Point vs Trace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- One entry per day (200 characters max)
- Distraction-free interface
- Cross-device sync with cloud backup
- Export entries
- Multiple themes (Light, Dark, Colorful)
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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.
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.
- 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)
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Point ships an update every 8 months, Trace every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Point | Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 89 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Evgenii Grachev | Pedro Gomes do Nascimento |
Customer experience
Point
Trace
In-app purchases
Point
- Small tip$1.99
- Colorful theme$2.99
- Medium tip$4.99
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- Large tip$9.99
Trace
- Trace Pro$4.99









