Comparison

LogPad vs em

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

Head to head
About

LogPad

Features
Read full description

LogPad is a fast, private capture app for daily logs, fleeting notes, ideas, links, attachments, and anything you want to save before it disappears. Write naturally from Today, Search, Folders, Smart Folders, widgets, or filtered lists. Add #tags, @mentions, dates, note links, attachments, and Markdown as part of the note itself. LogPad keeps capture simple, then helps you find and organize notes later. WHY LOGPAD Capture without filing first • Open LogPad, write a note, and save it. No notebook decision. No folder cleanup. Just capture the thought while it is still fresh. Find notes later Use Exact Words when you remember the phrase, or Best Match for broader ranked results. Add date filters when you need to narrow things down. Organize naturally • Use #tags and @mentions while writing. LogPad detects them automatically so you can browse, filter, and organize notes without extra filing. Smart Folders • Save useful filters as Smart Folders. Build views for work ideas, meeting notes, links, attachments, writing fragments, recent notes, or dynamic date ranges like Last 7 Days and This Month. Note links and attachments • Connect related notes with inline note links. Attach files and keep references inside the note so context stays together. Markdown preview • Write with lightweight Markdown for headings, emphasis, lists, and quotes. Reading mode renders supported Markdown while editing stays plain text. iCloud sync • Keep notes available across your Apple devices with iCloud sync when enabled and available on your device. Export when needed • Share or save notes as Plain Text or Markdown. Premium adds PDF export, bulk list export, export bundles, and one-tap save automation. Private by design • Notes are stored on your device. LogPad does not operate a server that receives or stores your note content. Search runs on device. FREE FEATURES -Unlimited notes -Fast capture -Today timeline -Exact Words search -Best Match search where supported -Date range filtering -Tags and mentions -Note links -Attachments -Markdown preview -Widgets -iCloud sync -Plain Text and Markdown export -First 3 Smart Folders PREMIUM • LogPad Premium is a one-time lifetime unlock. No subscription. Premium adds: *More than 3 Smart Folders- *PDF export *Bulk list export *Export bundles as folders or zip files GOOD FOR • Quick notes • Daily logs • Brain dumps • Fleeting notes • Work notes • Meeting notes • Ideas and writing fragments • Personal journaling • Project notes • Tracking links and useful references • Lightweight PKM Your notes should be easy to capture and easy to find. LogPad keeps both simple. Support: support@semore-software.com Privacy Policy: https://semore-software.com/logpad-privacy-policy.html By using this app, you agree to Apple’s standard End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

em

A distraction-free Markdown editor for Mac, iPad, and iPhone that keeps your writing files private and accessible. Features smart search, automatic version history, and optional AI assistance for editing and content review.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free Markdown editor
  • Smart Search with filters and Smart Folders
  • Automatic version history stored in iCloud
  • Ghost site integration for publishing
  • On-device AI for editing and review
  • Offline editing capabilities
  • Customizable reader and editor
Features
Read full description

em is a Markdown writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, built on one idea: your writing files are yours, and you're the only one who should decide what to do with 'em. WRITE 'EM WITH MARKDOWN Capture your thoughts in a distraction-free Markdown editor tuned for each device. em counts your words and reading time, but only if you want it to. FIND 'EM WITH SMART SEARCH Smart Search lists every file holding your words, the ones holding all of them first. Use quotes, +, -, OR and * for precision, filter by library, tag, status or year, and save any search as a Smart Folder that stays current. Only remember what a piece was about? Ask em. PROTECT 'EM WITH VERSION HISTORY Every edit is automatically versioned and backed up to iCloud. Compare and restore versions from any device, so an accidental deletion never costs you your writing. PUBLISH 'EM WITH GHOST Connect em to your Ghost site to edit, back up, and publish natively in Markdown that maps to Ghost's cards. em supports 19 Ghost editorial cards, plus drafts, scheduling, and newsletters. EXPLORE 'EM WITH AI (BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT TO) Ask em questions and get answers grounded in your files, not the internet. On OS 27, Siri can search, add, or edit notes in the libraries you approve. Get an Editorial Review from a prompt you can read and edit — it's a document in your library. em doesn't write your drafts; it helps you edit 'em. ALL FEATURES - Smart Search: Search operators, filters, and Smart Folders - Version History: Automatic versioning, stored in iCloud - Ghost Sites: Sync, edit, publish, and send newsletters - AI on Your Terms: On-device Apple Intelligence by default; optionally Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini with your API key - Siri AI: Search, add, or edit notes in approved libraries (OS 27) - Ask em: Answers from your own archive - Editorial Review: AI feedback from a prompt you control - Apple Shortcuts: Start an AI conversation or publish to Ghost - Journaling Suggestions: Capture memories in Markdown (iOS) - Read Aloud: Hear your draft to catch what your eyes miss - Customization: Reader and Editor fonts and colors - Export: Save any Ghost post as a Markdown file - Offline Editing: Works without an iCloud or Ghost connection - Even More: Printing, word counts, and yes — em dash highlighting PRIVACY, PLAINLY em has no server. That's not a promise about what the developer does with your data — there's no backend, no account, and no company database where your writing could end up. Your writing syncs through your iCloud and nowhere else. AI features are off by default and, if turned on, run on-device with Apple Intelligence. Want a larger model? Connect Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini with your own API key — your account, your billing, revocable anytime. em names the model answering, every time. Transparency Statement: AI was used in developing this app, but every feature idea, design call, and architectural decision was made by a human.

Screenshots

LogPad4 screens
em4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LogPad at Free against em's $19.99. LogPad also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). em's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#110 vs unranked). On update cadence and ads 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

LogPad is free to download; em costs $19.99 up front. LogPad sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. em asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LogPad ships an update weekly, em every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
LogPad versus em: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLogPadem
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#110 — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSemore SoftwareJustin Cox

In-app purchases

2 purchases

LogPad

One-time2
  • LogPad Premium Promo$9.99
  • LogPad Premium$19.99
None

em

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LogPad free?
LogPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is em free?
em costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do LogPad or em have ads?
Neither LogPad nor em shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LogPad or em?
LogPad ships an update weekly, and em every 9 days. Most recently, LogPad was updated on October 15, 2026 and em on October 15, 2026.

Other comparisons