# HanDBase for iPad vs Notebooks

The clearest difference is rating: Notebooks at 4.7 against HanDBase for iPad's 2.9. Notebooks also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 50%) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 15). HanDBase for iPad's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $17.99) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

HanDBase for iPad costs $9.99 and Notebooks $17.99 up front. HanDBase for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Notebooks sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Notebooks holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notebooks has 1.1K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of HanDBase for iPad's written reviews are positive against 82% of Notebooks's.

HanDBase for iPad ships an update every 4 months, Notebooks monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HanDBase for iPad | Notebooks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$9.99** | $17.99 |
| Rating | [2.9 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handbase-for-ipad/id368257427/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebooks-write-and-organize/id1490084838/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.2% of reviews | **82.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#73** |
| Size | 23 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DDH Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/293419671) | [Alfons Schmid](https://appshunter.io/developer/297571754) |

## What reviewers say

### HanDBase for iPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handbase-for-ipad/id368257427)

A powerful relational database manager designed for iPad. Create, edit, and track virtually anything, from personal collections to business inventories, with flexible field types and relational linking. Supports photos, GPS, and barcode scanning.

**Highlights:** Create and edit databases on iPad, 19 field types, Relational database linking, Sorting, filtering, and custom views, Field-level encryption, Desktop Connect for web browser sync, Support for photos, GPS, and barcode scanning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HanDBase Forms Designer for iPad | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful and flexible database app
- 👍 Easy to create and customize databases
- 💡 Ability to link databases and create relationships
- 👍 Good customer support and responsive developers
- 🚀 Seamless sync between iPad, iPhone, and desktop

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔧 Clunky and outdated user interface
- 🔧 Limited customization options for forms and views
- 🔧 Difficult to backup and sync data without a desktop app
- 🔧 Lack of cloud sync and integration with popular services

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when rotating iPad or editing forms
- Inability to edit existing records without losing data
- Inconsistent behavior when syncing data between devices
- Limitations with date fields and handling of pre-1904 dates

**Requested features**

- Improved cloud sync and integration with services like Dropbox
- More customization options for forms, views, and data presentation
- Better support for right-to-left languages
- Barcode scanning and integration capabilities
- Improved stability and fewer crashes


### Notebooks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebooks-write-and-organize/id1490084838)

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you write, organize, and manage documents, tasks, and files. It offers flexible writing modes, robust organization tools, and task management features, all while ensuring your data remains accessible and under your control.

**Highlights:** Formatted text, plain text, and Markdown writing, Create documents with styles, tables, and attachments, Organize with nested hierarchies and 'books', Task management with due dates and checklists, Wiki-style linking and backlinks, Full-text search, Cross-device synchronization

**Features:** Family Sharing, Siri integration, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Custom Storage Locations | $2.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful and flexible organization
- 🔒 Respects user data and privacy
- 👍 Reliable and stable
- 👍 Responsive and helpful developer
- 👍 Elegant and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and sync issues
- 🐛 Formatting and editing limitations
- 🐛 Steep learning curve for some users

**Reported bugs**

- Data loss after iOS upgrades
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Improved Markdown support
- More font and color customization options
- Better Apple Watch integration
- Export to Word format


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HanDBase for iPad free?

HanDBase for iPad costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Notebooks free?

Notebooks costs $17.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HanDBase for iPad or Notebooks?

Notebooks is rated higher. HanDBase for iPad averages 2.9 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Notebooks averages 4.7 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do HanDBase for iPad or Notebooks have ads?

Neither HanDBase for iPad nor Notebooks shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HanDBase for iPad or Notebooks?

HanDBase for iPad ships an update every 4 months, and Notebooks monthly. Most recently, HanDBase for iPad was updated on November 6, 2026 and Notebooks on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*