Comparison

HamsterBase vs Spark Memos

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

Head to head
About

HamsterBase

Read full description

HamsterBase is a tool centered around privacy protection and offline friendliness for use in later reading. The well-designed HamsterBase features the following characteristics: Offline First: It can be used offline without relying on servers.Privacy First: It does not collect any data and prioritizes your privacy.Keyboard First: Almost all features can be easily accessed via keyboard shortcuts.No Data Hijacking: You can store data locally and enjoy seamless API integration with other software.No Subscription Required: It’s free to use during the beta period.Break Device Limitations: Through P2P synchronization, your database can break free from device limitations.Powerful Full-text Search: Unlock the power of comprehensive searches, accessing the full content of every saved webpage. HamsterBase works with all your favorite apps, such as Logseq, Obsidian, Notion, and Siyuan.

About

Spark Memos

A fast and organized note-taking app for capturing text, photos, quotes, links, and voice memos. Keep your ideas tidy with collections, smart filters, and linked notes for building a personal knowledge base. Enjoy private, offline access with optional iCloud sync.

Highlights
  • Capture text, images, quotes, links, and voice memos
  • Organize with collections and smart filters
  • Link related notes for knowledge building
  • Review notes with memo cards
  • Offline access and iCloud sync
  • Customizable themes
Features
Read full description

Spark Memos is a warm, fast note‑taking app and idea organizer for everyday life. Capture text, photos, quotes, links, and voice memos in seconds, then keep everything tidy with collections and smart filters. Save from the share sheet, write in Markdown, review with memo cards, and link related notes to build your own knowledge base. Whether you’re journaling, tracking projects, or saving inspiration, Spark Memos helps you stay focused and productive without clutter. Your notes are private by default with local storage and offline access, and you can enable iCloud sync to keep everything up to date across your Apple devices. Key features: - Text, image, quote, link, and audio notes - Collections plus filters (all, flagged, archived) - Reference links between memos - Memo review cards for quick recall - Beautiful sharing as images - Themes that match your style Perfect for: - Quick notes, to‑dos, and checklists - Personal diary and daily journal - Reading notes and study summaries - Meeting notes and project planning - Inspiration boards and idea capture Download Spark Memos today and keep every idea within reach. Terms: https://sparkmemos.com/terms Privacy: https://sparkmemos.com/privacy

Screenshots

HamsterBase3 screens
Spark Memos4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HamsterBase at none against Spark Memos's 3. HamsterBase also leads on iOS requirement (12.4 vs 17.0). Spark Memos's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, 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. Spark Memos sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. HamsterBase asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamsterBase ships an update every 2 months, Spark Memos fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
HamsterBase versus Spark Memos: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamsterBaseSpark Memos
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB12 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developer纯洁 林Dippod LLC

In-app purchases

None

HamsterBase

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Spark Memos

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan$1.991 Month
  • Annual Plan14 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Plan$49.99

Questions

Is HamsterBase free?
HamsterBase is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spark Memos free?
Spark Memos is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HamsterBase or Spark Memos have ads?
Neither HamsterBase nor Spark Memos shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamsterBase or Spark Memos?
HamsterBase ships an update every 2 months, and Spark Memos fortnightly. Most recently, HamsterBase was updated on October 30, 2026 and Spark Memos on November 4, 2026.

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