Comparison

Mindwtr vs bubbles

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

Head to head
About

Mindwtr

A privacy-focused, local-first task manager that helps you organize your life using the Getting Things Done methodology. It offers zero friction capture, project organization, visual Kanban boards, and a guided weekly review process, all while keeping your data securely on your device.

Highlights
  • Zero friction task capture
  • GTD workflow integration
  • Hierarchical project organization
  • Visual Kanban boards
  • Guided weekly review
  • Offline-first functionality
Features
Read full description

Your head keeps reminding you of things at the worst times. Mindwtr gives them a safe home. Mindwtr (pronounced "mind water") is a free, open-source to-do app built on the Getting Things Done (GTD) method. Write down every task and idea the moment it appears, sort it in seconds, and see only what you can do right now. No account, no subscription, and your data stays on your device. HOW IT WORKS 1. Dump it. A task, an idea, a worry: type it or speak it, and it lands in your Inbox. 2. Sort it. A short guided pass: do it now, schedule it, hand it off, or shelve it for someday. 3. Do it. The Focus view shows only what you can act on right now, nothing else. 4. Reset weekly. A guided review catches loose ends, so the list stays trustworthy and your head stays clear. New to GTD? The idea is simple: your head is for having ideas, not for holding them. Mindwtr walks you through every step. WHY MINDWTR - Works completely offline. No account required. - Your tasks stay on your device. Sync is optional and you choose where: Dropbox, a folder you control, WebDAV, your own server, or iCloud on Apple devices. - The full GTD method built in: Inbox, Next, Waiting For, Someday/Maybe, Projects, Areas, Contexts, and reviews. - Capture from anywhere: quick add, widgets, sharing from other apps, or voice. - Plan your way: list, calendar, and kanban board views. - Reminders, repeating tasks, checklists, Markdown notes, and attachments. - Import from Todoist, TickTick, OmniFocus, and more. - Free and open source. No ads or lock-in. SIMPLE BY DEFAULT, POWERFUL WHEN YOU NEED IT Fewer fields, fewer knobs, no clutter. Advanced tools, like the kanban board, automation, and an optional AI assistant that uses your own AI account, stay out of sight until you want them. Mindwtr means "mind like water": the calm you get when nothing is rattling around in your head.

About

bubbles

Features
Read full description

Capture your thoughts at the speed of light. Most note-taking apps are cluttered, slow, and get in your way. bubbles is different. Designed for zero-friction, it’s the fastest way to turn a passing thought into a permanent record or an actionable reminder. No menus, no complex folders—just you and your ideas. EFFORTLESS SPEED Open the app and start writing immediately. bubbles is built for those who need to capture information instantly. Whether it's a sudden spark of genius or a quick task, bubbles ensures you never lose a thought again. INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION Stop manually scheduling your life. With built-in local intelligence, bubbles understands your context. Mention a time or a date, and the app will automatically suggest and create reminders for you. It’s like having a personal assistant that reads between the lines. TRUE PRIVACY: ZERO-KNOWLEDGE Your thoughts are yours alone. Bubbles is built on a "Zero-Knowledge" architecture. End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Every note, AI chat, and reminder is encrypted on your device using your iCloud Keychain. Only You Have the Keys: Not even we can read your data. Your privacy isn't just a feature; it’s our foundation. Secure Sync: Experience seamless synchronization across your devices with the peace of mind that your data is invisible to the cloud. SMART AI CONVERSATIONS Need to dig deeper into a note? Engage in private AI conversations directly within your thoughts. Refine ideas, summarize long notes, or brainstorm—all protected by the same military-grade encryption that guards your notes. KEY FEATURES: Instant Capture: The fastest "Write" experience on iOS. Automatic Reminders: Context-aware task creation. Private AI: Secure, on-demand intelligence. iCloud Sync: Your notes, everywhere, always encrypted. Minimalist Design: No clutter, just focus. Experience the future of note-taking. Experience bubbles. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.appbubbles.lat/eula

Screenshots

Mindwtr4 screens
bubbles4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mindwtr at none against bubbles's 1. Mindwtr also leads on device support (4 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. bubbles sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Mindwtr asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Mindwtr versus bubbles: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMindwtrbubbles
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDongda LiLat Ware Company

In-app purchases

None

Mindwtr

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

bubbles

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Mindwtr free?
Mindwtr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is bubbles free?
bubbles is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Mindwtr or bubbles have ads?
Neither Mindwtr nor bubbles shows ads.

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