# Focalist vs Fluent Notes

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focalist at free against Fluent Notes's free with in-app purchases. Focalist also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focalist sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Fluent Notes sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Focalist against 5.0 for Fluent Notes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

Focalist ships an update every 3 weeks, Fluent Notes every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focalist | Fluent Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focalist/id6736589064/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fluent-notes/id6755932967/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 15 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Rickard](https://appshunter.io/developer/1772551895) | [Jose Blanco](https://appshunter.io/developer/1643690946) |

## What reviewers say

### Focalist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focalist/id6736589064)

Manage your tasks efficiently with this fast to-do list app. Set reminders, organize your day, and get notified based on your location. Syncs seamlessly across devices.

**Highlights:** Fast task management, Efficient to-do lists, Customizable reminders, Location-based tasks, Cross-platform sync

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focalist Premium (Monthly) | $1.49 | per month |
| Focalist Premium (Annual) | $12.00 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $46.00 | one-time |


### Fluent Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fluent-notes/id6755932967)

Instantly capture thoughts and set reminders using your voice. This app transcribes your spoken notes into searchable text and plays back your original recording when an alarm sounds. It integrates with iOS features like Live Activities and widgets for seamless time management.

**Highlights:** Voice-activated recording, Smart audio transcription, Voice playback for alarms, Live Activities integration, Interactive home screen widgets, Offline processing, StandBy mode display

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free Trial | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime Purchase | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focalist free?

Focalist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Fluent Notes free?

Fluent Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Focalist or Fluent Notes?

Focalist and Fluent Notes are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Focalist or Fluent Notes have ads?

Neither Focalist nor Fluent Notes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Focalist or Fluent Notes?

Focalist ships an update every 3 weeks, and Fluent Notes every 6 weeks. Most recently, Focalist was updated on October 10, 2026 and Fluent Notes on October 6, 2026.

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