Comparison

Private AI Note Taker vs Deep Focus Noise & Timer

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

Head to head
About

Private AI Note Taker

This app provides private, on-device AI for meeting notes and transcriptions without cloud reliance. It securely records live meetings or processes uploaded audio/video files, offering AI-generated summaries and searchable notes. Your conversations remain offline and private, never shared or used for model training.

Highlights
  • On-device secure and private note-taking
  • Offline meeting recording and transcription
  • Automatic AI-generated summaries
  • Searchable transcripts and export options
  • Hands-free recording with Siri Shortcuts
  • Support for over 60 languages
  • Choice of transcription models (Apple/WhisperKit)
Features
Read full description

Basil is a private AI note taker for meetings. Recording, transcription and summaries all run on your device. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no server holding your conversations. WHY ON-DEVICE MATTERS Most AI note takers send your audio to a cloud service to be transcribed and summarized. Basil doesn't. Transcription runs on the Neural Engine, and summaries are generated locally by Apple Intelligence. There is no account to create, no subprocessor list, and no server to subpoena. RECORD ANY MEETING • In Person — capture the room with your microphone. • Computer (Mac) — capture both sides of a Zoom, Teams or Meet call without putting a bot in the meeting. Nothing joins your call, and nothing leaves your Mac. • Import existing audio or video files. Basil extracts the audio locally. TRANSCRIPTS AND SUMMARIES • A fast live transcript while you record, then a refined, higher-accuracy pass right after the session. • Transcripts include speakers names and are fully exportable. • Summaries, action items, decisions and follow-ups, generated on device. • 60+ languages. • Full-text search across everything you have recorded. BASIL FOR LAW A legal edition for attorneys and firms: • Privilege attestation — an on-device provenance record documenting that a recording was captured and processed locally. • Consent log — a timestamped attestation, built to the strictest all-party-consent standard so one workflow works in every state. • Matters and clients — organize by matter rather than by date. • Privileged & Confidential labeling on recordings, transcripts and exports. These are record-keeping tools for legal professionals. They are not legal services or legal advice, and no software can guarantee a privilege outcome. Basil's contribution is architectural: your client conversations never leave your device. ACROSS YOUR DEVICES A universal app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Your library syncs through your own iCloud account — your iCloud, not our servers. EXPORT Send notes to Apple Notes, Calendar, Reminders and Files. SUBSCRIPTIONS Basil Pro unlocks unlimited recording. Basil for Law adds the legal feature set above. Free trials are available on both. Current pricing and trial length are shown on the subscription screen in the app. - [Privacy Policy](https://basilai.app/privacy) - [Terms of Use](https://basilai.app/terms)

About

Deep Focus Noise & Timer

This app generates unique, real-time audio soundscapes designed to prevent neural adaptation and enhance focus for neurodivergent individuals. It offers various noise colors and neurally-validated presets to create a spatial shield against distractions, all while operating 100% offline.

Highlights
  • Real-time generative audio, no loops
  • Spatial shielding with HRTF
  • Neurally-validated presets
  • Brown, pink, speech-shaped, and white noise
  • 100% offline functionality
  • Privacy-first, zero data tracking
  • Battery efficient native synthesis
Features
Read full description

dpli creates real-time, evolving spatial soundscapes for ADHD focus and deep work — generated live on your device, never played from a loop. Unlike standard noise apps that replay prerecorded tracks, dpli synthesizes every layer in real time. Sound sources can move through space, shift in intensity, and modulate independently, creating an immersive background that stays dynamic throughout your session. BUILT FOR FOCUS Choose a preset based on what you need: • SHIELD — A steady spatial soundscape designed to mask conversations, office noise, and sudden distractions. • FLOW — Moving, asymmetric layers that create an engaging background for writing, coding, studying, and deep work. • CLARITY — Steady, precisely layered noise that masks distractions and creates a clear background for writing, coding, studying, and deep work. • IGNITION — Designed for ADHD brains or anyone needing a strong push into active focus. An energizing white-noise field with dual-rhythm pulses and airy blue-noise sparkle that drives alertness and mental speed. • RELAX — A heavy brown-noise blanket with two pink streams drifting slowly around your head — eases you into deep physical relaxation while staying awake. Good for winding down, tension release, or a mid-day relax. • RESET — A still, dark cocoon with a slow warm breath that gently sways around you — shifts the mind from stress into rest. Best for 10–20 minute breaks when you feel wound up or anxious. SESSIONS — YOUR RHYTHM OF WORK AND REST Build your own sound sequence on iPhone or Mac. Choose a sound and duration for each stage — FLOW for focused work, then RELAX for a break, for example. dpli blends smoothly between stages and gently fades out at the end. Start with one stage using a free sound. Premium unlocks additional stages and the full preset collection. MORE THAN COLORED NOISE Brown, pink and white noise generators are included for free. They are also the building blocks behind dpli’s layered presets, where position, movement, modulation, and frequency balance work together to create a richer listening environment. GENERATED, NOT STREAMED • No prerecorded audio files • No repeating MP3 loops • Real-time synthesis on your device • Spatial movement and independent modulation • Works offline with no account required PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your sessions stay on your device. dpli does not stream audio, require an account, or collect listening data. MADE FOR THE APPLE ECOSYSTEM Use dpli on iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. Start a session wherever you work, study, travel, or need a more controlled acoustic environment. dpli is a focus and sound-masking tool. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure ADHD or any other medical condition. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Private AI Note Taker4 screens
Deep Focus Noise & Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Private AI Note Taker at 5.0 against Deep Focus Noise & Timer's 4.7. Deep Focus Noise & Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Private AI Note Taker sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Deep Focus Noise & Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Private AI Note Taker holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37 and 26 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 94% of Private AI Note Taker's written reviews are positive against 100% of Deep Focus Noise & Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private AI Note Taker ships an update every 6 days, Deep Focus Noise & Timer weekly. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Private AI Note Taker versus Deep Focus Noise & Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate AI Note TakerDeep Focus Noise & Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (37 ratings) — better4.7 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews93.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings37 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTONSOR LLCLukasz Solniczek

Customer experience

Private AI Note Taker

All ratings37 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.1%
Negative3.1%

Deep Focus Noise & Timer

All ratings26 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Private AI Note Taker

Subscriptions5
  • Basil AI Pro Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Basil AI Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Basil for Law Monthly3 Days trial$19.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Basil AI Pro Yearly (Save 17%)7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Basil for Law Yearly7 Days trial$199.991 Year
One-time1
  • Basil AI Pro Lifetime$199.00
4 purchases

Deep Focus Noise & Timer

Subscriptions3
  • Dpli weekly$0.997 Days
  • Dpli Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Dpli Yearly3 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Dpli lifetime access$14.99

Questions

Is Private AI Note Taker free?
Private AI Note Taker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Deep Focus Noise & Timer free?
Deep Focus Noise & Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Private AI Note Taker or Deep Focus Noise & Timer?
Private AI Note Taker is rated higher. Private AI Note Taker averages 5.0 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while Deep Focus Noise & Timer averages 4.7 from 26 ratings.
Do Private AI Note Taker or Deep Focus Noise & Timer have ads?
Neither Private AI Note Taker nor Deep Focus Noise & Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private AI Note Taker or Deep Focus Noise & Timer?
Private AI Note Taker ships an update every 6 days, and Deep Focus Noise & Timer weekly. Most recently, Private AI Note Taker was updated on October 28, 2026 and Deep Focus Noise & Timer on October 28, 2026.

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