard, one tap away • Customisable Hotkey — a personalised key for quick access to your favourite symbol, from 9 popular options • Unlimited Text Expansion — from a quick email sign-off to entire paragraphs • Smart Keyboard Features — double-tap space for a period, auto-capitalisation, hold-to-repeat backspace, and the standard behaviours you expect • Smart Organisation — tag your ShortKeys and pin your most-used collections to the home screen • iCloud Sync — your ShortKeys and keyboard preferences sync automatically across devices • Deep Link Integration — connect ShortKeys to Shortcuts and other automation apps • Backup & Restore — export your ShortKeys as JSON to keep safe or share • Custom Appearance — light, dark or system mode, with a tint colour to match your style FREE PLAN Get started with up to 10 ShortKeys at no cost — enough to try text expansion and manage your essentials. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION (£7.99/year) Unlock unlimited ShortKeys and the favourites bar, and support continued development. TIP JAR Enjoying the free version? Leave a Small Coffee (£1.99) or Medium Coffee (£3.99) tip. Tip supporters get 5 bonus ShortKeys (15 total) — no subscription needed. PRIVACY FIRST All data is stored locally on your device and synced securely through your own iCloud account. We don't collect, store, or have access to your ShortKeys or personal information. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://thechels.uk/app/privacy FEATURES • Custom iOS Keyboard — your ShortKeys expand automatically as you type, with haptic feedback and keyboard sounds • Customisable Hotkey — a personalised key for quick access to your favourite symbol, from 9 popular options • Unlimited Text Expansion — from a quick email sign-off to entire paragraphs • Smart Keyboard Features — double-tap space for a period, auto-capitalisation, hold-to-repeat backspace, and the standard behaviours you expect • Smart Organisation — tag your ShortKeys and pin your most-used collections to the home screen • iCloud Sync — your ShortKeys and keyboard preferences sync automatically across devices • Deep Link Integration — connect ShortKeys to Shortcuts and other automation apps • Backup & Restore — export your ShortKeys as JSON to keep safe or share • Custom Appearance — light, dark or system mode, with a tint colour to match your style FREE PLAN Get started with up to 10 ShortKeys at no cost — enough to try text expansion and manage your essentials. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION (£7.99/year) Unlock unlimited ShortKeys and support continued development. TIP JAR Enjoying the free version? Leave a Small Coffee (£1.99) or Medium Coffee (£3.99) tip. Tip supporters get 5 bonus ShortKeys (15 total) — no subscription needed. PRIVACY FIRST All data is stored locally on your device and synced securely through your own iCloud account. We don't collect, store, or have access to your ShortKeys or personal information. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeif Privacy Policy: https://thechels.uk/app/privacy

Screenshots

FSNotes4 screens
ShortKeys4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ShortKeys at Free against FSNotes's $4.99. ShortKeys also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). FSNotes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and chart position (#99 vs unranked). On ads and device support 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

ShortKeys is free to download; FSNotes costs $4.99 up front. ShortKeys sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. FSNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FSNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, ShortKeys weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
FSNotes versus ShortKeys: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFSNotesShortKeys
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (86 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews65.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings86 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#99 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOleksandr HlushchenkoMat Benfield

In-app purchases

None

FSNotes

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

ShortKeys

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription$7.991 Year
One-time2
  • Small Coffee$1.99
  • Medium Coffee$3.99

Questions

Is FSNotes free?
FSNotes costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShortKeys free?
ShortKeys is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FSNotes or ShortKeys have ads?
Neither FSNotes nor ShortKeys shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FSNotes or ShortKeys?
FSNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, and ShortKeys weekly. Most recently, FSNotes was updated on October 1, 2026 and ShortKeys on September 27, 2026.

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