Comparison

RPG Notebook vs Monster Compendium

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

Head to head
About

RPG Notebook

This app helps you build worlds, manage your tabletop RPG campaigns, and organize all your notes. It offers customizable entries, linking between ideas, and map management. Keep your game world organized and accessible.

Highlights
  • Campaign management
  • Customizable entries with various section types
  • Automatic hyperlinking between entries
  • Map creation and pin functionality
  • Themed templates for different settings
  • Extensive icon library
  • Backup and export options
Features
Read full description

RPG Notebook will help you build worlds, manage campaigns, and keep your notes tightly organized. Here are some of its great features: *CAMPAIGNS: Choose a name, select a theme that matches your setting, and simply start filling it with all your ideas. *ENTRIES: They can be customized any way you like with 8 types of sections (from simple text fields to trackers, checklists, and images) that you can name and place in any order you like. *TEMPLATES: If there's a section arrangement that you like, save it as a template for future use. *HYPERLINKS: When you finish writing something, the app checks if your text contains any phrases that match an existing entry or group name and automatically creates a link for you. *MAPS: Every campaign has a dedicated segment where numerous maps can be added. *MAP PINS: You can add simple note pins or special pins that link to an entry, group, or map. *JOURNAL: Journal notes will help you keep track of important events that happened during your sessions. *THEMES: The fantasy theme is great for the most popular tabletop RPG systems like dnd 5e or pathfinder, but the app also has themes for other settings: cthulhu, sci-fi, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, steampunk and wuxia. *ICONS: There are over 4000 built-in icons and 40 colors that you can use in your entries, but you can also add your own. *BACKUP: You can create a backup file and store it locally or export it so it can be shared with other devices. *MODES: Both light and dark modes are supported. *EVERYTHING IN YOUR POCKET: No more forgotten or lost notes. You will always be prepared for the next session or be able to immediately write down ideas that suddenly come to your mind wherever you are! :)

About

Monster Compendium

This app is a comprehensive resource for Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition players, offering detailed monster entries with stat blocks, lore, and images. It features intuitive navigation, a powerful search function, and the ability to organize monsters into custom folders for campaign management.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive monster entries
  • High-resolution monster images
  • Detailed spell information
  • Powerful search function
  • Customizable monster folders
  • SRD content and custom content support
Features
Read full description

The Monster Compendium app is an excellent resource for players of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition role-playing game, providing comprehensive information on monsters and spells. The app features: - An intuitive, well-organized compendium, complete with visually appealing images for an engaging user experience. - Easy navigation through the compendium pages, which simulate the feel of paging through a physical book. - Access to default content from the SRD (System's Reference Document) and the ability to add new content to the app. - Comprehensive monster entries that include stat blocks, lore, captivating high-resolution images, and links to related spell details. - Quick access to spell details of the monsters, providing essential information at the user's fingertips. - A powerful search function, enabling users to quickly find specific monsters. - A user-friendly interface that allows users to organize monsters into customizable folders, making it easier to manage campaigns. Enhance your Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition experience today! Terms of use: https://alexandregpereira.github.io/Monster-Compendium/docs/terms_of_use.html

Screenshots

RPG Notebook4 screens
Monster Compendium4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Monster Compendium at 5.0 against RPG Notebook's 4.0. Monster Compendium also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). RPG Notebook's advantage is ratings volume (51 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. RPG Notebook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Monster Compendium asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Monster Compendium holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RPG Notebook has 51 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RPG Notebook ships an update monthly, Monster Compendium every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RPG Notebook versus Monster Compendium: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRPG NotebookMonster Compendium
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (51 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings51 — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size198 MB59 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperMarta FecioAlexandre Gomes Pereira

Customer experience

RPG Notebook

All ratings48 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral10.4%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral16.7%
Negative13.9%

Monster Compendium

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

RPG Notebook

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes completely after recent updates
  • App gets stuck on the home page after an update
  • Backup restoration fails, showing a loading wheel indefinitely
  • App force closes during note-taking, losing progress
  • Ads cannot be closed without opening their links
Show 1 more
  • App no longer opens completely before crashing out

Requested features

24 requests
  • Journal functionality for play-by-post games (disable name links)
  • Italicize text and other text editor functions
  • Trackers that reset to zero for accumulation
  • World building tools to combine campaigns
  • Link campaigns together for NPC referencing
Show 19 more
  • Output to PDF
  • Dedicated NPC section
  • Draw on uploaded maps
  • Always allow option for pasting from other apps
  • Font size adjustment for descriptions
  • Ability to invite or share notes with other players
  • Inventory management with counters
  • Add images or thumbnails to entries
  • Organize maps into groups
  • Allow icon links in maps to lead to other maps
  • Better map linking to zoom into specific spots
  • More markers for points of interest on maps
  • Add scenes that are not maps
  • List NPCs for points of interest
  • Attach NPCs to certain maps
  • Cloud sharing or accounts for cross-device sync
  • Share link for a campaign
  • DM view with hidden notes/locations
  • Formatted preview of all entry content at once

Monster Compendium

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RPG Notebook

One-time1
  • Premium$4.99
None

Monster Compendium

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RPG Notebook free?
RPG Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Monster Compendium free?
Monster Compendium is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RPG Notebook or Monster Compendium?
Monster Compendium is rated higher. RPG Notebook averages 4.0 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Monster Compendium averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do RPG Notebook or Monster Compendium have ads?
Both RPG Notebook and Monster Compendium show ads.
Which is updated more often, RPG Notebook or Monster Compendium?
RPG Notebook ships an update monthly, and Monster Compendium every 3 weeks. Most recently, RPG Notebook was updated on October 22, 2026 and Monster Compendium on October 18, 2026.

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