Comparison

Plain Org vs Protocol Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Plain Org

Manage your org mode tasks and notes on the go. This app offers a rich editing experience with support for various markup features, filtering, and cloud syncing. It allows for outline-style editing, task management, and customization of display modes.

Highlights
  • Rendered org markup
  • Filter by keyword, tag, priority
  • Cloud file syncing
  • Outline-style editing
  • Interactive checkboxes
  • Light/dark mode
Features
Read full description

View and edit your org mode tasks while on the go. Org is a wonderfully rich markup language, so **please check** if your favorite feature is supported below (or check https://plainorg.com/#faq): - Beautifully rendered org markup. - Filter by keyword, tag, and priority. - High fidelity org roundtripping. - Sync your org files using your favorite cloud provider. - Control your display between regular and compact mode. - Toggle visibility for scheduling, tags, and stars. - Toggle recurring tasks. - Log state transitions. - Optimize wrapping using paragraph fill. - Regroup your tasks so active ones bubble up. - Create new files. - Outline-style editing with toolbar - Keywords - Indent - Priority - Tags - Formatting: bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, verbatim, and code. - Open files via the iOS Files app using its "Share" menu. - Add links from Safari via share extension. - Add new tasks via Spotlight. - Reorder headings via drag/drop. - Checkboxes - Interactive toggling. - Quickly reset multiple checkboxes. - Open local links (including id links). - Render latex src blocks (experimental). - Render LOGBOOK. - Show inline images. - Show property drawers. - File-local keywords and visibility. - Filter open/closed tasks. - Edit raw text. - Light/dark mode. - Open either .org or .txt files. - Quickly switch between open file and recently open (tap on title). NOTE: Cloud syncing support varies across providers. Please check for compatibility https://plainorg.com/#cloud-providers

About

Protocol Tracker

Features
Read full description

Protocol Tracker is a compressed version of Emacs Org Mode and Bullet Journalling workflows. It stores all user data on the device, making using this app lightning fast and internet-free. It is intended to eliminate the burden of making todo lists and the annoyance of the limited features of other popular iOS task and habit trackers. It also combines into one platform unique tasks and repeating habits, making it the only app you need to use to access all of your to-do information. With detailed habit data storage, this app is perfect for tracking calories, workouts, complex procedures, health protocols, and more.

Screenshots

Plain Org4 screens
Protocol Tracker3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Protocol Tracker at Free against Plain Org's $14.99. Protocol Tracker also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Plain Org's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 26). On ads and in-app purchases 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

Protocol Tracker is free to download; Plain Org costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Plain Org ships an update every 2 months, Protocol Tracker fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Plain Org versus Protocol Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlain OrgProtocol Tracker
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (156 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings156 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better26
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXenodium Ltd.Finnian Murphy

Bugs and requests

Plain Org

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Text disappears when closing keyboard without saving
  • Copy and paste doesn't work reliably
  • Pasting from external sources fails
  • Roam links fail to resolve
  • 'What's New' dialog won't close when opening files via shortcuts
Show 6 more
  • Sync hiccups requiring app restart
  • File editing impossible on recent iOS versions
  • Keyboard features missing in raw text editing mode
  • Headings always start collapsed
  • App automatically adds logbook entries to todos
  • App auto-inserts 'Plain Org' text in new files

Requested features

17 requests
  • Widget support for home screen
  • Agenda view across multiple files
  • Apple Watch support
  • Tag filtering and display
  • Schedule/deadline date picker button
Show 12 more
  • Clock-in/clock-out time tracking
  • Template system for new files
  • Keyboard shortcuts for iPad
  • Refile functionality
  • Todo state support
  • Color support for text and headers
  • Dropbox sync integration
  • Animations when opening subheadings
  • Settings screen (instead of context menus)
  • Fullscreen mode for iPhone
  • Table formulas and calculations
  • Attached files viewer

Protocol Tracker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Plain Org

No in-app purchases

None

Protocol Tracker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Plain Org free?
Plain Org costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Protocol Tracker free?
Protocol Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Plain Org or Protocol Tracker have ads?
Neither Plain Org nor Protocol Tracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Plain Org or Protocol Tracker?
Plain Org ships an update every 2 months, and Protocol Tracker fortnightly. Most recently, Plain Org was updated on September 25, 2026 and Protocol Tracker on September 24, 2026.

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