# Retrospect vs MeStoryMaker

The clearest difference is ads: Retrospect at none against MeStoryMaker's shown. Retrospect also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). MeStoryMaker's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 21 months) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Retrospect ships an update every 21 months, MeStoryMaker every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retrospect | MeStoryMaker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrospect-smart-journal/id1635622908/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 4 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lowell Pence](https://appshunter.io/developer/1577559242) | [OKMIN LEE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501145758) |

## What reviewers say

### Retrospect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrospect-smart-journal/id1635622908)

This app offers a private and straightforward method for recording your thoughts, locations, and moods. It allows for daily reflection and helps you make informed future decisions by reviewing your life experiences from various perspectives. Your data is securely stored on your device and backed up to iCloud.

**Highlights:** Private journaling, Mood tracking, Location logging, On-device storage, iCloud backup, No account required

**In-app purchases:** none


### MeStoryMaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mestorymaker/id6447795555)

Capture your daily life's most interesting moments and transform them into vivid, engaging stories. Answer simple questions and record your day to create richer content that makes your narrative more fun and exciting. Perfect for documenting everyday events or special occasions.

**Highlights:** AI-powered story creation, Record daily life moments, Answer simple questions, Create vivid content, Share your stories

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retrospect free?

Retrospect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MeStoryMaker free?

MeStoryMaker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Retrospect or MeStoryMaker have ads?

MeStoryMaker shows ads; Retrospect does not.

### Which is updated more often, Retrospect or MeStoryMaker?

Retrospect ships an update every 21 months, and MeStoryMaker every 6 days. Most recently, Retrospect was updated on June 9, 2026 and MeStoryMaker on September 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*