Comparison

FSNotes vs Note Now

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

Note Now

Features
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Voice-first notes on CarPlay No signal? No problem. Ideas don't wait for good reception. Note Now works completely offline, so you can capture a thought in a tunnel, on a back road, or in a gym basement, exactly when it strikes. Your notes are stored on your device. Your ideas stay with you. Record ideas while driving, at the gym, or on the go, hands-free and eyes-free. Note Now is a distraction-free voice note app for iPhone and Apple CarPlay. Features: Works offline: Record and save anywhere, with or without signal Voice-first: Capture with one tap, no typing needed CarPlay integration: Capture ideas straight from your car's dashboard Organised by groups: Sort notes into custom groups for easy retrieval Transcribed instantly: Your voice becomes searchable text Private by design: Notes are stored locally on your device, not on our servers One-time unlock: Pro features with a single purchase, no subscriptions Perfect for commuters, drivers, and anyone who captures ideas on the move, especially when the signal drops.

Screenshots

FSNotes4 screens
Note Now4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Note Now at Free against FSNotes's $4.99. FSNotes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). 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

Note Now is free to download; FSNotes costs $4.99 up front. Note Now sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FSNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FSNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, Note Now every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
FSNotes versus Note Now: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFSNotesNote Now
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (87 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings87 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#61 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOleksandr HlushchenkoRICHARD JEFFERY VINE

In-app purchases

None

FSNotes

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Note Now

One-time1
  • Note Now Pro$2.99

Questions

Is FSNotes free?
FSNotes costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Note Now free?
Note Now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FSNotes or Note Now have ads?
Neither FSNotes nor Note Now shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FSNotes or Note Now?
FSNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, and Note Now every 5 months. Most recently, FSNotes was updated on November 2, 2026 and Note Now on October 31, 2026.

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