Comparison

Purnote vs Nested Folder Notes

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

Head to head
About

Purnote

Features
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Notes you actually own. Purnote keeps every note as a plain Markdown file in your own iCloud Drive — no database, no proprietary format, no lock-in. Every note is an ordinary .md file in a folder called purnote, so you can open, edit, search, back up or move your notes with any tool you like — on your Mac, in any text editor, forever. Write a note on your phone and it is on your Mac a moment later. Edit it on your Mac and it changes on your phone while you are looking at it. If you ever stop using Purnote, you still have your notes. That is the whole idea. • Free — no subscription, no ads, no accounts • Plain Markdown files, stored in iCloud Drive where you can see them • Share from any app into Purnote — save a post or link as a note, in the folder you choose • Organise notes in folders, with #tags and Smart Folders • Add photos to a note — saved as plain files beside it, never locked in • Create tables from the formatting bar • Drag a note onto a folder to move it • Formatting buttons above the keyboard — headings, bold, italic, lists, checklists, quotes, links — so you do not need to know Markdown to write it • Notes are named after their first line, so the folder makes sense on your Mac • Rendered notes with headings, tables, task lists and code blocks • Full text search across every note • Works without iCloud too, keeping notes on this iPhone Purnote collects nothing. There are no accounts, no analytics, and no servers other than your own iCloud.

About

Nested Folder Notes

Organize your thoughts and ideas with unlimited folders and subfolders. Create text notes, checklists, or add images. This ad-free app offers flexible date management and a powerful search function for easy retrieval.

Highlights
  • Unlimited subfolders
  • Text notes
  • Checklists
  • Image attachments
  • Customizable folder icons and colors
  • Full-text search
  • Offline access
Features
Read full description

Organize your notes and sort them into any number of folders and subfolders. Create checklists or add your own pictures. With the notes app Folino, you have all your notes under control. Sorting by creation date: Notes can now be sorted not only by the modification date, but also by the creation date. Customizable date display: Choose whether you want to display the creation date or the modification date in your notes. These new features make the app ideal for use as a diary or journal - and some users are already using it for exactly that! They were very happy about the update because it makes capturing and browsing through memories even easier. Try it out and enjoy even more flexible and clearer note management! What else can the app do? - without advertising - Made in Germany - Made for YOU Text Notes Create as many text notes as you want. Pictures Add your own pictures to your notes. (in-app purchase as one-time payment) Checklists Create checklists and tick off completed entries or rearrange them as you wish. Folder Create your own note structure. You can create as many folders and sub-folders as you want. The number is not limited. Icons and color selection for folders There are many different symbols to choose from for the folders. You can also customize the color. (in-app purchase as one-time payment) Search function A quick full-text search enables you to find all notes, checklists and folders. Pin it You can pin very important things so that they are always at the top of the list. Favorites A separate favorites list for notes and folders enables quick access to marked notes. History With a separate list for the most recently edited notes, you can quickly pick up where you left off. Move Notes can be moved to other folders quickly and easily. Recycle bin Deleted notes are kept in the recycle bin and can be restored if desired. Offline The app can be used offline without an internet connection. Backup A manual file backup allows you to export and import your notes. Dark Mode The app supports the dark mode of your smartphone (dark theme). Add lock Folders and notes, as well as the entire app, can be locked with a PIN. Ad-free The app is and will be ad-free. Promised! For support, you are welcome to purchase one of the additional functions via in-app purchase.

Screenshots

Purnote4 screens
Nested Folder Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Purnote at none against Nested Folder Notes's 7. Purnote also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Nested Folder Notes sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Purnote asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Purnote ships an update every 6 days, Nested Folder Notes fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Purnote versus Nested Folder Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPurnoteNested Folder Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—90.9% of reviews
Number of ratings—13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSasa MitrovicTobias Schiek

In-app purchases

None

Purnote

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Nested Folder Notes

One-time7
  • Style AddOn$0.99
  • Donation$0.99
  • Images AddOn$1.99
Show 4 more
  • Donation$1.99
  • Donation$2.99
  • Donation$3.99
  • Premium$6.99

Questions

Is Purnote free?
Purnote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nested Folder Notes free?
Nested Folder Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Purnote or Nested Folder Notes have ads?
Neither Purnote nor Nested Folder Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Purnote or Nested Folder Notes?
Purnote ships an update every 6 days, and Nested Folder Notes fortnightly. Most recently, Purnote was updated on October 11, 2026 and Nested Folder Notes on October 13, 2026.

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