Comparison

Defer vs Leaf Reminders

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

Head to head
About

Defer

This app acts as a quick capture inbox for your thoughts and tasks. Simply input items to get them out of your head and into a secure, private space. It syncs across devices and offers export options for your data.

Highlights
  • Quick task capture
  • Private data storage
  • Automatic syncing
  • CSV export
  • Siri and Shortcuts integration
  • Customizable appearance (Pro)
  • Export to Apple Reminders/JSON (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Defer is the app to get things out of your head. It's a task inbox or a capture inbox. Simply open the app, type (or paste!), and move on, knowing the thing will be there when you need it later. It works best with the accompanying Mac app: capture something on your phone, act on it when you're back at your Mac. - Private by Design: All your data is either stored on device or in a private iCloud container if you've got an Apple ID. - Simple: No bloat. Fast. Just write! - Synced Automatically: No account creation needed. If you're signed in with the same Apple ID on multiple iOS devices, everything will just sync. - Export anytime: Take your data with you in the form of a very compatible .csv file. - Integrated with Siri, Shortcuts, and Widgets (activate Siri and then say "Defer Something") - Add dates, or don't! Put stuff out of site / out of mind until you need it. - Pro feature: Make the app your own by customizing colors and fonts. - Pro feature: Export to Apple Reminders or JSON - Pro feature: Use webhooks to send tasks to other apps, on demand or automatically. We take privacy seriously. Really. We don't track anything about you or how you use Defer. More here: https://deferapp.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Leaf Reminders

Features
Read full description

Leaf is a minimal, gesture-first checklist built around a single active list. No folders, no projects, no noise — just the 10 things that actually matter today. WHY LEAF IS DIFFERENT • 10 active task cap — forces you to pick what matters instead of hoarding an endless backlog • Priority through typography — high-priority tasks UPPERCASE, medium bold, low regular. No colored tags, no clutter • Gesture-first — swipe to complete, swipe vertically to change priority, swipe sideways between lists, two-finger undo, three-finger redo • One active list at a time — a unified carousel of your Leaf lists and Apple Reminders calendars BUILT FOR APPLE • Lock Screen, Home Screen, and StandBy widgets — every family (small, medium, large, circular, rectangular, inline) • Apple Watch app with complications across every family • Live Activities that update across list switches • Apple Reminders sync, so your existing lists come with you • iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac SMART ACTIVATION • Time-based rules — Leaf switches to your morning list at 8am, your shutdown list at 6pm • Focus integration — a dedicated Focus Filter switches lists when you enter Work, Personal, or any custom Focus • Location triggers — walk into the gym, Leaf opens your workout list (requires Always-on location permission) PRODUCTIVITY POLISH • Inline math — type 47+83 and Leaf evaluates on commit • Hyperlink detection with tap-to-open • Pinch-to-share as Markdown • Drag and drop plain text to import tasks • Keyboard shortcuts on Mac, including a global hot key for instant show FREE FOREVER, UNLOCK WHEN READY Leaf is free to use with up to 3 active tasks. Unlock unlimited tasks, Apple Reminders integration, and Calendar events with a one-time purchase — no subscription. Buy it once and own it. Leaf is built by a solo developer. No ads. No tracking. No accounts. Just a focused list for a focused day.

Screenshots

Defer4 screens
Leaf Reminders4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Leaf Reminders at every 3 days against Defer's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Defer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Leaf Reminders sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Defer ships an update every 2 weeks, Leaf Reminders every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Defer versus Leaf Reminders: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeferLeaf Reminders
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (23 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings23 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, MaciPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLevi Nelson, LLCBaturay Berker Ceylan

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Defer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$5.991 Year
2 purchases

Leaf Reminders

One-time2
  • Leaf Unlock$5.99
  • Leaf Bundle$9.99

Questions

Is Defer free?
Defer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Leaf Reminders free?
Leaf Reminders is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Defer or Leaf Reminders have ads?
Neither Defer nor Leaf Reminders shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Defer or Leaf Reminders?
Defer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Leaf Reminders every 3 days. Most recently, Defer was updated on October 30, 2026 and Leaf Reminders on October 28, 2026.

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