Comparison

Plain Text Editor vs Nib

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

Head to head
About

Plain Text Editor

A minimalist text editor focused on pure writing without any formatting options. It allows editing of standard plain text files and includes features like word count and a unique 'brain dump' mode for focused writing.

Highlights
  • No formatting, just text
  • Edit .txt, .csv, .md files
  • Optimal line spacing
  • Word count
  • Brain dump mode
Features
Read full description

Simple distraction-free text editor without any rich text nonsense. The simplicity is a feature. ■ Highlights - No formatting. Just text. - Edit any plain text file like .txt, .csv, .md, etc - Optimal line spacing and length - Word count - Brain dump mode ■ Known issues The app does not have the ability to print because of iOS limitations. Brain dump mode does not work properly with some Asian languages. ■ Brain dump mode Lets you only write, but not delete or edit. This helps you focus on the actual writing instead of getting distracted with editing and nitpicking. ■ FAQ ‣ Can you add a typewriter mode (centered text)? I don't plan to add that. ‣ Does it handle huge files? No. The app is optimized for writing. Use a proper code editor for such files. ■ Support You can contact me through the feedback button in the app.

About

Nib

This app is a smart notepad that records audio, transcribes it, and uses AI to generate summaries and action items. It offers on-device processing for privacy and supports Markdown writing, searchable photos, and handwriting.

Highlights
  • On-device AI transcription and summarization
  • Markdown editor with rich text formatting
  • Searchable photos and handwriting
  • Live audio translation
  • Cross-device syncing via iCloud
  • Semantic search across notes
Features
Read full description

Nib is a notepad that listens. Write in clean Markdown, record meetings and voice memos, and let AI turn them into minutes, summaries, and next steps — while your audio stays on your device. WRITE • A fast Markdown editor that stores your text as plain text — no lock-in • Headings, lists, checkboxes, quotes, code, links — styled as you type • Attach photos; the text inside them becomes searchable • Sketch by hand: draw full-screen, and the sketch lives inside the note (legible handwriting is searchable) • Version history, and note locking with Face ID / Touch ID TALK • Record meetings and voice memos with live transcription • Transcription runs entirely on this device — audio is never uploaded • Recordings survive interruptions and crashes • Import audio files and transcribe them, too • On the Mac, capture both sides of online meetings • On the Mac, right-click a note to take a photo or scan a document with your iPhone ASK AI • Turn a recording into structured minutes: decisions, action items, open questions (Pro) • Ask questions across your whole library: “What did we decide last month?” (Pro) • Co-write with AI inside the note — every change is highlighted, and nothing is final until you approve it • On-device AI summarizes, cleans up, and suggests tags — free, even offline FIND • Semantic search finds notes by meaning, not just keywords — free for everyone • Instant full-text search, tags, pins, and a 30-day trash PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Transcription and semantic search happen on-device • Cloud AI is optional and goes through our relay — no account needed, and your notes are never used to train models • Notes sync across your devices through your own iCloud NIB PRO (subscription) • Unlimited recording length (free plan: 30 minutes per recording) • AI minutes, library-wide chat, and writing advice • One subscription covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac LIVE TRANSLATION • Translate the live transcript as you record — or any transcript after • Entirely on device with downloadable language packs — free, works offline CONNECT • Nib Clipper for Chrome — clip selected text straight into a note • Publish to WordPress, or share any note as a clean web page • Your notes in Claude — a local MCP server (Mac) lets AI assistants search, read, and add notes • Widgets, Shortcuts, Control Center recording, and Apple Watch FREE AI CREDITS EVERY MONTH • Your cloud-AI credits refill monthly — try Pro-grade AI without a subscription Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Plain Text Editor3 screens
Nib4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Nib at Free against Plain Text Editor's $5.00. Nib also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). Plain Text Editor's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On review sentiment, 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

Nib is free to download; Plain Text Editor costs $5.00 up front. Nib sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Plain Text Editor asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Plain Text Editor ships an update every 2 months, Nib daily. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Plain Text Editor versus Nib: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlain Text EditorNib
Price$5.00Free — better
Rating4.5 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSindre SorhusYuki Sato

Customer experience

Plain Text Editor

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive93.1%
Neutral1.1%
Negative5.7%

Nib

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Plain Text Editor

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Nib

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • 100 pt$1.99
  • 300 pt$4.99

Questions

Is Plain Text Editor free?
Plain Text Editor costs $5.00, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nib free?
Nib is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Plain Text Editor or Nib have ads?
Neither Plain Text Editor nor Nib shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Plain Text Editor or Nib?
Plain Text Editor ships an update every 2 months, and Nib daily. Most recently, Plain Text Editor was updated on November 3, 2026 and Nib on October 31, 2026.

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