Comparison

JotBunker vs JotBox

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

Head to head
About

JotBunker

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JotBunker is a note-taking app for your phone and your computer. You jot on your phone. You work and store in your Bunker, a secure computer on your home network. Sync happens over your local Wi-Fi when you choose. No cloud. No accounts. No data ever leaves your network. FOUR WORKSPACES • Jots: Six numbered slots for quick capture. Each slot holds text, drawings, photos, voice recordings, and file attachments. Fill the slots, sync them to your computer, and clear them for the next round. • Lists: Todos and checklists. Rename categories, reorder items, check things off on either device. Changes merge when you reconnect. • Locked Lists: Gate codes, lock combos, membership numbers, safe combinations. Protected behind biometrics and auto-locked the moment you navigate away. • Scratchpads: Six freeform text areas. Start a thought on your computer, pick it up on your phone. HOW SYNC WORKS Pair once by scanning a QR code. After that, tap Sync whenever you're on your home network. All network traffic is encrypted end-to-end with NaCl. Nothing goes through an external server. From your computer, download jots as plain files (.txt, .jpg, .m4a, .pdf) into folders you choose. Use them with anything: search tools, scripts, a PKM system, or just File Explorer. OPEN SOURCE JotBunker source code is publicly available under the GPL-3.0 license at github.com/johnbrantly/jotbunker. The companion desktop app is available at jotbunker.com.

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
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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

JotBunker4 screens
JotBox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JotBunker at none against JotBox's 1. JotBunker also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads 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. JotBox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. JotBunker asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JotBunker ships an update every 3 days, JotBox every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
JotBunker versus JotBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJotBunkerJotBox
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
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn BrantlyDaniel Bragilevsky

In-app purchases

None

JotBunker

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

JotBox

One-time1
  • JotBox Pro$3.99

Questions

Is JotBunker free?
JotBunker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JotBox free?
JotBox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do JotBunker or JotBox have ads?
Neither JotBunker nor JotBox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JotBunker or JotBox?
JotBunker ships an update every 3 days, and JotBox every 5 weeks. Most recently, JotBunker was updated on September 11, 2026 and JotBox on September 8, 2026.

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