Comparison

Zettel vs Prism

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

Head to head
About

Zettel

This app offers a minimalist note-taking experience, focusing on a single, full-screen note at a time. It features a unique swipe-to-clear gesture with haptic feedback and simple tag functionality for easy organization. Notes are saved as plain Markdown files for versatile use.

Highlights
  • Single full-screen note interface
  • Swipe-to-clear gesture with haptic feedback
  • Simple hashtag tagging system
  • Plain Markdown file export
  • Works with Files app
  • Dark mode support
Read full description

Zettel - Quick Notes for iOS. Write. Swipe to tear. Done. Zettel brings the satisfying feeling of ripping paper to your iPhone. What makes it different: - One note at a time: Full screen. No tabs, no folders, no mess. Just you and your thoughts. - Tear to clear: Swipe from the edge and drag across the screen. Your note tears away with haptic feedback that actually feels real. - Tags that work: Type #anything and it becomes a tag. Find notes instantly without setting up complicated systems. - Your files, anywhere: Notes are plain Markdown files. Edit them in other apps, sync however you want, or just keep them local. Perfect for: - Quick thoughts - Meeting notes - Daily journaling - Project ideas Simple by design: - iPhone only (as it should be) - Works with Files app - Dark mode included - No account required - Zero tracking Built by someone who got tired of overcomplicated note apps. Sometimes the best tools are the simplest ones.

About

Prism

Features
Read full description

Most task apps make you do more. Prism helps you do less — better. Prism is built on a simple idea: you don't have one to-do list, you have several — work, personal, that side project — and they shouldn't all live in the same pile. So Prism organizes everything into Task Lists, and gives each one its own Focus mode. TASK LISTS — Create a list for each part of your life. You always have a Default list to start with, and can add up to 8 total. Rename them, reorder your tasks with a drag, and move a task from one list to another whenever priorities shift. FOCUS MODE — Star the handful of tasks that actually matter right now, then flip Focus mode on to see just those. Each list has its own Focus limit (1–10), so "focused" means something different for a big project list versus a quick errands list. RECURRING LISTS — For the stuff you repeat — a weekly packing list, recurring chores — check items off as you go, then tap Reset to start the next cycle fresh. Recurring lists don't clutter your Log with the same items week after week. LOG — A record of what you've actually accomplished. Browse your completion history, restore a task if you archived it by mistake, and see your weekly momentum at a glance. KEY FEATURES • Task Lists — Organize tasks by area of your life, not one giant pile. Up to 8 lists, each with its own type and Focus limit. • Focus mode — Star what matters, then filter down to just that. No auto-magic guessing what you should work on — you decide, per list. • Recurring checklists — Built for routines you repeat. Check off, reset, repeat. • Smart capture — Add multiple tasks at once by separating them with commas, "and," or line breaks. Prism splits them instantly. • Due dates & reminders — Pin deadlines to tasks and set push notification reminders up to 30 days in advance. • Drag-to-reorder — Reprioritize any list with a long-press drag, in or out of Focus mode. • Weekly chart — See how many tasks you've completed each day over the last week. Progress you can actually feel. • Multiple profiles — Switch between entirely separate sets of task lists for different areas of your life, without mixing them together. • Dark & light modes — A clean, minimal design that works in any light. Prism is for anyone who ends the day with more on their list than when they started — and wants that to change. Focus on what matters.

Screenshots

Zettel4 screens
Prism4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Prism at Free against Zettel's $2.99. Prism also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On update cadence, 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

Prism is free to download; Zettel costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zettel ships an update monthly, Prism every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Zettel versus Prism: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZettelPrism
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander Moritz WeichartTrajectory Labs, LLC

In-app purchases

None

Zettel

No in-app purchases

None

Prism

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zettel free?
Zettel costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Prism free?
Prism is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zettel or Prism have ads?
Neither Zettel nor Prism shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zettel or Prism?
Zettel ships an update monthly, and Prism every 3 weeks. Most recently, Zettel was updated on November 5, 2026 and Prism on October 25, 2026.

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