Comparison

Notedown vs Retro Desktop Notes

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

Head to head
About

Notedown

Features
Read full description

Notedown is a featherweight markdown notes app for people who just want to write. No accounts, no sync, no clutter — every note is saved as a plain .md text file on your device and never leaves it. WRITE IN MARKDOWN Use familiar markdown to structure your thoughts: headings, bold and italic, bulleted lists, checkboxes, quotes, code, and links. A one-tap formatting toolbar inserts the syntax for you, so you never have to remember it. EDIT OR PREVIEW Flip between a distraction-free editor and a clean rendered preview with a single tap. See exactly how your note looks, then jump back to writing. FULLY OFFLINE, FULLY YOURS Your notes are stored as standard markdown files in the app's own folder on your device. There is no cloud, no login, and nothing to set up. What you write stays with you. FIND ANYTHING FAST Search across all of your notes instantly. The list keeps your most recently edited notes at the top. SHARE WHEN YOU WANT Export any note as markdown text through the standard share sheet. SIMPLE BY DESIGN - Light and dark themes - English and Japanese - Portrait, one-handed friendly layout - Free to use (contains ads) Notedown is the calm, lightweight alternative to heavy note apps — just markdown, and nothing in your way.

About

Retro Desktop Notes

Experience a nostalgic note-taking app that brings the charm of classic desktop computers to your mobile device. Enjoy a distraction-free writing experience with retro themes and essential organizational tools.

Highlights
  • Retro desktop themes
  • Fast and simple editor
  • Automatic saving
  • Pin important notes
  • Instant search
  • Trash with restore
Features
Read full description

Bring the charm of classic desktop computers to your pocket. Retro Memo is a nostalgic note-taking app inspired by vintage desktop operating systems. Designed for people who love retro interfaces, pixel-perfect details, and distraction-free writing. Instead of overwhelming you with unnecessary features, Retro Memo focuses on what matters most: writing, organizing, and enjoying the experience. FEATURES • Three beautiful retro desktop themes - Classic 95 - Platinum Mono - Luna Blue • Fast and simple note editor • Automatic saving • Pin important notes • Instant search • Sort your notes • Trash with restore support • Pixel-inspired desktop icons • Classic window interface • Retro typography • Privacy-friendly local storage NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. ONE-TIME PURCHASE. Whether you're capturing ideas, creating shopping lists, or writing quick reminders, Retro Memo makes every note feel like you're using a classic desktop computer again. A nostalgic experience, redesigned for modern iPhone.

Screenshots

Notedown4 screens
Retro Desktop Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Notedown at none against Retro Desktop Notes's 1. Retro Desktop Notes's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 4 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Retro Desktop Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Notedown asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Notedown ships an update every 4 days, Retro Desktop Notes daily. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Notedown versus Retro Desktop Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNotedownRetro Desktop Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYuki OkawaMARIE MORIKAGE

In-app purchases

None

Notedown

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retro Desktop Notes

One-time1
  • Retroプレミアム$1.99

Questions

Is Notedown free?
Notedown is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retro Desktop Notes free?
Retro Desktop Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Notedown or Retro Desktop Notes have ads?
Neither Notedown nor Retro Desktop Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Notedown or Retro Desktop Notes?
Notedown ships an update every 4 days, and Retro Desktop Notes daily. Most recently, Notedown was updated on September 23, 2026 and Retro Desktop Notes on October 1, 2026.

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