Comparison

PaperTrail vs Note Now

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

Head to head
About

PaperTrail

This app provides a full TaskPaper editing experience on iOS and iPadOS, allowing you to manage projects, tasks, and notes using simple, flexible plain text files. Sync your work with iCloud and edit across devices, with powerful search and filtering capabilities.

Highlights
  • Full TaskPaper format support
  • OPML import
  • Distraction-free editing
  • Full query language search
  • Tag system with progress tracking
  • iOS Reminders integration
  • Shortcuts and Siri integration
Currently charting
Read full description

PaperTrail brings full TaskPaper editing to iOS and iPadOS. TaskPaper is plain text productivity—simple, fast, flexible. Projects, tasks, notes, and tags. Filter, search, and archive. All in plain text files you can sync via iCloud and edit in TaskPaper on your Mac. FEATURES • Full TaskPaper format support (.taskpaper, .todo, .txt, .md) • Open Bike (.bike) and OPML (.opml) outlines, with clear warnings when an import can't carry everything across • OPML and Bike-style export, so tags and done state round-trip back into Bike • Fold and focus into any subtree for distraction-free editing • Full query language with text, tag, boolean, and semantic search • Tag system with dates, progress tracking, and cost aggregation • Tag autocomplete ranked by how often you use each tag • Smart filters with edge-swipe gestures and an iPad side-by-side sidebar • Colour lines by priority, depth, or due date proximity • Natural date parsing and two-way iOS Reminders integration—import a Reminders list as a project • Quick capture: append tasks, notes, clipboard text, or web links to your most recent document • Planning shortcuts: Open in Today, Random Next Task, and Morning Brief • Shortcuts, Siri, Action Button, and Spotlight integration via App Intents • Find & update documents from Shortcuts: run queries, mark done, set tags, append tasks • Command palette for projects, searches, tags, and every editor command • iPadOS menu bar with Item, Tag, Outline, View, and Palette menus • Export documents as interactive HTML slide presentations or as OPML outlines • Built-in and custom document templates • 50+ keyboard shortcuts for power workflow • Native Swift app—tiny install size, built for speed • Dynamic Type, VoiceOver, and dark mode support

About

Note Now

Features
Read full description

Voice-first notes on CarPlay Record ideas while driving, at the gym, or on the go — hands-free and eyes-free. Note Now is a distraction-free voice note app for iPhone and Apple CarPlay. Features: - Voice-first: Record with one tap, no typing needed - CarPlay integration: Capture ideas directly from your car's dashboard - Organised by groups: Sort notes into custom groups for easy retrieval - Transcribed instantly: Your voice becomes searchable text - One-time unlock: Pro features with a single purchase, no subscriptions - Privacy-focused: Notes stay on your device Perfect for commuters, drivers, and anyone who captures ideas on the move.

Screenshots

PaperTrail4 screens
Note Now4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Note Now at Free against PaperTrail's $19.99. PaperTrail's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#96 vs unranked). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Note Now is free to download; PaperTrail costs $19.99 up front. Note Now sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PaperTrail asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
PaperTrail versus Note Now: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperTrailNote Now
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#96 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DevelopergingerbeardmanRICHARD JEFFERY VINE

In-app purchases

None

PaperTrail

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Note Now

One-time1
  • Note Now Pro$2.99

Questions

Is PaperTrail free?
PaperTrail costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Note Now free?
Note Now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PaperTrail or Note Now have ads?
Neither PaperTrail nor Note Now shows ads.

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