Comparison

Nautilus vs CollaNote

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

Head to head
About

Nautilus

This app is a research-focused web browser and writing tool for iPad and iPhone. It allows users to read, annotate web pages and PDFs, and use AI for summarization and content generation. The app also supports document creation and organization, syncing across cloud services.

Highlights
  • Web browsing with research tools
  • AI-powered page summarization and translation
  • Direct annotation on web pages and PDFs
  • Export markup as PDF, Word, or Markdown
  • Integrated document drafting and organization
  • Cloud syncing with Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud
  • Lecture and interview recording with transcripts
Features
Read full description

Nautilus is a web browser built for research. Read the web, mark it up, ask AI about what you find, and write up your work without leaving the app, on iPad and iPhone. Students, researchers, journalists, writers and professionals use it to go from first search to finished document in one place. Browse with research tools built in Open pages in tabs, pin the ones you come back to, and keep sites in bookmarks and history. Switch to Reader for a clean page without distractions, or let Reader turn on automatically. Request the desktop version of a site when you need it. Understand any page Ask AI about the page you're reading. Summarize a long article, or translate a page into your language or into English, then switch back to the original at any time. Circle it with Magic Lasso Circle a passage, chart or image on a page. Ask AI to explain it, ask your own question, highlight it, or save it as a clip on your Clippings board so your findings stay together. Mark up the web Draw and write directly on web pages. Export a page with your markup as a PDF in A4, Letter or Legal size, or as a Word document, Markdown, RTF, plain text or an image. Read and annotate your sources Open PDFs, papers and reports in tabs beside your web pages. Highlight, write in the margins, add comments, and compare two documents side by side. Fill and sign forms, scan paper pages into PDFs, measure scaled drawings, and hide sensitive text before you share. Write it up Draft in Word documents, RTF, Markdown or plain text. Plan a long paper or book section by section on a Corkboard, keep your sources open next to the draft, take snapshots of earlier versions, and compile everything into one document or ebook. Study Projects gather the readings for each subject in one place. AI help from first idea to final draft Chat through ideas, ask about your own documents, and get explanations. Rewrite, simplify, correct spelling and grammar, change the tone, or translate what you've written. Also in Nautilus Record lectures and interviews and create transcripts. Connect ideas on whiteboards with sticky notes, organize plans in outlines, and work through calculations and charts in Math Notebooks. Your library, safe and in sync Keep documents in folders and notebooks with covers, and find anything with search. Export to PDF, Word, HTML, EPUB and more. Sync with iCloud, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive or WebDAV. Automatic saving, recovery and backups protect your work, and passcodes lock the app or private folders. Formerly Notes Writer Pro Nautilus is the new name of Notes Writer Pro. Your existing PDF notes and outlines open here. Privacy Policy http://www.noteswriter.com/Kairoos_Privacy_Policy.html Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

CollaNote

This powerful note-taking app offers a rich set of tools for writing, PDF markup, and digital planning. Enhance your notes with over 25 pens, handwriting stabilization, and AI assistance. Collaborate in real-time and organize your work with unlimited papers and notebooks.

Highlights
  • 25+ pens and brushes
  • Handwriting stabilizer
  • PDF import and markup
  • Flashcard creation
  • Real-time collaboration
  • AI-powered tools
  • Unlimited papers and notebooks
Features
Read full description

CollaNote: Powerful note-taking app packed with a wide range of tools. Note-taking, PDF markup, digital planning, and flashcards - all in one place! BUILT FOR APPLE PENCIL WITH AN ENHANCED WRITING EXPERIENCE: - 25+ different pens and brushes to transform your notes into artwork. - Handwriting stabilizer for beautiful, smooth writing. - Enjoy a calming ASMR note-taking experience. - Infinite Arc Menu available for both Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil Gen 2. IMPORT, MARK-UP, AND EXPORT PDF: - Import and mark up PDFs, PPTs, DOCs, and Images effortlessly. - In-built scanner to digitize your physical documents. - Export notes to PDF and share with ease. POWERFUL TOOLS: - Translation tool to learn new languages, supporting over 90 languages. - Create flashcards with audio and images, or use our extensive library. - Beautiful Planners for tracking tasks, deadlines, and schedules. - Record and sync audio directly within your notes. UNLIMITED PAPERS AND NOTEBOOKS: - Unlimited paper with versatile grids/lines and 150+ colorful templates. - Keep all your notes organized and easily accessible from anywhere. - Automatically back up to iCloud and sync across iOS devices. - Smart Dark Mode for optimal visibility in any lighting. - Password protection for ultimate note security. AI POWERED: - Built-in AI Calculator for complex calculations. - AI drawing tools for perfect shapes. - Get intelligent writing and note-taking assistance. - Generate unique stickers with AI. ENGAGING CREATIVE COMMUNITY: - Join the Public Room to connect with creators worldwide. - Real-time collaboration function (unlimited participants). CollaNote's journey began with a student at Hamburg University, who now leads a dedicated team of individuals devoted to delivering the finest digital paper experience. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our users for their unwavering support since the early days of CollaNote. Download CollaNote now to discover even more surprises!

