ThoughtTrace vs Lister
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
ThoughtTrace
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"Think analog, save digital." ThoughtTrace is a seamless tool to digitally save and organize the deep thoughts you've written down with pen and paper. Some ideas are only born when you freely move a pen across a blank sheet of paper, rather than typing on a keyboard. ThoughtTrace maximizes this "handwritten thought process" and securely manages your notes afterward. β 3 Core Features of ThoughtTrace β 1. "Intelligent Timer" for Deep Thinking Place your iPhone or iPad on the corner of your desk and set the focus timer. Setting a time limit flips the switch in your brain to "just write." 2. "High-Quality Continuous Scan" for Handwritten Notes Once you finish writing, simply point the app's camera. It automatically detects document edges, removes hand shadows and wrinkles, and instantly converts your notes into crisp, highly legible black-and-white data. You can also continuously scan multiple pages without closing the camera. 3. Reflect and Organize (Folders, Tags, PDF Export) Beautifully organize your scanned notes using folders and tags. Look back on the trajectory of your thoughts through a chronological timeline. You can also combine multiple notes and export them as a single PDF (*Pro feature). β Privacy First β All your ideas and notes are saved strictly on your device. They are never sent to external servers, allowing you to write down your thoughts with complete peace of mind. *The free version has a daily limit on the number of scans. Upgrade to the Pro version with a one-time purchase to unlock "Unlimited Saves," "No Ads," and the "PDF Export" feature. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Lister
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MAKE THE LIST. SEE THE PLAN. FINISH THE WORK. Lister is a focused home for lists. It keeps everyday capture simple, then adds stronger tools only when they fit the work. INCLUDED FROM THE START Create, edit, reorder, flag, pin, archive, and complete lists. Keep lists current across your Apple devices with iCloud. Invite a friend to discover Lister. TOOLS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE Add rich lists, repeating routines, dates and reminders, quick capture, and batch actions. PLAN BIGGER WORK See projects as a calendar, timeline, or board. Use Focus Mode, folders, smart rules, and progress reports. FIND, PROTECT, AND SHARE Add power search, history and restore, secure lists, themes, export and print tools, or shared lists with member access and activity. SMART ASSIST Turn a photo into a list or generate a practical plan checklist. Recognition happens on your device. Credits are used only when Lister produces a result. CHOOSE WHAT FITS Lister offers focused tool bundles, complete tools, time-limited project access, optional Premium services, and Smart Assist credits through Appleβs App Store. Built for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. Terms: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/Lister-terms.html Privacy: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/Lister-privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Lister at none against ThoughtTrace's shown. Lister also leads on device support (4 vs 2). ThoughtTrace's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ThoughtTrace ships an update fortnightly, Lister every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ThoughtTrace | Lister |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly β better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No β better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro β better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | JUNICHI WATANABE | Myworkingmemory LLC |
In-app purchases
ThoughtTrace
No in-app purchases
Lister
No in-app purchases









