Comparison

gjNotes vs LightNotes

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

Head to head
About

gjNotes

Features
Read full description

Use gjNotes to create plain text notes using a clean, simple, and intuitive interface. Features: - Requires iOS 17.5 or later. - Designed for iPhone and iPad. - Swipe actions to delete and favourite/un-favourite a notes. - Drag to rearrange notes. - Copy notes to and from the clipboard. - Home screen widget. - Lock screen widget. - Backup and restore your notes. - iCloud note synchronisation across devices. - Supports system dark and light modes. All features are free to use but there is a tip jar if you want to show your appreciation and support the developer

About

LightNotes

This app offers a fast and private note-taking experience on iOS devices. It supports markdown formatting, secure local storage with Face ID protection, and offline functionality. Ideal for users who prioritize productivity and data privacy.

Highlights
  • Fast note taking
  • Complete privacy with local storage
  • Markdown support with live preview
  • Face ID and passcode protection
  • Offline functionality
  • Export notes to PDF, HTML, and plain text
  • Beautiful themes and dark mode
Features
Read full description

LightNotes is the fastest, most private note taking app for iPhone and iPad. Take smart notes with markdown support, organize your thoughts instantly, and keep your data secure with Face ID protection. Perfect for developers, students, writers, and anyone who values productivity and privacy. FAST NOTE TAKING Instant response, even with large texts. Create, edit, and organize notes without delays. Built with Swift for native iOS performance that outperforms web-based competitors. COMPLETE PRIVACY Your notes stay on your device - no cloud required. No registration, no tracking, no data collection. Complete control over your personal information with local storage only. MARKDOWN SUPPORT Professional text formatting made simple. Full markdown syntax support with live preview. Perfect for technical documentation, code snippets, and structured writing. BEAUTIFUL THEMES Three carefully crafted color palettes plus automatic dark mode. Clean, distraction-free interface that adapts to your preferences and lighting conditions. SECURE NOTES Face ID and passcode protection for sensitive information. Military-grade encryption keeps your private thoughts completely secure from unauthorized access. MULTILINGUAL SUPPORT Full localization in 10 languages: English, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Portuguese and Dutch. Native language support for global users. NATIVE iOS EXPERIENCE Built exclusively for iOS with Swift and SwiftUI. Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem, optimized for all iPhone models. PERFECT FOR DEVELOPERS Code snippets, technical notes, and markdown documentation. Syntax highlighting support and export options for development workflows. IDEAL FOR STUDENTS Quick study notes, research organization, and offline access. No internet required - perfect for classrooms and libraries with limited connectivity. GREAT FOR WRITERS Distraction-free writing environment with markdown formatting. Export to multiple formats including PDF, HTML, and plain text for publishing workflows. PRIVACY-FOCUSED USERS Local storage means complete data ownership. No cloud synchronization, no server uploads, no privacy concerns. Your data never leaves your device. KEY FEATURES • No ads, no subscriptions, no registration required • Works completely offline - no internet connection needed • Export notes - plain text, and more • Minimal app size - won't slow down your device • Regular updates with new features and improvements • Responsive customer support and active development EXPORT AND SHARING Share your notes in multiple formats. Export to PDF for presentations, HTML for web publishing, or plain text for maximum compatibility. Seamless integration with other iOS apps. Download LightNotes today and experience the perfect balance of simplicity, power, and privacy. Your thoughts deserve the best note taking app available.

Screenshots

gjNotes4 screens
LightNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LightNotes at none against gjNotes's 4. LightNotes also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). 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. gjNotes sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. LightNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

gjNotes ships an update every 6 weeks, LightNotes every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
gjNotes versus LightNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametergjNotesLightNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.516.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGavin JermanOppeldt Dmitrii

In-app purchases

4 purchases

gjNotes

One-time4
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$1.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Enormous Tip$9.99
None

LightNotes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is gjNotes free?
gjNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LightNotes free?
LightNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do gjNotes or LightNotes have ads?
Neither gjNotes nor LightNotes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, gjNotes or LightNotes?
gjNotes ships an update every 6 weeks, and LightNotes every 2 weeks. Most recently, gjNotes was updated on October 27, 2026 and LightNotes on October 6, 2026.

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