# Notes Plus X — user reviews > 115 indexed App Store user reviews of Notes Plus X by Viet Tran, rated 3.07/5 from 56 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-plus-x/id1501351725/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-plus-x/id1501351725.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 18 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 11 · 1★ 14 ## What do users think of Notes Plus X? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🚀 Smooth handwriting experience - 👍 Customizable templates and tools - 💡 Seamless iCloud integration - 🚀 Responsive app performance **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs - 🐛 Unreliable file saving and syncing - 🐛 Compatibility issues with older versions - 🐛 Handwriting recognition problems **Commonly reported bugs** - Inability to open or import PDF files - Disappearing handwritten content - Crashing when changing notebook names - Syncing issues with OneDrive and Google Drive **Most requested features** - Improved PDF annotation and editing - Easier file management and organization - Gesture-based controls for common actions - Expanded cloud storage integration options ## Newest reviews (15 of 115) ### 3/5 — Writing and script is way buggy *2024-08-12, version 1.17* Writing and script is buggy. He’s a lot of work. As you’re writing and script the letters disappear as your writing. i’m getting the whole paragraph and page is useless. if you right in print it’s good but that’s slower. needs to update real bad !!!!!!!!!! ### 2/5 — Not Impressed with Notes Plus X *2024-06-14* I use Notes Plus almost daily when attending meetings and taking notes. It’s always had its issues but never experienced any major issues with Notes Plus. I upgraded to Notes Plus X and the experience has been totally different. I don’t understand how something that was so good can get upgraded to something so bad…. Files that were imported to X can’t be opened correctly. Even new notebooks don’t display the page lines. I wish there was a way to get my money back. ### 3/5 — Good but has Google issues *2024-02-07, version 1.17* I love Notes Plus and now the newer Notes Plus X. The app is easy to use. My issue with it is using it with Google Drive storage. I have done all sorts of tests, workarounds and reinstallations, but Notes Plus X fails to create documents in Google Drive and crashes the iPadOS Files app. Saving PDFs in Drive is fine, but making and saving notes plus document files just hangs (it shows as not uploaded and greyed out). I have had to resort to saving documents in iCloud Drive which works. I have emailed the developer about this. At the moment, the app is unusable within Google Drive to save notebooks. ### 2/5 — Loses work!! *2023-11-23* This app is the best handwriting app, period. You experience the joy of handwriting as in no other app. BUT: lately - which is to say, the last few days, after I hadn’t touched it in a few weeks, I am writing for awhile and then LOSING EVERYTHING I’VE DONE! Sometimes pages of work! This is beyond unacceptable! I can’t use it if I’m at all afraid of losing what I’ve done. And now that I’m into this ecosystem, it will be awkward to try to change to another system, and yet I HAVE to. Can you imagine if any other word processing app just randomly lost pages of your work? This needs to be fixed IMMEDIATELY or else I’ll have to go make do with some app that isn’t as fun but which actually SAVES MY WORK. **Developer response:** Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused. We request you to please share details of your issue with info@writeon.cool. We will resolve your concerns with priority. ### 3/5 — Doesn’t save *2023-10-30, version 1.17* I have been using this app for a while with no issues and then over the last 3 months it will randomly not save and erases data. I sadly need to find a new app because I just can’t count on this app any longer. ### 2/5 — Fails to save half the time *2023-08-23, version 1.16* I’ve been using this app since it was introduced. About a month ago it started failing to save. No change in configuration. Now I have to double check every time. About half the time it doesn’t. Really frustrating since I’m trying to keep a nutrition diary for a sick person. ### 3/5 — Notes Plus X still buggy *2023-04-11* I’ve been a Notes Plus and Notes Plus X user for a long time. I’ve introduced and got colleagues using it as well. However, although I read comments that they can’t reproduce problems other users have seen, I’ve lost too much critical work. Doesn’t matter if on the cloud or on my iPad, I can change page to check something, come back and my last hour worth of work is gone. I close the app, come back 10 minutes later, my last page is gone. I want to use it, but I feel the testing group hasn’t taken our concerns seriously enough to duplicate and fix. ### 2/5 — Glitchy and unpredictable, prepared to lose your work a lot. *2023-04-07* The app is often glitchy, while drawing and annotating. I like how it handles pen strokes, and the UI isn’t so bad, but I don’t know how many times I have had lost or mangled content and pages in notebooks that I have saved previously. I’ve gotten into the habit of saving my notebook several times, so that I have “backup“ copies. After all this time in development, both it and its predecessor are