# n+otes vs Lock Notes

The clearest difference is monetization model: n+otes at free with in-app purchases against Lock Notes's subscription. n+otes also leads on ratings volume (45K vs 1.1K) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Lock Notes's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (73% vs 64%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. n+otes sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month and Lock Notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

n+otes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: n+otes has 45K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of n+otes's written reviews are positive against 73% of Lock Notes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

n+otes ships an update fortnightly, Lock Notes every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 11, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | n+otes | Lock Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (45K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/n-plus-otes/id596895960/reviews)** | [4.5 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-notes-passcode-protect/id1033962570/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **45K** | 1.1K |
| Positive reviews | 64.1% of reviews | **73.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 25 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RIEU Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/446267401) | [JulyApps Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/427694580) |

## What reviewers say

### n+otes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/n-plus-otes/id596895960)

Capture thoughts and ideas instantly with a simple interface. Secure your notes with a private lock feature.  Optional subscription removes ads and supports development.

**Highlights:** Quick note-taking, Private note lock, Ad-free experience (subscription), Easy to use interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-free Experience (Monthly) | $0.49 | per month |
| Ad-free Experience (3 Months) | $0.99 | per 3 months |
| Ad-free Experience (1 Year) | $3.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient note-taking experience
- 🔒 Secure with passcode protection
- 💡 Customizable themes and backgrounds
- 👍 Great for organizing thoughts and ideas

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 💰 Intrusive ads interrupting workflow
- 🔋 Concerns about battery drain
- 🔒 Lack of cross-device syncing

**Reported bugs**

- Notes disappearing or getting lost
- Inability to delete notes on Apple Watch
- Scrolling issues and text freezing at the bottom
- Inconsistent behavior after updates

**Requested features**

- Ability to sync notes across devices
- More font and formatting options
- Folder or category organization
- Voice-to-text functionality
- Ability to insert images and attachments


### Lock Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-notes-passcode-protect/id1033962570)

Securely store and protect your private notes with a passcode or Touch ID. Keep sensitive information like passwords, secrets, and diary entries safe from unauthorized access. Backup and sync notes across devices, customize their appearance, and even add images.

**Highlights:** Passcode and Touch ID protection, Security question recovery, iCloud backup and sync, Customizable font style and size, Insert images into notes, Print and share notes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Auto Backup | $14.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Notes | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lock Notes Pro | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure notes
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient
- 🔑 Passcode/biometric protection
- 💾 Cloud backup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Limited free notes
- 💰 Paywall for advanced features
- 🐛 Crashes and data loss issues
- 🔍 Lack of search functionality
- 📁 No folder organization

**Reported bugs**

- Notes disappearing after updates
- Inability to access notes after device reset
- Sync issues between devices

**Requested features**

- Advanced formatting options
- Ability to change passcode
- Improved search capabilities
- Folder/organization system
- Better backup and restore options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is n+otes free?

n+otes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Lock Notes free?

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

### Which has better reviews, n+otes or Lock Notes?

n+otes is rated higher. n+otes averages 4.7 out of 5 from 45K ratings, while Lock Notes averages 4.5 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do n+otes or Lock Notes have ads?

n+otes shows ads; Lock Notes does not.

### Which is updated more often, n+otes or Lock Notes?

n+otes ships an update fortnightly, and Lock Notes every 10 days. Most recently, n+otes was updated on October 11, 2026 and Lock Notes on October 11, 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.*