# Forem Notes vs Notebook

The clearest difference is rating: Forem Notes at 5.0 against Notebook's 4.3. Forem Notes also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Notebook's advantage is ratings volume (523 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Notebook sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Forem Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Forem Notes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notebook has 523 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Forem Notes's written reviews are positive against 71% of Notebook's.

Forem Notes ships an update monthly, Notebook every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Forem Notes | Notebook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forem-notes-notebook/id1506197148/reviews)** | [4.3 (523 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-notes-and-journal/id1670365742/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **523** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 70.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 71 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Forem Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434537804) | [Solitude Colors](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614422096) |

## What reviewers say

### Forem Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forem-notes-notebook/id1506197148)

Capture notes, organize tasks, and set reminders with this simple and elegant app. Features include color coding, folders, tags, real-time collaboration, and progress tracking to boost productivity. Secure your data with biometric locks and access notes from your home screen.

**Highlights:** Instant note capture, Task and list organization, Customizable reminders, Real-time collaboration, Password and biometric security, Home screen widgets, Progress tracking

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-notes-and-journal/id1670365742)

Organize your thoughts, plans, and ideas with a versatile notebook and list-making application. Create unlimited notes, manage tasks with checklists, and customize your workspace. Sync across devices for seamless access to your organized information.

**Highlights:** Unlimited notes and lists, Folders and organization tools, Rich text editing, Checklists and to-do lists, Cloud sync and backup, Quick search and tags

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Great organization system
- 🚀 Simple and quick
- 🤩 Excellent AI-powered features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 💸 Excessive ads disrupting usage
- 🔒 Lack of customization options
- 🤯 Confusing navigation

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and lost user data
- Compatibility problems with older devices
- Copying and pasting not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add search functionality
- Improve delete/edit options
- Provide subscription-free version
- Enhance calendar integration


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Forem Notes free?

Forem Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Notebook free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Forem Notes or Notebook?

Forem Notes is rated higher. Forem Notes averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Notebook averages 4.3 from 523 ratings.

### Do Forem Notes or Notebook have ads?

Notebook shows ads; Forem Notes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Forem Notes or Notebook?

Forem Notes ships an update monthly, and Notebook every 3 weeks. Most recently, Forem Notes was updated on September 27, 2026 and Notebook on October 8, 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.*