Comparison

Microsoft Loop vs Arc Planner

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

Head to head
About

Microsoft Loop

This app facilitates collaborative thinking, planning, and creation across devices. It brings together teams, content, and tasks, allowing users to capture ideas, manage projects, and communicate in real-time. Seamlessly integrate with existing tools for a unified workflow.

Highlights
  • Co-creation experience
  • Content and task management
  • Idea capture and task lists
  • Project workspace
  • Real-time commenting and reactions
  • Customizable notifications
  • Cross-Microsoft 365 component editing
Features
Read full description

Think, plan and create together with Loop on the go. Microsoft Loop is a transformative co-creation experience that brings together teams, content and tasks across your tools and devices. Designed for the way you work, Loop can help you think, plan, and create together. • Capture ideas, create task lists, and insert photos to your Loop pages to express your thoughts. • Bring all your project content into a Loop workspace to help your team focus on what matters. • Comment and react in the app to quickly collaborate on the go. • Get only the notifications you care about and jump right back into what needs the most attention. • Edit and share Loop components across Microsoft 365 to help your team be on the same page in one place. To get started, download Loop, and sign in with your Microsoft Account or the account assigned to you by your work or school. This app is provided by either Microsoft or a third-party app publisher and is subject to a separate privacy statement and terms and conditions. Data provided through the use of this store and this app may be accessible to Microsoft or the third-party app publisher, as applicable, and transferred to, stored and processed in the United States or any other country where Microsoft or the app publisher and their affiliates or service providers maintain facilities. Please refer to the End User License Terms for Microsoft Loop. By installing the app, you agree to these terms and conditions. Privacy terms: https://aka.ms/privacy Please refer to the Microsoft Software License Terms, see “License Agreement” under Information. By installing the app, you agree to these terms and conditions.

About

Arc Planner

Features
Read full description

Arc is your personal productivity companion — a single space for tasks, disciplines, and focus, built to help you show up every day. PLAN YOUR DAY Start each morning with Daily Planning. See your motivational quote, check your streak, and review today's mission — all before diving in. The visual schedule shows exactly what's ahead so you can own your time. MANAGE TASKS Create tasks with due dates, do dates, tags, and priority levels. See what's overdue at a glance, check off what's done, and keep your list clean. Filter between active and completed to track your momentum. BUILD DISCIPLINES Habits aren't built overnight — they're built with consistency. Set up recurring disciplines like Morning Run, Meditation, Deep Work, or Evening Reading. Track them daily, weekly, or monthly and watch your streaks grow. CALENDAR VIEW See your entire month at a glance. Tap any day to view scheduled tasks and disciplines. Stay ahead of deadlines and never miss what matters. CAPTURE NOTES Jot down ideas, meeting notes, plans, and lists. Your notes are always with you — organized and searchable. APPLE WATCH Check today's tasks and mark them complete right from your wrist. Arc's watch app keeps you on track without pulling out your phone. DESIGNED FOR FOCUS Arc features a clean, dark interface designed to minimize distraction and keep you locked in. No social feeds. No clutter. Just you and your progress. • Daily planning with motivational quotes and streak tracking • Task management with tags, due dates, and do dates • Recurring disciplines with flexible scheduling • Monthly calendar view • Freeform notes with folders • Apple Watch companion app • Beautiful dark UI built for focus Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Microsoft Loop4 screens
Arc Planner4 screens

Verdict

The call

Microsoft Loop and Arc Planner are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Microsoft Loop sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Arc Planner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Loop ships an update monthly, Arc Planner every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Microsoft Loop versus Arc Planner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft LoopArc Planner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (4.9K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews20.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings4.9K — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size165 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationNathanael Whitelaw

Bugs and requests

Microsoft Loop

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes on certain workspaces
  • Inability to save new content
  • Formatting issues with code blocks
  • Keyboard issues and cursor jumping
  • Inconsistent theme and UI behavior

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to duplicate pages
  • Improved handwriting and whiteboard support
  • Export/copy to Word or PDF
  • Offline functionality
  • Better access management and guest collaboration

Arc Planner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Microsoft Loop

Subscriptions4
  • Microsoft 365 Personal$9.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Family$12.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Personal$99.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Microsoft 365 Family$129.991 Year
3 purchases

Arc Planner

Subscriptions2
  • Arc Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Arc Premium Annual$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Arc Premium Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is Microsoft Loop free?
Microsoft Loop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Arc Planner free?
Arc Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Microsoft Loop or Arc Planner have ads?
Neither Microsoft Loop nor Arc Planner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Loop or Arc Planner?
Microsoft Loop ships an update monthly, and Arc Planner every 2 months. Most recently, Microsoft Loop was updated on October 15, 2026 and Arc Planner on October 12, 2026.

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