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!

Screenshots

Desktop Note4 screens
Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Notes at none against Desktop Note's 5. Notes also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Desktop Note's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 8 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Desktop Note against 4.7 for Notes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 10 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Desktop Note ships an update every 4 weeks, Notes every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Desktop Note versus Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesktop NoteNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5 ratings)4.7 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews91.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings510 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer文烁 蔡Nguyen Thanh

Customer experience

Desktop Note

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews171 reviews
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.3%
Negative6.4%

Notes

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral10.0%
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
None

Notes

No in-app purchases

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 no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Desktop Note or Notes?
Notes is rated higher. Desktop Note averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Notes averages 4.7 from 10 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 8 months. Most recently, Desktop Note was updated on September 28, 2026 and Notes on September 17, 2026.

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