# MODE Notes lite vs JotJournal

The clearest difference is price: JotJournal at Free against MODE Notes lite's $3.99. JotJournal also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). MODE Notes lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.

JotJournal is free to download; MODE Notes lite costs $3.99 up front. JotJournal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. MODE Notes lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

MODE Notes lite ships an update every 2 months, JotJournal weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MODE Notes lite | JotJournal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[4.4 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jotjournal-private-diary/id1575315251/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **14** |
| Positive reviews | — | 78.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ImagineSpark Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1517195068) | [Naohito Muraoka](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509204317) |

## What reviewers say

### MODE Notes lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mode-notes-lite-local-notes/id1531285808)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### JotJournal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jotjournal-private-diary/id1575315251)

This app offers a simple and intuitive journaling experience with an SNS-style interface. Create a private timeline to record your thoughts and emotions without complicated settings. It's designed for users seeking an easy-to-use, visually appealing daily diary.

**Highlights:** SNS style diary, Simple and beautiful design, Easy to use interface, Private timeline creation, Stress-free diary management

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $5.99 | per year |
| Premium outright purchase | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MODE Notes lite free?

MODE Notes lite costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is JotJournal free?

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

### Do MODE Notes lite or JotJournal have ads?

JotJournal shows ads; MODE Notes lite does not.

### Which is updated more often, MODE Notes lite or JotJournal?

MODE Notes lite ships an update every 2 months, and JotJournal weekly. Most recently, MODE Notes lite was updated on October 1, 2026 and JotJournal on October 16, 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.*