Zenith vs Recto Notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
Recto Notes
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For years I kept separate apps: one for writing, one for reminders and to-do's. They never talked to each other. The idea lived in the notes app, the deadline in the to-do app, and I lived somewhere in between. So I built Recto. All on the same page. You just write a note and if you give a task a date with '@', that task automatically becomes part of your neatly organised Task Center. You work inside a note, focused on a single project. As ideas turn into things that need doing, you capture them right there and give them a date, without breaking your train of thought. The plan grows out of the writing instead of living apart from it. Recto - Inline tasks with dates, captured without leaving the note - Task Center: overdue, today, tomorrow, this week, next week - Native iOS, fast and quiet Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internetservices/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Recto Notes at none against Zenith's 1. Zenith's advantage is iOS requirement (18.0 vs 27.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Zenith sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Recto Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.
Zenith ships an update every 4 days, Recto Notes every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Zenith | Recto Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 27.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 208 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Shahab Darvish | Thijs Kremers |
In-app purchases
Zenith
- Premium7 Days trial$2.991 Month
Recto Notes
No in-app purchases








