Comparison

Workflowy vs PatternGenius

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

Head to head
About

Workflowy

Capture notes, manage tasks, and organize your thoughts with infinite nesting. This app offers AI summarization, kanban boards, and real-time collaboration. It syncs across all devices and saves everything automatically.

Highlights
  • Infinitely nested lists
  • Workflowy AI for summarization and brainstorming
  • Kanban boards for task management
  • Real-time sharing and collaboration
  • Global text search and filtering
  • Offline access and cross-device sync
Features
Read full description

Workflowy is a simple, distraction-free app for capturing notes, managing tasks, and organizing your thinking. Infinitely nestable, surprisingly powerful - it helps you manage all the information in your life. With Workflowy you can: • Capture notes and ideas in an instant • Organize complex thinking with infinite nesting • Ask AI to summarize, rewrite, or brainstorm with your notes • Plan and manage tasks with kanban boards • #Tag and @assign items to stay on top of things • Link items across lists - edit once, update everywhere • Share and collaborate in real-time • Upload photos, files, and embed videos • Search and filter your entire Workflowy in seconds Workflowy syncs across all your devices and auto-saves everything. No more missing notes or lost files. Trusted by teams and thinkers at: Atlassian, Slack, The New York Times, and thousands of entrepreneurs, writers, engineers, scientists, and students worldwide. Feature highlights: • Infinitely nested lists • Workflowy AI (chat with notes, AI nodes, quick actions) • Calendar • Kanban boards • Mirrors (live synced copies) • #Tags and @mentions • Date organization with /date shortcuts • Global text search and filtering • Simple sharing and permissions • Works offline • Syncs with desktop and web • One-swipe task completion • File uploads and image attachments • Highlight text and color tags • Item starring • YouTube and X embeds • MFA (Multi-factor authentication) • Expand and collapse lists • Mobile keyboard shortcuts Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula/

About

PatternGenius

Design intricate knit patterns with a comprehensive vector symbol set. Easily create charts, add custom images, and notes. Publish your designs as PDFs or to your camera roll. Unlock advanced features like color integration, larger chart sizes, and auto-generated written instructions through in-app purchases or a subscription.

Highlights
  • Vector-based symbol set
  • Tap and Paint modes
  • Undo/Redo functionality
  • Row/stitch numbering
  • Export to PDF and Camera Roll
  • Color integration
  • Auto-generated written instructions
Features
Read full description

Create knit patterns using a beautiful vector based symbol set that includes a large number of increases, decreases, texture, cables, variable symbols, and more. Publish to your camera roll or as a PDF. Generated patterns include the chart, key, custom images, notes and written instructions (in-app purchase). Free Basics: * Access all symbols including our unique variable symbols. * Tap and Paint modes, Undo/Redo, and row/stitch numbering. * Share charts and keys to Camera Roll and PDF. * Archive and sync with Dropbox. * Add your own picture and notes. * Unlimited number of projects. * 25x25 charts (larger charts available with in-app purchase). * Remove ads with any in-app purchase. AllGenius Subscription adds: * ColorGenius: Add color to your charts including colorwork, symbol color and fill. * ChartGenius: Change number of rows/stitches (up to 150x150), hide/show rows, Favorites Bar & more. * SelectGenius: Cut/Copy/Mirror/Fill/Replace a selection (region, row, column, entire chart) and mark repeat sections. * KeyGenius: Customize the abbreviation, short, and long descriptions for all symbols. * TextGenius: Auto-generated written instructions for any chart. * Privacy: https://www.patterngenius.com/about/privacy-policy/ * Terms of Use: https://www.patterngenius.com/about/terms-of-service/

Screenshots

Workflowy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Workflowy at 88% against PatternGenius's 42%. Workflowy also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). PatternGenius's advantage is iOS requirement (13.6 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Workflowy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and PatternGenius sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Workflowy holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Workflowy has 8.2K ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Workflowy's written reviews are positive against 42% of PatternGenius's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Workflowy ships an update weekly, PatternGenius every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Workflowy versus PatternGenius: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWorkflowyPatternGenius
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (8.2K ratings) — better4.2 (44 ratings)
Positive reviews88.1% of reviews — better41.7% of reviews
Number of ratings8.2K — better44
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.613.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFunRoutine INCCreate2Thrive Inc.

