# Simple Notes vs LOCK MEMO

The clearest difference is rating: LOCK MEMO at 4.7 against Simple Notes's 2.6. LOCK MEMO also leads on ratings volume (495 vs 8). Simple Notes's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simple Notes sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and LOCK MEMO sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

LOCK MEMO holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LOCK MEMO has 495 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of Simple Notes's written reviews are positive against 74% of LOCK MEMO's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Simple Notes ships an update every 2 months, LOCK MEMO monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple Notes | LOCK MEMO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-notes-noted-memo/id563351488/reviews) | **[4.7 (495 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-memo-secure-notes/id1070901429/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **495** |
| Positive reviews | **81.5% of reviews** | 74.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [elias sleiman](https://appshunter.io/developer/551532485) | [EasterEggs](https://appshunter.io/developer/553389214) |

## What reviewers say

### Simple Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-notes-noted-memo/id563351488)

Capture your thoughts and ideas with ease using this versatile note-taking app. Create text, audio, or video notes, organize them into categories, and set reminders. Share your creations and customize their appearance with various font options.

**Highlights:** Multiple note types (Text, Audio, Video, Photo, List), Add multiple pages per note, Set reminders for notes, Customize font (color, size, type), Share notes, High-quality audio recordings, Pause and continue recordings

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| More BackGounds | Free | one-time |
| Unlock Pro Version! | $9.99 | one-time |


### LOCK MEMO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-memo-secure-notes/id1070901429)

This app offers a straightforward way to create and manage private notes with robust passcode protection. It's designed for intuitive use, requiring no complex setup to keep your personal information, ideas, and daily entries secure and organized.

**Highlights:** Passcode protection, Create and edit notes, Folder management, Search notes, iCloud backup, Adjustable font size

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Plan | $0.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Very easy to use and intuitive
- 🔒 Password protection and security features
- 💾 Reliable for storing notes and important information
- ⚡ Simple and lightweight application
- 📝 Great for quick memos and memory jogger

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Notes disappearing unexpectedly
- 🐛 Edit function stops working after extended use
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- ❌ No alphabetical sorting capability
- ❌ No search functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Notes disappearing from folders
- Edit function becomes unavailable
- App incompatible with newer iOS versions
- Touch ID not functioning despite advertised
- Password recovery issues

**Requested features**

- Alphabetical sorting of notes
- Search functionality
- Touch ID/biometric authentication
- Text formatting options (bold, underline, italics)
- Ability to share or export notes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simple Notes free?

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

### Is LOCK MEMO free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Simple Notes or LOCK MEMO?

LOCK MEMO is rated higher. Simple Notes averages 2.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while LOCK MEMO averages 4.7 from 495 ratings.

### Do Simple Notes or LOCK MEMO have ads?

LOCK MEMO shows ads; Simple Notes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simple Notes or LOCK MEMO?

Simple Notes ships an update every 2 months, and LOCK MEMO monthly. Most recently, Simple Notes was updated on October 6, 2026 and LOCK MEMO on October 10, 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.*