# Aino vs SteelNote

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Aino at 15.1 against SteelNote's 17.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aino sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and SteelNote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Aino ships an update every 5 days, SteelNote every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aino | SteelNote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aino-markdown-workspace/id6761245785/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 102 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [宜丙 林](https://appshunter.io/developer/1888184895) | [Claude Bezeaud](https://appshunter.io/developer/500254221) |

## What reviewers say

### Aino

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aino-markdown-workspace/id6761245785)

A fast, focused Markdown workspace for building a personal knowledge system. Connect ideas and turn notes into a structured, evolving network. Ideal for capturing thoughts, organizing knowledge, or building your second brain.

**Highlights:** Markdown-first editing, Connected notes, Structured thinking, Focused experience, Personal LifeOS

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aino Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Aino Pro Founder Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Aino Pro Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Aino Pro Lifetime | $249.99 | one-time |


### SteelNote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steelnote-markdown-notes/id6765892871)

This app stores your notes as plain Markdown files on your device, ensuring you always own your data. It offers seamless syncing across Apple devices, instant search, and robust import options from other note-taking applications.

**Highlights:** Plain Markdown file storage, iCloud sync across Apple devices, Local full-text search, Import from multiple note apps, Link notes and see backlinks, Organize with folders and tags, Mark notes as private

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual | $24.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $44.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Aino free?

Aino is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SteelNote free?

SteelNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Aino or SteelNote have ads?

Neither Aino nor SteelNote shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Aino or SteelNote?

Aino ships an update every 5 days, and SteelNote every 4 days. Most recently, Aino was updated on October 31, 2026 and SteelNote on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*