Pinote vs CustosNotes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pinote
Quickly jot down a single line reminder that appears directly on your lock screen. No need to open an app; your note is visible every time you unlock your device. Syncs seamlessly across Apple devices via iCloud.
- Lock screen sticky notes
- Live Activity display
- iCloud sync
- No app opening required
- One-line reminders
- Cross-device support
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Your next task. On your Lock Screen. A parcel to return before you leave. A question to ask at your next meeting. Write it in Pinote and pin it, so you can see your next task without opening the app. • Notes and checklists Write freely, then focus on the next item in your checklist. • Pin now or schedule a time Pin a note from the editor or choose when it should appear automatically. Lock Screen availability and updates depend on system settings and device conditions. • Continue across devices Use iCloud to keep your notes across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Each device displays notes in its own way. • Recover deleted notes Recently Deleted keeps copies on this device for 30 days. After restoring a note, you can turn its pin and automatic schedule back on yourself. • Keep a file backup Export a Pinote JSON backup and import it later without overwriting existing notes. Export as text to read your notes in other apps. Recently Deleted is stored separately on each device. No separate Pinote account is required. Cross-device sync uses iCloud. No ads appear on your Lock Screen.
CustosNotes
This app keeps your important notes visible at the top of your screen, in the Dynamic Island, on your Lock Screen, or in the status bar. It allows for quick voice input and easy pinning until you're done with the task.
- Pin notes to Dynamic Island
- Display notes on Lock Screen
- Voice-to-text input
- Set reminders by time
- Type notes manually
- Dark mode support
- Offline functionality
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Most notes apps give you a list. Lists are where things go to be forgotten. CustosNotes keeps the note where you cannot miss it: the top of your screen. Hold the circle, say the thing, let go. Then tap once and that note stays pinned — in the Dynamic Island, on your Lock Screen, in your status bar — until you decide it is done. HOW IT WORKS • Hold the circle and speak. One button, no menus, no cursor to find. • Your phone's own recogniser writes it down, in your language. • Let go and the note lands. It starts switched off; you choose which ones earn a spot up top. WHERE IT STAYS • Dynamic Island — the mark and the time, beside the camera (iPhone 14 Pro and later). • Lock Screen — the whole note, readable without unlocking. • Live Activities & Status Bar — pinned notifications and status updates that stay visible until you dismiss them. REMINDERS, WITHOUT THE CEREMONY Tap the clock, spin the dial, done. It saves as you turn. No date to pick — a time that has already passed means tomorrow — and nothing to confirm. ALSO • Type instead of speaking, for when you cannot talk. • English and Spanish, app and mic together. • Dark mode that follows your phone. • No account, no sign-up, no server. Your notes live on your phone. CustosNotes does one thing. It makes sure you do not forget it and your data does not get out of your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: CustosNotes at none against Pinote's shown. CustosNotes also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Pinote's advantage is device support (4 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Pinote ships an update every 5 days, CustosNotes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pinote | CustosNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | OKMIN LEE | Juan Martin |
Customer experience
Pinote
CustosNotes
In-app purchases
Pinote
No in-app purchases
CustosNotes
No in-app purchases









