Comparison

Solo vs Box

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

Head to head
About

Solo

This app functions like a personal chat to save thoughts, links, photos, and to-dos. It automatically organizes your saved items into smart categories and allows you to set reminders. Sync your notes across multiple devices for seamless access.

Highlights
  • Personal chat interface for saving notes
  • Automatic categorization of saved items
  • Reminders for important messages
  • Rich link previews
  • Photo and image saving
  • Cross-device synchronization
Features
Read full description

Solo is the simplest way to save anything that comes to mind. Think of it as a chat — but just with yourself. Text a thought. Drop a link. Snap a photo. Solo captures it all in a familiar messaging interface, so saving things feels as natural as sending a text. SMART SORTING, ZERO EFFORT Solo automatically categorizes your messages into smart views: • Bookmark — Links and articles to read later • To-do — Tasks and action items • Idea — Creative sparks and inspiration • Shopping — Things to buy • Money — Expenses and financial notes • Reservation — Bookings and appointments No folders to create. No tags to manage. Just send, and Solo handles the rest. NEVER FORGET Set reminders on any message so the important stuff comes back to you at the right time. EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE • Text notes and quick thoughts • Links with rich previews • Photos and images • Checklists and to-dos PRIVATE & SECURE Your messages are encrypted on-device. Solo is built with privacy at its core — your thoughts stay yours. SYNC ACROSS DEVICES Sign in to sync your messages across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web. Start a thought on your phone, pick it up on your laptop. SOLO PRO Unlock custom labels, and more ways to organize — your way. Solo is free to use. No account required to get started. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Box

Features
Read full description

Capture it first. AI sorts it. Don't think. Just drop it in. Notes go to Note. To-dos go to Do. Groceries go to Buy. All on your device. Box is a native app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. ■ AI SORT (Apple Intelligence) Everything you add from the input bar or a shortcut is sorted automatically into Notes, To-dos, and your shopping list. ・Groceries are split into separate items in Buy ・Tasks with a date go to Do ・Notes that run several lines go to Note ・Ideas and links stay in Box Not quite right? Send it back to Box with one tap. Turn off AI SORT in the input bar to keep things in Box. Type "Add a project called Garden" to create a project or a Do list. Sorting happens entirely on your device. Nothing you write is sent anywhere. * AI SORT requires a device that supports Apple Intelligence. ■ Box, Note, Do ・Box Save thoughts, links, photos, and files. AI SORT does the sorting. ・Note For anything worth more than a line. Every edit is kept in history, so you can always go back. ・Do Today, List, and Buy are ready from the start. Add the lists you need as you go. Inside the app, Inbox is simply "Box" and ToDo is "Do." It's a tool you reach for every day, so the names stay light. ■ Made for the big screen on Mac Widen the window to see Box, Note, and Do in three columns. ⌘-click to show just the columns you want. ■ What it does ・iPhone, iPad, and Mac (native SwiftUI) ・Private sync over iCloud ・Quick save from the share sheet (iPhone, iPad) ・Quick save from anywhere (Mac / keyboard shortcut) ・Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets ・A focus timer with Live Activity ・Projects, tags, and attachments ・A Trash that keeps items for 30 days ■ Free to start The free version holds up to 10 items across Box, Note, and Do. Every feature is there to try, including AI SORT. Box Pro (one-time purchase) ・Unlimited items ・Change the app icon ・Includes Box Pro features added in the future There is no subscription. Buy it once, and it stays yours. ■ About your data Your data lives only in your own private iCloud. AI SORT runs entirely on your device, too. No account to create. No ads. No analytics. No tracking. Purchases are handled by Apple, so the developer never sees your data or payment details.

Screenshots

Solo4 screens
Box4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Solo at every 3 days against Box's weekly. Solo also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Solo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Box sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solo ships an update every 3 days, Box weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Solo versus Box: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoloBox
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOOTHBOX LLC (Japan)

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Solo

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly14 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly14 Days trial$19.991 Year
1 purchases

Box

One-time1
  • Hako Pro$5.99

Questions

Is Solo free?
Solo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Box free?
Box is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Solo or Box have ads?
Neither Solo nor Box shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Solo or Box?
Solo ships an update every 3 days, and Box weekly. Most recently, Solo was updated on November 5, 2026 and Box on October 31, 2026.

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