Comparison

GemNote vs Frames

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

Head to head
About

GemNote

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
Read full description

Write in Color, read faster. Color Code your writing automatically, use our color themes or create your own. Choose from multiple syntax logic modes. Connect all your ideas as star constellations. Navigate your own personal galaxy of notes. Message your Friends in color coded texts. Add Widgets to your Home Screen. Keep a color coded task list. An AuDHD Dev that was fueled by caffeine and glitter made this. She hopes you enjoy! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Frames

Transform your personal photos into a visually appealing monthly calendar. Add custom images to each month for a personalized experience. Organize your schedule with a beautiful, minimal interface and home screen widgets.

Highlights
  • Custom photo for each month
  • Artistic and aesthetic design
  • Monthly calendar view
  • Home screen widgets
  • Frame styles and customization
  • Private and personal storage
Features
Read full description

Frames turns your personal photos into a beautiful, artistic calendar you'll actually love to look at. Every month gets its own picture. Choose from your camera roll or photo library — family memories, travel adventures, pet portraits, landscapes, or any image that inspires you. Frames makes every month feel personal and meaningful. WHY FRAMES? Your Photos, Your Calendar Add a custom photo or picture to each month of the year. Swipe through your personalized monthly calendar and relive your favorite moments all year long. Artistic & Aesthetic Design Frames isn't just a calendar — it's a visual experience. We've crafted a beautiful, minimal interface that puts your photos front and center. Choose from stunning frame styles and layouts that complement your images. A Calendar That Works View your monthly calendar at a glance. Track dates, plan ahead, and stay organized — all while enjoying the photos that matter to you most. Widgets for Your Home Screen Add a beautiful calendar widget right on your home screen or lock screen. See your monthly calendar at a glance — framed with your favorite photo. Your home screen has never looked this good. Frame Styles & Customization Pick from a curated collection of frames and backgrounds. Whether you love classic, modern, or cute aesthetics — there's a style for every taste. Personalize your calendar wallpaper and make it uniquely yours. Private & Personal Your photos stay on your device. No sign-up required, no cloud uploads. Frames is your personal photo calendar — designed with privacy in mind. PERFECT FOR: - Turning family photos into a monthly photo calendar - Creating a picture calendar from travel or vacation memories - Making a visual daily planner with your favorite images - Gifting a custom calendar to someone special - Keeping a photo diary throughout the year - Setting beautiful calendar wallpapers and backgrounds - Adding a stunning photo calendar widget to your home screen Join thousands of users who've turned their camera roll into their favorite calendar. Download Frames today and make every month picture-perfect. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

GemNote4 screens
Frames4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GemNote at 5.0 against Frames's 4.0. Frames's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ratings volume, 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. GemNote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Frames sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GemNote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GemNote ships an update every 3 weeks, Frames every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
GemNote versus Frames: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGemNoteFrames
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB304 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRachel MastersMerchzDeals LLC

Customer experience

GemNote

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Frames

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

GemNote

Subscriptions1
  • GemNote Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • Own GemNote$9.99
6 purchases

Frames

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Access$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Access with Family Sharing$3.991 Month
  • Annual Access$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Access with Family Sharing$34.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
  • Lifetime Access with Family Sharing$49.99

Questions

Is GemNote free?
GemNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Frames free?
Frames is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GemNote or Frames?
GemNote is rated higher. GemNote averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Frames averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do GemNote or Frames have ads?
Neither GemNote nor Frames shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GemNote or Frames?
GemNote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Frames every 4 days. Most recently, GemNote was updated on September 26, 2026 and Frames on September 29, 2026.

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