Comparison

HotJot Notes vs Write

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

Write

Features
Read full description

Write is a quiet place for ideas, notes, and first drafts. It keeps the thought you are editing at the center of the screen while earlier context gently fades, helping you stay with the sentence in front of you. FOCUS ON THE PRESENT • Write one thought at a time in a calm, centered editor. • Tap any earlier thought to return and revise it. • Move between thoughts with the keyboard on iPhone or your Mac. FIND EVERY NOTE • Notes are saved automatically on the device you are using. • Browse recent notes in a clear library. • Search by title or any phrase. • Delete notes with a familiar, confirmed action. EXPORT YOUR WORDS • Export a clean Markdown file or multipage PDF. • Your words and their order stay intact. • Export files are created entirely on your device. BUILT FOR IPHONE AND MAC • Native layouts for a focused phone flow and an efficient Mac workspace. • System, Light, and Dark appearances. • Dynamic Type, VoiceOver labels, and Reduced Motion support. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Write has no account, advertising, analytics, or third-party server. Version 1.0 stores notes locally on each device and does not sync them between devices.

Screenshots

HotJot Notes4 screens
Write4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Write at every 3 weeks against HotJot Notes's every 2 months. HotJot Notes's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, Write every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
HotJot Notes versus Write: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHotJot NotesWrite
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, Mac
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperSandstorm Innovations LLC (US)Eloi Carrelet

In-app purchases

None

HotJot Notes

No in-app purchases

None

Write

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HotJot Notes free?
HotJot Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Write free?
Write is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HotJot Notes or Write have ads?
Neither HotJot Notes nor Write shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HotJot Notes or Write?
HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, and Write every 3 weeks. Most recently, HotJot Notes was updated on November 5, 2026 and Write on November 5, 2026.

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