Comparison

CapsulePad vs Protocols

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

Head to head
About

CapsulePad

Features
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CapsulePad is a native Mac and iPhone/iPad app for quick notes that stay out of your way until you need them. On the Mac, CapsulePad docks a thin pill of colored notes to the edge of your screen. Move your pointer close and it fans out into labeled tabs — click one to open it full-size, or drive the whole thing from the keyboard (⌄⌘N for a new note, ⌄⌘A to see every note, ⌄⌘L to archive the one in front). Reorder notes by dragging, color-code them for quick scanning, and archive or permanently delete the ones you're done with. Your notes sync automatically across every Mac and iPhone/iPad signed into the same iCloud account, so a note you jot down at your desk is already there when you pick up your phone. For anything you'd rather keep private, lock individual notes with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. A locked note's title stays visible so you can still find it, but its contents stay encrypted until you unlock it — and it asks again every time you open it. Back up everything at once as Markdown, plain text, or a full-fidelity CapsulePad archive you can import back in later, on this Mac or another. CapsulePad has no account system, no ads, and no analytics — your notes stay on your own devices and sync only through your own iCloud, the same as any other Apple app.

About

Protocols

Features
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Turn science-backed health research into a daily routine you can actually follow. Protocols gives you ready-to-use protocols for sleep, circadian rhythm, light, movement, nutrition, focus, recovery and longevity — organized into one timeline on your iPhone. No more taking notes from 3-hour podcasts. No more scattered health advice. Pick a protocol, build your day, and track what you actually do. EVERY ACTION HAS A SOURCE Protocols is built around evidence, not anonymous health claims. Open any action, tip or blueprint to see its SOURCES & EVIDENCE section, including: • Publisher and publication year • Evidence tier • Original research or institutional source • Direct link to the source The library currently includes 96 open-access sources, including peer-reviewed studies and public health resources. Examples include research on caffeine and sleep, creatine, vitamin D, sleep hygiene, physical activity and circadian rhythm. 198 SCIENCE-BACKED ACTIONS Build your routine from practical actions covering: • Sleep & recovery • Circadian rhythm • Morning light • Exercise & movement • Nutrition • Focus & cognitive performance • Cold exposure • Heat & sauna • Breathing • Longevity BUILD YOUR DAILY PROTOCOL Create a timeline that fits your actual day. • Drag and reorder actions • Set times and reminders • Combine protocols into one routine • Add custom actions • See the friction and effort of your day • Check off actions as you complete them LEARN FROM WELL-KNOWN PROTOCOLS Explore routines inspired by public work and published practices associated with: • Andrew Huberman • Peter Attia • Bryan Johnson • Matthew Walker • Wim Hof • Tim Ferriss • David Goggins • Naval Ravikant • Joe Dispenza Each blueprint is presented as an organized routine rather than a replacement for professional medical advice. TRACK WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS Log your mood and energy alongside your daily actions. Over time, Protocols helps you see patterns between your routines and how you feel. VOICE & TEXT DIARY Capture an observation, idea or result in seconds. Keep your health experiments in one place instead of scattered across notes and apps. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT Protocols is local-first. • No account required • Your routine and history stay on your device • Offline-first • No cloud tracking FREE Explore the library with: • 50 actions • 25 tips • 2 blueprints • 7 days of analytics • Full source citations and bibliography PRO Unlock: • 198 actions • 100 tips • 32 blueprints • Custom actions • Widgets • Calendar sync • Mood & diary • 91-day analytics WHO IT'S FOR • People interested in evidence-based health • Biohackers and health optimizers • Athletes focused on recovery • Knowledge workers optimizing sleep and focus • Anyone interested in longevity and healthspan EDUCATIONAL, NOT MEDICAL ADVICE Protocols is an educational directory and habit-tracking tool. It does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting fasting, cold exposure, sauna, intense exercise or other significant changes to your health routine. Privacy: https://www.protocols.monster/legal/privacy Terms: https://www.protocols.monster/legal/terms Sources: https://www.protocols.monster/legal/sources Support: https://www.protocols.monster/contact

Screenshots

CapsulePad2 screens
Protocols4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CapsulePad at none against Protocols's 3. CapsulePad also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence and iOS requirement 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

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

Both are free to download. Protocols sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. CapsulePad asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CapsulePad ships an update every 5 days, Protocols every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 3 level
CapsulePad versus Protocols: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCapsulePadProtocols
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonathan WyattZordon Intelligence

In-app purchases

None

CapsulePad

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Protocols

Subscriptions2
  • PRO monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • PRO Annual (BEST VALUE)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • PRO Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is CapsulePad free?
CapsulePad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Protocols free?
Protocols is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CapsulePad or Protocols have ads?
Protocols shows ads; CapsulePad does not.
Which is updated more often, CapsulePad or Protocols?
CapsulePad ships an update every 5 days, and Protocols every 4 days. Most recently, CapsulePad was updated on November 13, 2026 and Protocols on November 6, 2026.

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