The Gravity Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Gravity in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Gravity
The Insider’s Guide
Single-stream notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Gravity’s own pages.
Made by Tristan Manchester · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Gravity’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Gravity’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
Gravity is a notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android built on Andrej Karpathy's append-and-review method. Every note goes into one stream with the newest on top, older notes sink as more are added, and a swipe (or the R key on the Mac) brings one that still matters back to the top. Notes are stored on the device with no account, and each platform's app is a separate one-time purchase with no subscription.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Gravity, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No account, no filing to plan, and on a Mac Option-Space opens a capture panel from any app.
- 1
Best for quick notes in one stream you never have to file
Gravity is a notes app with one stream: new notes land on top, old ones sink, and a swipe brings one back.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $9.99 one-time per platform.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
iOS, macOS and Android.
- 4
One stream, newest first
All notes sit in a single list with no folders. New notes go on top and older ones sink; swiping right, or pressing R on the Mac, moves a note back to the top.
- 5
Markdown and checklists
Headings, bold, italics, lists, links and quotes show formatted, and a line starting with "- [ ]" becomes a checklist that can be ticked from the stream. Notes are saved as plain Markdown text.
- 6
Colon tags and offline search
Starting a note with a word and a colon, such as todo: or idea:, gives it a color of its own. Search covers every note, archived ones included, and works offline.
- 7
A 2.4 GPA, above 22 of 147
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
The plain part of Gravity you could make: notes and Markdown. What surrounds it you could not. The 3 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
Gravity at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from $9.99 one-time per platform
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Tristan Manchester, since 2025
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for quick notes in one stream you never have to file
Gravity is a notes app with one stream: new notes land on top, old ones sink, and a swipe brings one back. It costs $9.99 once per platform, with no account. There's no free version or trial, iPhone, Mac and Android are separate purchases, iCloud sync skips Android, there are no folders by design, the Mac app needs macOS 15, and there's no Windows, Linux or web version.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $9.99 once and the app is yours. Notes apps here run about $6 a month in the middle, so the whole bill is under two months of that. Each platform is its own $9.99, mind, so iPhone plus Mac is $19.98. |
| Free plan and trial | F | Nothing is free. No free version, no trial, not even a limited one, so the only way to find out whether one stream suits you is to pay the $9.99 first. |
| Features | C | One stream, Markdown, checklists you tick from the list, colour tags typed as todo: or idea:, offline search and export. It does that job fully, but it's a smaller job than a notes app usually takes on: the listing says there are no folders and no tag manager, and the developer turns those requests down. |
| Ease of use | B | There's nothing to set up. No account, no filing to plan, and on a Mac Option-Space opens a capture panel from any app. No App Store rating is on record, so it's install-and-type that earns this. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android, so phone and computer are both covered, plus a command-line tool on the Mac. No web, Windows or Linux version is listed, and iCloud sync skips Android, which is what keeps it off the top mark. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Gravity is for
- Fits if you jot quick notes all day and never want to file one
- Works for people who'd pay once rather than subscribe to a notes app
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want to try before you buy, as there's no free version or trial
- Skip it if you sort notes into folders, because there aren't any and the developer turns those requests down
- Tight if you mix Android with a Mac, since iCloud sync doesn't reach the Android app
- Pricey if you want it everywhere, as iPhone, Mac and Android are separate $9.99 purchases
- Watch out: there's no Windows, Linux or web version, and the Mac app needs macOS 15 or later
Good to know
Good for
- People who jot quick notes and do not want to file them
- Buyers who would rather pay once than subscribe to a notes app
- Mac users who want a menu bar scratchpad with a global shortcut
Worth knowing
- There is no free version or trial, and the iPhone, Mac and Android apps are separate $9.99 purchases.
- iCloud sync covers iPhone, iPad and Mac only; the Play listing says it is not available on Android.
- There are no folders or tag manager by design, and the developer says he turns those requests down.
- The site lists no Windows, Linux or web version, and the Mac app needs macOS 15 or later.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$9.99 one-time
To start
Gravity is a paid product, starting at $9.99 one-time per platform.
Gravity for iPhone and iPad
$9.99
one-time purchase (US App Store)
One purchase covers iPhone and iPad, with optional iCloud sync, a Home Screen widget and capture from the share sheet.
Gravity for Mac
$9.99
one-time purchase (US Mac App Store)
Menu bar app with a system-wide capture shortcut, sold separately from the iPhone app. Requires macOS 15 or later.
Gravity for Android
$9.99
one-time purchase (US Google Play)
The Android app, sold separately. It has no iCloud sync; notes can be backed up automatically to a folder you choose.
Read from gravitynotes.app on Oct 9, 2026.
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for the app, against $9.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $12.99 | $9.13 | 9% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 599.00 | $9.54 | about the same |
| Turkey | ₺499,99 | $10.17 | about the same |
| India | ₹ 999 | $10.33 | about the same |
| Germany | 9,99 € | $11.19 | 12% more |
| Brazil | R$ 59,90 | $11.97 | 20% more |
| South Africa | R199.99 | $12.10 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £9.99 | $13.21 | 32% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, iOS and Android
Single-stream notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, local-first, one-time purchase, notes, Markdown, menu bar app.
