Comparison

Foldie Links vs Ember

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

Head to head
About

Foldie Links

Features
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Foldie Links lets you create links to your personal files and folders. You can embed these links in text-based documents and access them with a simple tap or mouse click. The app then opens and displays the linked file or folder. You can create links either manually or using the built-in file browser. You can embed links in documents from apps including: - Apple Notes and Notes from other companies. - Apple Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. - Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Why is this useful? You can quickly and easily access the files that are relevant to you in a specific context. For example, you can: - Create a list of downloaded PDFs for a school project, display them as needed, and use the links as source citations. - Create a gig list of scores for an orchestral performance as links and quickly open the next score with a tap. - Reference files in shared (read-only) folders as well as personal annotation files for a work project and access them from a presentation when needed for discussion. How does it work? You create so-called Base Folders in the app using drag and drop or via the file dialog. This grants the app access to the folder and all its subfolders. In the built-in file browser, you can view the files and subfolders of the Base Folder and create links to them. Subelements are referenced using a relative file path. How secure is it? When creating links to files in cloud services, you often have to create a public link to the files. With Foldie Links, you can create links without making a file publicly accessible on the internet. The permission associated with the Base Folders applies only to the app and only on the specific device. Is it foolproof to use? Generally, the app only accesses your file system in read-only mode. But you can easily be redirected to the not-so-foolproof Files or Finder app. Working with the shared file system and links also requires particular care because the file system can change, and links can become invalid or change their meaning. Can Foldie Links be used with multiple devices? Yes. You just need to set up the basic folders similarly on the other device. It's best to use a few basic folders and several virtual folders. Data stored in the app is synced via iCloud. Productivity Packs The app basically works without them. However, the extra packs offer additional benefits. For example, you can: - Create link lists, embed links directly in notes, link links together using metadata, and use widgets. - Simulate symbolic links and create overlays with virtual folders. - Use the Shortcuts app to process links or access the app (for advanced users only).

About

Ember

A fast and organized workspace for writing Markdown notes, storing PDFs, diagrams, and voice memos. It offers a vault for reusable prompts and syncs across Apple devices. Start for free with full editor access.

Highlights
  • Rich Markdown editor
  • Inline PDF and image support
  • Reusable prompt vault
  • Daily notes, folders, and tags
  • Instant search functionality
  • Private iCloud sync
  • Share Extension
Features
Read full description

Your notes should feel like home. Ember is a warm, fast place to think — Markdown notes, PDFs, diagrams, voice memos, and a vault of reusable prompts, all in one calm workspace that syncs across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. WRITE IN RICH MARKDOWN A live editor with real formatting: headings, tables, task lists, links, highlights, footnotes, and code — rendered as you type, never in your way. Bullets, numbers, and checkboxes feel native and effortless. MORE THAN TEXT Drop PDFs, images, diagrams, and voice notes right inline. Your references live beside your writing, so everything about a thought stays in one place. A VAULT FOR YOUR PROMPTS Keep the prompts you reuse for writing, research, and planning in a dedicated Prompt Vault — organized, searchable, and a tap away when you need them. STAY ORGANIZED, STAY FAST Daily notes, folders, tags, smart filters, and pinned notes keep things tidy, and instant search finds anything the moment you look for it. YOURS EVERYWHERE Ember runs natively on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with optional private iCloud sync, widgets, and a Share Extension for capturing from anywhere. FREE TO START Capture notes, PDFs, prompts, and attachments with the full editor — free, no account required. EMBER PRO Unlock advanced themes and alternate icons, premium writing and organization workflows, and deeper Prompt Vault tools, as a subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No accounts. No ads. No selling your words. Your notes stay on your device and your own iCloud. Make a home for your thinking. Download Ember Notes. TERMS & PRIVACY Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://embernotes.app/privacy

Screenshots

Foldie Links4 screens
Ember4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Foldie Links at 18.4 against Ember's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Foldie Links sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Ember sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Foldie Links ships an update every 2 weeks, Ember every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Foldie Links versus Ember: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFoldie LinksEmber
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.4 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDr. Garbers SoftwareentwicklungRene DeAnda

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Foldie Links

One-time6
  • Trial PeriodFree
  • Link Productivity$1.99
  • Related Files$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Automation$2.99
  • Pro Personal$5.99
  • Pro Family$9.99
3 purchases

Ember

Subscriptions2
  • Ember Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Ember Pro Annual$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Ember Pro Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Foldie Links free?
Foldie Links is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ember free?
Ember is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Foldie Links or Ember have ads?
Neither Foldie Links nor Ember shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Foldie Links or Ember?
Foldie Links ships an update every 2 weeks, and Ember every 10 days. Most recently, Foldie Links was updated on October 7, 2026 and Ember on September 23, 2026.

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