Comparison

WhenWas vs JotStay

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

Head to head
About

WhenWas

Effortlessly track recurring activities and important life events. This app helps you remember the last time you performed tasks like haircuts, maintenance, or medication. Widgets and a clean interface make tracking simple and accessible.

Highlights
  • Home and lock screen widgets
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • Smart search functionality
  • Timeline history for activities
  • Clean, intuitive design with dark mode
  • Optional iCloud sync for cross-device access
Features
Read full description

Remember the last time. Know what comes next. WhenWas is a straightforward last-time tracker and maintenance log for the small but important things that don’t belong on a fixed calendar. Watering plants, replacing filters, servicing a bike, grooming a pet, calling family—check in with one tap and instantly see how long it has been. No streaks to protect. No guilt. Just a clear history and the context you need for the next check-in. TRACK TIME, USES, MILEAGE & HOURS Enhanced Activities let you track maintenance by: • Time since the last check-in • Number of uses or cycles • Mileage and meter readings • Operating hours • Walking, running, or cycling distance from Apple Health Set a maintenance goal, view progress at a glance, add a use, or update a meter directly from your activity list. When maintenance is complete, WhenWas saves the finished interval to your timeline. SAVE THE DETAILS YOU’LL NEED LATER Keep model numbers, supplies, sizes, instructions, and other permanent notes with each activity. Add optional notes to individual check-ins so your history tells the full story. SHARE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS Invite people to a shared activity so everyone can see and update the latest check-in. It is ideal for household routines like feeding the dog, cleaning the litter box, changing sheets, or replacing a filter. USE WHENWAS FOR • Home maintenance, plants, filters, and cleaning • Pet care, treatments, grooming, and vet visits • Haircuts, dentist visits, contacts, and medication refills • Family calls, date nights, and catching up with friends • Oil changes, tire rotations, batteries, and bike service • Generator hours, tool usage, and equipment maintenance • Running shoes, bikes, and other fitness gear BUILT FOR APPLE DEVICES • Timeline history with optional notes • Siri and Shortcuts • Apple Watch app • Home Screen widgets • Custom reminders • Search, filters, and pinned activities • iCloud sync • Dark Mode and accessible controls PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your data stays on your devices and in your personal iCloud. WhenWas does not store your activity data on its own servers. FREE & PRO Use WhenWas free with up to five activities, timeline history, Siri, and Apple Watch. WhenWas Pro unlocks unlimited activities, Enhanced Activities, Apple Health tracking, sharing, custom reminders, pinned activities, widgets, notes, and iCloud sync. Download WhenWas and stop wondering, “When did I last…?”

About

JotStay

Features
Read full description

JotStay is the fastest way to put a note on your lock screen. Open the app, type your thought, tap Send — done. Your note instantly appears as a notification on your lock screen. No timers, no categories, no setup. Just type and go. Perfect for: • Reminders you need to see right now — "Take out the trash", "Call mom" • Quick thoughts you don't want to forget • Shopping lists, one item at a time • Anything you want front and center on your phone Every note is saved in your history. Tap any past note to send it again as a new notification. Swipe to delete what you no longer need. Key features: • Instant notifications — your note appears on the lock screen the moment you send it • Full history — every note is saved and ready to reuse • One-tap resend — tap any past note to send it again • Zero friction — the keyboard is ready the moment you open the app • Dark Mode support • No account required, no sign-up, no internet connection needed • Your notes stay on your device — nothing is collected or shared JotStay does one thing and does it well. No bloat, no distractions.

Screenshots

WhenWas4 screens
JotStay2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JotStay at none against WhenWas's 2. WhenWas's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. WhenWas sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. JotStay asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
WhenWas versus JotStay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhenWasJotStay
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrew CortrightJiri Syrovy

In-app purchases

2 purchases

WhenWas

One-time2
  • Monthly Subscription$2.99
  • Yearly Subscription$29.99
None

JotStay

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WhenWas free?
WhenWas is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JotStay free?
JotStay is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do WhenWas or JotStay have ads?
Neither WhenWas nor JotStay shows ads.

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