# Columns.app vs CleanPad

The clearest difference is rating: CleanPad at 5.0 against Columns.app's 4.3. Columns.app's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CleanPad holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

Columns.app ships an update every 3 weeks, CleanPad monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Columns.app | CleanPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/columnsapp/id6468962770/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cleanpad/id6474883775/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 19 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Columns, inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711067600) | [Uriel Alejandro Ortega Aguilar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1722685125) |

## What reviewers say

### Columns.app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/columnsapp/id6468962770)

Organize your thoughts and tasks with a unique column-based list manager. Ideal for planning, tracking, and managing projects, ideas, or collections. It offers a structured, linear approach similar to mind maps for clear visualization.

**Highlights:** Organize with linear columns, Plan and track progress, Manage projects and ideas, Create roadmaps, Teamwork organization

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### CleanPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cleanpad/id6474883775)

Capture your thoughts, ideas, and memories in a cozy and secure digital space. This app offers a minimalist interface with customizable categories and enhanced privacy features, including automatic locking and biometric authentication for your notes.

**Highlights:** Cozy and customizable design, Distraction-free editing, Note categorization and tagging, Automatic private note locking, Biometric authentication, Local storage for privacy, Grid and list view options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Columns.app free?

Columns.app is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CleanPad free?

CleanPad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Columns.app or CleanPad?

CleanPad is rated higher. Columns.app averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while CleanPad averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Columns.app or CleanPad have ads?

Neither Columns.app nor CleanPad shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Columns.app or CleanPad?

Columns.app ships an update every 3 weeks, and CleanPad monthly. Most recently, Columns.app was updated on November 3, 2026 and CleanPad on November 4, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*