# GemNote vs BetterYou

The clearest difference is rating: GemNote at 5.0 against BetterYou's 4.3. GemNote also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). BetterYou's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GemNote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and BetterYou sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

GemNote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GemNote | BetterYou |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gemnote/id6757167172/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/betteryou-screen-time-control/id6757367503/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 33 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rachel Masters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826469807) | [Jon Shrestha](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696456623) |

## What reviewers say

### GemNote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gemnote/id6757167172)

Organize your thoughts with vibrant color-coding and unique visual navigation. This app allows you to create interconnected notes, manage tasks with widgets, and even send color-coded messages to friends. It offers a creative approach to productivity.

**Highlights:** Automatic color-coding of writing, Customizable color themes, Star constellation idea connection, Home screen widgets for tasks, Color-coded text messaging, Multiple syntax logic modes

**Features:** iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GemNote Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Own GemNote | $9.99 | one-time |


### BetterYou

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/betteryou-screen-time-control/id6757367503)

This app helps you avoid distractions by creating custom focus modes for work, study, or sleep. It uses Apple's Screen Time controls to set app and category limits, offering timed sessions and different commitment levels for maximum productivity.

**Highlights:** Customizable focus modes, Timed sessions with Live Activities, Two commitment levels (Normal/Hardcore), App and category blocking, Progress tracking and session notes, iCloud sync across devices

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BetterYou Premium | $0.99 | per month |
| BetterYou Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| BetterYou Premium | $4.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GemNote free?

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

### Is BetterYou free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GemNote or BetterYou?

GemNote is rated higher. GemNote averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while BetterYou averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do GemNote or BetterYou have ads?

Neither GemNote nor BetterYou shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GemNote or BetterYou?

GemNote ships an update every 3 weeks, and BetterYou every 3 weeks. Most recently, GemNote was updated on October 12, 2026 and BetterYou on September 19, 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.*