# Concepts vs Flow

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Concepts at 77% against Flow's 24%. Concepts also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). Flow's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Concepts sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Flow sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Concepts holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26K and 7.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Concepts's written reviews are positive against 24% of Flow's.

Concepts ships an update fortnightly, Flow weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Concepts | Flow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/concepts/id560586497/reviews)** | [4.1 (7.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-note-taking-and-sketchbook/id1271361459/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **26K** | 7.2K |
| Positive reviews | **77.1% of reviews** | 23.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#189** | — |
| Size | 258 MB | 247 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TopHatch, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/560586500) | [Bonobo](https://appshunter.io/developer/666155611) |

## What reviewers say

### Concepts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/concepts/id560586497)

**Currently charting:** #189 Top Free · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

This flexible vector-based sketchbook offers an infinite canvas for ideation and design. Easily sketch, take notes, and create detailed designs with editable strokes and powerful tools. Share your work in various formats for seamless collaboration and professional output.

**Highlights:** Infinite canvas, Vector-based sketching, Realistic pens, pencils, and brushes, Editable vector elements, Unlimited layers, Scale and measurement tools, Object libraries

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Everything Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Everything Monthly + Trial | $4.99 | per month |
| Everything Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Everything Yearly + Trial | $29.99 | per year |
| Shape Library | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pen Brush Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Body Forms | $1.99 | one-time |
| Make Your Own Objects | $3.99 | one-time |
| Essentials (iPhone Only) | $4.99 | one-time |
| PDF Essentials | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack  Legacy | $7.99 | one-time |
| 10 Object Packs | $14.99 | one-time |
| Essentials | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Infinite canvas
- 👍 Intuitive and customizable interface
- 🎨 Powerful drawing and sketching tools
- 💡 Versatile for various use cases (architecture, design, note-taking)
- 🔒 Responsive customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Steep learning curve for some users
- 💰 Subscription model can be expensive for casual users
- 🔧 Limited text handling and editing capabilities
- 🔀 Inconsistent behavior of certain tools (e.g., eraser, alignment)

**Reported bugs**

- Memory issues when working with large, complex drawings
- Inconsistent behavior of the eraser tool
- Inaccuracies in the snap-to-grid and measurement tools
- Exporting issues, such as loss of data or poor quality

**Requested features**

- Improved text editing and formatting options
- Better color selection and customization tools
- Collaboration and real-time sharing features
- Seamless integration with other design/productivity apps
- Syncing and backup capabilities across devices


### Flow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-note-taking-and-sketchbook/id1271361459)

Create beautiful notes and drawings with realistic ink and paper. Collaborate on documents in real-time, sketch with customizable tools, and organize your work with infinite width documents and secure cloud syncing.

**Highlights:** Realistic ink and paper drawing, Infinite width documents, Real-time collaboration, Customizable drawing tools, Secure cloud syncing, Apple Pencil support, Export images and timelapse videos

**Features:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Membership | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Membership | $19.99 | per year |
| Bonobo Bundle (Annual) | $29.99 | per year |
| Bonobo Bundle (Annual Family) | $49.99 | per year |
| Bonobo Bundle (Lifetime) | $129.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Excellent drawing tools and interface
- 🎨 Customizable pens and colors
- 📝 Great for note-taking and sketching
- 🌟 Beautiful and intuitive design
- 🔍 Helpful developer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model not preferred by some users
- 🔒 Limited functionality without subscription
- 🔄 Occasional performance issues and crashes
- 📁 Lacking file management and organization features
- 🔍 Unclear trial period and subscription details

**Reported bugs**

- Drawings disappearing or becoming corrupted
- Eraser tool not functioning as expected
- Scrolling and zooming issues
- Compatibility problems on older devices

**Requested features**

- Add vertical scrolling option
- Improve line smoothing and anti-aliasing
- Implement layers and advanced drawing tools
- Integrate text input and handwriting recognition
- Enhance export and sharing capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Concepts free?

Concepts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Flow free?

Flow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Concepts or Flow?

Concepts is rated higher. Concepts averages 4.7 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Flow averages 4.1 from 7.2K ratings.

### Do Concepts or Flow have ads?

Neither Concepts nor Flow shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Concepts or Flow?

Concepts ships an update fortnightly, and Flow weekly. Most recently, Concepts was updated on September 25, 2026 and Flow on September 25, 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.*