# Notes vs Secret Notepad with Password

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Notes at 654 against Secret Notepad with Password's 4. Notes also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Secret Notepad with Password's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 79%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Secret Notepad with Password sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Secret Notepad with Password holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notes has 654 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Notes's written reviews are positive against 100% of Secret Notepad with Password's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Notes | Secret Notepad with Password |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (654 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-notepad-and-lists/id1489717129/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secret-notepad-with-password/id6480199456/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **654** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 78.5% of reviews | **100.0% 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 | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Orange Dog](https://appshunter.io/developer/1673134885) | [manabu ueda](https://appshunter.io/developer/1606163236) |

## 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


### Secret Notepad with Password

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secret-notepad-with-password/id6480199456)

Securely store your private thoughts and images with a password-protected vault. Features biometric unlock, screen blurring, and the ability to attach photos directly to notes without saving them to your camera roll.

**Highlights:** Password and biometric authentication, Screen blurring for privacy, Attach photos directly to notes, Photos not saved to camera roll, Undo/redo support, Search functionality, Dark mode

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-Free Plan(Lifetime) | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Notes free?

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

### Is Secret Notepad with Password free?

Secret Notepad with Password is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Notes or Secret Notepad with Password?

Secret Notepad with Password is rated higher. Notes averages 4.8 out of 5 from 654 ratings, while Secret Notepad with Password averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Notes or Secret Notepad with Password have ads?

Both Notes and Secret Notepad with Password show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Notes or Secret Notepad with Password?

Notes ships an update monthly, and Secret Notepad with Password monthly. Most recently, Notes was updated on October 17, 2026 and Secret Notepad with Password on October 6, 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.*