Comparison

OrbNote vs Present Past

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

Head to head
About

OrbNote

This app offers a chat-style notebook for Apple devices, allowing users to capture text, images, recordings, and files in a timeline format. Organize notes manually or with AI suggestions, and sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Highlights
  • Chat-style note capture
  • Support for text, images, audio, files
  • AI-powered organization suggestions
  • Cross-device sync (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
  • Local-first storage
  • Password-protected threads (Pro)
  • Expiring messages (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Capture the thought first. OrbNote is a chat-style notebook designed for Apple devices. Text, images, recordings, files, and checklists can all enter the same timeline like messages. You do not need to choose a folder first or design a complete structure while an idea is still forming. Put it in Quick Jot, then organize it manually or ask AI for suggestions when the right place becomes clear. Capture like messaging Every note is a message, naturally preserving its time and context. Quick Jot Not sure where something belongs? Capture it first and organize it later. AI organization · Pro AI can suggest a suitable group and Thread and explain why. Accept or ignore each suggestion, or explicitly enable automatic organization. Text, images, audio, and files Keep different types of content in the same context. Pro adds automatic transcription and search across text in images (OCR), voice transcripts, attachment names, and full article text. Across Apple devices Capture on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and keep everything in sync with your own iCloud account. With Pro, you can also record from Apple Watch. Local-first Regular notes are stored on your devices first, with no separate OrbNote content account required. AI features are optional and run only when you use them. Privacy and control Protect important Threads with a password lock (Pro) and let time-sensitive messages expire automatically (Pro). On Mac, export notes as Markdown with original attachments. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Present Past

Features
Read full description

Present Past is a simple journaling app built around a timeline. It helps you capture small moments as they happen and quietly brings them back later, when they feel new again. Instead of long, structured entries, you can write short notes throughout the day. Thoughts, events, or even something you don’t want to forget. Over time, they form a personal history you can revisit anytime. ### Key Features - Timeline-based journaling Your entries are organized in a clean, chronological timeline, making it easy to browse your past. - Quick capture Open the app and start writing immediately. No friction, no setup. - Hashtags for flexible organization Add tags to your entries and follow threads across time. - Resurface past moments Revisit entries from the past and rediscover thoughts you’ve forgotten. - Text-first experience Designed to keep your focus on thoughts rather than media. - Private and simple Your data stays on your device. No accounts, no distractions.

Screenshots

OrbNote4 screens
Present Past4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Present Past at none against OrbNote's 2. Present Past also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 11 days) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). OrbNote's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads 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. OrbNote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Present Past asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OrbNote ships an update every 11 days, Present Past every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
OrbNote versus Present Past: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbNotePresent Past
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer志远 郭SeungEun Lee

In-app purchases

2 purchases

OrbNote

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Membership$2.991 Month
  • Pro Membership$29.991 Year
None

Present Past

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OrbNote free?
OrbNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Present Past free?
Present Past is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do OrbNote or Present Past have ads?
Neither OrbNote nor Present Past shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OrbNote or Present Past?
OrbNote ships an update every 11 days, and Present Past every 4 days. Most recently, OrbNote was updated on October 31, 2026 and Present Past on October 25, 2026.

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