still riddled with bugs. I just don’t see any sort of improvement curve here, so I have to reluctantly advise everyone to look elsewhere. Even for drawings that were previously saved, I suggest you get them exported to PDF and away from this horrendous data-killing program. ### 2/5 — Inkredible+ user from Android. *2023-02-02, version 1.15* I’m an INKredible+ user from Android. I bought your notes plus apps and they aren’t quite the same. I’m very disappointed. Doing basic things like moving the tool bar around is difficult compared to the Android version. I almost regret buying this app. Now I have to completely learn to use the app all over again from scratch. The INKredible+ app is fine the way it is on Android. ### 4/5 — Very Nice, But It’s Missing One Thing…. *2022-12-08* I have been enjoying this app for years. I had the original Notes Plus and Notes Plus X is even more perfect for annotating documents for school and studying or writing down whatever I need. However, I wish that there were in document links like the other writing apps for iPads. When using a digital planner or hyperlinked digital textbook, I cannot go to the exact pages I select on which makes it hard to use in this app like I would like to. I’ve had to purchase other apps, but Notes Plus is the only one that perfectly accepts how I hold my pencil and write. That’s a bit of a bummer. ### 1/5 — Unusable *2022-11-28, version 1.14* After using Notes Plus for many years, I thought this would be a nice upgrade. It is not. Every time I open a new folder it locks and will never return. All I see is a dimmed screen. I'm sure I can't get my money back, but I can warn you from my same mistake. There are other, less sinister warnings, like unresponsiveness and actions/menu options that just take me back to the main notebook menu. Those are trivial compared to working on a document for a while only to have it disappear from this universe. I own a brand new iPad Air 2 and am using an Apple Pencil. I also have a Logitech combo keyboard, but I don't use it for Notes Plus or X. ### 1/5 — File corruption upon import *2022-11-20, version 1.14* I’ve been using the old Notes Plus app extensively and thought it would be a good idea to move on to the newer one. How wrong I was! Upon transition the old files get wiped and converted into new ones that superficially look the same. However, when I had to re-edit some, I spotted random missing hand-written text, characters or symbols on nearly every page. Decorated in addition with some random lines going criss-cross over the pages that one cannot select or delete. Sadly there was no way back, so I tried fixing the files. But only to eventually realise that Notes Plus X does not save them. Spinning wheel forever after some changes have been done, both for files in the cloud and for those stored locally. Force-quitting Notes Plus X after some minutes and then restarting did not help. All the errors are back, no corrections saved. It would be a good idea for the developer to provide a utility to resurrect the old files from the new npx files. And if it’s not too late, do not convert any of your old files! ### 1/5 — Super buggy, hand writing kept disappearing *2022-11-13, version 1.14* i have been try to tolerate and hoping to get this bug fixed for a few months now. when i write, the app sometimes stop seamlessly acknowledging the pencil and i only get chunks of it written the other times the zoom option resizes the page while writing another issue is deletion gesture sometimes does work and the writing stays in its place for a while… are there any patches coming soon? if not please give me my money back ### 2/5 — Almost better than Notability *2022-10-30* Lacks some key functions that could make this app better than Notability. Unable to search original text for key words or phrases like in notability. One good feature of this app is there are more options for pens than any other note taking app. Please update this app and add a search option for original text rather than only written text. ### 1/5 — Pales in comparison with the old version *2022-10-28, version 1.14* This may have been “rewritten”, however it’s still looking far too much like a beta version. I’ve tried, but there are too many bugs for me to persist in trying to get it to work. I don’t have time to be a software tester, I need the app to work, as advertised, on demand. I simply cannot lose notes or be forced to stuff-around with buggy software. Importing of existing notes doesn’t work. Can’t seem to get OneDrive working properly. Close-up writing has to be selected from a menu Save your money and stick with the old version (or one of the other popular writing apps). This app isn’t worth your time or your money. