Thoughtful vs Era
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Thoughtful
A private digital journal designed for reflection and thought organization. It offers a clean interface and simple tools to capture and revisit your experiences, with all data securely backed up via iCloud.
- Private journaling space
- Thought capture and organization
- Effortless reflection tools
- Clean iOS aesthetic
- Daily page structure
- iCloud data backup
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Thoughtful is a private space to ponder, write, and reflect. It’s designed to help you capture your thoughts, organize them effortlessly, and revisit them with clarity over time. Every feature is built with care and informed by research on how people process their experiences and memories. The goal is simple: make it easy to record what matters and return to it later. The design follows a clean, native iOS aesthetic paired with simple writing and organization tools, so you can capture thoughts quickly and without friction. Each day lives on its own page, creating a lightweight, structured space that reflects the patterns of daily life. All data is backed up by iCloud, and no one at Thoughtful can read what you write. No account, email, or credit card is required either.
Era
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Era is a minimal, mindful breathing app designed to help you slow down, refocus, and reset. Follow a simple rhythm — breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 2, release for 4 — and feel stress melt away in just three rounds. Set gentle reminders to pause and breathe throughout your day, build healthy habits, and track how often you take time to relax. Era’s clean interface and analytics help you see your progress without distractions. Whether you’re winding down for sleep, easing anxiety, or improving focus, Era brings calm to your routine. Perfect for: • Reducing stress and finding relief • Improving focus and mindfulness • Creating a daily meditation habit • Supporting better sleep and relaxation Features: • Guided breathing pacer & timer • Smart notifications to stay consistent • Minimal design for focus and clarity • Insights into your breathing patterns Take a moment. Breathe. Find your calm with Era.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Thoughtful at none against Era's 1. On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Era sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Thoughtful asks for nothing beyond the download.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.
| Parameter | Thoughtful | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brian Lu Chang | Alexander Picard |
In-app purchases
Thoughtful
No in-app purchases
Era
- Era Lifetime Access$9.99









