Comparison

iStratus Notebook & Planner vs NotePlan

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

Head to head
About

iStratus Notebook & Planner

This app securely manages all your data, including calendar events, tasks, reminders, passwords, and files. It offers robust encryption for your information, with all processing happening on your device for maximum privacy. Organize and track your to-dos, notes, and documents with customizable features and cloud storage options.

Highlights
  • Encrypted data management
  • Unified calendar view
  • Task and to-do management
  • Password vault
  • File and photo storage
  • PDF document scanner
  • Cloud synchronization
Features
Read full description

iStratus data manager handles all of your data; your calendar appointments, events, tasks, reminders and To-Do's, passwords and files easily maintained and encrypted in one convenient App. Unparalleled security is one of the cornerstones of iStratus. Every item managed by iStratus is capable of being encrypted, and all encryption and decryption takes place on your device. This means you have the option to never transfer unprotected data to and from your device. Additional Features: Calendar View Multiple calendars (Apple, Google, Outlook, etc. in one view) Recurring appointments with variable dates and times Repeating tasks and To-Do's Files, Photos, Notes Personalized your way Encrypted for your protection (before upload into the cloud) Tasking of any item The iStratus "tasking" feature allows you to make any item an action item. Simply "task it" with an open or set due date. Once an item is "tasked," it is treated as a unique task allowing for organization, management, and completion tracking. Organize all of your tasks by: Tagging Completion date Personalized themes Encryption, as needed Searchable Store them on your iPhone or iPad and in the cloud (Dropbox, Google drive, iCloud) Daily roll-up of all open tasks Create, store and manage these: Create a document Create a checklist Take a few notes Take a photo Create a voice memo Use the included PDF maker to automatically create cropped document scans Open an email attachment with iStratus Open your existing documents (on device or stored in the cloud) Encrypt any item for security Track and manage of all of your passwords The iStratus "Calendar View" is much more than just an appointment calendar. In addition to your appointments for the day, you will also see tasks, todo’s, and other items that need follow up. Every day, whether it's a piece of mail, a business card, a new contact, or an e-mail, we have a constant stream of information we need to capture, store, organize, and follow up on later. iStratus is the only tool you need to manage all of the information in your life. With iStratus managing your information, your daily tasks become easier. You capture info as it occurs, organize it however you would like, and "task it" when a follow-up is necessary. iStratus is there to make organizing your day as simple as possible. Simply capture it, then "Task it" with iStratus! Additional Features: Password Vault – Store all your passwords on your device Encryption – Encrypt files and folders using AES-256 encryption Encryption Manager – Manage your encrypted items with a master password Advanced PDF maker – quickly capture and edit any document Sign any item – add your signature Daily Roll up – Open items roll up every day iStratus Pro Terms of Service: (also available at https://istratus.com/iOS/Features/Pro/terms_of_service.html) iStratus Pro is a subscription service that offers enhanced features and user interfaces for creating, organizing, and interacting with data in iStratus. • iStratus Pro includes Daily RollUp, File Encryption, and PDF Signing. • As new features are added to iStratus Pro they are automatically unlocked for all current iStratus Pro subscribers. • An active iStratus Pro subscription is not required to access or view content created using iStratus Pro features, including content shared by an iStratus Pro user or content created or modified during an iStratus Pro subscription that has lapsed. For example, Password Vault entries are still accessible if the iStratus Pro subscription is cancelled, but they can not be modified. • iStratus Pro is automatically renewed at 99¢ monthly or $9.99 yearly depending on the subscription term chosen and is billed through the Apple Inc. App Store. Information about cancelling subscriptions can be found at support.apple.com. • For more information please contact support@iStratus.com

About

NotePlan

Organize your tasks, notes, and calendar in one unified app. Quickly plan your day with Markdown, link notes bi-directionally, and stay on top of your to-dos with powerful review and search features. Seamlessly integrates with your existing calendars and syncs across all your Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Unified task, note, and calendar view
  • Markdown for quick task and note creation
  • Bi-directional note linking
  • Calendar integration (iCloud, Google, Exchange)
  • Flexible recurring tasks
  • Global Command Bar for fast navigation
  • Plaintext note storage
Features
Read full description

Having trouble planning your day, managing your to-do list, and organizing your notes? Always jumping between apps and losing track of what to do and where you put things? Say hello to NotePlan! NotePlan lets you manage everything in one place: your tasks, notes, and calendar. Perfect for project managers, designers, researchers, writers, students, or anyone who wants to be organized and efficient. QUICKLY PLAN YOUR DAY WITH MARKDOWN • Plan your day by seeing your calendar, notes, and tasks in a single view • Create tasks and notes quickly with Markdown • Add #tags to organize tasks and notes • Use @mentions to find people • Reschedule to-do items easily • Create flexible recurring tasks • Work faster with autocomplete BUILD YOUR NETWORK OF NOTES • Create your own network of notes • Organize any way you want to: from simple folders over P.A.R.A. to a Zettelkasten system • Bi-directional notes: link your calendar and your notes in any direction, automatically • Cross-reference and link notes easily STAY ON TOP OF THINGS WITH REVIEW • Search all tasks and notes, instantly • See all open tasks with the click of a button • Get a list of overdue to-do items • See upcoming tasks at a glance • Create custom filters with your own queries using status, #tags, @mentions, or even text SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH YOUR CALENDAR • Create events and reminders right in NotePlan • Support for iCloud, Google, and Exchange calendars • Time-block tasks on your calendar simply by typing AVAILABLE ON MAC, IPHONE & IPAD • Sync everything between your Apple devices • Use any sync method you like: CloudKit or iCloud Drive • A single subscription for all your devices OPEN, PRIVATE & FAST • All your notes are stored in plaintext so you're never locked in • Your information is private and cannot be accessed • Enjoy lightning speed thanks to local files and native apps ANY THEME YOU WANT • Choose from a variety of built-in themes • Work with light or dark versions • Create your own custom theme SHORTCUTS FOR MAXIMUM SPEED • Extended Markdown syntax support with customization options • Move around without ever leaving the keyboard • Find everything with the Global Command Bar NotePlan is developed independently and prioritizes user features and requests. We have long-term roadmaps and listen to customers to improve the apps. - - - - - Price may vary by location. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. After purchase, manage your subscriptions in App Store Account Settings. - - - - - Email: hello@noteplan.co Web: noteplan.co Discord: https://discord.gg/D4268MT Twitter: NotePlanApp Reddit: reddit.com/r/NotePlanApp Learn NotePlan course: https://noteplan.eo.page/newsletter Terms of use: http://noteplan.co/tos/ Privacy policy: https://noteplan.co/privacy/

