Agile Tortoise
Agile Tortoise is an independent, bootstrapped Texas-based developer of native iOS/iPadOS/watchOS productivity apps — including Drafts, Tally, Simple Scan, Terminology, and Diced — distributed via Apple's App Store under a freemium model with low-price Pro subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersRichland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Agile Tortoise does
Agile Tortoise, Inc. is an independent, bootstrapped software developer based in Texas, USA, founded in 2006 (per firmographic data) and operating with 1-10 employees. The company builds a portfolio of native iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS productivity applications — Drafts (text capture and automation), Tally (counting, scorekeeping, and habit tracking), Simple Scan (document scanning with OCR), Terminology (English dictionary and thesaurus), and Diced (puzzle game) — distributed exclusively through Apple's App Store. Core technology relies on deep Apple platform integration: iCloud/CloudKit sync, Apple Watch complications, Shortcuts actions, interactive Home and Lock Screen widgets, Live Activities, Control Center integration, and custom URL schemes for automation across apps.
The company operates a freemium monetization model. Base apps are free with optional Pro upgrades available as low-cost annual subscriptions (e.g., $4.99/year for Terminology Pro) or one-time lifetime unlocks (e.g., $19.99 for Terminology Pro), with Family Sharing supported. Tally Pro and Simple Scan Pro follow similar low-priced annual/lifetime structures, while Diced is a free game with no paid tier. Go-to-market is product-led and self-serve: users discover and download apps directly from the App Store, with marketing limited to a corporate website, per-app Mastodon accounts, and organic word-of-mouth within Apple-focused enthusiast communities. The customer base is comprised of individual iOS productivity users across horizontal use cases — text capture, counting, document digitization, and vocabulary — with no disclosed enterprise accounts.
Agile Tortoise firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Agile Tortoise
- Legal name
- Agile Tortoise, Inc.
- Website
- https://agiletortoise.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Agile Tortoise is an independent, bootstrapped Texas-based developer of native iOS/iPadOS/watchOS productivity apps — including Drafts, Tally, Simple Scan, Terminology, and Diced — distributed via Apple's App Store under a freemium model with low-price Pro subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Agile Tortoise is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Agile Tortoise business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Terminology Pro Subscription/Unlock: Freemium model with optional Pro upgrade providing custom resources, unlimited term lists, unlimited notes, and custom home screen icons. Available as annual subscription ($4.99/year) or one-time lifetime unlock ($19.99).
- Simple Scan Pro Subscription/Unlock: Freemium model with optional Pro upgrade unlocking advanced scanning features. Available as low-cost annual subscription or one-time lifetime unlock purchase.
- Tally Pro Subscription/Unlock: Freemium model with optional Pro upgrade providing unlimited tally sets, Apple Watch support, custom accent colors, alternate sound sets, and advanced Shortcuts automation. Available as annual subscription or lifetime unlock. Supports Universal Purchase and Family Sharing.
- Diced Game: Free puzzle game for iPhone and iPad with three game modes (Normal, Zen, Blitz), VoiceOver support, Game Center leaderboards and achievements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Terminology Pro - Annual Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Terminology Pro - Lifetime Unlock |
| Subscription | Annual | Simple Scan Pro |
| Subscription | Annual | Tally Pro |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Agile Tortoise product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Agile Tortoise develops and sells native Apple ecosystem productivity applications distributed via the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The portfolio includes Drafts (text capture and note-taking), Tally (counting, scorekeeping, and habit tracking), Simple Scan (document scanning to searchable PDFs with OCR), Terminology (offline dictionary and thesaurus based on Open English WordNet), and Diced (puzzle game). Each app follows a freemium model with optional Pro upgrades sold as annual subscriptions or one-time lifetime unlocks.
Product overview
Agile Tortoise is an independent iOS/macOS software development company based in Texas, USA, offering a portfolio of productivity apps. The portfolio consists of Drafts (text capture/note-taking), Tally (counting/scorekeeping/habit tracking), Simple Scan (document scanning with OCR), Terminology (dictionary/thesaurus), and Diced (puzzle game). All apps follow a freemium model with free base versions and Pro/Plus premium tiers offering advanced features. The apps share a common focus on Apple ecosystem integration including iCloud sync, Shortcuts automation, widgets, and Apple Watch companion apps where applicable.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Drafts Text capture and note-taking app where text starts, providing a universal app for iPhone and iPad focused on quick text input with extensive automation and export options for individual users.
