Blocknotes vs Bookmark URL Saver
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Blocknotes
This app saves your notes as local HTML files, ensuring complete offline privacy. Your notes sync automatically across devices via iCloud Drive. It requires an iCloud account to function.
- Local HTML file storage
- Completely offline functionality
- No internet connection required
- Automatic iCloud Drive sync
- Cross-device synchronization
Read full descriptionHide full description
Own your data! This app stores your notes as simple, local HTML files. Blocknotes never connects to the internet. It’s completely offline and private. Files are stored in your iCloud Drive, so it automatically syncs across devices. Requires you to be signed in with iCloud.
Bookmark URL Saver
Easily save articles, screenshots, PDFs, and links from any app. Organize your saved content into custom collections with tags and notes. Read saved items distraction-free, even offline, with powerful search capabilities.
- Save links and screenshots from any app
- Distraction-free reader
- Offline reading
- Organize with collections and tags
- Powerful search
- Syncs across devices via iCloud
Read full descriptionHide full description
Save articles, screenshots, PDFs, and links from any app -- then read them later, even offline. Trace is the bookmark manager for people who save a lot and hate losing track of it all. One tap from Safari, Instagram, X, YouTube, Reddit, Pinterest, TikTok, or any app -- and your content is saved with the thumbnail, title, and source automatically. No copying, no pasting, no extra steps. Never lose something interesting again. SAVE FROM ANYWHERE - Save links, articles, videos, and web pages from any app using the share sheet - Import screenshots directly, even with limited photo library access - Auto-import screenshots as you take them - Add photos from your camera or photo library - Save PDFs with automatic thumbnail and page count - Capture anything using Siri Shortcuts without opening the app - Paste a link from your clipboard and save instantly DISTRACTION-FREE READER - Open saved articles in a clean reader with no ads or clutter - Customize font size and reading theme - Highlight text in multiple colors and add notes to any section - Read offline -- cached for planes, commutes, and subways - Highlights and notes sync across all your devices ORGANIZE YOUR WAY - Create collections to group content by topic, project, or mood - Color-coded tags with custom icons for flexible filtering - Filter captures by source website alongside your tags - Set a default collection so new saves go exactly where you want - Pin important items, archive what you have finished - Multi-select for quick batch actions - Password-protect and hide private collections POWERFUL SEARCH - Search across titles, descriptions, notes, tags, and sources - Combine text search with tag and source filters - Find that article you saved months ago in seconds iPHONE AND iPAD - Designed for both iPhone and iPad with adaptive layouts - Full Split View and Slide Over support on iPad - Sidebar navigation for quick access to collections - Grid, list, and stack views to browse your way SWITCH FROM OTHER APPS - Import bookmarks from Safari, Chrome, and Firefox - Import your library from Raindrop or GoodLinks - Brings in your bookmarks, folders, and tags - Smart duplicate detection so nothing gets added twice iCLOUD SYNC - Save on iPhone, read on iPad, continue on Mac -- everything syncs automatically - Bookmarks, collections, tags, highlights, and notes all stay in sync - No account to create, no sign-up required MORE - Set reminders so you actually come back to saved items - Export to CSV, JSON, or HTML bookmarks anytime - Share collections or individual captures with anyone - Customizable app icon and tint colors - Smart duplicate detection to keep your library clean BUILT FOR PRIVACY No account. No data collection. No tracking. Everything stays in your iCloud account, on your devices, exactly where it should be. PERFECT FOR - Researchers collecting reference material - Students saving study resources - Designers gathering visual inspiration - Writers and content creators organizing research - Shoppers saving products and wish lists - Anyone who takes a lot of screenshots or bookmarks things online NEW IN 2.0 - Now available on Mac -- save on any device, pick up on another - Set any collection as your default for new captures - Redesigned collection indicators with pin and default badges - Refined glass design with cleaner visual hierarchy - Updated share extension with new paywall and smoother flow - Improved onboarding experience - Stability improvements and bug fixes Download Trace and stop losing track of articles, screenshots, and ideas. Terms of Use: https://www.theblackholecompany.com/termsConditions.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bookmark URL Saver at 86% against Blocknotes's 25%. Bookmark URL Saver also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (58 vs 2). Blocknotes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). 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
Both are free to download. Bookmark URL Saver sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Blocknotes asks for nothing beyond the download.
Bookmark URL Saver holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bookmark URL Saver has 58 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Blocknotes's written reviews are positive against 86% of Bookmark URL Saver's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Blocknotes | Bookmark URL Saver |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (2 ratings) | 4.7 (58 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 86.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 58 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 334 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Automattic | Youssef Ismaili |
Customer experience
Blocknotes
Bookmark URL Saver
In-app purchases
Blocknotes
No in-app purchases
Bookmark URL Saver
- Prismoria Monthly Premium$2.991 Month
- Trace Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
- Trace Pro3 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Trace Pro Lifetime$19.99
- Trace Lifetime$39.99
Questions
Is Blocknotes free?
Is Bookmark URL Saver free?
Which has better reviews, Blocknotes or Bookmark URL Saver?
Do Blocknotes or Bookmark URL Saver have ads?
Which is updated more often, Blocknotes or Bookmark URL Saver?
Other comparisons















