SideNotes Mobile vs Ambient Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SideNotes Mobile
Capture thoughts and to-dos on the go with this mobile note-taking app. It offers iCloud sync, Markdown formatting, and customizable themes for a personalized experience. Easily access notes from other applications.
- iCloud Synchronization
- Markdown Formatting
- Task Management
- Customizable Themes
- Note and Folder URLs
- Note Colors
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SideNotes Mobile is a fast notes app for iPhone and iPad. Capture notes, tasks, links, and snippets in seconds, then access them across devices with iCloud sync. Version 1.2 brings a major upgrade: - A new editor with hidden Markdown markup - the same as in SideNotes for macOS - Refreshed iOS 26-style interface (Liquid Glass look) - Note folding - Note & Folder pinning - Simple drag-and-drop reordering - New contextual menu - New formatting options - Add Note action for the iPhone Action Button - New translations: Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Spanish - UI polish, bug fixes, and quality improvements Core features: - iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Themes and note colors for personalization - Tasks and checklists for daily work - Folder organization and quick search - Note and folder URLs for fast access from other apps - Text settings for comfortable writing and reading - One-time purchase (paid per major version). No subscription. Note: SideNotes Mobile is a companion app to SideNotes for macOS. SideNotes for macOS is sold separately.
Ambient Timer
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A timer that creates space — for stillness, and for deep focus. Paired with field recordings and ambient film — crafted by a single artist, not a sound library. Sounds and visuals by Chisato Ohori, whose work has been exhibited at Kunstpavillon, a historic contemporary art gallery in Munich. Set the ring. Press play. Let time pass. Optionally, pair your session with field recordings or ambient film — or keep it in silence. When the timer ends, a break mode continues the same atmosphere, so the transition from focus to rest feels natural. A minimal ring interface. A gentle bell to close each session. And a record of every session, quietly accumulating over time. The timer, sound selection, and session history are free. Field recordings and ambient film are available with Unlimited — a one-time purchase of $2.99.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Ambient Timer at Free against SideNotes Mobile's $9.99. SideNotes Mobile's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, 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
Ambient Timer is free to download; SideNotes Mobile costs $9.99 up front. Ambient Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SideNotes Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.
SideNotes Mobile ships an update monthly, Ambient Timer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SideNotes Mobile | Ambient Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (28 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 28 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 193 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Apptorium | Chisato Ohori |
In-app purchases
SideNotes Mobile
No in-app purchases
Ambient Timer
- Unlock Unlimited$2.99
Questions
Is SideNotes Mobile free?
Is Ambient Timer free?
Do SideNotes Mobile or Ambient Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, SideNotes Mobile or Ambient Timer?
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