# Echo vs Basic Mode

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Basic Mode at 100% against Echo's 39%. Basic Mode also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Echo's advantage is ratings volume (3.8K vs 1) and chart position (#137 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Echo sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Basic Mode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Basic Mode holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Echo has 3.8K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Echo's written reviews are positive against 100% of Basic Mode's.

Echo ships an update every 3 weeks, Basic Mode monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Echo | Basic Mode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (3.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echo-ai-meeting-note-taker/id6738732089/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-mode-dumb-phone-detox/id6778641529/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3.8K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 38.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#137** | — |
| Size | 192 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tappz Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1137963884) | [PROBABILITY LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482354660) |

## What reviewers say

### Echo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echo-ai-meeting-note-taker/id6738732089)

**Currently charting:** #137 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This app transcribes spoken conversations, extracts key insights, and organizes them into structured notes. It helps users stay focused during meetings and calls by ensuring all important information is captured and easily accessible.

**Highlights:** AI-powered summaries, Smart key points extraction, Ask Echo AI questions, Google Meet integration, Easy sharing of notes, Team access and Workspaces

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Echo Plus (Weekly) | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Echo Plus (Weekly) | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Echo Plus (Weekly Trial) | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Echo Plus | $14.99 | per month |
| plus | $16.99 | per month |
| Echo Plus (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |
| Echo Plus (Yearly) | $79.99 | per year |
| Echo Plus Yearly | $89.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and intuitive
- 💡 Clean interface with essential features
- 👍 Great for meetings and note-taking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with saving and organizing notes
- 🤖 Lack of human support and AI-generated responses
- 💰 Concerns about pricing and value

**Reported bugs**

- Notes not saving properly
- Transcription issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to save and edit notes
- Folder organization for notes
- Better customer support options


### Basic Mode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-mode-dumb-phone-detox/id6778641529)

Transform your phone into a focused device on a schedule. Block distracting apps, categories, and websites while keeping essential functions accessible. Create custom modes for work, sleep, or family time, with an emergency unlock option.

**Highlights:** Customizable focus modes, Block apps, categories, and websites, Scheduled blocking sessions, Emergency app unlock, Essential app access, Privacy-focused design

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic Mode Weekly Lite | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Basic Mode Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Basic Mode Weekly Plus | $7.99 | per 7 days |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Echo free?

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

### Is Basic Mode free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Echo or Basic Mode?

Basic Mode is rated higher. Echo averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.8K ratings, while Basic Mode averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Echo or Basic Mode have ads?

Neither Echo nor Basic Mode shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Echo or Basic Mode?

Echo ships an update every 3 weeks, and Basic Mode monthly. Most recently, Echo was updated on October 24, 2026 and Basic Mode on October 15, 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.*