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Apple Pencil Pro not fully supported *2025-05-02, version 1.17* I have used Notes Plus on my iPad mini with apple pencil 1st Gen no issues pencil is fully supported. So, I purchased a 2024 iPad Air M2 & the Apple Pencil Pro... Notes Plus does not fully support the Pencil Pro, I purchased Notes Plus X thinking I just needed to upgrade.... Nope Notes Plus X also does not fully support the Pencil Pro. What Gives, Viet Tran ??? ### 1/5 — Power User - Disappointed *2025-03-13* I have been using Notes Plus for years and just attempted to switch to Notes Plus X. This app does not function well and has many issues with the handwriting recognition. I am disappointed that I spent the money on this. My original Notes Plus app is not working now and I am going to have to switch to another platform. ### 1/5 — Fall off *2024-12-19, version 1.17* It used to be a very stable and great App. The support is not responding now and backups are incompatible with new versions. ### 1/5 — Can’t open pdfs *2024-12-01, version 1.17* It would be nice if you could actually open a pdf in a program designed for that purpose. FAIL! ### 1/5 — Developer Abandoned *2024-11-22* I was using this App for years, BUT……Developer has completely abandoned this App and the companion App Notes Plus. Both Apps by this developer are no longer supported. These were the best handwriting apps available. But both are now very buggy and unreliable. Many users, like me, have experience loss of important files. For example, I had one research file consisting of 61 pages of notes, created over a two year period. It just disappeared and could not be recovered. Bottom line: look elsewhere unless/until developer fixes bugs and restarts support. ### 1/5 — Find something else *2024-10-03* Despite the reviews I really wanted to see what this app could do. I’ve been a long time (but inconsistent) user of the original Notes Plus and really loved it but it was lacking in some table-stakes functionality I really thought should be there. This app is worse. While it does have more functionality, the bugs are even more pervasive. Just handwriting a note I find myself having to rewrite every other word or half-word because the app deletes it just after I write it. Honestly I think I’ll just go back to OneNote, even though I had issues with it they were nothing like this, and at least it’s Microsoft and we have a chance of regular updates. 🙏 Save your money, but more importantly save your time and aggravation. Just pass this one by. ### 1/5 — Stopped working on my iPad *2024-09-25, version 1.17* Just stopped working. Shame because I did like the app ### 1/5 — Importing old notebooks causing problems *2023-12-22, version 1.17* If I import old notebooks, it seems to break the app. But if I delete the app and re-download and never import anything it seems ok. If I import anything at all - Imported documents are blank - I cannot see anything on them. Trying a new document - when I write with the pen (not Apple Pencil) the lines show, but if I switch to eraser everything I have written with the pen vanishes and you can’t see what to erase! Sticking with the old version. ### 1/5 — Lost hours of work several times - gone just like that *2023-09-01, version 1.16* Second day in a row this has happened. I’ve gone into a trance with my thoughts, noted down great ideas and insights, and suddenly, I don’t know how or why, it’s all gone. Right now I hate this app ### 1/5 — Import from Notes Plus *2023-02-28, version 1.16* Hiya, I cannot import from Notes Plus, are there detailed instructions or video available? ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — I still use it and am very happy! *2025-02-05* I have to chime in here… I've read other reviews and can't speak to their experience, but I haven’t lost anything. I've tried notability and goodnotes and other writing apps and there are some things this app just gets so right! Above all, the effortless way of circling anything, then rotating, shrinking/expanding it, or moving it around. It's so basic and powerful, I dislike working with pen and paper! I love the ease of a back-and-forth horizontal line deleting anything it touches. And the conversion to text does surprisingly well! I would've given it 4.5 stars because a gesture for undo (instead of tapping that small button) would make things more fluid (3-finger drag left, like iPhone?), and a cut command, in addition to copy and delete in the contextual menu for highlighted text would be helpful. But it's an extraordinary app for something as primal as writing, where one wants immediacy, ease of use and intuitiveness. ### 5/5 — Best handwriting engine available *2024-05-18* I don’t know if “handwriting engine” is the proper term, but you will be amazed at how the letters look like a fine flowing fountain pen. I see many reviews (mostly 2 years old) that call it glitchy. I’ve not experienced glitch in the new Notes Plus X. It did take a little getting used to to understand the file structure that was improved over the original notes plus. The app has seen several improvements that I appreciate. I would like to see an easier way to access/mark up/and save PDFs, but it is not my highest priority. I did use notability at one time, but they have gone the way of perpetual pay. I just don’t use any app enough to keep paying and paying each year. I know the perpetual pay proponents say it is to encourage and support app improvements, but my experience has been that most improvements are simply bug fixes. If an app truly gets improvements, roll out a new version and I’ll pay an upgrade cost. [end of diatribe!] ### 5/5 — Side scrolling pages? *2024-05-06* I love the app and it does everything I need, except the pages do not scroll sideways, like a notebook. Can you add an option for pages to scroll sideways? ### 5/5 — Best of the iOS handwriting apps *2024-02-08* I love this