Comparison

knibl. vs Retro Desktop Notes

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

Head to head
About

knibl.

This app transforms scattered ideas into a connected knowledge graph. It helps users capture notes, extract entities, visualize relationships, and organize complex projects. AI-augmented processes streamline note-taking for writers, researchers, and creative thinkers.

Highlights
  • AI note extraction and entity mapping
  • Cross-device sync
  • Security-first architecture
  • Shareable links for content
  • Backlinks and relationship navigation
  • AI Workspace chat
  • Daily journal and streaks
Features
Read full description

knibl is an notetaking and knowledge mapping app that turns scattered ideas into a connected knowledge graph. Built for writers, worldbuilders, researchers, students, and creative thinkers, knibl helps you capture notes, extract entities, visualize relationships, and organize complex projects in one place. Automated extractions and AI-augmented processes trivialize the monotony of other notetaking systems to give you more time for writing. Whether you are drafting a novel, building lore, planning a campaign, or structuring deep research, knibl is designed to help you think in connections instead of isolated documents. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - AI note extraction and entity mapping: Import raw text or any common text format, then let knibl identify key concepts, people, places, and relationships to automatically build a visual story graph you can explore, edit, and expand. - Cross-device sync: Automatically keep notes and graph data synced so you can capture ideas and continue deep on any device without interruption. - Security-first architecture: Workspace content is encrypted at rest with AES-256-GCM, and core account/API protections are designed to support reliable, privacy-conscious creative work. - Share links for notes, folders, and workspaces: Generate viewable links when you want to present specific content to collaborators, readers, or stakeholders without exposing your full private environment. - Backlinks and relationship-first navigation: Jump from any note to related notes fast, reinforce bidirectional context, and keep important references discoverable as your workspace grows. - AI Workspace chat with graph-aware context: Ask questions about your workspace, request summaries, trace how entities connect, and get context-aware answers grounded in your notes and graph structure. - Daily journal and streaks: Capture day-by-day progress in a dedicated journal workflow, then revisit entries over time to track momentum, ideas, blockers, and creative development. - Graph analytics and progress insights: Track nodes, links, files, and weekly activity with built-in dashboard views that help you measure output and keep long-form projects moving. Prefer a fully manual workflow? Disable AI features while continuing to use editing, graphing, journaling, organization, and file-management tools.

About

Retro Desktop Notes

Experience a nostalgic note-taking app that brings the charm of classic desktop computers to your mobile device. Enjoy a distraction-free writing experience with retro themes and essential organizational tools.

Highlights
  • Retro desktop themes
  • Fast and simple editor
  • Automatic saving
  • Pin important notes
  • Instant search
  • Trash with restore
Features
Read full description

Bring the charm of classic desktop computers to your pocket. Retro Memo is a nostalgic note-taking app inspired by vintage desktop operating systems. Designed for people who love retro interfaces, pixel-perfect details, and distraction-free writing. Instead of overwhelming you with unnecessary features, Retro Memo focuses on what matters most: writing, organizing, and enjoying the experience. FEATURES • Three beautiful retro desktop themes - Classic 95 - Platinum Mono - Luna Blue • Fast and simple note editor • Automatic saving • Pin important notes • Instant search • Sort your notes • Trash with restore support • Pixel-inspired desktop icons • Classic window interface • Retro typography • Privacy-friendly local storage NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. ONE-TIME PURCHASE. Whether you're capturing ideas, creating shopping lists, or writing quick reminders, Retro Memo makes every note feel like you're using a classic desktop computer again. A nostalgic experience, redesigned for modern iPhone.

Screenshots

knibl.4 screens
Retro Desktop Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Retro Desktop Notes at free against knibl.'s freemium. Retro Desktop Notes also leads on update cadence (daily vs weekly). knibl.'s advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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. knibl. sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and Retro Desktop Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

knibl. ships an update weekly, Retro Desktop Notes daily. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
knibl. versus Retro Desktop Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterknibl.Retro Desktop Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMARCUS STEPHEN TAYLORMARIE MORIKAGE

Customer experience

knibl.

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Retro Desktop Notes

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

knibl.

Subscriptions1
  • knibl pro$2.991 Month
1 purchases

Retro Desktop Notes

One-time1
  • Retroプレミアム$1.99

Questions

Is knibl. free?
knibl. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retro Desktop Notes free?
Retro Desktop Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, knibl. or Retro Desktop Notes?
knibl. and Retro Desktop Notes are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do knibl. or Retro Desktop Notes have ads?
Neither knibl. nor Retro Desktop Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, knibl. or Retro Desktop Notes?
knibl. ships an update weekly, and Retro Desktop Notes daily. Most recently, knibl. was updated on September 30, 2026 and Retro Desktop Notes on October 1, 2026.

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