Comparison

KeeForge vs Maho Notes

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

Head to head
About

KeeForge

A native iOS password manager that securely stores and auto-fills your credentials from KeePass databases. Access vaults from cloud storage or local files, with robust security features and open-source transparency.

Highlights
  • KeePass (.kdbx) database support
  • Cloud and local file synchronization
  • AutoFill for passwords and TOTP codes
  • Face ID/Touch ID unlock
  • Key file support
  • Open-source and audited
Features
Read full description

KeeForge is a native iOS password manager for KeePass (.kdbx) databases. Open vaults from iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, FTP, or local files. AutoFill passwords, passkeys, and TOTP codes with Face ID. No accounts, no tracking, no subscription — fully open source under GPLv3. Why KeeForge: - Native iOS app, not a port — built in Swift for iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Your vault stays encrypted on your device; we never see it - Zero accounts, zero telemetry, zero ads - Compatible with KeePassXC, KeePass 2.x, KeePassium, and Strongbox Vault Management - Open .kdbx databases from local files, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, FTP, or any Files app provider - Manage multiple databases from a dedicated home screen - Create new KDBX 4.x databases on-device or in Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, FTP - Browse groups and entries with instant search Editing & Saving - Create, edit, and delete entries with built-in password generation - Autosave with timestamped backups and save-conflict detection - Entry history, unknown fields, and third-party extensions preserved — no data loss when round-tripping with KeePassXC or other clients - Read-only mode for shared databases AutoFill - AutoFill passwords, passkeys, and TOTP codes in Safari and apps - QuickType bar suggestions — tap to fill with Face ID - Save new credentials directly from AutoFill, even when offline Security - Face ID / Touch ID unlock with auto-lock inactivity timer - Key file support — all KeePass formats (.key, .keyx, binary, hex) - Screen recording detection blurs vault when capture is active - Exponential lockout after failed unlock attempts - Argon2 KDF, AES-GCM in-memory encryption of secrets - Clipboard stays on-device — no Universal Clipboard sync Open Source - Fully open source under GPLv3 - Source on GitHub: github.com/KeeForge/KeeForge - Independently audited; no network calls except to your own cloud storage and the optional in-app feedback form Tip jar available if you'd like to support development. No subscription, no accounts, no upsell. FTP connections are unencrypted. Use FTP only on networks you trust, and avoid editing the same FTP database from multiple apps or devices at once. FTPS and SFTP are not supported.

About

Maho Notes

Features
Read full description

Maho Notes is a markdown-based note-taking app for people who care about their words — and want to keep them. Every note is a plain .md file on your device. No proprietary format, no vendor lock-in, no servers you don't control. Sync through your own iCloud, your own GitHub repo, or keep notes purely local — your choice. A NOTES APP THAT SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE Full multilingual support, including search across English, 中文 (Traditional Chinese), 日本語 (Japanese), and 한국어 (Korean) — powered by a CJK-aware tokenizer that actually understands word boundaries in each language. Add furigana to Japanese kanji, Zhuyin to Mandarin, Tâi-lô to Taiwanese, or readings to Korean — all with one simple syntax: {漢字|ふりがな}. THREE WAYS TO SEARCH • Keyword search — fast SQLite FTS5 across every note • Semantic search — on-device vector embeddings find ideas, not just words • Hybrid — both, fused into one ranked list Models run entirely on-device. Nothing about your notes leaves your hardware. WRITTEN IN MARKDOWN, RENDERED BEAUTIFULLY • Full CommonMark + GitHub Flavored Markdown • KaTeX math equations • Mermaid diagrams • Syntax-highlighted code blocks • Ruby annotations for any language • Image and asset embedding • Tables, task lists, footnotes ORGANIZE YOUR WAY Vaults hold collections. Collections hold notes. Drag-and-drop reordering, custom icons and colors, hierarchical sub-collections, and per-collection ordering — all stored in plain YAML you can read. SYNC THAT RESPECTS YOU • iCloud — seamless across your Apple devices • GitHub — version your notes as a private repo, sync through your own account using GitHub's official Device Flow login (no third-party server in the middle) • Device-only — keep everything offline Conflicts get clearly-named files (note.conflict-DeviceName.md), never silent overwrites. UNIVERSAL APP One purchase covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Optimized layouts for each: a focus-friendly stack on iPhone, a three-column workspace on iPad and Mac, with the same vault wherever you are.

Screenshots

KeeForge4 screens
Maho Notes3 screens

Verdict

The call

KeeForge and Maho Notes are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. KeeForge sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Maho Notes sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
KeeForge versus Maho Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKeeForgeMaho Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews94.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJia TanKuo-Chuan Pan

In-app purchases

3 purchases

KeeForge

One-time3
  • Small Tip$3.99
  • Nice Tip$6.99
  • Big Tip$14.99
3 purchases

Maho Notes

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is KeeForge free?
KeeForge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Maho Notes free?
Maho Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do KeeForge or Maho Notes have ads?
Neither KeeForge nor Maho Notes shows ads.

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