Comparison

Mindwtr vs PaperHero

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

PaperHero

Features
Read full description

Letters, bills, contracts, receipts: PaperHero turns your paper pile into an archive where you find anything in seconds. Take a photo, the AI suggests a title, folder and tags, done. HOW IT WORKS Snap it or upload it Scan letters with your camera or upload PDFs and images. PaperHero reads the text, handwriting included, and makes every document searchable. The AI files it for you For every new document PaperHero suggests a name, a description, the right folder and tags. Confirm with one tap or adjust. Just ask your documents "When can I cancel my phone contract?" The AI assistant searches your own documents, answers and names its source, so you can check for yourself. Finds what's inside Full-text search looks through the content of your documents, not just file names. Even the handwritten word on the plumber's receipt. NEW: EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE Grid view with previews Flip through your folders like a stack of paper: every document shows its first page. Sort by name, document number, creation date or last change. No storage limit Your archive is allowed to grow. Plans differ in how many new pages you process per month, not in how much you can keep. FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Organise together Share folders with your partner or family and set per folder who can read, edit or manage everything. Tax papers for both of you, the diary just for you. Prepared for emergencies Choose trusted people who can get access to your documents if you have been inactive for a long time. So nobody has to hunt for the insurance policy when it matters. SECURE, HOSTED IN GERMANY • Your documents are stored encrypted on servers in Germany, under the GDPR. • The key to your files is protected by your password. • Two-factor sign-in for your account. • The AI runs in the EU only, no US cloud. On the Big plan it even runs on our own hardware. WORKS EVERYWHERE iPhone, iPad, other mobile operating systems and the web, always in sync. For the technically minded there is also a REST API and a command-line tool. SUBSCRIPTION PaperHero offers auto-renewable subscriptions: • PaperHero Small – €5.99 / month • PaperHero Medium – €12.99 / month • PaperHero Big – €26.99 / month New customers can start with a 30-day introductory offer for €1, which then renews as a Small subscription at €5.99 / month. Every plan is a monthly, auto-renewable subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.paperhero.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.paperhero.io/privacy

Screenshots

Mindwtr4 screens
PaperHero4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mindwtr at none against PaperHero's 3. Mindwtr also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence 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. PaperHero sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Mindwtr asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mindwtr ships an update weekly, PaperHero every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Mindwtr versus PaperHero: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMindwtrPaperHero
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB18 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperDongda Liblaumedia GmbH

In-app purchases

None

Mindwtr

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

PaperHero

Subscriptions3
  • PaperHero Small1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • PaperHero Medium$11.991 Month
  • PaperHero Big$24.991 Month

Questions

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

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