Comparison

Open Pi vs HelixNotes

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

Head to head
About

Open Pi

Manage your Raspberry Pi devices remotely without cloud services. Monitor system health, control Docker, run commands, transfer files, and manage GPIO from a modern, privacy-focused interface.

Highlights
  • Real-time system monitoring
  • SSH terminal access
  • Docker container management
  • GPIO control
  • File manager
  • Wake-on-LAN Helper
  • Remote system actions
Features
Read full description

Direct, local, and private Raspberry Pi management. Open Pi lets you monitor system health, manage Docker containers, and run SSH commands on your Raspberry Pi right from your phone. No cloud servers, accounts, or subscriptions. Built for homelabs, self-hosting, IoT projects, and software development. Key Features • System Health: Real-time CPU, RAM, storage, and temperature metrics • Docker Management: View, start, stop, and restart containers • Terminal: Secure SSH command-line access over local network or VPN • File Manager: Direct file uploads and downloads • GPIO Control: Monitor and toggle pins • Auto-Discovery: Detect devices automatically on local networks • System Actions: Wake-on-LAN helper, remote reboot, and alerts Privacy • Native SSH connection with no background agents • No accounts, tracking, or telemetry • Local-first architecture with zero subscriptions • All data stays on your local network

About

HelixNotes

A private, open-source Markdown note-taking app that keeps your data on your device. Organize notes with notebooks, tags, and wiki links, and utilize advanced features like mathematical notation and diagrams.

Highlights
  • Local Markdown storage
  • Visual and source code editor
  • Notebooks, tags, and wiki links
  • Task management and calendar views
  • KaTeX and Mermaid diagram support
  • Version history and backups
  • Optional WebDAV sync
Features
Read full description

HelixNotes is a private, open-source Markdown notes app. Your notes remain standard Markdown files under your control. No account is required, and HelixNotes has no company-operated cloud. Write with a clean visual editor or switch to source mode when you want direct access to the Markdown. Organize your work with notebooks, tags, wiki links and full-text search. Features include: • Tasks collected from checklists across your notes • List and calendar views with priorities and due dates • Wiki links and an interactive graph view • Daily notes with a built-in calendar • Markdown tables, code blocks and syntax highlighting • KaTeX mathematical notation and Mermaid diagrams • Outline navigation and tag autocomplete • Version history and automatic backups • Light, dark and customizable themes • Optional WebDAV sync with your own server • Optional AI tools using your own provider Nothing leaves your device unless you enable a feature that connects to an external service. Your notes stay readable outside HelixNotes, without a proprietary format or platform lock-in. HelixNotes is free software released under the GNU AGPLv3. Its source code is publicly available on GitLab.

Screenshots

Open Pi4 screens
HelixNotes2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HelixNotes at 5.0 against Open Pi's 4.4. HelixNotes also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). Open Pi's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, ads and device support 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. Open Pi sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. HelixNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HelixNotes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Open Pi ships an update weekly, HelixNotes every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Open Pi versus HelixNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpen PiHelixNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (8 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArtem SvitelskyiYuri Karamian

Customer experience

Open Pi

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

HelixNotes

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Open Pi

One-time2
  • Single (Lifetime)$5.99
  • Family (Lifetime)$12.99
None

HelixNotes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Open Pi free?
Open Pi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HelixNotes free?
HelixNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Open Pi or HelixNotes?
HelixNotes is rated higher. Open Pi averages 4.4 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while HelixNotes averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Open Pi or HelixNotes have ads?
Neither Open Pi nor HelixNotes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Open Pi or HelixNotes?
Open Pi ships an update weekly, and HelixNotes every 3 weeks. Most recently, Open Pi was updated on September 24, 2026 and HelixNotes on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons