# Notes vs Note Widget +

The clearest difference is rating: Notes at 4.8 against Note Widget +'s 4.4. Notes also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.8). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Note Widget + sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 677 and 443 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 79% and 78% positive.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Notes | Note Widget + |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (677 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-notepad-and-lists/id1489717129/reviews)** | [4.4 (443 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-widget-plus/id1495041735/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **677** | 443 |
| Positive reviews | **78.5% of reviews** | 78.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 109 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.8 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Orange Dog](https://appshunter.io/developer/1673134885) | [Yuri Nesh](https://appshunter.io/developer/521035681) |

## What reviewers say

### Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-notepad-and-lists/id1489717129)

This app combines a notepad, to-do list, and memo functionality into a single, intuitive interface. Easily create notes from text, voice, or images, and organize them with reminders and sorting options. Secure your data and transfer it to new devices.

**Highlights:** 3-in-1 notepad, to-do list, and memos, Create notes from photos, images, and voice, Set notifications and reminders, Sort notes by urgency, category, due date, color, Secure notes with a security code, Data transfer to new devices

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Disable ads | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use interface
- 🎨 Highly customizable with colors and themes
- 🆓 Free app with no ads
- 🔒 Password protected notes
- 📱 Well-organized layout

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive ads despite paid subscription
- ❓ Unclear note retention policies
- 🤔 Complicated question/support system

**Reported bugs**

- Unexpected ads appearing after recent updates for paid subscribers

**Requested features**

- More engaging task motivation features
- Clearer documentation on note persistence
- Improved customer support interface


### Note Widget +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-widget-plus/id1495041735)

Create handwritten notes, dictate voice memos, and write over images. Transform speech into text and schedule reminders. Secure your notes with biometric locks and display them directly on your widget screen.

**Highlights:** Handwritten and text notes, Write over images, Dictate notes and record speech, Transform voice to text, Schedule reminders, Password/biometric protection, Display notes on widget

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Happy Club, monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Happy Club, 6 month | $14.99 | per 6 months |
| Happy Club, Yearly | $24.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy and fast to use
- 👍 Great for various lists
- 👍 Good for note-taking
- 👍 Syncs across devices
- 👍 No distracting ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cannot delete notes
- 🐛 Subscription not reloading
- 🐛 App won't stay open
- 🐛 Blank yellow page issue
- 🐛 Paper too small for notes

**Reported bugs**

- App won't let me delete a note
- App will not reload subscription
- App won't stay open
- Blank yellow page issue
- Scrolls back to the top of a note

**Requested features**

- Add folder organization
- More than nine categories
- Ability to add tags
- Password protection for notes
- Show full widgets on home screen


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Notes free?

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

### Is Note Widget + free?

Note Widget + is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Notes or Note Widget +?

Notes is rated higher. Notes averages 4.8 out of 5 from 677 ratings, while Note Widget + averages 4.4 from 443 ratings.

### Do Notes or Note Widget + have ads?

Both Notes and Note Widget + show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Notes or Note Widget +?

Notes ships an update monthly, and Note Widget + monthly. Most recently, Notes was updated on October 29, 2026 and Note Widget + on October 29, 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.*