One stream, Markdown, checklists you tick from the list, colour tags typed as todo: or idea:, offline search and export.
- One stream, newest first
- All notes sit in a single list with no folders. New notes go on top and older ones sink; swiping right, or pressing R on the Mac, moves a note back to the top.
- Markdown and checklists
- Headings, bold, italics, lists, links and quotes show formatted, and a line starting with "- [ ]" becomes a checklist that can be ticked from the stream. Notes are saved as plain Markdown text.
- Colon tags and offline search
- Starting a note with a word and a colon, such as todo: or idea:, gives it a color of its own. Search covers every note, archived ones included, and works offline.
- Quick capture
- On the Mac, Option-Space opens a capture panel from any app. On phones, a home screen widget and the share sheet create a note at the top of the stream.
- On-device storage with optional iCloud sync
- Notes are stored on the device with no account and no analytics. iCloud sync between iPhone, iPad and Mac can be turned on; Android backs up to a chosen folder instead.
- Export and command-line tool
- Notes export as JSON or Markdown. A gravity command-line tool for the Mac lets scripts and AI agents list, search, add, edit and archive notes.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- iCloud
- Claude Code
- Codex
Gravity is made by Tristan Manchester, and has been around since 2025.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
22/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
Gravity's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 62 of 147) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 148 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Gravity’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 62 of 147
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 147
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 147
- BEase of useAbove 47 of 147
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 of 147
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of Gravity you could make: notes and Markdown. What surrounds it you could not. The 3 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 98 of the 147 other note-taking apps grade higher. It costs $9.99, paid once.
What you could make
- Notes and Markdown: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- Apps for macOS, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- Hooks into the device itself: widgets.
What this rests on. Gravity’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Strflow, Tot, Antinote, Drafts and Google Keep
The 5 tools Gravity is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Strflow
Free plan · from $1.49/mo
Chat-style notes timeline for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Strflow has a free plan. Gravity does not.
- Only Gravity lists an Android app.
- Gravity can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
Tot
Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Seven-note text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
- Tot has a free plan. Gravity does not.
- Only Gravity lists an Android app.
- 2.4GPA
Antinote
Free trial · from $5 one-time
Mac scratchpad for temporary notes, quick math and checklists.
- Only Gravity lists iOS and Android apps.
- Gravity also covers Markdown.
- Antinote also covers Pomodoro timer and calculator.
- 3.4GPA
Drafts
Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Quick-capture notes app for Apple devices with text actions.
- Drafts has a free plan. Gravity does not.
- Only Gravity lists an Android app.
- Gravity can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 3.2GPA
Google Keep
Free plan · from $7/mo
Google's app for quick notes, lists and reminders.
- Google Keep has a free plan. Gravity does not.
- Only Gravity lists a macOS app.
- Only Google Keep lists a web app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Gravity free?
No. Gravity is a paid product, starting at $9.99 one-time per platform.
How much does Gravity cost?
Gravity lists 3 plans. Gravity for iPhone and iPad: $9.99 one-time purchase (US App Store).
What platforms does Gravity work on?
Gravity is available on iOS, macOS and Android.
Does Gravity have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Gravity is listed for iOS, macOS and Android.
Does Gravity have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Gravity is listed for iOS, macOS and Android.
Is Gravity open source?
Gravity is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
Does Gravity work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Gravity integrate with?
Gravity's listing names iCloud, Claude Code and Codex. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Gravity?
Gravity is made by Tristan Manchester. It dates from 2025.
What are the alternatives to Gravity?
The closest alternatives to Gravity in our directory are Strflow, Tot, Antinote, Drafts and Google Keep.
How does Gravity compare with other note-taking apps?
Gravity's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 27.
Could I make my own version of Gravity?
The plain part of Gravity you could make: notes and Markdown. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Gravity’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Gravity's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-05-11.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Tristan Manchester. Prices change, so check gravitynotes.app before you buy.
- gravitynotes.app/notes-app-no-subscription
- gravitynotes.app/
- gravitynotes.app/about
- gravitynotes.app/changelog
- gravitynotes.app/notes-app-for-ai-agents
- apps.apple.com/us/app/gravity-minimal-notes/id6756236079
- apps.apple.com/us/app/gravity-quick-menu-bar-notes/id6757930875?mt=12
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gravitynotes.app&hl=en_US&gl=US
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Gravity, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/gravity
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Gravity: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/gravity
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/gravity/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Gravity, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 148 note-taking apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft OneNote Insider's GuideMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes3.8 GPA
- Goodnotes Insider's GuideHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant3.6 GPA
- Joplin Insider's GuideOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose3.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Gravity’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Gravity is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Tristan Manchester. Prices and plans change: check gravitynotes.app before you buy.