Comparison

Chapters vs Folio

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

Head to head
About

Chapters

A private journaling app that requires no account and keeps your entries secure. Access all your past notes anytime, synced across all your iOS devices via iCloud.

Highlights
  • Private journaling
  • No account required
  • iCloud syncing
  • Cross-device access
  • Secure entries
Features
Read full description

Chapters is your safe space to express yourself freely. No account is required, there are no in-app purchases, and your entries stay private – we never analyze or track what you write. Whether you're writing a personal journal or taking notes in class, you can access all your past notes at any time, like turning pages in your notebook. Moreover, all your entries are synced to iCloud, allowing you to access them from any iOS device.

About

Folio

Features
Read full description

Folio is a local-first library for Markdown and plain text on Mac. Bring notes and docs into one place, organize them with folders and tags, explore connections with Link Map, and write with private on-device assistance—without juggling loose files in the Finder. Library & organization • Import Markdown and text via the file picker, drag-and-drop, or Import from Git Link for public GitHub repositories and individual files. • Needs Organizing gives new imports a clear inbox before you file them. • Folders and nested structures help you group work the way you think. • Tags cut across folders so you can filter by topic or project. • Pinned favorites and Recently Opened put what you need one click away. Explore connections • Link Map visualizes connections between your notes. • Follow links to explore related ideas and navigate your library from a new perspective. Reading & writing • Use Editor, Preview, or Split View to draft and see rendered Markdown side by side. • Use Writing Assistant to refine drafts, improve wording, and turn rough ideas into clearer notes with private on-device help. • Find text within the current document. • Sort notes by title, date added, last opened, and more. • Search across your library from the sidebar. Share & export • Share notes as Markdown or plain text. • Export documents to a folder you choose in Finder. Whether you’re collecting research, drafting READMEs, or building a personal knowledge base, Folio keeps your Markdown connected, organized, searchable, and easy to revisit.

Screenshots

Chapters4 screens
Folio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Folio at Free against Chapters's $2.99. Chapters's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On ads, 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

Folio is free to download; Chapters costs $2.99 up front. Folio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chapters asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chapters ships an update every 10 days, Folio every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Chapters versus Folio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChaptersFolio
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Mac
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStanislav StasiukDinh Bao Thang Duong

In-app purchases

None

Chapters

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Folio

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Chapters free?
Chapters costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Folio free?
Folio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chapters or Folio have ads?
Neither Chapters nor Folio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chapters or Folio?
Chapters ships an update every 10 days, and Folio every 3 weeks. Most recently, Chapters was updated on November 3, 2026 and Folio on October 25, 2026.

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