Comparison

Editorial vs noteE

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

Head to head
About

Editorial

A plain text editor for iOS offering powerful automation and an inline preview for Markdown, TaskPaper, and Fountain documents. Enhance your writing with custom workflows, scripts, and a smart keyboard.

Highlights
  • Inline Markdown/Fountain Preview
  • Extensible Workflows and Python Scripts
  • Dropbox Sync
  • Smart Keyboard with Swipe Gestures
  • Snippets and TextExpander Support
  • In-App Browser
  • Document Section Folding
Features
Read full description

Editorial is a plain text editor for iOS with powerful automation tools and a beautiful inline preview for Markdown, TaskPaper, and Fountain documents. Features: * Inline Markdown/Fountain Preview – With Editorial's subtle syntax highlighting, you can see your document's formatting immediately while you're writing. And when you need a full HTML preview, it's just a swipe away. * Extensible with Workflows and Scripts – Select from over 50 text processing actions to create your own workflows for extending Editorial's feature set. For even more advanced automation, you can write Python scripts with an integrated code and UI editor. * Dropbox Sync – The sync folder is customizable, so you can easily edit your documents with multiple apps. * Smart Keyboard – The extended keyboard was specifically designed for writing Markdown and includes all the special characters you need. You can also control the cursor with simple swipe gestures. * Snippets – Quickly insert frequently-used pieces of text by typing abbreviations. Snippets can include dynamic text, e.g. the current date or clipboard contents. TextExpander™ snippets are also supported. * In-App Browser – If you need to do some quick research while writing, you don't have to leave the app for that. You can even open multiple tabs. * "Folding" allows you to quickly hide individual sections of your document while you're writing. *** *** *** “It would be hard to imagine a better editor, let alone recommend one that actually exists.” — The Verge “This is it. Editorial sets a new standard for third-party iOS automation, and, for me, there’s no going back.” — Federico Viticci, MacStories “Editorial just reinvented iOS text editing.” — Merlin Mann

About

noteE

This app transforms handwritten notes into text with AI, recognizes math formulas, and generates review questions. It also creates mind maps from notes, answers questions in natural language, and supports various export formats. Enjoy unlimited note-taking with customizable templates and iCloud sync.

Highlights
  • AI handwriting conversion
  • Smart formula recognition
  • AI-generated review questions
  • AI mind map generation
  • Natural language Q&A search
  • Export to PDF, PNG, JPEG
  • iCloud backup and sync
Features
Read full description

From class notes to creative blueprints, noteE is the ideal tool for capturing inspiration. With revolutionary AI handwriting technology and powerful intelligent features, noteE helps you organize thoughts, discover insights, and turn ideas into action. We believe exceptional features should be accessible to everyone. That's why every function in noteE is completely free, with no in-app purchases or subscriptions. Ever. 〉For Students: Make Learning More Efficient ■ Revolutionary Handwriting Conversion: On-device AI engine transforms handwriting into standardized text in real-time. Advanced algorithms intelligently analyze your handwriting, offering flexible options from guidelines to complete conversion with seamless experience. ■ Smart Formula Recognition: Built-in LaTeX engine identifies mathematical formulas while preserving handwritten style. Perfect for STEM subjects. ■ AI Smart Review: Automatically generates personalized review questions to help consolidate knowledge efficiently. ■ AI Note Assistant: Select any content and get instant context-based answers for difficult concepts. ■ Instant search with handwriting recognition and AI natural language support. 〉For Professionals: Enhance Work Efficiency ■ AI Smart Mind Maps: Powered by Kimi, DeepSeek, and Qwen models, automatically generates clear mind maps from your notes. ■ AI Q&A Search: Ask questions in natural language with follow-up support to discover deep connections. ■ Export as PDF, PNG, or JPEG. Share via email or any platform. ■ Present directly via AirPlay or HDMI with laser pointer tool. 〉For Creators: Let Creativity Flow ■ Powerful drawing algorithm and precision tools ensure smooth, paper-like writing experience. ■ Customize covers, folders, and templates with millions of combinations. ■ Full Apple Pencil support with natural, fluid strokes. 〉Digital Notebooks: Unlimited Notes for Free ■ Combine handwriting and typed text with images, diagrams, and drawings. No limits. ■ Customizable templates with unlimited folder hierarchies and smart tags. ■ iCloud backup and sync across iPad, iPhone, and Mac. Free, stable, efficient. ■ Edit freely: resize, change colors, or reposition content. 〉Download Free Today Get noteE on iPad, Mac, and iPhone. Enjoy unrestricted note-taking. Leave complexity behind and embrace intelligence. Visit https://huaxiaxufu.com or follow WeChat "Xufu" Support: https://www.huaxiaxufu.com/support 〉Privacy We collect no personal information. All notes stored securely in your iCloud account. Local processing, fully Apple privacy compliant. Privacy: https://huaxiaxufu.com/law/privacy Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Editorial4 screens
noteE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Editorial at none against noteE's 5. Editorial also leads on ratings volume (236 vs 11) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). noteE's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months) and rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. noteE sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Editorial asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

noteE holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Editorial has 236 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Editorial's written reviews are positive against 78% of noteE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Editorial ships an update every 4 months, noteE every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Editorial versus noteE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEditorialnoteE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (236 ratings)4.3 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings236 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size268 MB294 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developeromz:softwareHuaxia Xufu (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd

Customer experience

Editorial

All ratings236 ratings
Positive75.8%
Neutral6.4%
Negative17.8%
Written reviews359 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral8.9%
Negative17.8%

noteE

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%

Bugs and requests

Editorial

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Dropbox sync issues leading to data loss
  • Crashes, freezes, and bugs
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions and devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • iCloud sync support
  • Folder sync options beyond Dropbox
  • Org-mode support
  • Better Python script editing

noteE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Editorial

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

noteE

Subscriptions4
  • 书笺森罗(周版本)$0.997 Days
  • 书笺森罗(月版本)$3.991 Month
  • 书笺森罗(季度版本)$5.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • 书笺森罗(年度版本)$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • 书笺森罗$9.99

Questions

Is Editorial free?
Editorial is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is noteE free?
noteE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Editorial or noteE?
noteE is rated higher. Editorial averages 4.1 out of 5 from 236 ratings, while noteE averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.
Do Editorial or noteE have ads?
Neither Editorial nor noteE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Editorial or noteE?
Editorial ships an update every 4 months, and noteE every 9 days. Most recently, Editorial was updated on September 29, 2026 and noteE on September 22, 2026.

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