JotBox vs Box
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JotBox
A fast, local-first scratchpad for quick notes, drafts, and lists. Offers rich text formatting, image attachments, and powerful search. Notes are private by default, with optional iCloud sync and backups.
- Rich text formatting
- Image and camera capture
- Full-text search and filters
- Note locking and read-only mode
- Export to multiple formats
- Optional iCloud sync and backup
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JotBox is a fast, local-first scratchpad for the notes that don't need a whole filing cabinet. Open the app and start writing. JotBox keeps a blank page ready, stores notes in a simple timeline, and adds just enough structure when you need it. Use JotBox to: - capture quick notes, measurements, reminders, drafts, and lists - format text with bold, italic, underline, colors, highlights, links, bullets, numbered lists, checkboxes, and indentation - add images from your photo library or pasteboard, with camera capture on iPhone and iPad - save text and links from the Share Sheet where supported - pin, reorder, and find notes with full-text search, snippets, filters, and highlights - lock individual notes locally with a JotBox privacy password and optional biometric unlock where available - mark reference notes read-only so they stay viewable without accidental edits - recover deleted notes from the Recycle Bin - export notes as text, Markdown, PDF, or a restorable backup file - optionally sync through your private iCloud account - optionally create iCloud Drive backup snapshots No account is required. Notes stay on your device unless you turn on Apple's private iCloud sync or iCloud Drive backup. JotBox includes a 7-day app-managed trial. After the trial, JotBox Pro is a one-time $3.99 unlock for editing, creating and managing notes, and rich attachments. Existing notes remain viewable, copyable, shareable, and exportable.
Box
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Capture it first. Sort it later. A thought is gone before you get back to it. Box is a small box for keeping it. Put down whatever comes to mind, before you think it through. Shape it later, when you have the time. Box is a native app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. ■ Box, Note, Do ・Box Save thoughts, links, photos, and files. Sorting can wait. ・Note For anything worth more than a line. Every edit is kept in history, so you can always go back. ・Do Today, List, and Buy are ready from the start. Add the lists you need as you go. Inside the app, Inbox is simply "Box" and ToDo is "Do." It's a tool you reach for every day, so the names stay light. ■ What it does ・iPhone, iPad, and Mac (native SwiftUI) ・Private sync over iCloud ・Quick save from the share sheet (iPhone, iPad) ・Quick save from anywhere (Mac / ⌃⌥⌘B) ・Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets ・A focus timer with Live Activity ・Projects, tags, and attachments ・A Trash that keeps items for 30 days ■ Free to start The free version holds up to 10 items across Box, Note, and Do. Every feature is there to try. Box Pro (one-time purchase) ・Unlimited items ・Change the app icon ・Includes Box Pro features added in the future There is no subscription. Buy it once, and it stays yours. ■ About your data Your data lives only in your own private iCloud. No account to create. No ads. No analytics. No tracking. Purchases are handled by Apple, so the developer never sees your data or payment details. Built in Yokohama, by one developer.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Box at weekly against JotBox's every 5 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. JotBox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Box sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
JotBox ships an update every 5 weeks, Box weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JotBox | Box |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel Bragilevsky | BOX LLC (Japan) |
In-app purchases
JotBox
- JotBox Pro$3.99
Box
- Hako Pro$5.99








