# Safe Area vs Permanote

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Safe Area at none against Permanote's 2. Safe Area also leads on ads (none vs shown). Permanote's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Permanote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Safe Area asks for nothing beyond the download.

Safe Area ships an update every 11 months, Permanote every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Safe Area | Permanote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/permanote/id1485954738/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 10 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ilan TETRUASHVILI](https://appshunter.io/developer/940821251) | [Screenplay & Script Pte. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1175555980) |

## What reviewers say

### Safe Area

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safe-area/id948163948)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Permanote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/permanote/id1485954738)

This app allows writers to organize ideas and edit text files directly within Dropbox, synchronizing across devices. It offers a distraction-free writing environment and extensive customization options, with advanced features available through a Pro subscription.

**Highlights:** Dropbox file synchronization, Customizable macro key strip, Distraction-free writing mode, Multiple file preview formats, TextExpander support, Customizable themes and fonts

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Pro Subscription | $17.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Safe Area free?

Safe Area is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Permanote free?

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

### Do Safe Area or Permanote have ads?

Permanote shows ads; Safe Area does not.

### Which is updated more often, Safe Area or Permanote?

Safe Area ships an update every 11 months, and Permanote every 10 months. Most recently, Safe Area was updated on October 26, 2026 and Permanote on October 25, 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.*