Comparison

Grandpa Notes vs ScreenShield

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

Head to head
About

Grandpa Notes

Features
Read full description

Grandpa Notes is a simple note-taking app. It is free and open source, with no advertisements, in-app purchases or tracking. Your notes are stored as plain text in a straightforward folder structure. You can create notebooks locally or in iCloud. There is also an optional encryption layer that is compatible with Cryptomator.

About

ScreenShield

This app creates a visual illusion of system processes like software updates or disk cleanups to deter unwanted attention. It uses realistic progress bars and messages to create a distraction, with a hidden gesture to exit safely. Designed for privacy and entertainment.

Highlights
  • Simulated software updates and lockdowns
  • Realistic progress bars and system messages
  • Customizable durations and modes
  • Hidden exit gesture
  • Visual-only simulations
Features
Read full description

ScreenShield is a privacy-focused simulation app designed to deter unwanted attention and protect your screen from prying eyes. Whether you’re in a public space, around nosy friends, or just want to create a digital distraction, ScreenShield simulates realistic system activities like software updates, firmware installs, and disk cleanups to discourage interaction. With professionally styled progress bars, file logs, and optional sound effects, ScreenShield creates the illusion that your device is in the middle of a critical operation. Each simulation is fully visual—no actual system changes are made. When you’re ready to exit, simply triple-tap the screen to return safely to the home screen. This hidden gesture ensures no one else can easily break the illusion. Key Features: • Simulated software updates, lockdowns, and cleanups • Realistic progress bars, system messages, and countdowns • Customizable durations and modes • Optional premium unlock for longer sessions • Designed for entertainment, privacy, and deterrence Note: This app does not make actual changes to your system. All simulations are visual and for deterrent purposes only.

Screenshots

Grandpa Notes4 screens
ScreenShield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Grandpa Notes at Free against ScreenShield's $0.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Grandpa Notes is free to download; ScreenShield costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Grandpa Notes versus ScreenShield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrandpa NotesScreenShield
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJulien EyrièsJimmy Louis

In-app purchases

None

Grandpa Notes

No in-app purchases

None

ScreenShield

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grandpa Notes free?
Grandpa Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ScreenShield free?
ScreenShield costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Grandpa Notes or ScreenShield have ads?
Neither Grandpa Notes nor ScreenShield shows ads.

Other comparisons