# ruff: Notes, Lists & Drafts

> A distraction-free notepad for writing, journaling, memos and quick capture.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/ruff.ruff](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ruff.ruff)

## Overview

- **ID:** `ruff.ruff`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Third Culture Apps
- **Category:** PRODUCTIVITY
- **Downloads:** 152,986
- **Rating:** 4.25 / 5 (853 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.0.3.2
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-21
- **First published:** 2019-06-26
- **Publisher country:** GB
- **Size:** 89 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-11-03
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ruff.ruff)
- **Website:** [https://www.thirdculture.app/ruff](https://www.thirdculture.app/ruff)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.thirdculture.app/ruff/privacy.html](https://www.thirdculture.app/ruff/privacy.html)

## Description

**ruff: A Writer's Best Companion**

ruff is a compact and intuitive writing app designed to make on-the-go writing effortless and enjoyable. Recognized with Google's 2019 Material Design Award and Google's Play Best of 2019 "Hidden Gems", ruff offers a seamless single-sheet text interface where your progress saves automatically—no file juggling required. Its unique features include text "stashing" for later review and speedy sharing options, all wrapped in a distraction-free environment.

Optimized for drafts, notes, lists, and spontaneous ideas, ruff complements—rather than replaces—your preferred text editors or productivity tools. With light and dark themes and support for Chromebooks, it ensures comfortable writing anytime, anywhere. Upgrade to ruff+ to remove ads, stash unlimited text, and use enhanced widgets. Join writers who trust ruff for simplicity, reliability, and fast capture of thoughts.

## Rankings

- #172,612 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.android.vending.CHECK_LICENSE`
- `ruff.ruff.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Users praise Ruff as a minimalist, distraction-free note app that opens quickly, works well as a widget, and keeps data private and ad-free. The developer is repeatedly described as responsive to feedback. Common complaints center on the Ruff 2.0 update, which some found cluttered and slower, along with limited customization and font options and occasional glitches. Some users requested reminders, image support, and export options.

### Pros

- Clean, simple, distraction-free design that works well for quick notes
- Opens fast and is great for quickly capturing thoughts
- Responsive developer who fixes issues quickly
- Useful home-screen widget for notes
- Private, on-device storage with no ads in the free version

### Cons

- The Ruff 2.0 UI update feels cluttered and less appealing than the original
- Limited customization and font choices
- Bugs and glitches after updates, such as slow stashing, broken auto-numbering, and text-selection problems

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ruff.ruff)