Screenshots

iStratus Notebook & Planner4 screens
NotePlan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NotePlan at 4.8 against iStratus Notebook & Planner's 4.2. NotePlan also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 88) and review sentiment (85% vs 71%). iStratus Notebook & Planner's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. iStratus Notebook & Planner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and NotePlan sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NotePlan holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NotePlan has 1.5K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of iStratus Notebook & Planner's written reviews are positive against 85% of NotePlan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iStratus Notebook & Planner ships an update fortnightly, NotePlan monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
iStratus Notebook & Planner versus NotePlan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriStratus Notebook & PlannerNotePlan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (88 ratings)4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.1% of reviews85.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings881.5K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB204 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiStratus LLCNotePlan LLC

Customer experience

iStratus Notebook & Planner

All ratings88 ratings
Positive80.7%
Neutral3.4%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive71.1%
Neutral8.9%
Negative20.0%

NotePlan

All ratings1,517 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews478 reviews
Positive85.1%
Neutral4.6%
Negative10.3%

User reviews

iStratus Notebook & Planner

From 88 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Highly customizable interface and features
  • 📅 Comprehensive all-in-one organization tool
  • 💾 Reliable cloud syncing with Dropbox
  • 🔒 Secure password vault functionality
  • 📱 Works seamlessly across multiple devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
  • 🔄 Unreliable syncing between devices
  • 📚 Steep learning curve for new users
  • ❌ No week/month calendar view
  • ⏰ Limited recurring event capabilities

NotePlan

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful note-taking and task management
  • 👍 Seamless calendar and reminders integration
  • 💡 Flexible and customizable workflow
  • 🔒 Secure and open-format data storage
  • 👍 Responsive and helpful developer

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional sync and performance issues
  • 👤 Limited collaboration and sharing features

Bugs and requests

iStratus Notebook & Planner

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • App freezes and requires hard close
  • Syncing fails or occurs at slow speeds
  • Calendar events change dates unexpectedly
  • Password vault data loss
Show 6 more
  • To-do items fail to sync between devices
  • To-do items cannot be deleted
  • All-day events don't carry over multiple days
  • Multi-hour events display incorrectly
  • Requires excessive storage without explanation
  • iPad compatibility issues with latest updates

Requested features

15 requests
  • Weekly and monthly calendar overview
  • Better Google Calendar and Outlook integration
  • Ability to share calendars with other users
  • Backup and restore functionality for data protection
  • Handwritten notes support for iPad
Show 10 more
  • Mac desktop application
  • Notification/reminder system for tasks
  • Template creation and copying across date ranges
  • Widget for lock screen access
  • Improved import functionality from other apps
  • Facial recognition for vault access
  • Filter options for to-do items
  • Date badge on app icon
  • Alternative cloud storage options beyond Dropbox
  • 24-hour time format option

NotePlan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent sync between devices
  • Crashes when opening certain files

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved iPad and mobile app experience
  • Better integration with other productivity apps
  • More automation and scripting capabilities
  • Weekly or monthly calendar view

In-app purchases

3 purchases

iStratus Notebook & Planner

Subscriptions2
  • iStratus Pro Monthly1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • iStratus Pro Yearly1 Month trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • iStratus Pro LifetimeFree
8 purchases

NotePlan

Subscriptions8
  • Personal Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Personal Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Personal Monthly1 Month trial$11.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Personal Monthly2 variants$12.001 Month
  • Personal Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Personal Annual7 Days trial2 variants$99.991 Year
  • Personal Annual1 Month trial$119.991 Year
  • Business Class1 Month trial$199.991 Year

Questions

Is iStratus Notebook & Planner free?
iStratus Notebook & Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NotePlan free?
NotePlan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iStratus Notebook & Planner or NotePlan?
NotePlan is rated higher. iStratus Notebook & Planner averages 4.2 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while NotePlan averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.
Do iStratus Notebook & Planner or NotePlan have ads?
Neither iStratus Notebook & Planner nor NotePlan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iStratus Notebook & Planner or NotePlan?
iStratus Notebook & Planner ships an update fortnightly, and NotePlan monthly. Most recently, iStratus Notebook & Planner was updated on October 23, 2026 and NotePlan on October 27, 2026.

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