Comparison

Herald vs Scratch.

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

Head to head
About

Herald

Features
Read full description

Never miss important information by customizing what notifications are being pushed to you while in deep work mode. Whether you’re a developer who wants to receive their GitHub right to your phone or you want to automate your workflow stay updated in real-time with Webhook. - Receive GitHub pull/push notifications and comments. - Tailor your notifications to match your project's needs. - Add custom Webhooks of your choice. Herald helps you resolve the following problems: - How to get notified about important events without losing them in a cluttered inbox. - How to stay informed on the go. - How not to clutter your device with mobile versions of desktop apps by redirecting notifications to Herald Herald is free for all users and will remain free until further notice.

About

Scratch.

This app offers a minimalist approach to task management, using a single Markdown canvas for all your daily notes and to-dos. It prioritizes speed and simplicity, allowing you to quickly capture thoughts without navigating complex menus or forms. Enjoy offline access or cloud sync for seamless data management across devices.

Highlights
  • Single Markdown canvas for tasks and notes
  • Plain text with Markdown support
  • All data in one continuous page
  • Offline local mode for privacy
  • Cloud sync for multi-device access
  • Home and lock screen widgets
  • Instant opening and fast performance
Features
Read full description

Scratch is built on a simple idea: treat your notes and to-do list like the paper scratchpad on your desk. It gives you a single, clean Markdown canvas for your entire day. Open the app, type what you need to do, and get back to what you were working on. No folders to manage, no forms to fill out, and no clutter. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT * Just Plain Text: Use standard Markdown for list, checkboxes, headings, hyperlinks, and highlighting. * Everything in One Place: No nested submenus or lost lists. Your active tasks, daily notes, and quick brain dumps all live on one continuous page. * Your Data, Your Choice: Want complete privacy? Use Scratch in 100% offline Local Mode — your notes stay locked on your device. Need access everywhere? Turn on Cloud Sync to mirror your data on other devices. * Instant Access with Widgets: Keep your list front and center. Use home screen widgets to view your scratchpad at a glance, or add lock screen widgets to check tasks without even unlocking your phone. * Blazing Fast: It opens instantly and stays out of your way so you can capture ideas as fast as you think of them. If you like keeping things simple, Scratch is for you.

Screenshots

Herald4 screens
Scratch.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Herald at none against Scratch.'s 3. Herald also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Scratch.'s advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads 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. Scratch. sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Herald asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Herald ships an update every 5 weeks, Scratch. every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Herald versus Scratch.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHeraldScratch.
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLambdaWorksDustin Wiens

In-app purchases

None

Herald

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Scratch.

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is Herald free?
Herald is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scratch. free?
Scratch. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Herald or Scratch. have ads?
Neither Herald nor Scratch. shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Herald or Scratch.?
Herald ships an update every 5 weeks, and Scratch. every 5 days. Most recently, Herald was updated on October 10, 2026 and Scratch. on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons