# Element Note — Handwriting Note & PDF Markup

> Handwriting note-taking, PDF annotation, and sketching app with advanced features. (iPhone/iPad app by Soysauce Lab.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-note/id6444015673 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Soysauce Lab](https://appshunter.io/developer/598496583)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 2,506 App Store ratings · 329 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 118 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, European Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China) and 2 more
- Released: 2022-11-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-note/id6444015673/reviews.md

## What is Element Note?

Element Note is the next-gen note taking, PDF annotation, and light sketching app. We stripped down the unnecessaries and carefully polished the elemental functions for a digital notebook. With a modern look and powerful features, Element Note strives to provide an elegant writing space free of distractions.

Features:

Unique brushes
- Pencil (HB Pencil, Mechanical Pencil)
- Pen (Pen, Line Pen, Fountain Pen)
- Brush (Art Brush, Round Brush)
- Marker (Marker, Round Marker)

Best-in-class note rendering engine
- Smooth and fluid drawing powered by Metal technology
- Support gradient ink for more expressive notes

Powerful attachments
- Text
- Shape
- Sticker
- Image

Universal Search
- Search through your PDF & Handwritting using on device OCR

Smart Darkmode
- Smartly adapts all of your notes to the system darkmode without changing the paper or stroke colors.

iCloud Sync & Collaboration
- Sync via your personal iCloud (No data is passed to our server)
- Collaborate through iCloud collaboration for up to 100 users.

Desktop class organization
- Intuitive multi-select drag and drop gesture to organize your notes or pages

Element Note is free to try for up to 3 notes.
Unlock the full app with an in app purchase to create unlimited notes.

Terms and Conditions
https://elementnote.app/terms

Privacy Policy
https://elementnote.app/privacy

## Key features

- Unique handwriting brushes
- Smooth drawing engine
- PDF annotation
- Text, shape, and image attachments
- On-device OCR search
- Smart dark mode
- iCloud sync and collaboration

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Element Note Yearly | $3.49 | per year |
| Element Note Yearly | $4.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Launch Special | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Element Note?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Smooth handwriting experience
- 💡 Customizable pens and colors
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 🎨 Gradient and gradient brush tools
- 📚 Great for journaling and note-taking
- 🤩 Excellent app for digital scrapbooking

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🔍 Search function not working
- 🖼️ Issues with image handling and export
- 🔀 Difficulty switching between pen and eraser
- 🔑 Lack of password/locking feature for notes

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Notes and files randomly disappearing
- Inconsistent behavior when using the floating keyboard
- Handwriting recognition not working as expected
- Exported PDFs losing formatting and background colors

**Most requested features**

- Ruler tool
- Ability to resize/rotate selections
- Improved text editing and formatting
- Presentation mode for connecting to displays
- Ability to import/export multiple files at once
- Seasonal or custom sticker packs

## Recent user reviews (10 of 329)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-note/id6444015673/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Awesome app!

*2026-08-08, version 2.11.1*

I’ve tried this for the last few days and came here to buy it because I liked it so so much, and come to find out it’s free? That’s amazing. I very seldom buy apps but this one is certainly one I would’ve gladly paid for.
ETA: Ok, free for up to 3 notes but still it’s only $3.50 a year! I love this app. I’ve been missing NotesPlus so so bad since Apple pulled it out. But this one replaces it just fine.

### 5/5 — Best!

*2026-08-06, version 2.11.1*

The first thing I loved was how smooth it is to write as a person who never wrote with their iPad! Downloadable planners and notebooks work well on this ! It’s not clunky at all. I can’t wait to see what else they update this app with :)

### 4/5 — Simplicity is appreciative

*2026-08-03, version 2.11.1*

Much more enjoyable with less tools (like AI built-ins) no subscription, with only a onetime purchase. Highly recommend using it with pencil pro, the tool palette was very productive. I usually need stuff while on my Mac and the Mac version was also well polished in my opinion. 

Needs a pin tool or other navigation tool inside the notes, like one notes menus, to skip and scan quickly through notes to find what ur looking for is a good feature that should be implemented to every note tools these days.

Overall: Great app that achieves more by adding less. Highly recommend for students:)

### 5/5 — Possibly the best handwritten notes app on the store

*2026-07-31, version 2.11.1*

I struggled with note taking apps on the iPad because they are either too basic or way too complex, and either have good digital pens or good organization tools, but not both.

This sweet little app strikes a wonderful balance of simplicity and power. Its pens are wonderful, making it a joy to write on the iPad, and the notebooks are simple and uncluttered, making my iPad really feel like the ultimate portable notebook. The interface is simple and thoughtful, so I always have the tool I need at hand while I am writing without distractions, but still have the option to edit my notebook pages or add bookmarks as needed. The stickers are fun but I haven’t found much use for them yet myself. The pens and interface are what sold me on this app.

My only requests for additions at this point would be 1) A planner or calendar page template, and 2) A way to add links from one page to another so I can make things like a notebook table of contents. Possibly also named bookmarks would be nice. I can understand omitting #2 to maintain the simplicity of the app, though.

Otherwise, I think the app is about perfect. The focused simplicity and thoughtful features are its strengths. My thanks to the developer!

### 5/5 — Awesome app!

*2026-07-31, version 2.11.1*

I’ve tried this for the last few days and came here to buy it because I liked it so so much, and come to find out it’s free? That’s amazing. I very seldom by apps but this one is certainly one I would’ve gladly paid for.

### 1/5 — Not work my application

*2026-07-28, version 2.11.0*

Plz resolve this problem.

### 5/5 — Love! Love! Love!

*2026-07-28, version 2.11.0*

I’ve been looking for a note taking app that doesn’t break the bank and I’m SO thankful I found one. I especially love they had an affordable lifetime purchase. They have some really nice features that elevate the design of your notes. I can’t wait to see what I’ll be able to create in time. I haven’t been able to explore everything, but I love it to have a calendar option if it doesn’t already exist.

### 2/5 — вылетает и снижено качество !!

*2026-07-27, version 2.11.0*

Снижается качество при приближении, плохо прогружает файлы и самое неприятное просто ВЫЛЕТАЕТ И ЗАКРЫВАЕТСЯ. СДЕЛАЙТЕ ЧТО НИБУДЬ В ЖТИМ !!

### 2/5 — New update sucks

*2026-07-26, version 2.11.0*

Who thought it was a good idea to make the user scroll to delete when using the lasso? Adding the line curve is useful but everything else involving shapes is awful now, lines dont even snap to the correct length

### 1/5 — Poor Shape Recognition

*2026-07-26*

So far app is good, but i would like you to add some basic features which other famous note taking apps already have. The first one is the laser pointer, and the other one is whenever you try to form shapes, then either it won’t recognise it or it just form another shape. I literally drew a circle, it made a line out of it which is so irritating. And not even 2 or 3 times, it happens most of the time. Plz try considering it as i am a premium user. The last is the dotted pen, which are also missing

## Frequently asked questions about Element Note

### What does Element Note do?

Element Note is a next-generation app for taking notes, annotating PDFs, and light sketching. It focuses on providing an elegant, distraction-free writing space with powerful features and a modern interface.

### What are the key features of Element Note?

Key features include a variety of unique brushes (pencil, pen, brush, marker), a smooth drawing engine powered by Metal technology with gradient ink support, powerful attachments like text, shapes, stickers, and images, universal search with on-device OCR, smart dark mode, iCloud sync and collaboration for up to 100 users, and desktop-class organization with intuitive drag-and-drop gestures.

### How much does Element Note cost?

Element Note is free to try for up to three notes. To unlock the full app and create unlimited notes, an in-app purchase is required. There are no ads within the application.

