Comparison

Zettelkasten vs Memory Canvas

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

Head to head
About

Zettelkasten

Features
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Stop losing ideas in a pile of disconnected notes. NoteOrbit is a linked-notes app that turns everything you write into a living knowledge graph — every note becomes a node you can see, connect, and explore. Most note apps bury your thinking in folders. NoteOrbit does the opposite: type a note, drop a [[wiki-link]] to any other note, and the connection is built for you — both ways. Open any note and you instantly see what references it. Then step back and watch your ideas orbit as a glowing constellation you can pan, zoom, and tap to follow the thread. WHAT YOU GET - Write a note, add a [[wiki-link]], and NoteOrbit autocompletes titles and wires up the connection for you - Automatic backlinks so every note shows exactly what links to it — context folders can never give you - An interactive orbit graph that lays out your notes by how they actually connect - Instant tags with #hashtags to slice your notes any way you think - Hubs and orphans finder that surfaces your most-connected ideas and the notes hanging loose - Full-text search across every note, title, and link PERFECT FOR - Students and researchers building study and reference notes that reinforce each other - Writers and thinkers growing a personal knowledge base or second brain - Zettelkasten and PKM fans who want backlinks without a heavy desktop setup - Anyone journaling ideas and projects who wants to rediscover old connections WHY NOT JUST USE FOLDERS Folders force every note into one place and hide how your ideas relate. NoteOrbit lets a note live in as many contexts as it links to, then draws the map for you — so the connection you made months ago is one tap away, not lost three folders deep. PRIVACY Everything stays on your device. No account, no sign-in, no ads, no tracking. Your notes never leave your phone. FULL ACCESS NoteOrbit Premium unlocks the full experience: unlimited notes and connections, the complete interactive orbit graph, hubs, tags and the orphan finder, plus Markdown export to take your notes anywhere. Choose the plan that fits: - Weekly - Yearly - Lifetime (one-time purchase) Open NoteOrbit, write your first note, and link it — watch your thinking take shape. Terms of Use (EULA): https://web-levi.web.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://web-levi.web.app/privacy-policy Questions? tphuc.work@gmail.com

About

Memory Canvas

Features
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记忆画布是一款帮助你记录生活、整理灵感并回顾时间轨迹的应用。 你可以用画布自由记录日记、图片、语音、链接、任务与收藏内容,让每一段生活都被清晰保存,并在未来轻松回看。 核心功能 自由书写日记,记录每日心情与事件 支持图片与图库回忆浏览 任务清单快速创建与管理 多类型内容随意收藏整理 自动生成周/月数据回顾 画布形式呈现你的生活轨迹 让记录更有意义 不仅是记录工具,更是你的“时间画布”。 通过数据与可视化回顾,你可以清晰看到自己的生活变化与成长轨迹。 适合人群 喜欢手帐与记录生活的人 想整理灵感与碎片信息的人 需要高效任务与日常管理的人 使用条款(EULA):https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ 隐私政策:https://meteornote.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Zettelkasten4 screens
Memory Canvas4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Memory Canvas at every 3 days against Zettelkasten's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Zettelkasten sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Memory Canvas sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zettelkasten ships an update monthly, Memory Canvas every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
Zettelkasten versus Memory Canvas: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZettelkastenMemory Canvas
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhuc Pham光正 邓

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Zettelkasten

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Memory Canvas

Subscriptions1
  • Memory Canvas Pro 月会员$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • 记忆画布 Pro 终身版$24.99

Questions

Is Zettelkasten free?
Zettelkasten is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Memory Canvas free?
Memory Canvas is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Zettelkasten or Memory Canvas have ads?
Neither Zettelkasten nor Memory Canvas shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zettelkasten or Memory Canvas?
Zettelkasten ships an update monthly, and Memory Canvas every 3 days. Most recently, Zettelkasten was updated on September 24, 2026 and Memory Canvas on October 5, 2026.

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