Customer experience

Workflowy

All ratings8,249 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews1,078 reviews
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.7%
Negative7.1%

PatternGenius

All ratings42 ratings
Positive76.2%
Neutral9.5%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive41.7%
Neutral20.8%
Negative37.5%

User reviews

Workflowy

From 8.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best way to organize thoughts
  • 🔒 Secure and reliable
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive
  • 👍 Excellent for productivity and organization
  • 👍 Versatile for various use cases

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional data loss issues
  • 🐛 Offline mode not always reliable
  • 🔋 Can be slow on mobile devices
  • 👎 Limited customization options

PatternGenius

From 44 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for designing knitting patterns
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 👍 Seamless integration with KnitCompanion
  • 👍 Customizable symbols and instructions
  • 👍 Powerful charting capabilities

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Constant crashing
  • 🐛 Many features behind paywall
  • 🐛 Expensive subscription/in-app purchases
  • 🐛 No free trial for full features
  • 🐛 Confusing interface

Bugs and requests

Workflowy

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Cursor sometimes gets stuck
  • Syncing issues between web and mobile versions
  • Inability to delete items consistently

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to attach files and documents
  • Improve mobile app experience
  • Implement better notification and reminder system
  • Add more formatting options (e.g., font styles, colors)

PatternGenius

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • App crashes when opening after iOS update
  • App crashes when using paintbrush
  • App crashes when trying to undo
  • App crashes on near everything after update
  • Chart takes a long time to save
Show 16 more
  • Error message: chart unable to sync
  • Charts do not sync between devices
  • Program no longer allows copying patterns
  • Program crashes frequently, losing work
  • Backing up isn't working
  • Crashes delete work
  • Update ruined the app, crashes on everything
  • App crashes every time undo is hit
  • Tools not always doing what they are supposed to
  • App doesn't recognize paid add-ons after re-installing
  • No restore purchase option
  • Customer service unresponsive
  • Show/hide rulers changes magnification
  • Free version restricted to a handful of stitch symbols
  • Cannot use color function or multiselect tool in free version
  • Grid size limited to 30x30 stitches

Requested features

26 requests
  • Ability to copy patterns/sections between projects
  • Ability to flip patterns horizontally
  • Ability to make multiple charts in one project
  • Ability to duplicate charts/projects and rename
  • Ability to select a range and delete stitches
Show 21 more
  • Ability to specify square or rectangular grid boxes
  • Ability to change chart colours
  • Ability to change the name of a creation
  • Ability to print out designs
  • Ability to change grid to reflect stitch shape (not just square)
  • Ability to change ratios for fields to adapt to stitch shape/size
  • Ability to replicate a design by copying/pasting or renaming
  • Ability to make the grid larger than 30x30 stitches
  • More basic colors in the free version
  • Add module for crochet
  • Add a 'yarn over' symbol
  • Make symbols more universal
  • Get rid of ads or charge a one-time fee for the basic app
  • Add a save button for chart work
  • Improve manual/instructions
  • Allow adding custom stitches from knitting books
  • Add Apple Pencil support for drawing and selection
  • Rulers should not change magnification
  • True stitch/key customization
  • Ability to convert from text to chart and back
  • Ability to change the color of lines to demarcate pattern repeats

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Workflowy

Subscriptions2
  • Workflowy Pro - Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Workflowy Pro - Yearly$79.991 Year
2 purchases

PatternGenius

Subscriptions2
  • All Genius7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • All Genius7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Workflowy free?
Workflowy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PatternGenius free?
PatternGenius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Workflowy or PatternGenius?
Workflowy is rated higher. Workflowy averages 4.8 out of 5 from 8.2K ratings, while PatternGenius averages 4.2 from 44 ratings.
Do Workflowy or PatternGenius have ads?
Neither Workflowy nor PatternGenius shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Workflowy or PatternGenius?
Workflowy ships an update weekly, and PatternGenius every 2 months. Most recently, Workflowy was updated on November 5, 2026 and PatternGenius on November 1, 2026.

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