Screenshots

Nautilus4 screens
CollaNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

Nautilus and CollaNote both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 74% of CollaNote's written reviews are positive against 48% of Nautilus's. CollaNote also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium) and update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Nautilus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and CollaNote sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. 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 — 4.6 for Nautilus against 4.7 for CollaNote. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.2K and 15K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of Nautilus's written reviews are positive against 74% of CollaNote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nautilus ships an update fortnightly, CollaNote every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Nautilus versus CollaNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNautilusCollaNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (3.2K ratings)4.7 (15K ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.3% of reviews73.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.2K15K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size502 MB229 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperKairoos Solutions SLZauberberg Lab Company Limited

Customer experience

Nautilus

All ratings3,239 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews787 reviews
Positive48.3%
Neutral15.1%
Negative36.6%

CollaNote

All ratings15,105 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral2.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews3,370 reviews
Positive73.6%
Neutral7.3%
Negative19.1%

User reviews

Nautilus

From 3.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent note-taking app
  • 📁 Great folder organization
  • 🎨 Customizable notebook covers
  • 🔍 Useful PDF annotation tools
  • 🤖 Impressive AI capabilities

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔄 Sync and file transfer issues
  • 🕰️ Slow performance and lag
  • 🔒 Poor customer support
  • 💰 Misleading upgrade pricing

CollaNote

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Very good writing app
  • 🚀 Great app and easy to navigate
  • 🚀 Excellent note taking app
  • 👍 Amazing free note taking app
  • 👍 Fantastic for teaching

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitching, crashing, and issues with writing tools
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance and bugs
  • 🐛 Issues with PDF annotations and exports
  • 🐛 Problems with organization and navigation
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and data loss

Bugs and requests

Nautilus

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Notes randomly disappearing
  • Formatting issues with text and images
  • Unreliable audio recording and playback
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Inability to transfer files between free and pro versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Handwriting recognition
  • Improved eraser and shape tools
  • Customizable keyboard and toolbar
  • Better integration with cloud storage
  • Ability to rotate and resize images

CollaNote

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Pen and eraser issues after updates
  • Freezing and crashing when deleting or moving notes
  • Inconsistent behavior of favorite pen settings
  • Incompatibility with older devices
  • Login screen freezes
Show 1 more
  • Random deletion of notes and files

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add landscape mode support
  • Improve text editing and formatting
  • Enhance organization with nested folders
  • Implement better backup and sync options
  • Add more pen/pencil customization
Show 7 more
  • Improve collaboration and sharing features
  • Introduce a zoom window and auto-advance function
  • Add more paper style options
  • Implement undo/redo functionality
  • Allow resizing and manipulating of selected content
  • Provide a dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics and dashboard

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Nautilus

Subscriptions2
  • Nautilus Unlock All and AI3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Nautilus Unlock All and AI3 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Nautilus Pro Lifetime$14.99
4 purchases

CollaNote

One-time4
  • Lifetime Premium Loyal Users$6.95
  • Premium: Time Limited Sale$6.95
  • Lifetime Premium Welcome Offer$9.69
Show 1 more
  • Lifetime Premium$13.90

Questions

Is Nautilus free?
Nautilus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CollaNote free?
CollaNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nautilus or CollaNote?
CollaNote is rated higher. Nautilus averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while CollaNote averages 4.7 from 15K ratings.
Do Nautilus or CollaNote have ads?
Neither Nautilus nor CollaNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nautilus or CollaNote?
Nautilus ships an update fortnightly, and CollaNote every 6 days. Most recently, Nautilus was updated on November 6, 2026 and CollaNote on November 8, 2026.

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