app for two main reasons: First of all, It’s difficult to write cleanly on an iPad no matter who you are, but handwriting in Notes Plus X is unparalleled. I’ve downloaded and tested every major iOS app for handwritten notes and none of the others are able to make my handwriting look so good. When you write, what you see is a slight improvement over what you actually wrote on the screen. It’s fantastic, especially when using the fountain pen tip. Second, this newer version’s user interface is well-designed and practical. Menus, folders, and tools are mostly where I would expect, and it makes it very easy to navigate and just get to writing. I use a 2nd gen Apple Pencil and this is my exclusive go-to app for note taking and marking up PDFs. It has been mostly glitch-free and stable on my iPad Pro, so don’t worry about old reviews that might be referencing problems that have been long since solved. The only thing I’ve noticed is that I have to be sure I go out of my document and let it sync up before swiping the app away. That seems to prevent any loss of data. ### 5/5 — Please keep improving this beautiful application *2023-11-18, version 1.17* Please keep improving this beautiful application. Handwriting with the “ballpoint” tip works great. With Kindest Regards-BR ### 5/5 — Best of the iOS handwriting apps *2022-09-16, version 1.14* I have been using Notes Plus for many years on and off, but lately I have been picking it up again and decided to go ahead and purchase this updated version of the app and I’m glad I did for two main reasons… First of all, It’s difficult to write cleanly on an iPad no matter who you are, but handwriting in Notes Plus X is unparalleled. I’ve downloaded and tested every major iOS app for handwritten notes and none of the others are able to make my handwriting look so good. When you write, what you see is a slight improvement over what you actually wrote on the screen. It’s fantastic, especially when using the fountain pen tip. Second, this newer version’s user interface is well-designed and practical. Menus, folders, and tools are mostly where I would expect, and it makes it very easy to navigate and just get to writing. I recently purchased a new 2nd gen Apple Pencil and this is my exclusive go-to app for note taking and marking up PDFs. After a few days of heavy use, it has been glitch-free and stable on my iPad Pro, so don’t worry about old reviews that might be referencing problems that have been long since solved. ### 5/5 — Excellent and Easy *2022-03-20* I have used Notes Plus for years and found it to be the most visually appealing of several other note apps I have tried. Notes Plus X sealed the deal for long term use. ### 5/5 — I bought a device just for this app… seriously *2022-03-18, version 1.8* I’ve been a Notes Plus user for years…. LOVE it. First and foremost, I have a love affair with writing… as in actual handwriting. The right pen makes all the difference…and as excited as I am by the capabilities of Apple Pencil with procreate and the like, I couldn’t find a single note taking app where I liked the feel, “viscosity” and overall performance of the way it handled the Apple Pencil (even in the apps that claimed to have nailed it). The writing experience in this app makes me want to open it just to write… even the simple “ballpoint” tip has the feel of my favorite rollerballs. But more than the writing experience alone, the HUGE variety of options blow me away… I can create the document I have in my mind using their templates, I can change the color of the notebooks, I can create folders and organize my work any way I want… and best of all, I close a project and it immediately syncs with my phone and my other iPad. I recently made the move to Notes Plus X and it’s everything I loved and more… and I know it’s a platform that’s going to allow the team behind the app to keep offering more and more. Oh, and speaking of my “other iPad,” I’ve been using this with my iPad Pro and loving it… but I’ve also wondered if an iPad mini might make taking notes/creating infographics even more fun and practical with this app. So I bought an iPad mini FOR this app… and I couldn't be happier. I just landed in Seattle for a speaking engagement and spent the flight writing out my plans for tomorrow… on my mini… in this app. And the icing on the cake? The development team is phenomenal… if you need to contact them, they’re responsive, kind and devoted to keeping you up and running. Pretty gushy review… but it’s just a reflection of how much I use and love this app. ### 5/5 — INVALUABLE App *2022-02-23* This app is invaluable for my profession. The ability to have a full featured notes and hand writing app makes this the best one after a long search. The jump from Notes Plus to Notes Plus X has been significant. Greater response with Apple Pencil, simpler and user-friendly interface, and most realistic notepad functionality. It also brings some of the newer features and capability of the new iPad and iPadOS versions into alignment with the app. The developers are very responsive and have taken a decent launch and made the current version nearly error proof. I highly recommend. ### 5/5 — It's good *2022-01-15, version 1.6* May have minor bugs, but it still works for me --- *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 2026-06-10.*