Comparison

Ortel vs JotBox

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

Head to head
About

Ortel

Read full description

Ortel is a map-first notes app for moments tied to real places. Instead of dumping ideas into one long list, Ortel lets you pin each note to the exact spot where it happened. Capture the thought, keep the context, and find it again when you are nearby. Use Ortel to: - Save quick notes to specific places on the map - Auto-capture location context, including address and point of interest - Browse your notes visually with map pins - Review nearby notes sorted by distance - Keep your notes private and synced across your devices with iCloud Perfect for food finds, travel moments, neighborhood discoveries, and everyday reminders you want to remember by location.

About

JotBox

A fast, local-first scratchpad for quick notes, drafts, and lists. Offers rich text formatting, image attachments, and powerful search. Notes are private by default, with optional iCloud sync and backups.

Highlights
  • Rich text formatting
  • Image and camera capture
  • Full-text search and filters
  • Note locking and read-only mode
  • Export to multiple formats
  • Optional iCloud sync and backup
Features
Read full description

JotBox is a fast, local-first scratchpad for the notes that don't need a whole filing cabinet. Open the app and start writing. JotBox keeps a blank page ready, stores notes in a simple timeline, and adds just enough structure when you need it. Use JotBox to: - capture quick notes, measurements, reminders, drafts, and lists - format text with bold, italic, underline, colors, highlights, links, bullets, numbered lists, checkboxes, and indentation - add images from your photo library or pasteboard, with camera capture on iPhone and iPad - save text and links from the Share Sheet where supported - pin, reorder, and find notes with full-text search, snippets, filters, and highlights - lock individual notes locally with a JotBox privacy password and optional biometric unlock where available - mark reference notes read-only so they stay viewable without accidental edits - recover deleted notes from the Recycle Bin - export notes as text, Markdown, PDF, or a restorable backup file - optionally sync through your private iCloud account - optionally create iCloud Drive backup snapshots No account is required. Notes stay on your device unless you turn on Apple's private iCloud sync or iCloud Drive backup. JotBox includes a 7-day app-managed trial. After the trial, JotBox Pro is a one-time $3.99 unlock for editing, creating and managing notes, and rich attachments. Existing notes remain viewable, copyable, shareable, and exportable.

Screenshots

Ortel3 screens
JotBox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ortel at none against JotBox's 1. Ortel also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 weeks). JotBox's advantage is device support (3 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. JotBox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ortel asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ortel ships an update every 3 days, JotBox every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Ortel versus JotBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrtelJotBox
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn GallardoDaniel Bragilevsky

In-app purchases

None

Ortel

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

JotBox

One-time1
  • JotBox Pro$3.99

Questions

Is Ortel free?
Ortel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JotBox free?
JotBox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Ortel or JotBox have ads?
Neither Ortel nor JotBox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ortel or JotBox?
Ortel ships an update every 3 days, and JotBox every 5 weeks. Most recently, Ortel was updated on October 20, 2026 and JotBox on October 11, 2026.

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