# Benchpad vs Vessel

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Vessel at none against Benchpad's 1. Vessel also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Benchpad sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Vessel asks for nothing beyond the download.

Benchpad ships an update fortnightly, Vessel every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Benchpad | Vessel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 4 days** |
| Size | 113 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gagandeep Singh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864104544) | [Junmin Kim](https://appshunter.io/developer/6785885950) |

## What reviewers say

### Benchpad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/benchpad-scratchpad-notes/id6766779528)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Benchpad Pro | $9.99 | per year |


### Vessel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vessel-where-thoughts-stay/id6785885948)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Benchpad free?

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

### Is Vessel free?

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

### Do Benchpad or Vessel have ads?

Neither Benchpad nor Vessel shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Benchpad or Vessel?

Benchpad ships an update fortnightly, and Vessel every 4 days. Most recently, Benchpad was updated on October 25, 2026 and Vessel on October 24, 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.*