Comparison

Menu Bar Notes vs Zenith

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

Head to head
About

Menu Bar Notes

Quickly capture thoughts, edit them across devices, and organize with markdown blocks and tabs. Notes sync privately via iCloud, with a 30-day trash recovery option. No accounts or data collection required.

Highlights
  • Block editor with markdown shortcuts
  • Collapsible toggle blocks
  • Tabbed notes with keyboard navigation
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Menu bar quick capture on Mac
  • 30-day trash recovery
Read full description

Easily reach into your menubar to quickly jot down a thought or reference, edit it on your synced iPhone and iPad app with your private iCloud keeping every device in step. No accounts or signups are needed and no data is collected. I always wanted a simple tool like this and I hope someone else finds it useful. On Mac, it sits in your menu bar. Click the icon or press ⌥⌘N from any app to open your notes, and click the icon again or press Esc to put them away. On iPhone and iPad, it's a clean, touch-first editor that stays out of your way. Markdown Style Blocks Every note is built from blocks: text, headings, collapsible toggles, to-dos with checkboxes, and code. Type shortcuts like "# ", "> ", or "[] " at the start of a line and the block transforms as you write. Toggles nest without limit, so a quick list can grow into a real outline. Browser Style Tabs Notes are tabs. Switch with ⌘1–⌘9, open a new note with ⌘T, close one with ⌘W. Privately Sync over iCloud- No Account Needed iCloud sync keeps iPhone, iPad, and Mac in step automatically. No account to create, no subscription — your notes live in your personal, private iCloud. Forgiving By Design Deleted notes and blocks go to the Trash, where they can be restored for 30 days. FEATURES • Block editor: text, Heading 1 and 2, toggles, to-dos, and code • Markdown-style shortcuts for instant block transforms • Collapsible toggle blocks with unlimited nesting • Duplicate any block along with its children • Menu bar quick capture on Mac, with a global ⌥⌘N (Option-Command-N) hotkey • Tabbed notes with full keyboard navigation on Mac • iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac • 30-day Trash with restore • No accounts, no tracking, no data collection Menu Notes stores your notes on your device and syncs them through your own private iCloud database. We can't read them, and we wouldn't want to.

About

Zenith

This minimalist productivity app uses the Pomodoro technique with atmospheric visuals and calming breathing exercises to help you achieve deep work. Customize focus sessions, breaks, and choose immersive themes to create a digital sanctuary for enhanced concentration.

Highlights
  • Aesthetic focus with dynamic mesh backgrounds
  • Immersive themes for work ambiance
  • Customizable Pomodoro technique sessions
  • Integrated breathing exercises
  • Live Activities for progress tracking
  • Session tagging for focus insights
Features
Read full description

Make room for one quiet session. Zenith Pomodoro is an atmospheric focus timer for studying, writing, and work. Choose one task, set your session length, and begin with a backdrop that fits your surroundings. A RHYTHM THAT FITS Adjust your focus, short-break, and long-break durations. Start with 25 minutes or choose your own pace. YOUR STUDY ATMOSPHERE Choose animated gradients, solid colors, and atmospheric themes. A selection of themes is included; additional themes and custom colors require Zenith Premium. TIME AT A GLANCE Follow your timer on the Lock Screen with Live Activities, and in the Dynamic Island on supported devices. A PLACE FOR BREAKS Use an optional visual breathing guide during breaks. Classic is included; additional breathing styles require Premium. LOOK BACK AT YOUR SESSIONS Tag sessions by what you worked on and revisit recent focus history. Extended history requires Premium. OPTIONAL SOUND WITH PREMIUM Blend ambient soundscapes in Focus Mix, adjust individual volumes, and choose separate mixes for focus and breaks. Focus Mix requires Zenith Premium. Start with one session. Find a rhythm that fits your routine. Requires iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later. Zenith Premium is an optional monthly or annual auto-renewing subscription. Review the purchase and renewal terms in the app before subscribing. Privacy Policy: https://cjamie.github.io/Zenith-Pomodoro-Privacy-Policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Menu Bar Notes4 screens
Zenith3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Menu Bar Notes at none against Zenith's 1. Menu Bar Notes also leads on device support (4 vs 2). Zenith's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Zenith sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Menu Bar Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Menu Bar Notes against 5.0 for Zenith. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Menu Bar Notes ships an update every 2 weeks, Zenith every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Menu Bar Notes versus Zenith: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMenu Bar NotesZenith
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB208 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOlamide OjumuShahab Darvish

Customer experience

Menu Bar Notes

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Zenith

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Menu Bar Notes

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Zenith

Subscriptions1
  • Premium7 Days trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Menu Bar Notes free?
Menu Bar Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zenith free?
Zenith is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Menu Bar Notes or Zenith?
Menu Bar Notes and Zenith are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Menu Bar Notes or Zenith have ads?
Neither Menu Bar Notes nor Zenith shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Menu Bar Notes or Zenith?
Menu Bar Notes ships an update every 2 weeks, and Zenith every 4 days. Most recently, Menu Bar Notes was updated on October 3, 2026 and Zenith on October 17, 2026.

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