Comparison

Leaf Note vs XLNote

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

Head to head
About

Leaf Note

This app helps you organize your thoughts into a connected knowledge base using Markdown. It offers secure, local encryption and multiple sync options, ensuring your data is always yours. Features include AI assistance, web clipping, and a smooth, native editing experience.

Highlights
  • Markdown support with syntax highlighting
  • Local data encryption
  • Multiple sync options (iCloud, WebDAV, Git, S3)
  • AI writing assistant
  • Web page to Markdown conversion
  • Bidirectional linking and tagging
  • Chat-style inspiration input
Read full description

"Leaf Note" is a focused, tranquil note-taking tool that helps you transform fragmented ideas into an interconnected knowledge base. All data is encrypted locally, and synchronization methods are entirely under your control—ensuring your notes truly belong to you. Core Features Open Design ・ Notes stored in standard Markdown and plain-text formats ・ File-system-based architecture—data can be migrated anytime, without platform lock-in Data Synchronization ・ Supports multiple sync options: iCloud, WebDAV, Git, Amazon S3, and Baidu Netdisk ・ Full control over your sync pipeline; data ownership remains with you Security & Encryption ・ App lock to protect entry access ・ AES end-to-end encryption for note content—only you can decrypt and view it Knowledge Recording ・ Full Markdown support, including syntax highlighting ・ Supports mathematical formulas, flowcharts, images, audio recordings, and more ・ One-click conversion of web pages into Markdown for saving and archiving Rapid Input ・ Chat-style inspiration input on the home screen—capture fleeting ideas instantly Knowledge Management ・ Multi-level directories, tag system, and bidirectional linking ・ Global full-text search—effortlessly build your personal knowledge base AI Assistant ・ Built-in writing assistant—engage in real-time dialogue to aid creation Smooth Experience ・ Pure native development—stable editor performance, even with long notes (no lag or stutter) Start your journey of knowledge accumulation and creative expression with Leaf Note. If you encounter any issues during use, feel free to contact us anytime—your feedback continuously drives product iteration and optimization.

About

XLNote

Features
Read full description

XLNote is an artificial intelligence note taking assistant that can extract and understand all content, and convert it into clear and actionable formatted text content for output. From casual speeches, conferences, lectures to PDF and online content - XLNote transforms scattered information into structured knowledge for you to use anytime. Extract everything -Recording and phone calls: With just one click, you can record meetings, lectures, and phone conversations. -Upload PDF and text: Automatically import documents and extract key information. Understand immediately -AI Summary: Clear and concise summaries can be obtained within seconds. -Dialogue with all your notes: ask any questions and get answers from all your content. -Lecture Summary: Transform lengthy lectures into concise and easy to understand summaries. All extracted content is well-organized: -Automatically tag and categorize content: easily organize notes. -Fragment: Save and reuse key content fragments to improve work efficiency -Merge: Merge multiple notes with one click. XLNote will undoubtedly become your preferred application for organizing your thoughts, notes, and daily life. Membership subscription instructions: 1. XLNote membership subscriptions are charged monthly, annually, and for life. During the subscription period, you can have unlimited access to all paid features and content of this software. 2. The subscription methods are continuous monthly subscription, annual membership, and lifetime membership 3. When confirming the purchase, a fee will be charged to the iTunes account 4. Continuous monthly subscriptions will automatically renew, unless automatic renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The account will charge a renewal fee within 24 hours before the end of the current period, and the renewal fee will be determined. The subscription can be managed by the user and can be turned off by going to the user's account settings after purchase. 5. Privacy Policy: http://www.keephabit.cn/Ios/XLNoteYszc.html 6. Terms of Use: http://www.keephabit.cn/Ios/XLNoteYhzcxy.html 7. Automatic Renewal Service Agreement: http://www.keephabit.cn/Ios/XLNoteZdxfxy.html

Screenshots

Leaf Note4 screens
XLNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: XLNote at none against Leaf Note's 2. Leaf Note's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence and ads 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. Leaf Note sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. XLNote asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Leaf Note ships an update every 3 weeks, XLNote every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Leaf Note versus XLNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLeaf NoteXLNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer守恒 王林 李

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Leaf Note

One-time2
  • One Year Pro$6.99
  • Lifetime Pro$24.99
None

XLNote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Leaf Note free?
Leaf Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XLNote free?
XLNote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Leaf Note or XLNote have ads?
Neither Leaf Note nor XLNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Leaf Note or XLNote?
Leaf Note ships an update every 3 weeks, and XLNote every 11 days. Most recently, Leaf Note was updated on November 8, 2026 and XLNote on November 6, 2026.

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