# CmapTools vs Notes+

The clearest difference is rating: Notes+ at 4.7 against CmapTools's 2.8. Notes+ also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 36%) and ratings volume (3.2K vs 16). CmapTools's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CmapTools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Notes+ sells 35 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Notes+ holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notes+ has 3.2K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of CmapTools's written reviews are positive against 76% of Notes+'s.

CmapTools ships an update monthly, Notes+ every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CmapTools | Notes+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmaptools/id927987108/reviews) | **[4.7 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-plus-notes-for-pencil/id1609361989/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **3.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 35.6% of reviews | **76.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 9 MB | 161 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition](https://appshunter.io/developer/925120272) | [SINGFISH PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1745986454) |

## What reviewers say

### CmapTools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmaptools/id927987108)

Create and share concept maps and knowledge models directly on your iPad. Easily build complex diagrams with drag-and-drop functionality and a full style palette. Synchronize your work with the Cmap Cloud for seamless access across devices.

**Highlights:** Concept map construction, Knowledge model building, Drag-and-drop interface, Full style palette, Cmap Cloud synchronization, Cross-device access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Enable Sync to Cmap Cloud and Sharing Options | $4.99 | one-time |


### Notes+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-plus-notes-for-pencil/id1609361989)

Enhance your digital note-taking with realistic writing tools, diverse templates, and AI-powered features. Import files, organize with versatile tools, and boost productivity with multi-tasking capabilities. Secure your notes and access smart AI assistants for summaries, quizzes, and transcriptions.

**Highlights:** Realistic writing experience, File import and conversion, Versatile note-taking tools, Wide selection of magical pens, AI-powered summarization and quiz generation, Multi-tasking features, Password protection

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

**In-app purchases (35)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fonts | $3.99 | per month |
| AI Solver | $7.99 | per month |
| AI Flashcard Generator | $7.99 | per month |
| AI Quiz Generator | $7.99 | per month |
| AI Summary Generator | $7.99 | per month |
| Fonts | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlock four AI features | $12.99 | per month |
| AI Audio to Text Summary | $15.99 | per month |
| AI Video to Text Summary | $15.99 | per month |
| AI One | $24.99 | per month |
| Unlock four AI features | $71.99 | per year |
| AI One | $137.99 | per year |
| 词根词缀背单词 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Deep Blue Small Floral Notebook | $5.99 | one-time |
| Teal Undated Digital Planner | $7.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Digital Notebook | $7.99 | one-time |
| Everyday Notebook | $7.99 | one-time |
| Recipe Book | $8.99 | one-time |
| 2026-2027 Student Planner (Pastel) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Student Digital Notebook | $9.99 | one-time |
| Undated ADHD Planner | $9.99 | one-time |
| Digital Recipe Book | $9.99 | one-time |
| Undated Student Planner | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2026 Planner (Starts on Sunday) | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2026 Daily Digital Panner | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2026 The Everyday Digital Planner | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2026 Apple-All In One Planner | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2026-2027 Study Planner Pro | $9.99 | one-time |
| Simple Smart Notebook Mocha | $9.99 | one-time |
| The Undated Digital Planner | $9.99 | one-time |
| Undated All-in-One Planner (Pastel) | $11.99 | one-time |
| Mid Year All In One Planner | $11.99 | one-time |
| 2026 - 2027 Minimal Digital Planner | $11.99 | one-time |
| ADHD Task Funnel Purple | $11.99 | one-time |
| Belge kısıtlamasını kaldır | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing features
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🎨 Variety of templates and tools
- 💰 Completely free
- 🔒 Secure and private

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🖋️ Pen/writing issues for some users
- 📁 Difficulty organizing notes and files
- 🔍 Lacking robust search functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Notes disappearing or not saving properly
- Pen/writing not registering correctly
- Crashes when trying to add new pages
- Imported PDFs losing formatting
- Eraser tool not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to create custom templates
- Improved handwriting recognition
- Customizable pen/brush tools
- Better organization and folder management
- Seamless sync across all devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CmapTools free?

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

### Is Notes+ free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CmapTools or Notes+?

Notes+ is rated higher. CmapTools averages 2.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Notes+ averages 4.7 from 3.2K ratings.

### Do CmapTools or Notes+ have ads?

Neither CmapTools nor Notes+ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CmapTools or Notes+?

CmapTools ships an update monthly, and Notes+ every 9 days. Most recently, CmapTools was updated on October 29, 2026 and Notes+ on October 30, 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.*