# Sidebar | Fast Notes vs ScanLite

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sidebar | Fast Notes at none against ScanLite's 1. ScanLite's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ScanLite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sidebar | Fast Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sidebar | Fast Notes ships an update every 2 months, ScanLite every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sidebar | Fast Notes | ScanLite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidebar-fast-notes/id6450434079/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **7** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 2 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chris Woods](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693297958) | [献慧 陈](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896370005) |

## What reviewers say

### Sidebar | Fast Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidebar-fast-notes/id6450434079)

Quickly capture thoughts and ideas without the need for organization. Entries are timestamped logs that can be tagged as to-dos or personal wins/losses. Syncs across devices with custom themes and a stealth mode.

**Highlights:** Instant note capture, Timestamped entries, To-do list integration, Personal scoreboard, Cross-device sync, Custom themes, Stealth mode

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### ScanLite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scanlite-scanner-and-ocr/id6782480752)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Lifetime | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sidebar | Fast Notes free?

Sidebar | Fast Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ScanLite free?

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

### Do Sidebar | Fast Notes or ScanLite have ads?

Neither Sidebar | Fast Notes nor ScanLite shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sidebar | Fast Notes or ScanLite?

Sidebar | Fast Notes ships an update every 2 months, and ScanLite every 2 weeks. Most recently, Sidebar | Fast Notes was updated on October 30, 2026 and ScanLite on October 17, 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.*