# Smart Notes vs Focusly

The clearest difference is rating: Focusly at 4.6 against Smart Notes's 3.9. Focusly also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks). Smart Notes's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Notes sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Focusly asks for nothing beyond the download.

Focusly holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 54 and 26 respectively.

Smart Notes ships an update every 6 weeks, Focusly every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Notes | Focusly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (54 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-notes-ai-voice-notes/id6764038640/reviews) | **[4.6 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusly-screen-time/id6774066151/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **54** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#198** |
| Size | 77 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [秀珍 陆](https://appshunter.io/developer/1874536707) | [亚楠 魏](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896254458) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-notes-ai-voice-notes/id6764038640)

This app uses AI to summarize notes and transcribe audio in real-time. It integrates with your calendar for dynamic task management, offers a four-quadrant prioritization system, and incorporates the Pomodoro Technique with focus tracking.

**Highlights:** AI-driven note summarization, Real-time recording and transcription, Dynamic calendar and task check-in, Four Quadrant task management, Pomodoro Technique timer, Focus checks and statistics

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Note Pro Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Note Pro Weekly | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Note Pro Monthly | $24.99 | per month |
| Note Pro Monthly | $39.99 | per month |


### Focusly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusly-screen-time/id6774066151)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

This app helps you reduce digital distractions and cultivate healthier screen time habits. It offers tools to track usage, set app limits, and block distracting applications to improve focus and productivity.

**Highlights:** Screen time tracking, App usage limits, Focus timers, App blocking, Daily statistics, Habit formation, Smart reminders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Notes free?

Smart Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Focusly free?

Focusly is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Smart Notes or Focusly?

Focusly is rated higher. Smart Notes averages 3.9 out of 5 from 54 ratings, while Focusly averages 4.6 from 26 ratings.

### Do Smart Notes or Focusly have ads?

Focusly shows ads; Smart Notes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Notes or Focusly?

Smart Notes ships an update every 6 weeks, and Focusly every 9 days. Most recently, Smart Notes was updated on October 18, 2026 and Focusly on October 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*