### What devices is Element Note compatible with?

While the description doesn't explicitly list device compatibility, it mentions iCloud Sync and Collaboration, suggesting compatibility with Apple devices that support iCloud. The mention of 'system darkmode' also implies compatibility with operating systems that support this feature.

### What are common use cases for Element Note?

Common use cases include taking handwritten notes in meetings or lectures, marking up and signing PDF documents, creating quick sketches or diagrams, organizing research materials, and collaborating on projects with others through shared notes.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.11.1 — 2026-07-30

Fixed
• Improved stability when opening and navigating large or complex PDF documents.
• Fixed lasso selection for brush-drawn shapes.
• Shape detection now recognizes smaller shapes and shorter lines.

### 2.11.0 — 2026-07-20

Element Note's rendering engine has been completely rebuilt, bringing smoother, more consistent results across every page.

New
• Place images, text, and shapes above your handwriting, one of our most requested improvements.
• Reorder selected elements to control exactly what appears in front or behind.
• Keep refining detected shapes after drawing them. Adjust their stroke style, color, width, and fill.
• Add natural brush-line fills to detected shapes, then fine-tune their direction and density.

Fixed
• Detected shapes remain editable and erasable instead of becoming fixed objects.
• Marker strokes keep their natural translucent look when converted into shapes, rather than turning into solid lines.

### 2.10.1 — 2026-07-17

Fixed an issue where colors were not visible in the Quick Switcher.

### 2.10.0 — 2026-07-14

Shapes and lines just got smarter: sketch a shape and Element Note cleans it up, reshape curves with real handles, and snap endpoints into place for precise diagrams.

New
- A redesigned welcome tour introduces brushes, elements, and dark mode with hand-drawn example notes in your language.
- Reshape lines into smooth curves with draggable handles.

Improved
- Shape detection is more accurate, turning rough sketches into clean rectangles, circles, and lines.
- Line endpoints and midpoints snap into alignment as you draw, for tidy diagrams and planners.
- Refreshed shape and line styles throughout the editor.
- Handwriting and localization polish across every supported language.

Fixed
- Text stays selected right after you insert it, so you can keep editing.
- Lasso resizing now stays anchored to the original page.
- Fixed an issue where the collaborator button couldn't be added back to the toolbar after it was removed.
- Fixed assorted localization issues.

### 2.9.2 — 2026-06-24

PDF export is more reliable: annotations now stay with the correct page, so your marked-up notes and documents look right when you share, archive, or print them.

Improved
- Settings now shows clearer upload failure details, making it easier to understand what happened and recover when sync needs attention.
- Localization updates make Element Note feel more polished across supported languages.
- Rendering checks are stronger behind the scenes, helping keep handwriting, pencil strokes, and PDF annotation quality consistent.

Fixed
- Fixed PDF page annotation placement during export.

## Apps similar to Element Note

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Notability: AI Notes & Planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notability-ai-notes-and-planner/id360593530) | 4.8 (452,987) | Free | Productivity |
| [Goodnotes: AI Notes, Docs, PDF](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodnotes-ai-notes-docs-pdf/id1444383602) | 4.7 (443,569) | Free | Productivity |
| [Notes Writer: PDF, Voice, AI](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-writer-pdf-voice-ai/id1423643723) | 4.5 (7,289) | Free | Productivity |
| [Notes Writer Pro: Beyond PDFs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-writer-pro-beyond-pdfs/id1422480068) | 4.6 (3,193) | $9.99 | Productivity |
| [Evernote: AI Notes & Notebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/evernote-ai-notes-and-notebook/id281796108) | 4.4 (77,262) | Free | Productivity |
| [Meeting Notes & Work Planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meeting-notes-and-work-planner/id1476107990) | 4.1 (1,929) | Free | Productivity |

## More apps by Soysauce Lab

- [Noto - Elegant Note](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noto-elegant-note/id1459055246)

All apps by Soysauce Lab: https://appshunter.io/developer/598496583

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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 2026-08-27.*