Asterex vs Pad Notes AI
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Asterex
This app securely stores passwords, passkeys, 2FA codes, and sensitive records using strong encryption and a zero-knowledge design. It offers local storage by default with optional cloud sync and provides tools for generating strong passwords and managing digital identities.
- Local-first, privacy-first password manager
- Stores passwords, passkeys, 2FA codes, notes, and attachments
- Password and passphrase generator
- Passkey support and autofill
- AES-256 encryption and biometric protection
- Import from multiple popular password managers
- Optional iCloud and WiFi sync
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Asterex is a local-first, privacy-first password manager built for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It protects passwords, passkeys, 2FA codes, secure notes, attachments, and sensitive records with strong encryption and a zero-knowledge design, so only you can unlock your data. Asterex keeps control in your hands: encrypted local storage by default, with optional sync and encrypted backup when you choose. Guided setup helps you create or restore a vault and enable AutoFill. WHAT YOU CAN STORE - Passwords, passkeys, and secure notes - Credit cards, identities, passports, WiFi credentials, API keys, database logins, software licenses, memberships, subscriptions, and more - Attachments, custom fields, nested tags, favorites, and linked items - Organized vaults with custom colors and icons, fast search, filters, and Smart Folders - Location-aware items associated with Apple Maps places - Smart Fill to populate item details from photos, PDFs, and text, plus camera scans on iPhone and iPad, with on-device processing and review before saving PASSWORD, PASSPHRASE, AND USERNAME TOOLS - Password generator with customizable length and character sets - Option to exclude ambiguous characters like 0/O and l/I - Passphrase generator with configurable word count, separators, capitalization, and numeric suffix - Remembered password and passphrase settings - Alias Studio for username and email identity generation - Plus-address aliases, catch-all domain aliases, word-blend usernames, and relay aliases through supported providers PASSKEY AND AUTOFILL EXPERIENCE - Passkey support for WebAuthn/FIDO2 - AutoFill for apps and websites - Safari extension, plus Chrome and Firefox extensions for Mac, with password and 2FA code autofill, search, password generation, and login saving - URI match detection controls for more precise website matching - Built-in TOTP authenticator with QR setup and quick copy - Mac Quick Access and keyboard shortcuts - Siri and Shortcuts support, with optional Spotlight indexing WIDGETS - TOTP widget for fast access to one-time codes - Subscription widget mode for upcoming billing visibility - Security Score widget for at-a-glance vault health SECURITY FEATURES - AES-256 encryption and SQLCipher encrypted local database - Face ID and Touch ID protection - YubiKey and compatible security key support - Travel Mode to hide selected vaults until revealed with your Master Password - Vault Policies for local rules around access, AutoFill, exports, sync, and travel visibility - Auto-lock and privacy screen - Secure clipboard controls, including auto-clear options - Security Dashboard for weak, duplicate, reused, old, and compromised credential detection - 2FA coverage insights and actionable recommendations IMPORT, EXPORT, AND TRANSFER - Import from 1Password, Bitwarden, Proton Pass, KeePass, Strongbox, Chrome, LastPass, Apple Passwords CSV, mSecure, and generic CSV - Preview imports before adding items to your vault - Select or unselect individual items during supported imports - Encrypted export for backup and migration - App-to-app credential transfer support on compatible iOS versions SYNC AND BACKUP OPTIONS - Local-first by default - Optional iCloud Sync - Optional encrypted iCloud backup and restore - Local WiFi Sync with secure pairing and fingerprint verification - Folder Sync and WebDAV support PRIVACY - No tracking, no analytics, no ads - No Asterex-hosted cloud storing your vault - Your master password stays on-device PREMIUM Asterex includes a free tier, with Premium unlocking expanded limits and advanced workflows including advanced protection tools, widgets, vault organization, imports, sync, and backup features. Free trial available. Cancel anytime. Terms of Use: [https://secure.asterex.app/terms](https://secure.asterex.app/terms) Privacy Policy: [https://secure.asterex.app/privacy](https://secure.asterex.app/privacy)
Pad Notes AI
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Pad Notes AI brings handwriting, typed notes, PDF annotation and a note-focused AI assistant into one workspace on iPhone, iPad and Mac. WRITE AND CREATE Write with Apple Pencil on compatible iPads or draw with touch. Adjust ink and stroke size, highlight, add text and images, and hold a stroke to turn it into an editable shape. Erase whole strokes or just part of them. MAKE EACH NOTEBOOK YOURS Choose from 15 cover styles, 19 page templates and 12 paper colors. Use ruled, dotted, grid, Cornell, planner, music and reading journal pages. Organize notebooks in folders, pin favorites, search your notes, and import or export PDFs. WORK WITH YOUR NOTES Record audio, use transcription and translation, and ask the assistant to summarize, explain or create study questions from selected pages. Apple on-device AI requires a supported device with Apple Intelligence available. Online AI requires your own provider API key and an internet connection. The basic offline mode extracts text and keywords using rules. Start with up to 20 notebooks for free. A one-time lifetime purchase unlocks unlimited notebooks. iCloud sync uses your device's Apple Account and requires iCloud to be available.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Pad Notes AI at daily against Asterex's every 5 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Asterex sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pad Notes AI sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Asterex ships an update every 5 days, Pad Notes AI daily. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.
| Parameter | Asterex | Pad Notes AI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (7 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 82 MB | 685 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yaw Boamah | Hung Tien Pham |
In-app purchases
Asterex
- Asterex Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
- Asterex Premium Yearly$29.991 Year
- Asterex Lifetime Premium$79.99
Pad Notes AI
- Lifetime Access$9.99








