HotJot Notes vs Write
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Text-to-Save workflow
- Organize into Stacks
- Visual Timelines
- Total Privacy
- Export to Markdown
- No ads
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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.
Write
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
HotJot Notes ships an update every 2 months, Write every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | HotJot Notes | Write |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Sandstorm Innovations LLC (US) | Eloi Carrelet |
In-app purchases
HotJot Notes
No in-app purchases
Write
No in-app purchases









