Caliu vs YouNotes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Caliu
A minimalist markdown notes app designed for writers, offering a distraction-free writing experience with features like nested tags, reminders, and cross-device syncing. It allows for easy export and integration with external tools.
- Markdown writing with live formatting
- Nested and colored tags for organization
- Cross-device sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- Reminders for notes
- Export to various formats (Markdown, ePub, RTF)
- REST API and MCP server for integration
- Customizable themes
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Caliu is a quiet place to write. Open it and start typing: no account, no setup, no clutter. Markdown takes shape as you type, everything works offline, and your notes stay on your device. When you want them everywhere, create a free account and they follow you across iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web. Sync is free, and it stays free. Writing comes first Headings, lists, tasks, quotes, code and links format as you write. There is no preview pane and no mode to switch: what you see is your note. The interface steps aside and leaves you with the page. Organised the way you think Tags instead of folders, because one idea can belong in many places. Nest them, colour them, and find any note in seconds. Link notes to each other and follow a thought from one to the next. Pin what matters now, and archive what you are done with without losing a word. There when you need it Native on iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a web app for everything else. Put a reminder on any note and Caliu nudges you on whichever device you pick up. Save things to Caliu straight from the share sheet, or add a thought from your Apple Watch. Yours, and only yours No ads. No tracking. Nothing you write is used to train AI. Your notes live on your device first and sync encrypted, and Caliu is built in the EU under GDPR. Export any note as Markdown or plain text whenever you like, share one as a public link when someone needs to read it, and delete your account at any time. Deleted means deleted. For tinkerers A full REST API and a built-in MCP server, so Claude, Cursor or your own scripts can read and write your notes, on your terms. Your first API key is free. Caliu Pro Writing, tags, sync and working offline are free, with no limits on notes. Caliu Pro is for when you want more: • Voice dictation that turns speech into clean Markdown, filler words trimmed • Version history: scroll back through any note and restore it in a tap • Every theme, font and app icon: 22 colour themes, each in light and dark, and 30 fonts • Drawing, right inside your notes • Unlimited attachments • More export formats: HTML, ePub, PDF, RTF and TextPack • Unlimited API keys, and connecting AI apps like Claude to your notes Try it free before you decide. Caliu Pro is an auto-renewing subscription: it renews unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and you can manage or cancel it anytime in your App Store account settings. Made with care by a small, independent team of one. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://caliuapp.com/privacy
YouNotes
This digital note-taking app helps you organize thoughts for learning, work, and creativity. Create personalized notebooks, draw on a freeform canvas, and brainstorm with mind maps. It offers a smooth and reliable experience for all your note-taking needs.
- Personalized notebooks with custom covers
- Freeform canvas for writing and drawing
- Whiteboard mode with zooming
- Mind map creation for idea organization
- Insert images, text, and shapes
- Flexible editing tools
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YouNotes is a digital note-taking app designed for learning, work, and creative thinking. Everything you need is in one place—notes, PDF annotation, an infinite whiteboard, mind maps, text documents, and more. In addition to Apple's built-in drawing tools, YouNotes provides a complete set of creative tools including Lasso Selection, Text, Mind Map, Shapes, and a Laser Pointer, making handwriting, annotation, organization, and layout feel more natural and intuitive. With YouNotes, you can enjoy: • Infinite Canvas Combine mind maps, handwritten notes, images, stickers, and shapes on an unlimited canvas where your ideas can grow without boundaries. • Mind Maps Create expressive mind maps by freely mixing text, images, and handwriting, making your ideas more visual, flexible, and engaging. • Seamless Sync Across Devices Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iCloud Sync, so your notes are always available wherever you are. • Multiple Interaction Modes Choose between Apple Pencil Mode, Finger Drawing Mode, and Reading Mode to match the way you like to work. • Teaching & Presentations Use the built-in Laser Pointer to highlight important content during classes, meetings, or presentations. • Dark Mode Enjoy a comfortable viewing experience at night while reducing eye strain and helping extend battery life. From a simple idea, to a single page of notes, to an entire knowledge system, YouNotes is designed to be your quiet, reliable creative companion—helping every thought become clearer and every note more meaningful. Looking Ahead Traditional note-taking is about recording information, organizing it yourself, and searching for answers on your own. As YouNotes continues to evolve, my vision is to transform it into an AI-powered notebook built for the future. More than just a place to write, YouNotes will integrate powerful AI capabilities that actively support your learning—from capturing ideas to understanding concepts, from asking questions to finding answers. Every note will become more valuable as AI helps organize knowledge, explain complex topics, and solve problems—like having a personal tutor by your side whenever you need one. Privacy Policy: https://younote.aiyue.pro/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: YouNotes at 17.0 against Caliu's 26.0. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Caliu sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and YouNotes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Caliu against 5.0 for YouNotes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Caliu ships an update weekly, YouNotes every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Caliu | YouNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 210 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Marc Torrelles | Yangjiang AiYue Information Technology Co., LTD |
Customer experience
Caliu
YouNotes
In-app purchases
Caliu
- Caliu Pro - Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Caliu Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
YouNotes
- Annual Membership$2.991 Year
- Lifetime Membership$5.99








