Comparison

Lionote vs OrigNotes

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

Head to head
About

Lionote

Features
Read full description

Lionote is a freedom, privacy-first, local personal data hub, based on note app but beyond note app. Freely use a variety of information formats to record and create(Text, Whiteboard, Mind Map, Flowchart, UML, Markdown, AI assistant, Audio, Image, File, Schedule Management etc.). All notes are saved locally as files, you don't have to worry about losing them due to cloud server error. Sync is fully encrypted (PBKDF2+RandomSalt+AES), No one can see your notes

About

OrigNotes

Create, organize, and manage high-quality handwritten notes with ease. Supports handwriting, drawing, image insertion, and PDF annotation. Stay organized and productive for study, work, or daily ideas.

Highlights
  • Handwritten notes and drawing
  • Image insertion and PDF annotation
  • Organize and search documents
  • Customizable note covers and paper styles
  • Palm rejection and writing settings
  • Variety of brushes and tools
  • Cloud sync support
Features
Read full description

OrigNotes is a powerful, free digital note-taking app built for iPad and iPhone. Whether you're taking handwritten notes, annotating PDFs, organizing ideas with mind maps, or capturing inspiration with images, audio, and video, OrigNotes gives you the tools to keep everything in one place. Write naturally with Apple Pencil, convert handwriting into editable text, search through your notes, and customize your workspace to fit the way you think and work. OrigNotes is free to use, and we're committed to keeping it that way. If you're enjoying OrigNotes, we'd greatly appreciate a 5-star review. Your support helps us continue improving the app and building new features for everyone. Have an idea or feature request? Leave us a review or contact us directly through the app. You can also check our Future Plans inside OrigNotes to see what we're working on and follow the progress of upcoming features. KEY FEATURES • Handwriting & Drawing Enjoy a natural writing experience with a variety of pens, brushes, and creative tools designed for Apple Pencil. • PDF Reading & Annotation Import PDFs to read, highlight, annotate, draw, and take notes directly on your documents. • Mind Maps Create mind maps to organize ideas, study topics, and brainstorm visually. Add topics and subtopics, drag and rearrange nodes, and customize your mind map to fit your ideas. • Handwriting to Text Turn handwritten notes into editable text for easier editing, organizing, and reuse. • Powerful Search Find information faster by searching handwritten notes and text inside PDFs. • Images, GIFs, Audio & Video Bring your notes to life with images, animated GIFs, audio, and video—all within your notebook. • Personalized Notebooks Customize covers, paper templates, and themes to create a workspace that feels like your own. • Custom Toolbar & Tool Box Arrange your favorite tools around the way you work and keep the ones you use most within easy reach. • Smooth Writing Experience Optimized handwriting, palm rejection, and Apple Pencil interactions help writing feel smooth, responsive, and natural. • Easy Organization Organize and sort your documents, bookmark important pages, and quickly get back to the content you need. • Data Protection & Backup Multiple backup options and improved data protection help keep your important notes safe. • Cloud Backup Back up your notebooks to cloud storage for easier long-term storage and management. MADE FOR THE WAY YOU TAKE NOTES From class notes and study materials to work documents, PDF annotation, brainstorming, and everyday ideas, OrigNotes gives you a flexible space to capture, organize, and develop your thoughts. Simple when you need it. Powerful when you need more. Write. Think. Create. Organize. All in OrigNotes.

Screenshots

Lionote4 screens
OrigNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OrigNotes at none against Lionote's 6. On price, update cadence, ads 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. Lionote sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. OrigNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Lionote versus OrigNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLionoteOrigNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (336 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—82.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—336 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size108 MB96 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developer杭州草莓互娱科技有限公司Hangzhou Future Writing Technology Co.,LTD.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Lionote

One-time6
  • VIP1, one month$0.69
  • VIP2, one month$1.69
  • VIP3, one month$6.29
Show 3 more
  • VIP1, one year$7.59
  • VIP2, one year$17.90
  • VIP3, one year$64.90
None

OrigNotes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lionote free?
Lionote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OrigNotes free?
OrigNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lionote or OrigNotes have ads?
Neither Lionote nor OrigNotes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lionote or OrigNotes?
Lionote ships an update every 11 days, and OrigNotes every 11 days. Most recently, Lionote was updated on October 7, 2026 and OrigNotes on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons