Recto Notes vs Insta forms
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
Recto Notes
Read full descriptionHide full description
For years I kept separate apps: one for writing, one for reminders and to-do's. They never talked to each other. The idea lived in the notes app, the deadline in the to-do app, and I lived somewhere in between. So I built Recto. All on the same page. You just write a note and if you give a task a date with '@', that task automatically becomes part of your neatly organised Task Center. You work inside a note, focused on a single project. As ideas turn into things that need doing, you capture them right there and give them a date, without breaking your train of thought. The plan grows out of the writing instead of living apart from it. Recto - Inline tasks with dates, captured without leaving the note - Task Center: overdue, today, tomorrow, this week, next week - Native iOS, fast and quiet Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internetservices/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Insta forms
Read full descriptionHide full description
Insta Forms is the fastest way to build, fill, and share surveys and fillable PDF forms right on your iPhone or iPad. Everything works offline, sharing works through AirDrop or peer-to-peer, and forms exported as PDFs are true interactive AcroForm documents that anyone can fill in Files, Preview, or Adobe Acrobat. Build Any Form ⢠13 question types: short text, paragraph, number, email, date, time, multiple choice, checkboxes, dropdown, star rating, linear scale, yes/no, and image. ⢠Reorder questions with drag and drop. ⢠Attach images to any question or use image-only reference questions. ⢠Optional "Why did you pick this?" comment box on rating, scale, choice, and yes/no questions. ⢠Mark any question as required with built-in validation before submission. Fill and Collect ⢠Complete surveys directly inside the app using the appropriate control for each question. ⢠Every response is stored locally with SwiftData. ⢠Auto-save drafts so you can continue later. ⢠Edit submitted responses anytime. ⢠View all responses for each form, sorted by newest. Export as PDF Generate two types of PDFs directly on your device: ⢠Flat PDF for printing and sharing. ⢠Fillable AcroForm PDF with interactive text fields, radio buttons, checkboxes, and dropdowns compatible with Files, Preview, and Adobe Acrobat. ⢠Preview and fill PDFs before sharing. ⢠Export completed responses as flat PDFs or editable pre-filled forms. Share Anywhere ⢠Share through AirDrop, Messages, Mail, Files, or any app supported by the iOS Share Sheet. ⢠Send forms directly to nearby devices without an internet connection. ⢠Recipients open encrypted .instaform files and receive the exact same form. ⢠Encrypted files can only be opened with Insta Forms. Start from a Template Includes 17 ready-to-use templates: ⢠Healthcare: Patient Intake, Symptom Check-in, Post-Visit Feedback. ⢠Schools and Colleges: Student Enrollment, Course Evaluation, Field Trip Permission. ⢠Corporate: Employee Onboarding, Performance Review, Manager Feedback. ⢠Real Estate and Home: Home Inspection, Rental Application, Move-In Checklist. ⢠Events: Event Registration, RSVP, Post-Event Feedback. ⢠Business and Services: Customer Feedback, Contact Form, Job Application. ⢠Automotive: Vehicle Inspection, Service Check-In. Choose any template, customize the questions, and start collecting responses. Made for iOS ⢠Built with native SwiftUI and SwiftData. ⢠Supports Light, Dark, and System appearance. ⢠10 accent color themes. ⢠Animated splash screen and onboarding. ⢠Search and filter forms by keyword, draft status, or response count. ⢠Archive forms and restore them anytime. ⢠Offline indicator with quick access to iOS Settings. Insta Forms is built for professionals who need fast, private, and reliable forms. Perfect for home inspectors, healthcare staff, teachers, HR teams, businesses, and anyone who wants a powerful form builder without subscriptions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Insta forms at daily against Recto Notes's every 11 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Recto Notes ships an update every 11 days, Insta forms daily. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Recto Notes | Insta forms |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | Daily ā better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch ā better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 27.0 | 26.5 ā better |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | Thijs Kremers | Vijayvir Singh |
In-app purchases
Recto Notes
No in-app purchases
Insta forms
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Recto Notes free?
Is Insta forms free?
Do Recto Notes or Insta forms have ads?
Which is updated more often, Recto Notes or Insta forms?
Other comparisons















