Comparison

Desktop Note vs Notes

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

Head to head
About

Desktop Note

This app allows you to create and display digital sticky notes directly on your desktop. Customize note colors, add checklists, and use widgets to keep your reminders visible. Notes sync across devices via iCloud for secure access.

Highlights
  • Desktop sticky notes
  • Customizable note colors
  • To-do checklists
  • Desktop widgets
  • Pin notes above windows (macOS)
  • iCloud sync
  • Privacy protection
Features
Read full description

Do you miss the days when your desk was covered with sticky notes? Create sticky notes with Desktop Note and display them right on your desktop. You can customize note colors, create to-do checklists, and even show notes on your desktop with widgets. By downloading the macOS version, you can display notes on your Mac desktop—and even pin them above any window. Desktop Note syncs your notes across devices with iCloud while protecting your privacy. Your notes are stored in your own iCloud, and only you can access them. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email me anytime: cswenshuo@gmail.com Terms of Use: https://www.notion.so/Terms-of-Use-e2fd82b183504ad1b5e82c684c25865a Privacy Policy: https://www.notion.so/Privacy-Policy-f692aafe77d540f1b191bd0e5aa5ee59

About

Notes

This app helps you create, organize, and manage daily notes, to-do lists, and reminders with a clean, user-friendly interface. It's designed for distraction-free writing and staying focused on your tasks and ideas.

Highlights
  • Create and edit notes
  • Manage task lists with checkboxes
  • Set reminders
  • Supports dark mode
  • Intuitive design
Features
Read full description

Notes - Notebook, Notepad is the simple and powerful app to create, organize, and manage your daily notes, to-do lists, and reminders. Whether you're jotting down quick thoughts or planning a full task list, this notepad app helps you stay focused and productive. Designed with a clean, user-friendly interface, Notes - Notebook, Notepad makes it effortless to write and manage your notes. It's the perfect digital notebook to capture your ideas anytime, anywhere. Key Features: - Create and edit notes and notebooks easily - Manage task lists with checkboxes - Set reminders to never miss a thing - Supports dark mode for comfortable night use - Minimal and intuitive notepad design for distraction-free writing Whether you're a student, professional, or someone who just loves staying organized, this Notes app is built to support your productivity. Download Notes - Notebook, Notepad today and enjoy a fast, simple, and reliable note-taking experience! Terms of Use (EULA): https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Ya8WEwoAiVivIeRlPKiOiVgsLa2TvtssKPaR2IHGb8/edit?usp=sharing Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y-lKc67Cc1aNBtA4C8mVX87eC2IznZjR8NVladTiNtk/edit?usp=sharing

Screenshots

Desktop Note4 screens
Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Notes at 4.8 against Desktop Note's 4.0. Notes also leads on monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 weeks). Desktop Note's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support 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. Desktop Note sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 3 months and Notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 14 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Desktop Note ships an update every 4 weeks, Notes every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Desktop Note versus Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesktop NoteNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (6 ratings)4.8 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings614 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer文烁 蔡Nguyen Thanh

Customer experience

Desktop Note

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews174 reviews
Positive90.8%
Neutral2.9%
Negative6.3%

Notes

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Desktop Note

Subscriptions4
  • Desktop Note - 1 Quarter$0.993 Months
  • Desktop Note Premium$0.991 Month
  • Desktop Note Premium2 variants$1.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Premium$2.993 Months
3 purchases

Notes

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$24.99

Questions

Is Desktop Note free?
Desktop Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notes free?
Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Desktop Note or Notes?
Notes is rated higher. Desktop Note averages 4.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Notes averages 4.8 from 14 ratings.
Do Desktop Note or Notes have ads?
Notes shows ads; Desktop Note does not.
Which is updated more often, Desktop Note or Notes?
Desktop Note ships an update every 4 weeks, and Notes every 11 days. Most recently, Desktop Note was updated on October 21, 2026 and Notes on October 21, 2026.

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