Comparison

Amber vs ZenLocks

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

Head to head
About

Amber

A Markdown notes app designed for efficient writing and a clear reading experience. Organize notes in folders, search your library, and sync across Apple devices. Includes built-in tutorials for easy onboarding.

Highlights
  • Markdown styling as you type
  • Folder organization
  • Fast writing and calm reading view
  • Search across library
  • Photo attachments
  • iCloud syncing across devices
Features
Read full description

Your writing should stay yours—and remain easy to open with other tools. Amber is a Markdown document app that stores regular .md files in iCloud Drive. You can see the originals in the Files app on iPhone and iPad or in Finder on Mac, so your work never depends on a proprietary document format. Natural to write, clear to read Markdown markers appear when you need them, while headings, lists, quotes, links, images, checkboxes, and code blocks stay easy to read. Reading Mode lets you select and copy without worrying about accidental edits. Editing Mode gets you straight back to writing. Tables you can edit in place Amber turns Markdown tables into clear, editable grids. Change cells, add or remove rows and columns, choose header rows or columns, and adjust alignment without leaving the document. The source remains regular Markdown. Stay oriented in long documents Jump to any section with the heading navigator, or fold a heading to see only the shape of your document. Find within the current file, search your entire library, use line numbers, and move back or forward between documents. Keep a growing library organized Recent Documents, Favorites, and folders keep important files close. Choose a destination before creating a document or folder, then rename, move, delete, and restore items with a familiar flow on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Recover from accidental changes Amber can keep earlier contents in version history on the current device. Preview an older version, compare it with the current document, and restore the one you need. History is stored separately on each device rather than in iCloud, and its storage limit is under your control. Continue across iPhone, iPad, and Mac Your documents sync through iCloud Drive. Capture a thought on iPhone, shape a longer draft on iPad, and work with the original files in Finder on Mac. No separate Amber account is required. Amber includes an interface and built-in guides in Korean, English, Japanese, and Russian. Terms of Use and EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://drfranken.net/apps/amber/privacyPolicy_en.html

About

ZenLocks

Features
Read full description

ZenLocks helps you put your phone down and return to the life in front of you. Not every quiet moment needs another scroll. Morning coffee with your partner, an afternoon with your child, a patient conversation with your parents, or a few minutes alone with your own breath. ZenLocks turns focus into a clear commitment: choose a duration, start a session, and let system-level blocking keep distracting apps out of reach. Why ZenLocks - Strict focus timer: set a session and stay with it. - System-level app blocking: built on Apple Screen Time APIs to block selected distractions. - Deliberate exit friction: no simple cancel button during a session, so your first decision has a little more weight. - Focus stats: see your sessions, streaks, and reclaimed time. - Privacy first: your focus data stays on device and can sync through your private iCloud account. - No ads, no third-party analytics, no tracking. ZenLocks is not here to punish you for using your phone. It is here for the moments worth protecting: love, family, rest, deep work, and the quiet attention you keep meaning to give back to yourself. Lock screen, unlock life.

Screenshots

Amber4 screens
ZenLocks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ZenLocks at Free against Amber's $2.99. Amber's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On update cadence, ads, device support 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

ZenLocks is free to download; Amber costs $2.99 up front. ZenLocks sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Amber asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Amber ships an update fortnightly, ZenLocks every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Amber versus ZenLocks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAmberZenLocks
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDONGWOOK LEE浩 张

In-app purchases

None

Amber

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

ZenLocks

One-time3
  • 中杯$1.99
  • 大杯$5.99
  • 超大杯$9.99

Questions

Is Amber free?
Amber costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ZenLocks free?
ZenLocks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Amber or ZenLocks have ads?
Neither Amber nor ZenLocks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Amber or ZenLocks?
Amber ships an update fortnightly, and ZenLocks every 9 days. Most recently, Amber was updated on September 29, 2026 and ZenLocks on September 11, 2026.

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