Comparison

Subrain vs Retn

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

Head to head
About

Subrain

This minimalist note-taking app helps you remember important keywords and life directions. It offers a simple interface for jotting down tasks and life-defining thoughts, acting as an extension of your memory.

Highlights
  • Simple note writing
  • Organized pages for notes
  • Minimalist interface
  • Acts as an extra brain
  • Helps remember keywords
  • Tracks life directions
Features
Read full description

μš°λ¦¬λŠ” ν•˜λ£¨μ—λ„ λ§Žμ€ 일을 잊곀 ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€. 그것이 ν•œ μ£Ό, ν•œ 달... 1λ…„ 이상 λˆ„μ λ˜λ©΄, μš°λ¦¬λŠ” μ–Όλ§ˆλ‚˜ λ§Žμ€ μ€‘μš”ν•œ ν‚€μ›Œλ“œλ₯Ό 잊으며 μ‚΄μ•„κ°€λŠ” κ±ΈκΉŒμš”? μ–΄μ©Œλ©΄ μΈμƒμ˜ 큰 λ°©ν–₯이 μ‘°κΈˆμ”© λ°”λ€” μˆ˜λ„ μžˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. μ΄λŸ΄λ•Œλ§ˆλ‹€, Subrain은 λ‹Ήμ‹ μ˜ μΈμƒμ—μ„œ μ΄μ •ν‘œ 같은 역할을 ν•  κ²ƒμž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. κ°„λ‹¨ν•œ ν•  일뢀터, 인생에 λŒ€ν•œ μ€‘μš”ν•œ ν‚€μ›Œλ“œλ₯Ό 마음껏 μ μ–΄λ³΄μ„Έμš”. Subrain은 λ³΅μž‘ν•œ 건 λ”± μ§ˆμƒ‰μΈ λ―Έλ‹ˆλ©€λ¦¬μŠ€νŠΈλ₯Ό μœ„ν•œ λ…ΈνŠΈμž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. 마치 λ‘λ‡Œκ°€ ν•˜λ‚˜ 더 생긴 κ²½ν—˜μ„ ν•΄λ³΄μ„Έμš”. λ…ΈνŠΈ μž‘μ„±, 그리고 λ…ΈνŠΈλ“€μ΄ λ‹΄κΈ΄ νŽ˜μ΄μ§€. 이 두 κ°€μ§€λ§Œ κΈ°μ–΅ν•˜μ„Έμš”. - We forget many things every day. If it accumulates over 1 month, 6 months... over a year, how many important keywords do we forget? Maybe the big direction of your life will change little by little. At times like this, Subrain will act like a milestone in your life. Feel free to write down everything from simple things to do to important keywords about your life. Subrain is a notebook for minimalists who hate complexity. Feel as if you have an extra brain. Just remember these two things: Writing notes and pages containing notes.

About

Retn

Features
Read full description

Focus on one thing. Keep it forever. In a world full of noise, Retn is your sanctuary for the single most important thought. We believe that multitasking is a myth. To truly remember somethingβ€”to make it part of youβ€”you must focus on one thing at a time. Retn is not a notepad. It is a ritual for your brain. β–  THE PHILOSOPHY Your brain needs rhythm, not overload. Retn restricts you to a single active note. You cannot start the next one until you have fully absorbed the current one. This constraint is the most powerful experience we offer. β–  THE RITUAL OF IMPRINTING 1. Write (Focus) Open the app. A clean, distraction-free canvas awaits. Type your quote, vocabulary, or goal. Pull down to lock it in. 2. Absorb (Imprint) Close the app and live your life. Retn works in the background. - Widgets: Your focus stays visible on your home screen, seeping into your subconscious. - Notifications: Scientifically timed nudges arrive 3 times a day (Morning, Noon, Evening). Just read, acknowledge, and let it settle. 3. Complete (Release) Once the text is etched into your memory, swipe right to destroy it. Feel the satisfaction as it shatters into particles and disappears. 4. Rest (Consolidate) After completion, Retn gives your brain a 24-hour cool-down period. Use this time to let the memory settle. True learning happens during rest. β–  KEY FEATURES - Hyper-Minimalist Design: Zero clutter. Just you and your text. - Tactile Interactions: Pull-to-save, elastic scrolling, and haptic-rich swipe gestures for a physical feel. - Smart Scheduling: Notifications are delivered at optimal intervals (08:30, 12:30, 20:00) based on retention science. - Home Screen Widgets: Keep your focus comfortably in sight without opening the app. - Archive (Premium): Unlock your history to revisit past imprints. β–  WHO IS THIS FOR? - Language learners mastering one difficult word at a time. - Thinkers internalizing a life-changing quote. - Goal achievers focusing on a single daily priority. - Anyone tired of complex, bloated productivity tools seeking an essential experience. Don't just take notes. Imprint them. Download Retn and start your first focus today.

Screenshots

Subrain4 screens
Retn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Subrain at none against Retn's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Retn sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Subrain asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Subrain ships an update every 8 days, Retn weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 7 level
Subrain versus Retn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubrainRetn
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysWeekly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 β€” better15.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size41 MB25 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperJichan HwangNeointro

In-app purchases

None

Subrain

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retn

One-time1
  • Unlock Retn Premium$1.99

Questions

Is Subrain free?
Subrain is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retn free?
Retn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Subrain or Retn have ads?
Neither Subrain nor Retn shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Subrain or Retn?
Subrain ships an update every 8 days, and Retn weekly. Most recently, Subrain was updated on November 4, 2026 and Retn on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons