Comparison

Plain_Note vs Mono Journal

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

Head to head
About

Plain_Note

A fast, minimal note-taking app for professionals. Capture and organize thoughts instantly with plain text, character counts, and OCR from photos. Ideal for quick jotting, archiving, and sharing.

Highlights
  • Plain text notes
  • Character and word count
  • Export notes
  • OCR text extraction from photos
  • Smart file sorting
  • Powerful search functionality
  • Split view for iPad/Mac
Features
Read full description

Plain Note is a fast and minimal note-taking app designed for working professionals who value speed, simplicity, and plain text. Whether you're in a meeting, on a call, or brainstorming ideas - Plain Note helps you capture and organize thoughts instantly, without the clutter. Key Features: • **Plain Text by Default** All your notes are saved as clean, unformatted plain text - perfect for copy-pasting, archiving, or exporting anywhere. • **Character and Word Count + Export** Instantly view the number of characters and words in your note. Easily share or export as plain text to other apps or collaborators. • **Split View for Power Users** On landscape mode (iPad or Mac), view your file list and editor side by side = a true productivity boost. • **OCR from Photo Library** Send an image to the app from your Photos, and it will automatically extract text using OCR - then save it as plain text. • **Smart File Sorting** Sort your notes by file name or modification time to quickly find what you need. • **Powerful Search** Search by filename or inside the content of your notes - find what you're looking for in seconds. --- Plain Note is built for professionals who need a fast, distraction-free environment to jot down, organize, and share ideas - without the overhead of rich formatting or complex tools. Download Plain Note and get back to writing, not waiting.

About

Mono Journal

Features
Read full description

Mono Journal is a brutally minimalist diary designed for one purpose: writing without distractions. We stripped away the clutter, complex formatting, and noisy interfaces to give you a quiet space to think. Whether you are capturing a quick morning thought, reflecting on your day, or doing deep work, Mono Journal keeps the focus entirely on your words. It is the perfect notebook for anyone who finds modern journaling apps too overwhelming. CORE FEATURES: • Zero Distractions A pure, monochrome writing environment that gets out of your way. No ads, no pop-ups, just a blank page and your thoughts. • Multiple Journals Separate your spaces. Keep one journal for personal reflections, another for work notes, and one for travel memories. • Instant Organization Every entry is automatically sorted in reverse chronological order, making it easy to review your daily progress. • Private & Secure (Offline First) Your thoughts belong to you. Mono Journal is completely offline. Everything stays on your device, ensuring total privacy. • Beautiful Typography Carefully selected fonts that make reading and writing a pleasure. The minimalist design language extends to every pixel. • Fast Capture Open the app and start typing immediately. No friction, no loading screens. In a world full of noise, your journal should be quiet. Start writing today.

Screenshots

Plain_Note4 screens
Mono Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mono Journal at Free against Plain_Note's $1.99. Plain_Note's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Mono Journal is free to download; Plain_Note costs $1.99 up front. Mono Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Plain_Note asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Plain_Note versus Mono Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlain_NoteMono Journal
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSun Min ParkJohanna Hoppe

In-app purchases

None

Plain_Note

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Mono Journal

One-time1
  • Mono Journal Pro$6.99

Questions

Is Plain_Note free?
Plain_Note costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mono Journal free?
Mono Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Plain_Note or Mono Journal have ads?
Neither Plain_Note nor Mono Journal shows ads.

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