Comparison

PhotoNote vs Notes

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

Head to head
About

PhotoNote

Capture information visually by taking photos instead of typing. Organize your visual notes with tabs and colored tags. Photos are stored within the app, preventing clutter in your device's photo gallery.

Highlights
  • Capture notes via camera
  • Organize with tabs
  • Categorize with colored tags
  • Internal photo storage
  • Reorder notes and tags
Features
Read full description

Instead of typing letters on the keyboard, I'm sure there are times when I take a picture and use it as a note instead. However, there is a risk that the photo folder will be flooded with notes. It is this application that is useful in such a case. All you have to do is take a picture with the built-in camera. You can organize the notes you have taken with tabs. In addition, the photos you took will be saved in the app, so you won't clutter up your photo folder! Usage examples: - Receipt - Timetable - Cooking Recipes - Deadline for reports written on the blackboard - Organize the screenshot. In addition, you can separate the notes you took with colored tags for each category. Tags can be added, deleted, and reordered from the pre-prepared colors. You can also reorder your notes.

About

Notes

Capture ideas, plan events, and manage tasks with this versatile note-taking app. Organize notes with custom views, filters, and priority pinning. Enjoy voice notes, file attachments, and secure local accounts.

Highlights
  • Voice notes
  • Checklist creation
  • File attachments
  • Drag and drop organization
  • Board and list views
  • Local accounts
  • Day/night modes
Features
Read full description

Notes — simple notes, reminders and ideas in one app Capture ideas, plan events and keep important lists in one place. Notes helps you stay organized — from quick thoughts to important tasks with reminders. Write, draw and organize everything your way. At home, at work or on the go — your notes are always with you. Main features: • Notes with reminders • Drawing and sketch notes • Easy organization with lists • Board and list views • Filters and pinning • Simple drag-and-drop controls • Local accounts without restrictions • Light and dark modes Pro features: • Voice notes • Unlimited file attachments • Checklists inside notes • Full backup and restore • App lock • Note forwarding and sharing • Printing No ads or annoying pop-ups — just a clean and intuitive interface. Works offline for better privacy, security and stability. Download Notes and manage your ideas, plans and daily tasks with ease. Terms of Use: https://calenhub.com/note_terms_of_use.html

Screenshots

PhotoNote3 screens
Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Notes at none against PhotoNote's shown. Notes also leads on ratings volume (8 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). PhotoNote's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. PhotoNote sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month and Notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. 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 — 5.0 for PhotoNote against 4.9 for Notes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 8 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhotoNote ships an update every 3 weeks, Notes every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 8, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PhotoNote versus Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhotoNoteNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.9 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings28 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB155 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSatoshi KobayashiPlanning Technologies LLC

Customer experience

PhotoNote

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Notes

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PhotoNote

Subscriptions1
  • Pro plan$1.991 Month
3 purchases

Notes

Subscriptions2
  • Full Access for a Month$1.491 Month
  • Full Access for a Year7 Days trial$11.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full Access Forever$24.99

Questions

Is PhotoNote free?
PhotoNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notes free?
Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PhotoNote or Notes?
PhotoNote is rated higher. PhotoNote averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Notes averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do PhotoNote or Notes have ads?
PhotoNote shows ads; Notes does not.
Which is updated more often, PhotoNote or Notes?
PhotoNote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Notes every 3 months. Most recently, PhotoNote was updated on October 8, 2026 and Notes on October 8, 2026.

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