# StarNote vs Hustly

StarNote and Hustly both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 74% of StarNote's written reviews are positive against 44% of Hustly's. StarNote also leads on monetization model (paid vs subscription) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StarNote sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Hustly sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for StarNote against 4.7 for Hustly. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 124 and 71 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of StarNote's written reviews are positive against 44% of Hustly's.

StarNote ships an update every 2 weeks, Hustly every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | StarNote | Hustly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (124 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starnote-handwritten-notes/id6751570915/reviews) | **[4.7 (71 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hustly-focus-timer/id6758303198/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **124** | 71 |
| Positive reviews | **74.4% of reviews** | 43.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Size | 422 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Onyx International Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1527846836) | [Aurelien Moretto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1872083471) |

## What reviewers say

### StarNote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starnote-handwritten-notes/id6751570915)

This app offers a realistic pen-on-paper handwriting experience on tablets with an infinite canvas for notes and sketches. It includes advanced layering, PDF annotation, and a robust organizer for efficient digital note-taking and planning.

**Highlights:** Realistic low-latency handwriting, Infinite canvas for unlimited space, Layered design for complex projects, Deep PDF annotation and markup, Robust file management and search, Lifetime access with one-time purchase, Free templates and digital assets

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StarNote AI Trial | $0.99 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $3.90 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $4.49 | one-time |
| StarNote Lifetime PRO | $5.99 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $6.69 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $7.79 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $9.79 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $9.99 | one-time |
| Templates\Stickers | $12.99 | one-time |
| StarNote AI Pro | $22.99 | one-time |


### Hustly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hustly-focus-timer/id6758303198)

This app generates real-time binaural frequencies to enhance concentration for intellectual work and study. It offers customizable focus blocks, detailed frequency exploration, and smart onboarding tailored to your goals. Track your progress with comprehensive statistics and enjoy a distraction-free, offline experience.

**Highlights:** Real-time binaural frequency generation, Customizable focus blocks, Frequency exploration and benefits, Smart onboarding based on user profile, Detailed tracking and statistics, Offline functionality, iOS Control Center integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hustly - Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Hustly - Yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| Hustly - Lifetime | $22.99 | one-time |
| Hustly - Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StarNote free?

StarNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Hustly free?

Hustly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, StarNote or Hustly?

Hustly is rated higher. StarNote averages 4.6 out of 5 from 124 ratings, while Hustly averages 4.7 from 71 ratings.

### Do StarNote or Hustly have ads?

Neither StarNote nor Hustly shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StarNote or Hustly?

StarNote ships an update every 2 weeks, and Hustly every 9 days. Most recently, StarNote was updated on November 5, 2026 and Hustly on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*