Comparison

ZFiles vs MindNote

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

Head to head
About

ZFiles

Read full description

ZFiles is an iOS file browser for personal file management. Browse the iOS Files app, SMB shares on your local network, SFTP servers, WebDAV servers, and hidden files and folders. After downloading, all included features are available with no subscriptions or in-app purchases. Save frequently used servers, jump back into folders with bookmarks, preview images, videos, Markdown, JSON, and common documents, and manage transfers from one place. ZFiles has no ads and does not track users. Server settings and bookmarks stay on your device, and passwords are stored in the system keychain.

About

MindNote

Visually organize your thoughts and ideas with this intuitive mind mapping application. Create unlimited colorful maps, manage them with folders, and export your work in various formats. Features include auto-layout, outline view, and citation management.

Highlights
  • Unlimited mind map creation
  • Folder organization
  • Auto-layout for tidy maps
  • Outline view
  • Export to PDF/Markdown
  • Footnote citation management
  • iCloud sync
Read full description

MindNote is an elegant, simple, smooth, and efficient mind mapping app designed to help you think clearly, plan effectively, and organize your ideas visually. Features: • Create unlimited mind maps with colorful, connected nodes • Organize maps into folders for easy management • Auto-layout to keep your maps tidy • Outline view for a structured overview of your map • Export to PDF or Markdown • Import from Markdown to generate maps instantly • Footnote citation management with support for APA, MLA, Chicago, and more, also with customizable citation formats • iCloud sync keeps your maps up to date across all your Mac and iPhone devices • Supports both light and dark backgrounds for export • Floating quick actions and keyboard shortcut for fast editing Simple to start, powerful as you grow. Download MindNote and start mapping your thoughts today.

Screenshots

ZFiles4 screens
MindNote3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: MindNote at every 2 days against ZFiles's every 3 weeks. MindNote also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZFiles ships an update every 3 weeks, MindNote every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ZFiles versus MindNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZFilesMindNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer之铭 刘Zhaoyuan Chen

In-app purchases

None

ZFiles

No in-app purchases

None

MindNote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ZFiles free?
ZFiles is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MindNote free?
MindNote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ZFiles or MindNote have ads?
Neither ZFiles nor MindNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZFiles or MindNote?
ZFiles ships an update every 3 weeks, and MindNote every 2 days. Most recently, ZFiles was updated on October 17, 2026 and MindNote on October 24, 2026.

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