Comparison

Caliu vs Notes · KurtApps

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Notes · KurtApps

Features
Read full description

Capture your ideas, to-do lists, and important notes in seconds. Type or use your voice to create notes instantly. Everything is saved automatically as you write or speak, so you never have to worry about pressing a save button. No account or sign-up is required. Your notes stay on your device, giving you a simple and private note-taking experience. Voice-to-text requires an internet connection for speech recognition. Features • Create text notes instantly with a single tap. • Create voice notes and watch your words appear as you speak. • Automatic saving while typing or dictating. • Find any note instantly with live search. • Pin important notes to keep them at the top. • Organize your notes with drag-and-drop reordering. • Change note colors with a simple swipe. • Export any note as a PDF or Word document. • Share notes using Mail, Messages, AirDrop, Files, and other apps. • Use Home Screen widgets to quickly create notes, start voice notes, or open your existing notes. • Widgets stay automatically synced with your latest changes. • Choose between Light, Dark, or System appearance. • Available in 34 languages, including full right-to-left support for Arabic, Hebrew, and Urdu. Premium Upgrade to Premium for an uninterrupted note-taking experience. • Remove all banner ads. • Choose between a Yearly subscription or a one-time Lifetime purchase. • Restore previous purchases at any time. • View your Premium status, purchase information, and subscription details directly in the app. Privacy • No account required. • Your notes are stored locally on your device. • Voice audio is processed for speech recognition and is never saved as an audio recording. Privacy Policy: https://kurtapps.com/apps/notes/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Caliu4 screens
Notes · KurtApps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Caliu at none against Notes · KurtApps's shown. Caliu also leads on device support (4 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Caliu sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Notes · KurtApps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Caliu versus Notes · KurtApps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCaliuNotes · KurtApps
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size210 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarc TorrellesERKAN KURT

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Caliu

Subscriptions2
  • Caliu Pro - Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Caliu Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
2 purchases

Notes · KurtApps

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Yearly$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Caliu free?
Caliu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notes · KurtApps free?
Notes · KurtApps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Caliu or Notes · KurtApps have ads?
Notes · KurtApps shows ads; Caliu does not.

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