Comparison

Retro Desktop Notes vs Notes Tasks Calendar

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

Head to head
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.

About

Notes Tasks Calendar

Features
Read full description

Memo, tasks, calendar, and health — the four apps you open every day, now one. Utility brings together notes, a to-do list, your calendar, and simple health tracking (weight, body fat %, steps) in a single app. No ads, no network calls except iCloud sync and the App Store. Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Notes and tasks sync through your own iCloud; health records never leave the device and are not stored in iCloud. Memo Create, edit, and delete notes freely. Pin the ones you need close at hand. Tasks Keep a to-do list with due dates and reminders. Calendar Synced with your device's own Calendar: see your existing events alongside your notes and tasks, and add or edit events right from Utility. Health Log weight, body fat % and steps by hand, or read them from the Health app (iPhone and iPad). BMI is calculated from your height, and charts show the trend over time. Your data Back up notes and tasks to iCloud and restore anytime. Choose Light, Dark, or System appearance. Free to use Save up to 10 notes, 10 tasks, and 10 manual entries of each health metric (weight, body fat, steps) for free. Utility is made by one independent developer — if it earns a place on your phone, the yearly Supporter plan (auto-renewing subscription) or a one-time purchase (pay once, no renewal) removes the limits, adds CSV export, and keeps development going. Terms of Use (EULA): https://pohoda.jp/en/legal/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://pohoda.jp/en/legal/privacy.html

Screenshots

Retro Desktop Notes4 screens
Notes Tasks Calendar4 screens

Verdict

The call

Retro Desktop Notes and Notes Tasks Calendar are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 and Notes Tasks Calendar sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retro Desktop Notes ships an update daily, Notes Tasks Calendar every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Retro Desktop Notes versus Notes Tasks Calendar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro Desktop NotesNotes Tasks Calendar
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMARIE MORIKAGEKeisuke Sugimoto

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Retro Desktop Notes

One-time1
  • Retroプレミアム$1.99
2 purchases

Notes Tasks Calendar

Subscriptions1
  • Supporter (Yearly)$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$5.99

Questions

Is Retro Desktop Notes free?
Retro Desktop Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notes Tasks Calendar free?
Notes Tasks Calendar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Retro Desktop Notes or Notes Tasks Calendar have ads?
Neither Retro Desktop Notes nor Notes Tasks Calendar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Retro Desktop Notes or Notes Tasks Calendar?
Retro Desktop Notes ships an update daily, and Notes Tasks Calendar every 2 days. Most recently, Retro Desktop Notes was updated on October 31, 2026 and Notes Tasks Calendar on November 6, 2026.

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