Comparison

Cloud Notes vs Folio

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

Head to head
About

Cloud Notes

Create, edit, and organize notes and lists directly from your Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad. Syncs securely via iCloud with an optional one-time Pro upgrade for enhanced features like sharing and customization.

Highlights
  • Create and edit notes on Apple Watch
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Organize with tags and folders
  • Search and pin important notes
  • Share notes and lists (Pro)
  • Customizable note appearance (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Edit notes directly from Apple Watch. Cloud Notes lets you create, edit, and check off notes from iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Everything syncs securely through iCloud. Free to download, with an optional one-time Pro upgrade. No subscription. FREE - Unlimited notes and lists - iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch - Create and edit notes on Apple Watch - Organize with tags and folders - Search, pin important notes, and use light or dark mode GREAT FOR - Shopping lists on your wrist or home screen - Quick reminders and everyday notes - Notes you want available without reaching for your phone PRO - Share notes and lists with others via iCloud - Multiple tags per note - Fonts, text styles, and colors - Markdown tools in the keyboard toolbar - Customizable note appearance: checkmark colors, font styles and image sizes - Home screen widgets. Check off items without opening the app PRIVACY IN FOCUS - No extra login: syncs and shares through your own iCloud account - No external servers - No tracking Questions or feedback? support@lokkeapps.no

About

Folio

Features
Read full description

Folio is a local-first library for Markdown and plain text on Mac. Bring notes and docs into one place, organize them with folders and tags, explore connections with Link Map, and write with private on-device assistance—without juggling loose files in the Finder. Library & organization • Import Markdown and text via the file picker, drag-and-drop, or Import from Git Link for public GitHub repositories and individual files. • Needs Organizing gives new imports a clear inbox before you file them. • Folders and nested structures help you group work the way you think. • Tags cut across folders so you can filter by topic or project. • Pinned favorites and Recently Opened put what you need one click away. Explore connections • Link Map visualizes connections between your notes. • Follow links to explore related ideas and navigate your library from a new perspective. Reading & writing • Use Editor, Preview, or Split View to draft and see rendered Markdown side by side. • Use Writing Assistant to refine drafts, improve wording, and turn rough ideas into clearer notes with private on-device help. • Find text within the current document. • Sort notes by title, date added, last opened, and more. • Search across your library from the sidebar. Share & export • Share notes as Markdown or plain text. • Export documents to a folder you choose in Finder. Whether you’re collecting research, drafting READMEs, or building a personal knowledge base, Folio keeps your Markdown connected, organized, searchable, and easy to revisit.

Screenshots

Cloud Notes4 screens
Folio4 screens

Verdict

The call

Cloud Notes and Folio are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Cloud Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Folio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cloud Notes ships an update fortnightly, Folio every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Cloud Notes versus Folio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCloud NotesFolio
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Mac
Requires iOS1817.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFredrik Nikolai LokkeDinh Bao Thang Duong

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cloud Notes

One-time1
  • Cloud Notes Pro$2.99
1 purchases

Folio

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Cloud Notes free?
Cloud Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Folio free?
Folio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cloud Notes or Folio have ads?
Neither Cloud Notes nor Folio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cloud Notes or Folio?
Cloud Notes ships an update fortnightly, and Folio every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cloud Notes was updated on October 7, 2026 and Folio on September 30, 2026.

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