Comparison

Folio vs HipMark

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

Head to head
About

Folio

Features
Read full description

Folio is a local-first library for Markdown and plain text on Mac. Bring notes and docs into one place, organize them with folders and tags, explore connections with Link Map, and write with private on-device assistanceβ€”without juggling loose files in the Finder. Library & organization β€’ Import Markdown and text via the file picker, drag-and-drop, or Import from Git Link for public GitHub repositories and individual files. β€’ Needs Organizing gives new imports a clear inbox before you file them. β€’ Folders and nested structures help you group work the way you think. β€’ Tags cut across folders so you can filter by topic or project. β€’ Pinned favorites and Recently Opened put what you need one click away. Explore connections β€’ Link Map visualizes connections between your notes. β€’ Follow links to explore related ideas and navigate your library from a new perspective. Reading & writing β€’ Use Editor, Preview, or Split View to draft and see rendered Markdown side by side. β€’ Use Writing Assistant to refine drafts, improve wording, and turn rough ideas into clearer notes with private on-device help. β€’ Find text within the current document. β€’ Sort notes by title, date added, last opened, and more. β€’ Search across your library from the sidebar. Share & export β€’ Share notes as Markdown or plain text. β€’ Export documents to a folder you choose in Finder. Whether you’re collecting research, drafting READMEs, or building a personal knowledge base, Folio keeps your Markdown connected, organized, searchable, and easy to revisit.

About

HipMark

Features
Read full description

HipMark is a native Markdown editor designed for immersive writing. Whether you're working deeply on your Mac or capturing fleeting inspiration on your iPad or iPhone, HipMark provides a pure, smooth, and secure creative experience. [Key Features] β€’ Ultimate Native Experience: Built entirely with Apple's native technologies, ensuring incredibly low memory usage and lightning-fast launch times. Say goodbye to bloated frameworks. β€’ Live Preview & Outline Navigation: Experience WYSIWYG ultra-fast rendering. The built-in document outline makes managing and navigating long-form writing a breeze. β€’ Deep System Integration: Seamlessly supports Finder Quick Look, Spotlight search, iPad multitasking, and multiple windows. β€’ Privacy First: Runs completely locally within a secure sandbox. Zero ads, zero user tracking, and zero data collection. Your writing belongs solely to you. β€’ Smart Document Management: Features intelligent draft recovery, word count statistics, and external file change detection to ensure your inspiration is never lost or overwritten. β€’ Global Localization: Deeply localized interfaces available in English, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Rediscover the essence of writing with HipMark.

Screenshots

Folio4 screens
HipMark4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: HipMark at every 3 days against Folio's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Folio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and HipMark sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Folio ships an update every 3 weeks, HipMark every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Folio versus HipMark: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFolioHipMark
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size44 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDinh Bao Thang DuongεŠ› 程

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Folio

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99
1 purchases

HipMark

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime Unlock$5.99

Questions

Is Folio free?
Folio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HipMark free?
HipMark is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Folio or HipMark have ads?
Neither Folio nor HipMark shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Folio or HipMark?
Folio ships an update every 3 weeks, and HipMark every 3 days. Most recently, Folio was updated on September 30, 2026 and HipMark on October 9, 2026.

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