Comparison

HotJot Notes vs BlockLab

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

BlockLab

Features
Read full description

Your phone is designed to distract you. BlockLab is designed to stop it. BlockLab uses Apple's Screen Time framework to block distracting apps during focus sessions and scheduled blocks — the same system-level protection built into iOS, with a cleaner, more intentional interface built around how you actually work. Focus your way Create Focus Profiles with the exact apps you want blocked. Start a manual session when you need to lock in, or set a recurring schedule so blocking happens automatically — no willpower required. Real blocking, not suggestions When a session is active, blocked apps are shielded at the system level. There's no sneaking past it. Grace Period Need a moment before a block kicks in? BlockLab gives you a grace period so you can wrap up what you're doing before focus mode takes over. Pay once. Use forever. No subscription. No monthly fee. No paywalled features. Buy BlockLab once and it's yours. BlockLab is for people who want a simple, honest tool — not an app that gamifies your attention or monetizes your habits.

Screenshots

HotJot Notes4 screens
BlockLab3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HotJot Notes at none against BlockLab's 1. BlockLab's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. BlockLab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HotJot Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, BlockLab every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
HotJot Notes versus BlockLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHotJot NotesBlockLab
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSandstorm Innovations LLC (US)Daniel Catinella

In-app purchases

None

HotJot Notes

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

BlockLab

One-time1
  • BlockLab Premium$2.99

Questions

Is HotJot Notes free?
HotJot Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BlockLab free?
BlockLab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HotJot Notes or BlockLab have ads?
Neither HotJot Notes nor BlockLab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HotJot Notes or BlockLab?
HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, and BlockLab every 2 weeks. Most recently, HotJot Notes was updated on September 18, 2026 and BlockLab on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons