# Simple Notes vs Word Counter & Notes

The clearest difference is monetization model: Simple Notes at free with in-app purchases against Word Counter & Notes's subscription. Simple Notes also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 56%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.4). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simple Notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Word Counter & Notes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Simple Notes against 4.7 for Word Counter & Notes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 791 and 336 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Simple Notes's written reviews are positive against 56% of Word Counter & Notes's.

Simple Notes ships an update every 3 months, Word Counter & Notes every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple Notes | Word Counter & Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (791 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-notes-notepad-manager/id1457937396/reviews) | [4.7 (336 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-counter-and-notes/id1480357023/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **791** | 336 |
| Positive reviews | **87.2% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 216 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Komorebi Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/481596469) | [Karawita Arachchige Dilanthika Eshani Kumari Karawita](https://appshunter.io/developer/1823394241) |

## What reviewers say

### Simple Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-notes-notepad-manager/id1457937396)

This app offers a clean and efficient way to organize your thoughts and ideas. Easily add images, organize notes into colored folders, and secure your entries with a passcode. Customize the look with various themes and fonts, and back up your data to iCloud.

**Highlights:** Add photos to notes, Organize with colored folders, Calendar view for notes, Passcode and biometric lock, Customizable themes and fonts, iCloud backup and sync, Smart search with tags

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium (Monthly) | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium (Annual) | $14.99 | per year |
| Premium Service | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 📁 Folder organization and color-coding
- 🔒 Password protection
- 💡 Useful for school and work notes
- 🚀 Fast and responsive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Lack of iCloud sync
- 📐 Limited formatting options (no bold, italics, etc.)
- 🎨 Default folder color cannot be changed
- 🔍 No alphabetical sorting for folders

**Reported bugs**

- No local PC backup and restore feature
- UI looks outdated and childish

**Requested features**

- Add ability to pin notes at the top of a folder
- Implement iCloud sync between devices
- Introduce more text formatting options (bold, italics, underline, etc.)
- Allow changing folder colors


### Word Counter & Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-counter-and-notes/id1480357023)

This app enhances your writing with real-time word and character counting. Save and share notes effortlessly with a clean, distraction-free interface. Ideal for work, school, or personal writing tasks.

**Highlights:** Real-time word and character counting, Instant note saving, Effortless note sharing, Minimalist interface, Checklists, Sticky Notes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One Year Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simple Notes free?

Simple Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Word Counter & Notes free?

Word Counter & Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Simple Notes or Word Counter & Notes?

Simple Notes and Word Counter & Notes are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 791 and 336 ratings respectively.

### Do Simple Notes or Word Counter & Notes have ads?

Both Simple Notes and Word Counter & Notes show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simple Notes or Word Counter & Notes?

Simple Notes ships an update every 3 months, and Word Counter & Notes every 4 months. Most recently, Simple Notes was updated on October 19, 2026 and Word Counter & Notes on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*