# CMAX AR vs Secure Notes

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CMAX AR at none against Secure Notes's 6. CMAX AR also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). Secure Notes's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Secure Notes sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. CMAX AR asks for nothing beyond the download.

CMAX AR ships an update every 3 months, Secure Notes fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CMAX AR | Secure Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (719 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secure-notes-secret-and-lock/id1469517353/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **719** |
| Positive reviews | — | 65.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 283 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [STERIS](https://appshunter.io/developer/544302763) | [PixelPort LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1355467938) |

## What reviewers say

### CMAX AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmax-ar/id1467366623)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Secure Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secure-notes-secret-and-lock/id1469517353)

Safeguard your private thoughts, voice memos, and sensitive information with robust, multi-layered security. This app offers military-grade encryption, biometric locks, and secure voice recording to keep your data protected. Enjoy a distraction-free, ad-free experience with a powerful rich text editor and seamless iCloud syncing across devices.

**Highlights:** 3-Layer Security (app, folders, notes), Secure Voice Recording, Biometric Lock (Face ID, Touch ID, Passcode), iCloud Sync, Rich Text Editor with Markdown, Trash Recovery

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Secure Notes - 1 Month PRO | $4.99 | per month |
| Secure Notes - Pro Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Secure Notes Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Secure Notes Pro Annual Offer | $19.99 | per year |
| Secure Notes - 1 Year PRO | $39.99 | per year |
| Secure Notes Pro - Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure notes and folders
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🚀 Efficient note-taking
- 💡 Innovative features like Love Voice Notes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy performance after updates
- 🤯 Overly complicated UI changes
- 🔒 Difficulty resetting passwords/access
- 💸 Essential features locked behind paywall

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes
- Delayed text input and display
- Inability to access locked notes

**Requested features**

- Ability to move notes between folders
- Option to customize font, size, and colors
- Trash/Recycle bin for deleted notes
- Cloud sync/backup functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CMAX AR free?

CMAX AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Secure Notes free?

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

### Do CMAX AR or Secure Notes have ads?

Neither CMAX AR nor Secure Notes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CMAX AR or Secure Notes?

CMAX AR ships an update every 3 months, and Secure Notes fortnightly. Most recently, CMAX AR was updated on September 17, 2026 and Secure Notes on September 24, 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.*