Comparison

Ashnote vs Root

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

Head to head
About

Ashnote

Features
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ASHnote is a local-first markdown notes and journaling app for personal use. All notes are saved directly on your device as plain text files. No account is required, and no data is sent to any server unless you choose to set up iCloud or Git sync. Key features - Markdown editor with slash commands and a formatting toolbar - Folder structure with custom emoji icons - Calendar and journal views for daily note organization - Mood and weather icons for journaling - Tags and favorites for quick filtering - Pin important notes to the top - Full-text search - Optional iCloud sync to keep notes across Apple devices - Optional Git sync to back up notes to a Git repository - Fully offline capable Privacy-first You can use ASHnote without logging in. Unless you explicitly enable iCloud or Git sync, no data is transmitted to our servers. ASHnote offers all core note-taking features for free, with an optional auto-renewable premium subscription that unlocks additional features. ASHnote Premium (Auto-Renewable Subscription) - Monthly: US$2.99/month - Yearly: US$24.99/year Premium subscription includes: - Version history - Sticky notes - Multiple vaults - Export and sharing (PDF, HTML, ZIP) - AI assistant Payment will be charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://note.sunteq.net/terms Privacy Policy: https://note.sunteq.net/privacy

About

Root

Features
Read full description

A thought worth keeping. A day worth remembering. A plan you want to make real. Root brings notes, a photo diary, boards and everyday plans into your own personal space. GIVE YOUR THOUGHTS A HOME Write quick notes or develop an idea with photos, videos and checklists. Link related notes so the next thought is always close. Keep the notes you return to on a board. MAKE A DIARY THAT LOOKS LIKE YOUR DAY Keep a few words, a favorite photo or an instant-film print. Arrange photos and stickers on the page, then share the whole diary as one image. Return to your memories by day, week or month. COLLECT WHAT YOU LOVE Build boards with photos, notes, stickers and drawings. Turn your own photo subjects into stickers. Add a board inside another board to keep inspiration and projects together. TURN IDEAS INTO EVERYDAY PLANS Keep tasks, repeating schedules and reminders alongside your calendar. Connect a note, photo or board to a plan. Break a goal into smaller steps and keep moving toward it. Apple Calendar integration is optional. ROOT PRO Make more room with unlimited boards, photo diaries beyond the free allowance, Pro sticker packs, extra decorating tools and Home Screen widgets. Pro also includes iCloud sync and app lock. The app shows which features require Pro. YOUR PERSONAL SPACE No Root account required. Your workspace is private, with backup export and restore. Optional diary reminders and morning schedule briefings can be turned off in Settings. Root is free to download with optional monthly and yearly auto-renewable Root Pro subscriptions. Local prices and any eligible trial are shown before purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://root-website-tawny.vercel.app/terms/en/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Ashnote4 screens
Root4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Ashnote at 5 against Root's 2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Ashnote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Root sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ashnote ships an update every 4 days, Root every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Ashnote versus Root: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAshnoteRoot
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch โ€” betteriPhone, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 โ€” better16.4
Further details โ€” not scored
Size46 MB173 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSanghoon AhnJin Hyundeok

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Ashnote

Subscriptions2
  • ASHnote Premium$2.991 Month
  • ASHnote Premium (Yearly)$24.991 Year
2 purchases

Root

Subscriptions2
  • Root Pro7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Root Pro Yearly7 Days trial$22.991 Year

Questions

Is Ashnote free?
Ashnote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Root free?
Root is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Ashnote or Root have ads?
Neither Ashnote nor Root shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ashnote or Root?
Ashnote ships an update every 4 days, and Root every 3 days. Most recently, Ashnote was updated on October 31, 2026 and Root on November 6, 2026.

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