Heynote vs Soulver

Heynote

• Developers who need a holding place for JSON, logs and code snippets
• Quick calculations and unit conversions next to working notes
• People who want scratch notes kept as plain files on their own disk

Soulver

• Working through multi-step sums with notes beside the numbers
• People with a Mac, iPad and iPhone who want one purchase for all three
• Trip budgets, quotes and split expenses that mix dates, currencies and totals

Heynote

• Desktop only: there is no mobile app, and the author says one is out of scope for now.
• No sync of its own. The docs suggest a file-syncing service such as Dropbox and warn that editing one buffer on two machines at once can cause conflicts.
• The Windows build is not code-signed, so Windows may show a warning when installing it.
• The code is under the MIT license with the Commons Clause, which does not allow selling the software.

Soulver

• Apple platforms only: it requires macOS 14, iPadOS 17 or iOS 17 or later, and the site lists no Windows, Android or web version.
• There is no free plan. After the 60-day trial, sheets can still be viewed and exported, but creating and editing them requires a purchase.
• Access to 150k+ stocks, Wolfram|Alpha queries and advanced weather data costs a separate $26 a year on the App Store.
• Major versions are paid upgrades, which the vendor says have averaged seven years apart; Soulver 3 owners get Soulver 4 at half price.

Heynote

Buffers divided into blocks

A buffer is a persistent stretch of text split into blocks. One keystroke adds a block, and select-all picks the current block first, then the whole buffer.

A language for each block

Each block has its own language, detected automatically or set by hand, with syntax highlighting for more than 30 languages and auto-formatting for JSON, JavaScript, HTML, CSS and Markdown.

Math blocks

A math block works as a calculator pad with variables, functions and unit and currency conversion. It is built on Math.js expressions.

Multiple buffers

Besides the default Scratch buffer you can create any number of buffers, open them in tabs, sort them into directories and search across them. Each one is a .txt file on disk.

Inline images with markup

Images pasted or dropped into a buffer appear inline, can be resized and annotated with a freehand drawing tool, and copied back to the clipboard.

Keyboard control

Default, Emacs-like or custom key bindings, a command palette, multi-cursor editing and an optional global hotkey that shows or hides the app.

Soulver

Answer column

A sheet works like a notepad: write words and numbers on a line and the answer appears alongside it as you type, with a floating total for the whole sheet at the bottom.

Line references, variables and subtotals

An answer can be referenced on later lines and updates when earlier lines change. Multi-word variables, subtotals and totals of every line carrying a tag are supported.

Currencies, units and dates

Recognizes 190 currencies, more than 200 units, percentages, calendar and clock-time math and time zones, with functions for sales tax, loans, interest and inflation.

Live data

Pulls live and historical currency and stock prices and weather into a sheet. Access to 150k+ stocks and inline Wolfram|Alpha queries needs the optional data services subscription.

iCloud sync and export

Sheets sync through iCloud across Mac, iPad and iPhone with automatic backups. They are plain text and can be exported to PDF, printed or sent as a styled HTML email.

Automation and command line

A Shortcuts action, URL schemes, macOS Services and an Alfred workflow connect Soulver to other tools. A free standalone command-line tool can create and edit sheets.

Heynote

• Heynote$0

  The full app as Mac Universal, Arm and Intel builds, a Windows installer, and an AppImage or Snap for Linux.

Soulver

• Soulver (iPhone only)$15

  one-time purchase

  The iPhone version on its own, for buyers who do not need the Mac or iPad apps.

• Soulver (Mac, iPad and iPhone)$59

  one-time purchase on the App Store

  One purchase covers all three platforms, with 190 currencies and 8 tech stocks included. The vendor gives free updates between major releases.

• Data services subscription$26

  per year, optional add-on

  Knowledge Assistant, Live Stocks & Advanced Weather: 150k+ stock tickers, inline Wolfram|Alpha queries and advanced weather data.

• Setapp$15

  per month, through a Setapp membership

  Soulver as one of about 260 apps in the Setapp catalog. The data services subscription is complimentary for Setapp users.

Heynote

No public discounts listed.

Soulver

• Other savings

  Half-price upgrade from Soulver 3

  Buyers of Soulver 3 on the App Store get Soulver 4 for $29 instead of $59, and a registered direct-download copy of Soulver 3 on the same Mac unlocks the same 50% discount.