Comparison

HotJot Notes vs Jotly

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

Head to head
About

HotJot Notes

Capture ideas, photos, and thoughts quickly using a familiar text thread interface. Organize your life into chronological "Stacks" for focused streams of consciousness. Export your data easily in universal Markdown format.

Highlights
  • Text-to-Save workflow
  • Organize into Stacks
  • Visual Timelines
  • Total Privacy
  • Export to Markdown
  • No ads
Features
Read full description

Stop overthinking your notes. HotJot is the fastest way to capture ideas, photos, and thoughts using an interface you already know: a text thread. Organize your life into Stacks. These are focused, chronological streams of consciousness that feel like texting yourself. Whether it’s a fleeting thought, a photo of a receipt, or a project log, HotJot keeps it organized by time and topic without the heavy feel of other note-taking apps. Why HotJot? • The "Text-to-Save" Workflow: No friction. Just pick a Stack and start typing. • Visual Timelines: Every entry is automatically timestamped. Scroll back to see exactly when an idea struck. • Total Privacy: Your data never leaves your device or your personal iCloud backup. It’s in your control. • Own Your Data: Don’t get locked in. Export any Stack (or your entire library) into a clean .zip file containing universal Markdown files and your original photos or videos. • No ads: We hate ads as much as you do. HotJot is completely free for an introductory period, and if you get it while it's free you'll get upgraded for free later. Perfect for: • Project Tracking: Document progress with photos and quick notes. • Quick Capture: Save links, quotes, book recommendations, and "to-dos" before they vanish. • Personal Journaling: A space for your daily thoughts. • Shopping & Lists: Text your family’s requests into a dedicated Stack.

About

Jotly

A fast, private, and offline note-taking app with a clean, minimalist design. It allows for instant typing, easy organization, and customization without any ads or sign-ups. Perfect for quick notes, lists, or journal entries.

Highlights
  • Instant start typing
  • Minimalist design
  • Offline functionality
  • Private local storage
  • Easy search and organization
  • Customizable look
Features
Read full description

Jotly: Simple Notes is the fast, private, and offline way to take notes, jot ideas, and stay organized. No sign-ups. No ads. No clutter. Just a clean notepad designed for quick, distraction-free writing. Why You’ll Love Jotly: Instant Start: Open and start typing immediately — no menus, no loading screens. Minimal Design: A distraction-free writing space that keeps the focus on your words. Offline First: Works anywhere, even without internet. Perfect for quick notes on the go. Private Notebook: All notes are stored locally on your device — we never track or store your data. Easy Organization: Search, edit, and manage your notes effortlessly. Section Shortcuts: Each section becomes a shortcut for easy navigation, helping you find the right spot instantly. Customizable Look: Choose colors and styles to make the app yours. Whether you’re writing a to-do list, grocery list, journal entry, or meeting notes, Jotly makes note taking simple, fast, and private. Perfect for anyone who wants an easy notepad without extra clutter.

Screenshots

HotJot Notes4 screens
Jotly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HotJot Notes at none against Jotly's 1. Jotly's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (6 vs 2). On price, rating, 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. Jotly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HotJot Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for HotJot Notes against 5.0 for Jotly. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, Jotly every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HotJot Notes versus Jotly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHotJot NotesJotly
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSandstorm Innovations LLC (US)Aloha Supplies LLC

Customer experience

HotJot Notes

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Jotly

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

HotJot Notes

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Jotly

One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$4.99

Questions

Is HotJot Notes free?
HotJot Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Jotly free?
Jotly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HotJot Notes or Jotly?
HotJot Notes and Jotly are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 6 ratings respectively.
Do HotJot Notes or Jotly have ads?
Neither HotJot Notes nor Jotly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HotJot Notes or Jotly?
HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, and Jotly every 5 days. Most recently, HotJot Notes was updated on November 5, 2026 and Jotly on October 30, 2026.

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