Review Insights · Google Play
Pocket Informant
Fanatic Software · 576 ratings · ★ 3.4
3.4
★★★★★
576 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 46 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"subscription"
16 negative reviews mention this · 35% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
2
"years"
14 negative reviews mention this · 30% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
3
"version"
12 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
4
"support"
12 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
5
"paid"
12 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Subscription... I have this same problem every year I lose functionality of your application before my subscription runs out which will not be until November 1, 2026. It keeps saying I have to renew my SYNC subscription to be able to backup…" - Tony Tedesco
6
"informant"
12 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "SIGH.... EVERY SINGLE FEATURE is behind a Pay Wall. Verizon 4 was the Last great version for Android. If you got rid of it for this, you'll be very sorry you did. The good news is that Informant version 4 is still available. Peace ✌️ ☮️" - Paul James Chatman
7
"been"
9 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
8
"since"
9 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
9
"features"
9 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
10
"sync"
8 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Subscription... I have this same problem every year I lose functionality of your application before my subscription runs out which will not be until November 1, 2026. It keeps saying I have to renew my SYNC subscription to be able to backup…" - Tony Tedesco
11
"android"
7 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've tried using this app on several occasions spanning years. If it worked, it'd be a great way to keep all your events, to-dos, and lists together. but every time I come back to revisit this app, I'm left disappointed. Additionally, Andro…" - Tracey Boyd
12
"year"
6 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's fea…" - Barry Furman
📋 All 46 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
This is the most horrible experience I've ever had with new software. It took all my future appointments that had specific dates and turned them into tasks on the day I signed up for this HORRIBLE program. Stay away from it. Don't even think about signing up. I can't even figure out how to cancel it from my phone.
I've been paying the yearly subscription since v5 started in 2020, even though I continue to use version 4. V4 still has so many more features than v5 & it was free. I don't care about paying, but Fanatic Software took away many of v4's features & never returned them. Some (like Templates) are completely broken & were never fixed. Multi-select on Searches & Editing of sub-tasks were never added to v5. I will no longer support v5 because it has not been updated to the v4 standard in 6 years!
Subscription... I have this same problem every year I lose functionality of your application before my subscription runs out which will not be until November 1, 2026. It keeps saying I have to renew my SYNC subscription to be able to backup my calanders, see my contacts and other things. Again this happens year after year even though my $29 subscription still has almost a year left on it Still having the same problem cannot use premium features even though I have a paid up subscription!!!!
I've tried using this app on several occasions spanning years. If it worked, it'd be a great way to keep all your events, to-dos, and lists together. but every time I come back to revisit this app, I'm left disappointed. Additionally, Android users should be made aware this app is intended for iPhone users. The online sync doesn't work either, rendering app useless.
SIGH.... EVERY SINGLE FEATURE is behind a Pay Wall. Verizon 4 was the Last great version for Android. If you got rid of it for this, you'll be very sorry you did. The good news is that Informant version 4 is still available. Peace ✌️ ☮️
Not sure why my review from 2 years ago is gone, but app has not improved over that time. (Trying it again because I liked certain features.) Version 4 was great! Current version is not. For example, they've had 2 years to fix project alphabetical sorting like it was in version 4, but nope. When you have a lot of projects, it's a pain to have to search through a long list which changes order based upon any entry updates. Task display "improvements" are more convoluted. Canceling trial.
Is it encrypted? App seems to have potential, maybe a former Palm app, More functional platform than current OS's. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to try the paid features before the trial expired, so I have no way of knowing the paid version would be useful to me and without them, it's if no use at all.
I'm now using Calengoo. Superior in every way to this piece of rubbish. I've used Pocket Informant since the PDA days. No more. Disgusting display of avarice. Everything is 'premium'. $25 per year just to be able to access my task list? You have to be joking. I don't mind a one-off payment, but with so many excellent and free apps out there, after many years, it's finally goodbye to Informant.
it's locked me out of my account. I've paid a subscription for years but all the features are locked and I'm sent around the world with errors and account not verified. please help this is soooo annoying, I can't even reset my password.
I love the app. But... when it breaks it takes a long time for response from support. I've used it for years. This week it's broken. sigh I'll fix my review when they fix the issue.
I renewed my subscription on February 25, 2025 and since then I keep getting an error message stating that I need to pay to use full functionality. I contacted Informant support and I didn't get any help. Is this the way you treat your customers? I paid for the paid options and I am not getting the service I paid for. If there is no solution to the issue please I want a reimbursement
I've been using this app for YEARS & liked it enough to pay the ridiculous subscription fee but the so-called bugs are frustrating & every attempt to contact support is an inane cycle of curt one-response/one-question emails with weeks between each regardless of how quickly I provide the info they want, only to be shuffled to 'another department' that continues the cycle or simply never gets back to me. I'm done.
Unusable design for the notes, very poor design of the entry display when opening from the monthly view. If you are buying the sync for the theoretical sync with a Mac, do yourself a favour and check the prices for all the apps (aside from the subscription). Very poor overall design. Loved this app in its Pocket PC days, that is where the design still is.
Apparently support discontinued for the paid informant 4 version. Raised a query 8 November and got an auto response - that's it, despite reminders! Used to be a great app with great service but no longer.
I agree with Barry Furman regarding the layout of v5. 😞 Zero support for Android; developer only cares about iPhone version. 👎 No way I'm paying $25/year for this rubbish app! Please fix it or sell it to someone else. 🙏 We want our Informant back in the hands of a competent dev team. ✅
Updated 18/9/24 Nothing much changes except that I can't open it at all now, it just crashes. Message saying reinstall when the developer has fixed the bug and support took a few days to tell me the same thing. Great. It still loses entries so I can't trust it for important events. Wish I could get 4.2 to sync, I'd use that. Doesn't easily display other calendars such as Google, randomly loses calendar entries especially when it reads descriptions and interprets numbers as dates and times.
For the last 3 years I had been a subscriber even though after each year I had to prove that they had charged me so they could unlock the paid features. Yes, I got charged but I'm the one who had to prove to them that they charged me… ..wow, what a great setup they have. So after I proved to them for the 3rd time that they had charged me, I changed my mind and told them I wanted to unsubscribe and if I could simply have my money back. Nothing but silence in return, which speaks volumes.
Seems Android app has been abandoned by developer
I've had this for years. Now license won't restore. Uninstalled and moving on, many other options out there for calendars and planners that are free and work much better
Since last update lots of functionality lost and can't even write more as this review never opens. Tags have lost icons In cancelling by subscription and moving to another app after over a decade of use of Informant (Pocket Informant). If I could give 0 stars I would Whoever is owning or running it is milking it for cash and destroying it. Avoid this now garbage app like the plague
Having to pay so much for a yearly subscription for a utility is way out of line with what you get. The emphasis on iOS over Android makes it worse. I'm changing apps.
Disappointing, well garbage to be truthful. Been using PI since Windows CE, my current version has stopped working with android update. It is so different in look and feel it is completely different software, looks terrible in comparison, all around it is garbage, oh and its subscription, and bloody expensive, there is better easier to use and way cheaper out there.
After the most recent renewal weeks ago the app has been unusable, saying I'm trying to access paid features while at the same time saying that payment has already been applied. Contacted support and have received nothing but promises of "will be fixed soon". Very, very disappointing. If I could give them less than 1 star I would. I don't think these folks give a damn. $24.99 is a LOT for a subscription and I'm getting nothing for it. Shame on the developers.
Getting Expensive. Used since the Palm days. Didn't mind $5 or $10 here or there but $25 a year nope. $10 a year is fine not $25.
Using this app since Palm Pilot version. Gave 4*earlier but editing now. Despite paid subscription till Sept. 2024 app still showing not paid. Tried to take help from support..no response. Really this is now dead app and they have taken my money also.
I've used PI/Informant 4 for many years and loved it! Even paying for sync was worth it. Informant 5 is another story. Tried working with the developer, but too many issues are unresolved for too long. Project list view is no longer alphabetical...it's last access based...a royal pain searching when you have dozens of projects. On my zFold 3, a note will keep scrolling down even though I'm typing at the top. These are just a couple of the issues. So frustrating! Time to search for a better app.
I have subscribed and paid regularly when using iPhone. Recently I switched to Samsung. the account doesn't let me log in but I cannot get help from the Support though keep sending messages. Informant team is not responsive. My account is still locked.
This is one of the best apps of its kind on the 'other' store, but on this it is unable to even get beyond the sync account setup before it simply stops working. Would love to be able to give a good review, but it is impossible if you cannot even use it
Awful, could not sync with Google, got stuck in an old sync and never recovered, uninstalled and reinstalled everything 10 times
Long time User BUT Guess they do NOT have support anymore for Android. I left a request in the contact support section of app since 3/22/23 and no reply. I copied the back up file from old device s9 to new S23 and did restore(per doc i found in faq doc) but I still do not see my calendar entries. Can anyone suggest a good calendar app that has support Thanks ---
Was a loyal customer and told everyone how great Pocket Informant was. New version has hobbled functionality unless you pay subscription for the same features you already paid for in prior version. Case study on how to disrespect loyal customer base who should have been grandfathered in.
Paid for years ago, liked it then, downloaded current, can't really check any features out... "that's a paid feature", other (agenda) options are out there and readily available... Sorry, DELETED... much sadness.
I've been using PI for more than 10 years it was the best calendar for me at $14.99. After i completed an update on my Samsung fold 3 it stop working and won't even open PI anymore. Downloaded the new informant 5 and didn't like it. The old PI version was much better than this one. I’ll not pay the subscription.
It's my annual getting locked out of my calendar. Paid annual fee. Got notification for days after that I need to pay. Now reset password (forgot old one) and it will not let me in...
Overpriced app
This app DOES not sync with Google Tasks. Do not subscribe if task syncing with Google Tasks is important to you. I bought the subscription for a year since the tasks is locked in the free version. After that when I tried to add Google account so that Google Tasks can be synced, I got a warning label that said that this app tried to access sensitive information so Google has blocked this app. Then I contacted support to resolve the issue and all I got in return is that they are aware of this.
I have used the old version for many yeras which I was very happy with and I have tried several times to move accorss to the new one but sadly they have removed a number key funtions which means I cant effectively use it , so I am using the old one ( now unsupourted ) for as long as I can till I can find a replecament - "If its not broken then dont fix it" wise words sadly not in this case
Doesn't run on Samsung S22 Ultra.
It works fine on my tablet but it no longer works on my Samsung S8 phone. "Informant keeps stopping."
Paying for a subscription but the app won't even open on my new phone. Just crashes before I can even see the calendar.
much less intuitive
Had this product for years, and over the last 3-4 years it does not recognise the subscription payment and locks me out. Also seems to have problems syncing with Google calendar for some reason. The early days of the product did not seem to have these issues
Been using informant for years, love it. Now suddenly the App won't load and I keep getting a notification that the developer needs to fix a bug.
Recent user. Was great. Cool icons, colors, everything to keep My life in order. Then phone tech deleted it. Upon reinstall, it attached to my email. Don't want that. Now totally sucks. NONE of the app's assets work. Great to trash
I saw that you now need to pay for most of the functionality. I do not mind doing that once I know it fits my requirements. Unfortunately, I have to pay before I can change anything in the app to see if it is what I need. I do not want to do that. So that means I will not select this tool. It would be great to have a temporary full working demo so I can decide whether I want to buy the application. I will now skip.
The interface is quite cheesy and cheep looking, and no changes can be made to the UI unless you pay for it. In fact, nothing can be done until you pay.
Sentiment summary
58%
Positive (4-5★)
6%
Neutral (3★)
36%
Negative (1-2★)