# Defter Notes — handwritten spatial notes

> Infinite canvas for handwritten and spatial note-taking and idea exploration. (iPhone/iPad app by Deft Works ApS.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/defter-notes/id1570783518 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Deft Works ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1570783520)
- Category: Productivity, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases (on sale, was $34.99)
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 70 App Store ratings · 80 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 56 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2022-01-09
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/defter-notes/id1570783518/reviews.md

## What is Defter Notes?

Defter Notes is loved by academics, students, teachers, researchers, journal keepers, knowledge workers, designers, architects, engineers, writers, and anyone who thinks best with their hands and eyes. 

It’s built for people who see ideas as living things: connected, evolving, and worth exploring.

Think without boundaries
Defter Notes gives you an infinite canvas for spatial thinking. Drop ideas anywhere. Draw connections. Expand as far as your thoughts take you. Enjoy pure creative flow.

Capture ideas your way
Whether it starts as a quick sketch, a handwritten note, or a PDF you’re diving into, Defter Notes adapts to your process. Write, draw, or type; then move, link, and layer it all together. Your ideas stay flexible and alive.

Work the way your brain works
Move items freely. Zoom in and out of context. Build hierarchies of Spaces that let you go deeper into your projects. Defter Notes stays out of the way so your focus stays on thinking.

Top features
* Stacks for deep work: Ideal for reading, studying, or comparing multiple resources.
* Deft movement with gestures: Drag pages or extract text directly out of PDFs.
* Cross-reference and multitask: View, resize, and reorder documents side by side.
* Handwriting and text tools: Combine pen, pencil, marker, and text boxes using Apple Pencil or Scribble.
* Fluid editing: Double-tap any item to edit or share.
* Intuitive navigation: Use the mini-map, navigation bar, gestures, and select tool to move effortlessly through infinite spaces.
* Supports links and files: Drop in PDFs, images, URLs, and attachments right onto your canvas.

Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/GjS5tJSmBW
Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Privacy policy: https://www.defternotes.com/touprivacypolicy

https://defternotes.com

## Key features

- Infinite canvas for spatial thinking
- Handwritten notes, sketches, and typed text
- Connect and layer ideas
- Organize with Stacks
- Deft movement with gestures
- Cross-reference and multitask documents
- Supports links and files

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Plan | $17.99 | per year |
| Monthly Plan | $2.99 | per month |
| Mini Supporter | $2.99 | per month |
| Big Supporter | $29.99 | per month |
| Supporter | $7.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Access | $39.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Access - Welcome Offer | $29.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 80)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/defter-notes/id1570783518/reviews.md

### 5/5 — This app is great but lacks some essential features

*2026-07-29, version 2.6.0*

This app is great but lacks some essential features like pdf navigation through bookmark, pdf search, take screenshot of the pdf through lasso, and freehand writing and annonation in the canvas...

### 5/5 — Perfect for visual thinkers

*2026-06-14, version 2.4.1*

I love that this note app doesn't force you into a rigid structure. The infinite canvas and the way you can organize notebooks in Defter Notes just feels right. It is fluid, intuitive, well-designed and perfect if you prefer a flexible workspace over standard text documents.

### 5/5 — Excellent for creatives and researchers

*2026-06-04, version 2.4.1*

Defter Notes is unparalleled as a note taking app for creatives and researchers. The app is very intuitive and flexible allowing you to put to “paper” any idea or concept that comes to mind. Moreover, the ability to edit, annotate and manipulate a pdf file is unlike any other pdf app out there. This feature alone makes the app worth it. Although there is a learning curve, it is well worth the effort. When you become familiar with the flow of the app, you will be able to express almost any thing that comes to mind through this app.

### 5/5 — Great App! (Update x 2)

*2026-04-29, version 2.3.0*

Bring to Front/Back not working + Crashing app. Please repair.

Also, would LOVE to be able to write directly on spaces without text boxes or notes. 

Otherwise, great.

Thanks for your consideration.

### 4/5 — Not bad at all, but with a key limitation.

*2026-04-19, version 2.3.0*

This is a decent app, but it could be better. One thing I was really hoping for in version two is that you could rotate individual pages, but I don't seem to be able to find a way to do this. I think this is a really necessary addition.

Other than that, it's pretty good.

### 3/5 — Just a poorly designed app

*2026-03-25, version 2.1.1*

Updated review: Apparently I can draw on the iPhone, as long as I turn off the option to use an Apple Pencil. So… why is that defaulted to on for the iPhone? Maybe this is a great app, but it really does leave a bad first impression.

### 2/5 — Disappointed

*2026-03-21, version 2.1.1*

Downloaded & then paid for what & still may be a half decent app.
Only the links to the “manual” & the help pages are broken 
 and am unable to get any support.
VERY DISAPPOINTED.

Received an email from them apologising by saying I could go to Discord to get help…..what a joke that link took me to buy the app!!
It’s ok… Apple refunded my purchase.

Apple Freeform is filling the gap you left.
If you’d offer free or discounted for the frustration I’d reconsider.

### 5/5 — Feedback

*2026-03-13, version 2.1.1*

amazing app but needs a pick tool and more options for lasso and select tool paste and Image restyle the words and stuff like that otherwise i love it and the palm recognition lags a bit it but its the only apps with a fast paced writing and it feels fast and refreshed i tested other apps and they were a bit laggy

### 5/5 — Great App! (Update)

*2026-02-23, version 2.0.7*

A fantastic app. Allows for SO much detail. Updating to Version 2.0 was simple with backup. 

Would love to be able to write directly on board without having to add a note or space. 

More pen options would also be appreciated; otherwise great app. Please continue to update!

### 5/5 — Too pricey

*2026-01-21, version 2.0.5*

While there is a lot of cool ideas and tools I am not going to purchase the premium since there are other apps that does the same thing this app does . I love the pdf reader and annotation.
There is a sandbox aspect which is awesome too.

## Frequently asked questions about Defter Notes

### What is Defter Notes?

Defter Notes is an application designed for spatial thinking, offering an infinite canvas where users can capture, connect, and explore ideas. It supports handwritten notes, drawings, typed text, and various file types, allowing for flexible organization and creative flow.

### What are the key features of Defter Notes?

Key features include an infinite canvas for boundless idea exploration, the ability to combine handwriting and typed text with tools like Apple Pencil, and intuitive gesture-based navigation. Users can also cross-reference documents, organize content into Stacks for deep work, and easily link or embed files.

### How much does Defter Notes cost?

The application is free to download and use, with in-app purchases available. These purchases likely unlock additional features or functionalities beyond the core offering.

### What devices is Defter Notes compatible with?

While specific device compatibility isn't detailed, the mention of Apple Pencil and Scribble suggests strong compatibility with Apple devices, particularly iPads and iPhones running recent iOS versions.

### Who would benefit from using Defter Notes?

Defter Notes is ideal for students, academics, researchers, writers, designers, architects, engineers, and knowledge workers who prefer to think visually and spatially. It's for anyone who sees ideas as interconnected and evolving entities worth exploring in a flexible environment.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.6.0 — 2026-07-29

+ major bug fix about multi device syncing
+ items resize from top-left now

### 2.5.0 — 2026-06-15

+ Space export now available
+ iOS 27 Beta compatibility
+ PDF Stacks page transition preview added (when you scroll between pages you'll be able to see the preview of the page)
+ Bug fixes and improvements

### 2.4.1 — 2026-05-14

+ handwriting selection resize & rotate & pen thickness
+ images, sticky notes and text boxes can be rotated freely now
+ share page, now has list view when multiple elements are selected for export
+ music paper pattern fix
+ pen thickness fix

### 2.4.0 — 2026-05-06

+ handwriting selection resize & rotate & pen thickness
+ images, sticky notes and text boxes can be rotated freely now
+ share page, now has list view when multiple elements are selected for export
+ music paper pattern fix

### 2.3.0 — 2026-04-11

+ handwriting resize & rotation
+ compact menu option for iPads
+ drag and drop a new page directly from menu to stack
+ bug fix about frozen spaces

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## Related topics

[visual notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/visual-notes)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*