# RootsMagic vs Aeon Timeline 3

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RootsMagic at none against Aeon Timeline 3's 4. RootsMagic also leads on ratings volume (257 vs 50) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). Aeon Timeline 3's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 35%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aeon Timeline 3 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per year. RootsMagic asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for RootsMagic against 3.9 for Aeon Timeline 3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RootsMagic has 257 ratings behind it against 50, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 35% of RootsMagic's written reviews are positive against 60% of Aeon Timeline 3's.

RootsMagic ships an update every 3 months, Aeon Timeline 3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RootsMagic | Aeon Timeline 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (257 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rootsmagic/id583724503/reviews) | [3.9 (50 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aeon-timeline-3/id1563351378/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **257** | 50 |
| Positive reviews | 34.7% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RootsMagic, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/583724506) | [Timeline.App Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1563351380) |

## What reviewers say

### RootsMagic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rootsmagic/id583724503)

Access and explore your family tree on your mobile device. This companion app allows you to view your genealogy data, including media, notes, and sources, in various formats. It also provides helpful tools for research and organization.

**Highlights:** View actual RootsMagic files, Transfer files via iTunes/DropBox, Pedigree, Family, Descendant views, Search ancestors by name/record number, View media, notes, and sources, Relationship calculator, Perpetual calendar

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Ability to view genealogy data on mobile devices
- 🔍 Convenient way to access family tree information
- 🗓️ Useful for family gatherings and research trips

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔌 Requires external services like Dropbox or iTunes to sync data
- 🚫 Limited functionality compared to desktop version
- 📤 Outdated instructions and compatibility issues
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability problems

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatible with newer RootsMagic file formats
- Inability to load or view database files
- Crashing issues on various iOS devices

**Requested features**

- Allow editing and adding data on mobile devices
- Integrate with cloud storage services beyond Dropbox
- Improve user interface and navigation


### Aeon Timeline 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aeon-timeline-3/id1563351378)

Create visually rich timelines for creative writing, project management, legal cases, and research. Offers multiple views like timeline, relationship, and mindmap. A free read-only mode is available, with editing unlocked via a one-time in-app purchase.

**Highlights:** Multiple data visualization views, Timeline, relationship, and mindmap views, Story arc and character tracking, Project breakdown and task management, Legal case event mapping, Customizable calendars, Scrivener/Ulysses integration

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aeon Timeline 3 + Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| Updates: Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| Updates: One Year | $34.99 | one-time |
| Aeon Timeline 3 | $64.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent for fiction writing
- 💡 Highly customizable data structures
- 🚀 Efficient for project management
- 🔄 Multiple flexible data views
- ✨ Aesthetically pleasing design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive pricing/licensing
- 🐛 Glitchy mobile app
- 📉 Steep learning curve
- 🐌 Slow performance with large datasets
- 🚫 No export options (iOS)

**Reported bugs**

- Mobile app is glitchy
- Cannot tap bottom option when scrolling
- Tilting phone sends back to another menu
- File icon drops into Files app with no way back
- Date inputs defaulting to year 2000

**Requested features**

- Timeline-map feature
- Manual distance labeling on maps
- Sliding through time with character labels on maps
- Manual export options from iOS app
- A reference manual instead of just online knowledge base


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RootsMagic free?

RootsMagic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Aeon Timeline 3 free?

Aeon Timeline 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, RootsMagic or Aeon Timeline 3?

RootsMagic and Aeon Timeline 3 are both rated 3.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 257 and 50 ratings respectively.

### Do RootsMagic or Aeon Timeline 3 have ads?

Neither RootsMagic nor Aeon Timeline 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RootsMagic or Aeon Timeline 3?

RootsMagic ships an update every 3 months, and Aeon Timeline 3 monthly. Most recently, RootsMagic was updated on October 16, 2026 and Aeon Timeline 3 on October 15, 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.*