Comparison

ThoughtTrace vs Volt

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

Head to head
About

ThoughtTrace

Features
Read full description

"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/

About

Volt

Features
Read full description

Your ideas, captured fastβ€”and free to write without limits. Volt opens straight into writing. No Volt account, note limit, or launch paywall. WRITE FREE β€’ Unlimited notes, editing, and ordinary search. β€’ Capture with Siri or Shortcuts; speak or type on a paired Apple Watch. β€’ Markdown, foldable sections, links between notes, and backlinks. β€’ Categories, pinning, word counts, and the system share sheet. β€’ Sketch on supported iPads; save selected text and web links from other apps. β€’ Export text, Markdown, TextBundle, rich text, and Volt files. VOLT PRO β€” MORE FROM EVERY NOTE β€’ Sync via iCloud across supported iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro devices. β€’ Password-protect individual notes; lock Volt with device authentication. β€’ Find words inside note images and PDFs; use Spotlight and special searches. β€’ Record voice notes, bookmark moments, and review transcripts on supported devices. β€’ Annotate PDFs and save quotations with their source pages. β€’ Turn notes into action with advanced tags, tasks, review, finish, archive, and revisit. β€’ Keep original captures, recent edit history, and saved actions. β€’ Build visual project, decision, and meeting canvases on supported systems. β€’ Connect your own compatible AI provider; approve each selected note before sending it; save the result as a new note. β€’ Export HTML, DOCX, PDF, JPG, and ePub; customize your typography. CHOOSE A PRO PLAN β€’ Monthly or annual auto-renewable subscription; both unlock the same Pro features. β€’ Apple shows your local price and renewal period before purchase. β€’ Manage or cancel in Apple Account > Subscriptions. Deleting Volt does not cancel. β€’ Eligible earlier paid-app buyers and verified earlier Pro-unlock holders keep access without subscribing. Restore Purchases is in the app. GOOD TO KNOW β€’ Your AI provider may charge separately. Pro includes no AI credits, and a chatbot subscription may not include API access. Protected notes are excluded. β€’ Notes stay on your device unless you enable sync or choose a transfer. Optional app-use and reliability measurement is off until you agree and excludes note content. No ads or cross-app advertising tracking. β€’ Some tools need compatible hardware, operating systems, languages, permissions, or installed Apple assets. New Notes-schema Siri actions need supported OS 27 devices. Watch capture transfers through a paired iPhone. iCloud requires an Apple Account and available storage; it is not a backup. Keep note passwords safeβ€”we cannot recover them. Support: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/volt-support.html Terms: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/volt-terms.html Privacy: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/volt-privacy.html

Screenshots

ThoughtTrace4 screens
Volt4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Volt at none against ThoughtTrace's shown. Volt also leads on device support (5 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ThoughtTrace ships an update fortnightly, Volt monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 31, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
ThoughtTrace versus Volt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThoughtTraceVolt
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightly β€” betterMonthly
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro β€” better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size19 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJUNICHI WATANABEMyworkingmemory LLC

In-app purchases

None

ThoughtTrace

No in-app purchases

None

Volt

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ThoughtTrace free?
ThoughtTrace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Volt free?
Volt is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ThoughtTrace or Volt have ads?
ThoughtTrace shows ads; Volt does not.
Which is updated more often, ThoughtTrace or Volt?
ThoughtTrace ships an update fortnightly, and Volt monthly. Most recently, ThoughtTrace was updated on August 31, 2026 and Volt on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons