Comparison

Point vs Trace

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

Head to head
About

Point

This minimalist journaling app helps you capture one thought per day with a clean, distraction-free interface. It offers optional cloud backup, entry export, and beautiful themes. Ideal for those seeking a simple way to reflect and record daily moments.

Highlights
  • One entry per day (200 characters max)
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Cross-device sync with cloud backup
  • Export entries
  • Multiple themes (Light, Dark, Colorful)
Features
Read full description

Point is a minimalist daily journaling app that helps you capture one thought per day. FEATURES: • Write one entry per day (200 characters max) • Clean, distraction-free interface • Optional daily reminder at the time you choose • Sync across devices with optional cloud backup • Export your entries • Beautiful themes including Light, Dark, and Colorful Perfect for anyone who wants to start journaling but finds traditional diaries overwhelming. Point keeps it simple: one thought, one day at a time. Whether you're reflecting on your day, setting intentions, or just capturing a moment, Point makes journaling effortless and enjoyable.

About

Trace

A minimalist and private space for capturing thoughts, notes, lists, and memories. It offers a clean interface for free writing and quick searching, with optional Pro features for customization and enhanced security.

Highlights
  • Minimalist and calm interface
  • Free writing and reflections
  • Bullet and numbered lists
  • Quick entry search
  • Local-first private storage
  • Customizable themes (Pro)
  • App Lock with biometric support (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Catch a thought in three seconds, by voice or text, then get on with your day. Private by design: no account, no servers, no tracking. Everything stays on your device. No subscription, ever. Pro is a one-time purchase. Trace is a home for passing thoughts: ideas, notes, reflections, lists, and the things you don't want to lose. Open it and write, or just talk. FAST CAPTURE - Open and write. No setup, no folders to choose first - On-device dictation, with optional on-device "Tidy my words" cleanup - "New Trace" control in Control Center (iOS 18) - Drafts save as you type, so a call or a crash can't take them - Bullet and numbered lists that continue as you type FIND IT LATER - Timeline grouped by day - Search everything you've ever written, including by date - Tags to group related thoughts - Reflections that link back to past entries - Traceback resurfaces a past entry every month, free YOURS, NOT OURS - Data Not Collected. Trace runs no servers of its own - Export everything as Markdown or JSON, anytime, free. Great with Obsidian - Deleted something by mistake? It waits 30 days in Recently Deleted BUILT FOR - Brain dumps and racing thoughts - The idea you had in the shower - Something someone said that stuck - The end of a long day TRACE PRO — ONE-TIME PURCHASE, NO SUBSCRIPTION - Extra inks and themes: Cream, Sage, Midnight, Cocoa - Matching alternate app icons - App Lock with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode - iCloud sync through your own iCloud - Weekly Traceback review Paper and Slate inks, Markdown/JSON export, and monthly Traceback stay free for everyone.

Screenshots

Point4 screens
Trace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Trace at every 6 weeks against Point's every 8 months. Trace also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Point sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Trace sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Point against 5.0 for Trace. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Point ships an update every 8 months, Trace every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Point versus Trace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPointTrace
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB89 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEvgenii GrachevPedro Gomes do Nascimento

Customer experience

Point

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Trace

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Point

One-time4
  • Small tip$1.99
  • Colorful theme$2.99
  • Medium tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Large tip$9.99
1 purchases

Trace

One-time1
  • Trace Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Point free?
Point is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Trace free?
Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Point or Trace?
Point and Trace are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Point or Trace have ads?
Neither Point nor Trace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Point or Trace?
Point ships an update every 8 months, and Trace every 6 weeks. Most recently, Point was updated on October 24, 2026 and Trace on October 24, 2026.

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