Which iPhone note app is faster?
Time-to-input measurements for 5 apps

Information disclosure: This article was written by the developer of SimpleMemo. The measurements are based on the developer's record of August 11, 2026, and is not a third-party independent test. In this article revision, we have not carried out a new actual machine measurement.

"Fast startup" and "quick writing" are not the same indicators

Even if the memo list is displayed immediately, you may need to create a new button or select a save destination. The indicator of this article is from tapping the app icon to until you can enter the text. Includes the necessary taps on the way, and does not include the time to type the 1 character at the end.

After being able to enter, saving, synchronizing, and completing email sending are also outside this number of seconds. Do not interpret 0.4 seconds from startup to arrival in the inbox. If the entrance you usually use is a widget or shortcut, you need to check the route.

Measurement conditions and the range that can be compared

• Measurement date and terminal: August 11, 2026, iPhone 16e (A18), iOS 26.5.2. Terminal capacity 256GB, free 14.29GB.
• SimpleMemo measurement version: 5.7.3. It is not the result of re-measurement of the currently distributed version.
• Startup status: A record published as a warm start. The procedure of closing the app and waiting for more than 5 seconds does not mean that cold start is guaranteed.
• Indicator: Until the keyboard is fully displayed and input is accepted. The 5 apps in the table below are all medians, and the range and number of times are also included.
• Limitations: Results vary with the operator’s reaction time, the device, app version, and screen being opened. This comparison does not cover direct return to an existing note in competing apps or every shortcut path.

The source is August 11 benchmark and measurement methods and restrictions. There is a difference in read accuracy in the original measurement record, which does not mean that all decimal digits have the same accuracy. It is necessary to confirm separately whether it will be reproduced in regular daily use or the latest version.

5 Record until the start of the input of the app

This table is a rearrangement of the 5 apps dealt with in the original article with the same index. You can check the overall table of the 8 app in the above source, not the overall market ranking. If the screen is narrow, you can read the operation column by scrolling the table horizontally.

For example, Evernote has a median 2.5 seconds, and the recording range is 2.3 to 5.1 seconds. In addition to the median value, variation is also related to the comfort of use. From this few records, it cannot be said that all launches will be the same number of seconds. We do not reread the speed ratio to the rate of improvement in memory and productivity.

Even with the same number of seconds, the selection method will change at the destination and entrance

SimpleMemo: When you want to leave a short text in an email or Obsidian

In the measurement, there was a focus on the input field after startup, and the median to the keyboard display was 0.4 seconds. If you want to use email, you need to set up and authenticate the recipient, and if you want to use Obsidian, you need to set the save destination. Please make sure that the first 1 will remain in the selected storage address.

Email delivery requires a connection. Entering text and having it arrive in the recipient’s inbox are separate steps. The Free plan’s email allowance is 3 messages per day. Compare other options if your main priority is organizing materials or keeping illustrated notes inside the app. See the development log on choosing UIKit for the design approach and the getting-started guide for setup requirements.

Apple Genuine Memo: When you want to manage iPhone notes in the same place

This record is the path to create a new memo after startup, and the median value was 1.726 seconds. In addition to regular new notes, Apple also provides quick notes from the shared screen. Do not treat it as "2 tap, 1.726 seconds" to another entrance, but compare it with your own operation path. You can also refer to Apple official memo guide and application comparison with SimpleMemo.

Google Keep: When you want to look back with color, label, and pin

This record was the route to select "enter notes" after startup, and the median value was 2.068 seconds, and the range of 1.969 to 2.234 seconds of 4. In the official guide of Google, you can check how to organize by color, label, and pin. It is not possible to evaluate the stability of synchronization and offline with this speed table alone. Please see Google official organization method, application comparison with SimpleMemo.

Evernote: When you want to collect the materials found on the web in a notebook

This record was the path to open a new note, and the median 2.5 seconds. Evernote guides you on the storage of web information by Web Clipper. This measurement is not a performance test of search and clipping, and it is not the basis for the old article's "slowest" and "OCR is the highest standard in the industry". You can check Evernote official web storage guide, application comparison with SimpleMemo.

Notion: When you want to handle the entered content on the page

This record was the median 2.8 seconds in the route to open a new page and wait for loading. Notion is a mobile and desktop app that also provides a way to download the target page and use it offline. Based only on the speed of the old article, we do not determine the cause of the offline function or internal processing. Please see Notion official offline conditions and application comparison with SimpleMemo.

In my iPhone, check until the first 1 is left

1. Decide your usual entrance: Select the route you actually use, such as the home screen, the new creation button, and the shortcut.
2. Repeatedly leave short notes: Record until the start of input and until the confirmation of saving and receiving are recorded separately. The time for the first setting will also be left separately.
3. Align the comparison conditions: Try it in the same terminal and startup state, and also write down the destination of the memo, the necessary operations, and the communication status.
4. Check where you can look back: If it's an email, check if it's in the inbox, or if it's a Obsidian, it's a set note, and check if it's left in a place to use it later.

In addition to the speed of input, the selection condition is that it fits the usual storage destination and usage. Do not assume that the classification in another app will be completed automatically, and please select it including the necessary settings and the hassle of transcription.

Correction of the old version (September 6, 2026)

In the old version, while lining up the company's "about 1 seconds" and other apps' "about 0.8 seconds", the company was the fastest, and the inconsistent magnification of 2.7 times and 6.7 times was posted. In addition, the measurement condition was determined to be cold start-up by confusing: start-up, input, and save completion. These have been withdrawn and unified into the record until the start of input on August 11. Past values cannot be treated as the latest measurements.

"15% of thought is lost in 3 seconds", the explanation of confusing Miller's law and response time, and applying the interruption cost of 23 minutes in research to waiting for startup has also been deleted. This table does not measure the continuity of memory or habits. The article before correction is left in the history.

Frequently Asked Questions