# Element Note — user reviews > 333 indexed App Store user reviews of Element Note by Soysauce Lab, rated 4.60/5 from 2,560 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-note/id6444015673/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-note/id6444015673.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2,082 · 4★ 234 · 3★ 106 · 2★ 39 · 1★ 99 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (17 of 333) ### 2/5 — Manual page add disappointing *2026-09-09, version 2.12.6* I have really enjoyed this app, but the recent update makes it useless for note taking—new pages used to add automatically, now users have to manually add each new page. No longer works for classrooms where you cannot pause to manually add each new page. Please revert this to the way it was. ### 4/5 — One big problem *2026-09-06, version 2.11.1* On this app I downloaded it a while back but when I try to write or draw it glitches and doesn’t work so please fix it for me because that would be really good ### 3/5 — Please *2026-09-06, version 2.11.1* I love your app! Personally, I think it’s the best note-taking app for iPad. But could you please add an option to lock the zoom? It drives me crazy when I’m writing and the zoom suddenly changes. Other than that, I absolutely love the app. ### 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:) ### 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 ### 4/5 — Only one thing keeping me back *2026-07-20, version 2.10.1* This is a fantastic app. The only thing keeping me back from purchasing a lifetime plan is the ability to view, navigate, and edit a PDF file’s outline. This feature would make the app fantastic for reading and annotating books. ### 4/5 — Good, but it can be better. *2026-07-16, version 2.10.0* The app is just great, I love it very much, but there is a problem that did not exist before. When you want to align the marker line, it becomes dense and overlaps the text you want to emphasize, which is very unpleasant. Because it's inconvenient to draw straight lines by hand. Everything used to work very well ### 5/5 — This developer should run the world *2026-07-05, version 2.9.2* I have been obsessed with Noto and the simple elegant UI that trumps basically all other UI for years … so when I found another app by the same dev with another beautiful interface with another beautifully reasonable one time purchase, it was an instant yes from me. ### 4/5 — Great app *2026-07-03, version 2.9.2* Great app but has some annoying bugs. And it could be better if you add laser pointer to app. Thanks ### 2/5 — Give chance *2026-07-01, version 2.9.2* You have very limited access which sucks I prefer collanote ### 5/5 — Круто, но… *2026-06-30* Очень нравится минималистичный дизайн, можно настроить под себя. Но есть одно большое НО — синхронизация… Очень долгая, и почему-то файлы становятся цветными не до конца (по названию можно понять, что за файл), но всё равно это не очень приятно. Пожалуйста, доработайте! 🙏🏼🙏🏼 ### 5/5 — The best that I’ve EVER come by! *2026-06-29* I found this app by complete happenstance, but the writing is so buttery smooth and the writing tool variety is really expansive without being overwhelming. In no time I left behind the last writing app I’d been using loyally for the last year to buy Element Note in its entirety LOL. Just a few quick UI tips/asks: I understand tagging notes with the folders that they’re in while you’re in the ‘All Notes’ view, but can it be removed when you’re in their designated folder? It can be a bit redundant. It would also be quite nice if the editing settings on your notes (page foreground and background colours, ink colours etc.) wouldn’t change with the UI when it switches to dark mode, or if there at least existed some sort of toggle or option to opt out without having to commit to light mode entirely. Lastly, could we have some more colours for our folders? None of these are dealbreakers and the app is so yummy to use even so, just some features that I thought would be nice. SO worth the purchase! ### 3/5 — The Support Team is Very Unresponsive *2026-06-29, version 2.9.2* I emailed the support team twice in the last month due to what could be a glitch. I haven’t heard back from them.. I am actively trying to get my collaboration button back onto the toolbar. But I can’t find it anywhere… ### 5/5 — A nice, simple notetaking app. *2026-06-16, version 2.8.1* Honestly, for a one time payment of 14 dollars, this is good stuff! It’s got all the features you’d need for taking notes whilst having a simple interface that is completely customizable. My only complaints is that the ‘find in text’ function seems to not work for me, and I really wish you could have multiple notes open at the same time using a tab system like that of browsers. Still, it’s worth the money imo. ### 5/5 — Beautiful *2026-06-05, version 2.8.1* Unreal really go recommended ### 4/5 — It’s great and can be better i hope *2026-06-01, version 2.8.1* It’s great for handwriting. I got no problem after 3 years using it. Nothing lost or bad experience so far But few little features would be great cuz I’m struggling without it: - custom/editable paper template: allow to add img/pdf as paper template - lock object - add layer would be great even limit layer amount If I remember more i will edit the review. Thank ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not work my application *2026-07-28, version 2.11.0* Plz resolve this problem. ### 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 ### 1/5 — Absolutely terrible yall need to fix this app *2026-05-28, version 2.8.1* It deletes what i have written all the time and when i hit the back button or undo it doesn’t come back I’m highly annoyed I’ve put so much work into my stuff and it randomly erases my stuff can you please fix this i dont understand what’s going on. ### 1/5 — No *2026-05-24, version 2.8.1* My child had nightmares with this app. It plays really creepy music and ask you for a personal information when you login. I do not recommend this. get any app besides this and it also says have you ever I can’t even say it cause I’ll get banned. ### 1/5 — Greedy *2026-05-24, version 2.8.1* Has good features but only lets you make a single note before making you pay ### 1/5 — Not work my application *2026-04-09, version 2.8.1* Plz resolve this problem. ### 1/5 — In Poor Taste *2026-02-10, version 2.7.0* The fact it only lets you upload three items beefier saying you need to pay to get more space. Disgusting ### 1/5 — We miss you *2025-12-30, version 2.7.0* People loved this app. Sad to see the devs abandoned it. ### 1/5 — DO NOT GET *2025-12-06, version 2.7.0* DO NOT GET THIS APP!!! I have used this app for 4 years and at first it was great, but today the app just completely died. All of my notes, work, assignments, etc GONE COMPLETELY. At first, the app would not open at all. It would show a black screen and then close before showing the Home Screen, and this kept happening every time I tried to open the app. I restarted my iPad, troubleshooted the app, anything to get it to work and it didn’t. Eventually I deleted the app and redownloaded it and the app opened. HOWEVER everything was gone. Not single note, assignment, anything was there. 4 years of work gone in an instant. Whatever you do,do not get this app. ### 1/5 — Would not recommend *2025-11-26, version 2.7.0* I have used this app for 2 years daily during my first years of college. It was a great app, didn’t have any issues except of some of the bugs that have this app. Recently it stopped working, deleted all the content i have saved on it including class notes, test reviews, important work, etc. A few days ago when i tried to use the app it just would go in a black page and send me to the home page of the iPad. I tried all the troubleshooting options to make the app work again but it didn’t work. I deleted the app and then redownloaded it, started again with my new notes and today the problem happened again. I can’t trust this app anymore; after paying for it I would expect better quality from it. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — A nice, simple notetaking app. *2026-09-09, version 2.12.5* Honestly, for a one time payment of 14 dollars, this is good stuff! It’s got all the features you’d need for taking notes whilst having a simple interface that is completely customizable. My only complaints is that the ‘find in text’ function seems to not work for me, and I really wish you could have multiple notes open at the same time using a tab system like that of browsers. Still, it’s worth the money imo. Update: I figured out the issue with the find in text feature, you’d have to specify what language your notes are in within the settings. Now it works like a charm :) ### 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 :) ### 5/5 — Possibly the best handwritten notes app on the store *2026-07-31* 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. ### 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. ### 5/5 — best NATURAL handwriting *2026-07-22, version 2.11.0* Element note keeps it simple, and my handwriting looks almost exactly the same as writing on physical paper. Maybe it's my OCD but this makes it the only app I use for note taking. Wish there is a pen color bar instead of having to click on the pen each time. FYI I tried all the other note apps (e.g: goodnotes, notability, etc.) and my handwriting looks horrible on those apps (for example, my letters randomly flick or connect at the end and it is sooo annoying. like they're trying too hard to make it look natural).. Anyway, I LOVE this app. Please don't ever change this... ### 5/5 — my favourite hand writing app *2026-07-21, version 2.11.0* I have several hand writing apps installed on my two iPads. But Element Note is the one I use most. It has a simple, easy to use UI. It works well with mi ESR and Apple pencils. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — Simplicity is very nice *2026-07-11, version 2.9.2* 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 — Minimalist Bliss *2026-07-06, version 2.9.2* I absolutely love this app! It is exactly what you want and lacking very little. I love how the brushes actually write like a pen rather than having that kind of digital effect. I love that I can import PDFs or photos and write on those. I love that it is simple. I think the only thing that I would change about it is that I would like to add notebooks rather than files and pages only, so that all of my pages are in one "book," so to speak, think Penbook or Zinnia. That's not a need, it's a want, and I am completely happy with the way Element Note is currently set up. --- *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 2026-09-12.*