Comparison

Rkive vs Folio

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

Head to head
About

Rkive

Securely store and organize your documents with an AI-powered, offline vault. Scan, import, and search files with intelligent summarization and tagging, all processed on your device for maximum privacy.

Highlights
  • Offline-first document vault
  • AI-powered titles, summaries, and tags
  • On-device OCR with multilingual support
  • Full-text search
  • Scan paper into PDFs
  • Import files from various sources
  • Export and restore vault backups
Read full description

Rkive is a private, offline-first document vault for your iPhone. Scan paper into PDFs, import files from anywhere, and find anything instantly with full-text search — in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and more. Apple Intelligence generates titles, summaries, and smart tags automatically, all on device. No accounts, no tracking, no cloud processing. Key features: - Scan paper into crisp PDFs with VisionKit - Import PDFs and images from Files, Photos, and other apps - On-device OCR with multilingual support - AI-powered titles, summaries, and smart tags with Apple Intelligence - Full-text search across titles, text, and tags — including CJK languages - Auto-summarize & tag for any document with one tap - Tags and collections for quick organization - Gallery-first browsing with smooth PDF viewing - Share documents easily from the vault - Export full vault backups and restore anytime - Export PDFs any time when you need to share out of app Rkive is designed for speed, privacy, and peace of mind. Everything stays on your device.

About

Folio

Features
Read full description

Folio is a local-first library for Markdown and plain text on Mac. Bring notes and docs into one place, organize them with folders and tags, explore connections with Link Map, and write with private on-device assistance—without juggling loose files in the Finder. Library & organization • Import Markdown and text via the file picker, drag-and-drop, or Import from Git Link for public GitHub repositories and individual files. • Needs Organizing gives new imports a clear inbox before you file them. • Folders and nested structures help you group work the way you think. • Tags cut across folders so you can filter by topic or project. • Pinned favorites and Recently Opened put what you need one click away. Explore connections • Link Map visualizes connections between your notes. • Follow links to explore related ideas and navigate your library from a new perspective. Reading & writing • Use Editor, Preview, or Split View to draft and see rendered Markdown side by side. • Use Writing Assistant to refine drafts, improve wording, and turn rough ideas into clearer notes with private on-device help. • Find text within the current document. • Sort notes by title, date added, last opened, and more. • Search across your library from the sidebar. Share & export • Share notes as Markdown or plain text. • Export documents to a folder you choose in Finder. Whether you’re collecting research, drafting READMEs, or building a personal knowledge base, Folio keeps your Markdown connected, organized, searchable, and easy to revisit.

Screenshots

Rkive4 screens
Folio4 screens

Verdict

The call

Rkive and Folio are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Rkive sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Folio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Rkive versus Folio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRkiveFolio
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Mac
Requires iOS18.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarefolio Health Inc.Dinh Bao Thang Duong

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Rkive

Subscriptions2
  • Vellum Plus (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Vellum Plus (Annually)$29.991 Year
1 purchases

Folio

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Rkive free?
Rkive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Folio free?
Folio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Rkive or Folio have ads?
Neither Rkive nor Folio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rkive or Folio?
Rkive ships an update every 3 weeks, and Folio every 3 weeks. Most recently, Rkive was updated on November 13, 2026 and Folio on November 5, 2026.

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