Comparison

Notes vs BlackNote

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

Head to head
About

Notes

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
Read full description

Notes: notepad and lists is a convenient app that helps you make notes and keep lists. Why should you choose Notes: notepad and lists? - 3 in 1 Replace your to-do list, notepad and memos with this simple, all-in-one app. - Easy to use Notes: notepad and lists is an extremely simple and intuitive app. No instructions or tutorial necessary. - Fast Create a note or a list in literally seconds - the perfect way to jot down important information. A notepad, diary and to-do list that suits your face-paced lifestyle. - Multiple formats Create notes from photos, images, and voice messages, and make your to-do list or shopping list. Use it on the go, or even behind the wheel - all you have to do is record your message or take a photo. - Editing You can edit your notes, or add comments, attachments, details and notifications at any time. - Planning Notes: notepad and lists also works as a to-do list: you can set notifications and reminders (one off or repeated) for each note, and the easy-to-use calendar system helps you keep track of deadlines. - Sorting You can sort your notes by urgency, category, due date, and color, so searching through your content is quick and easy. - Security Notes: notepad and lists lets you protect your personal data with a short security-code, meaning only you can access your notes and lists. - Transfer your info If you get a new device, you won't lose your information - registered users can restore their data.

About

BlackNote

This app helps you quickly create notes, manage to-do lists, and organize information into folders. It also features document scanning, multimedia attachments, password protection, and reminders to keep you productive and organized.

Highlights
  • Quick note creation
  • To-do list management
  • Folder organization
  • Document scanning
  • Multimedia attachments
  • Password protection
  • Customizable reminders
Features
Read full description

BlackNote is a simple, elegant, and powerful dark notepad for writing notes, lists, and daily thoughts. Designed with a sleek black interface and minimal distractions, BlackNote offers a focused writing experience for anyone who loves dark mode. Simple and Fast Note-Taking Quickly capture your ideas, memos, or thoughts in a clean and intuitive interface. Whether you're writing daily journals or to-do items, BlackNote makes note-taking effortless. Beautiful Dark Theme by Default BlackNote uses a true dark mode by default — perfect for low-light environments, AMOLED screens, or users who simply prefer a dark aesthetic. It's easier on the eyes and saves battery. Checklists and Task Management Easily create to-do lists or checklists to stay organized. Mark items as complete and manage your day efficiently. Works Completely Offline No internet? No problem. BlackNote stores your notes locally so you can write, edit, and access them anytime — even offline. Lightweight and Smooth BlackNote is built to be lightweight and responsive. It runs fast, uses minimal storage, and doesn't slow down your device. Whether you're jotting down quick ideas, writing your personal journal, or keeping track of tasks, BlackNote is your perfect minimal dark notepad. BlackNote Premium Free: up to 10 notes and checklists. Premium unlocks unlimited notes, automatic backup to Google Drive and iCloud, Backup / Restore and TXT import. Premium is an auto-renewable subscription (weekly, monthly or yearly). Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel it in Settings › Apple ID › Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://smartcleaner85.github.io/blacknote/policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Notes4 screens
BlackNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Notes at 4.8 against BlackNote's 2.6. Notes also leads on ratings volume (686 vs 20) and review sentiment (79% vs 68%). BlackNote's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and BlackNote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notes has 686 ratings behind it against 20, 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 68% of BlackNote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notes ships an update monthly, BlackNote every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Notes versus BlackNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNotesBlackNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (686 ratings) — better2.6 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews78.5% of reviews — better68.0% of reviews
Number of ratings686 — better20
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size109 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOrange DogZTECH ASIA

Customer experience

Notes

All ratings654 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive78.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative14.0%

BlackNote

All ratings20 ratings
Positive35.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive68.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative28.0%

Bugs and requests

Notes

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Unexpected ads appearing after recent updates for paid subscribers

Requested features

3 requests
  • More engaging task motivation features
  • Clearer documentation on note persistence
  • Improved customer support interface

BlackNote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Notes

One-time1
  • Disable ads$9.99
3 purchases

BlackNote

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Notes free?
Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BlackNote free?
BlackNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Notes or BlackNote?
Notes is rated higher. Notes averages 4.8 out of 5 from 686 ratings, while BlackNote averages 2.6 from 20 ratings.
Do Notes or BlackNote have ads?
Notes shows ads; BlackNote does not.
Which is updated more often, Notes or BlackNote?
Notes ships an update monthly, and BlackNote every 6 weeks. Most recently, Notes was updated on November 11, 2026 and BlackNote on November 12, 2026.

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