- Tally Quick counting, scorekeeping, and habit tracking app with gesture-based interface for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, with iCloud sync and extensive Shortcuts support for individual users.
- Simple Scan Document scanning app that converts paper documents to searchable PDFs using OCR, with custom destinations for email, messages, files, and share sheet integration for individual users.
- Terminology Browser for the English language combining dictionary, thesaurus, and research tool, using Open English WordNet for offline definitions with word relationships and extensible resources for external reference sites, targeted at English language learners and word enthusiasts.
- Diced Simple puzzle game for iPhone and iPad featuring dice placement mechanics to create five-of-a-kind and straight combinations, with three game modes, Game Center support, and VoiceOver accessibility for individual players.
- Terminology Pro Premium tier upgrade for Terminology offering custom resources, unlimited term lists, unlimited notes, and custom Home Screen icons, available as annual subscription or one-time lifetime unlock for individual users.
- Simple Scan Pro Premium unlock for Simple Scan available as low-cost annual subscription or one-time lifetime purchase to continue using the app and access advanced scanning features for individual users.
- Tally Pro Premium tier for Tally offering unlimited tally sets, Apple Watch support, custom accent colors and app icons, multiple sound sets, and advanced Shortcuts automation, with Universal Purchase and Family Sharing support for individual users.
Companies that use Agile Tortoise
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Agile Tortoise technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Agile Tortoise partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Agile Tortoise competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Apple: First-party provider of Notes, Reminders, Dictionary, and OCR scanning on iOS. Overlaps directly with several Agile Tortoise apps and represents the dominant competitive threat via bundled free features.
- Microsoft: Publisher of OneNote, Outlook, and Microsoft 365 on iOS. Broadly competes in productivity/note-taking with significantly greater resources and cross-platform reach.
- Notion Labs: Cross-platform notes and productivity platform with iOS apps. Competes for the same individual productivity user with a much broader feature set and heavy venture funding.
Direct peers
- Tapbots: Independent iOS-focused app studio behind Tweetbot, Calcbot, and Paste. Directly comparable as a small, design-driven developer of premium Apple-platform productivity apps using freemium subscriptions.
- Flexibits: Developer of Fantastical and Cardhop for Apple platforms. Comparable as a small, premium-priced, Apple-first productivity app developer with subscription monetization.
- Ustwo: Independent digital studio known for Monument Valley and other Apple Design Award-winning mobile apps. Comparable as an indie studio building premium, design-driven iOS experiences.
- Iconfactory: Long-running indie developer of Apple ecosystem apps including Linea (sketching) and Twitterrific. Closely mirrors Agile Tortoise's profile as a bootstrapped iOS-native studio.
- The Omni Group: Independent developer of OmniFocus, OmniGraffle, and OmniPlan for macOS and iOS. Comparable long-tenured indie Apple-platform productivity suite operator.
- Shiny Frog (Bear): Developer of the Bear notes app for Apple platforms. Comparable as a design-led, Apple-native notes/productivity app using a freemium + Pro subscription model.
- RealMac Software: Indie developer of Clear, Ember, and RapidWeaver for Apple platforms. Mirrors Agile Tortoise as a small studio shipping multiple focused, premium iOS/macOS productivity apps.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Agile Tortoise social profiles
Digital presenceAgile Tortoise financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Agile Tortoise leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Agile Tortoise funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Agile Tortoise M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Agile Tortoise
What does Agile Tortoise do?
Agile Tortoise develops and sells native Apple ecosystem productivity applications distributed via the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The portfolio includes Drafts (text capture and note-taking), Tally (counting, scorekeeping, and habit tracking), Simple Scan (document scanning to searchable PDFs with OCR), Terminology (offline dictionary and thesaurus based on Open English WordNet), and Diced (puzzle game). Each app follows a freemium model with optional Pro upgrades sold as annual subscriptions or one-time lifetime unlocks.
Is Agile Tortoise a public or private company?
Agile Tortoise is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Agile Tortoise founded?
Agile Tortoise was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Agile Tortoise based?
Agile Tortoise is headquartered in Richland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Agile Tortoise make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Terminology Pro Subscription/Unlock is the primary driver. The others are simple Scan Pro Subscription/Unlock, tally Pro Subscription/Unlock and diced Game.
Who are Agile Tortoise's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Apple, Microsoft and Notion Labs. Direct peers are Tapbots, Flexibits, Ustwo, Iconfactory, The Omni Group, Shiny Frog (Bear) and RealMac Software.
Does Agile Tortoise have an API?
No public API is recorded for Agile Tortoise.