# Notepad vs Sage (*)

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sage (*) at none against Notepad's 7. Sage (*) also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Notepad sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Sage (*) asks for nothing beyond the download.

Notepad ships an update every 8 days, Sage (*) fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Notepad | Sage (*) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (29K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notepad-easy-notes-and-memos/id725368535/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **29K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 84.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 74 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [1381802 Ontario Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/318613521) | [Wiser Machines Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1835847058) |

## What reviewers say

### Notepad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notepad-easy-notes-and-memos/id725368535)

Capture thoughts, create to-do lists, and organize ideas with a versatile digital notebook. Supports handwriting, text notes, and secure cloud syncing. Personalize your experience with custom themes and icons.

**Highlights:** Create to-do lists with checkboxes, Unlimited text notes, Handwritten notes with Apple Pencil, Organize notes into folders, Pin and sort notes, iCloud backup and sync, Advanced search functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Membership | $1.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium Membership | $19.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium Membership | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium Membership | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 📝 Useful for notes, lists, and reminders
- 🎨 Customizable font and color options
- 💾 Reliable for storing important information
- 🔍 Helpful search functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Premium subscription required to remove ads
- 🐛 Occasional data loss or note disappearance
- 📤 Lack of sharing or exporting options
- 🔒 No password protection for individual notes

**Reported bugs**

- Notes randomly disappearing
- Ads covering up the note-taking area

**Requested features**

- Add drawing/highlighting tools
- Integrate with calendar and contacts
- Ability to sort and organize notes
- Option to password protect specific notes


### Sage (*)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage/id6751569624)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Notepad free?

Notepad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Sage (*) free?

Sage (*) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Notepad or Sage (*) have ads?

Notepad shows ads; Sage (*) does not.

### Which is updated more often, Notepad or Sage (*)?

Notepad ships an update every 8 days, and Sage (*) fortnightly. Most recently, Notepad was updated on October 16, 2026 and Sage (*) on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*