Comparison

OctoNote vs Orc Mode

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

Head to head
About

OctoNote

This app lets you write and store notes in markdown format, syncing them directly to your GitHub Gists. It offers beautiful rendering, code syntax highlighting, and version control for organized and accessible notes.

Highlights
  • Markdown writing and rendering
  • GitHub Gists integration
  • Code syntax highlighting
  • Live preview
  • Version history
  • Secret Gists (Premium)
  • Custom syntax themes (Premium)
Features
Read full description

OctoNote - GitHub Powered Markdown Notes THE POWER OF GITHUB MEETS BEAUTIFUL NOTE-TAKING OctoNote transforms the way developers and power users take notes by harnessing GitHub Gists—giving you cloud sync, version control, and universal access without the bloat of traditional note apps. Write in markdown. Save to GitHub. Access anywhere. MARKDOWN DONE RIGHT - Gorgeous rendering that makes your notes look like miniature websites - Full syntax highlighting for code blocks—perfect for developers - Seamless editing with a clean, distraction-free interface - Live preview to see your formatted notes as you write GITHUB GISTS INTEGRATION - Automatic sync to your GitHub profile—your notes live where your code lives - Edit anywhere through GitHub's web interface or OctoNote - Version history built in—never lose a previous version - Share effortlessly via Gist URLs with beautiful browser rendering - No vendor lock-in—your notes are standard markdown on GitHub BUILT FOR DEVELOPERS & POWER USERS Whether you're documenting code snippets, maintaining technical wikis, or organizing project notes, OctoNote gives you the tools you need: - Save meeting notes with code examples - Maintain personal knowledge bases - Share formatted documentation instantly - Keep research organized with tags and structure OCTONOTE PREMIUM Upgrade to unlock the full power of private note-taking: - Secret Gists that don't appear in public search - Custom syntax formatting themes (11+ beautiful options from Xcode Light to Atom One Dark) - Flair for your app icon - Private by default for sensitive work notes and personal journals SIMPLE. POWERFUL. YOURS. OctoNote doesn't try to be everything—it's focused on doing one thing exceptionally well: giving you beautiful, powerful markdown notes backed by the reliability of GitHub. No proprietary formats. No complicated export processes. Just your notes, in standard markdown, stored safely on GitHub and accessible from anywhere. Perfect for: - Software developers and engineers - Technical writers and documentation specialists - Students studying computer science - Anyone who loves markdown and wants their notes future-proof REQUIREMENTS OctoNote requires a GitHub account (free accounts work perfectly). All features—both standard and Premium—are available to users with any GitHub account tier. Download OctoNote today and transform the way you take notes.

About

Orc Mode

A distraction-free task manager that helps you organize your work with clear task states, due dates, and recurring schedules. Track your progress through different workflows and review completed items.

Highlights
  • Task states (TODO, NEXT, WAITING, DONE)
  • Due dates and recurring schedules
  • Tagging and filtering
  • Notes and task details
  • Task history review
  • Light and dark mode support
Features
Read full description

Orc Mode is a focused task manager inspired by Emacs Org Mode. Organize your work with clear task states, due dates, tags, and recurring schedules. Track what needs attention now, what is waiting, and what is already done. Features: Create, edit, and delete todos; Use TODO, NEXT, WAITING, and DONE workflows; Add notes, due dates, and tags; Filter tasks by tag; Set recurring daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly tasks; Review completed items in history; Supports light and dark mode. Orc Mode is designed for people who want a simple, structured, and distraction-free way to manage personal tasks on iPhone.

Screenshots

OctoNote4 screens
Orc Mode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Orc Mode at 5.0 against OctoNote's 3.7. Orc Mode also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). OctoNote's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. OctoNote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Orc Mode asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Orc Mode holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OctoNote has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
OctoNote versus Orc Mode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOctoNoteOrc Mode
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (10 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBase11 Studios LtdPatrick OBoyle

Customer experience

OctoNote

All ratings10 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative30.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Orc Mode

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

OctoNote

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (Monthly)$1.991 Month
  • Premium (Yearly)$11.991 Year
One-time1
  • OctoNote Premium - Lifetime$49.99
None

Orc Mode

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OctoNote free?
OctoNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Orc Mode free?
Orc Mode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, OctoNote or Orc Mode?
Orc Mode is rated higher. OctoNote averages 3.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Orc Mode averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do OctoNote or Orc Mode have ads?
Neither OctoNote nor Orc Mode shows ads.

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