# Pen & Paper - Digital journal — Use your pencil to take notes

> Digital journal and notebook app for Apple Pencil users. (iPhone/iPad app by Martin Diz.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pen-and-paper-digital-journal/id1467006448 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Martin Diz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467006447)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.72/5 from 3,184 App Store ratings · 218 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.2 · 36 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2019-06-22
- Data updated: 2026-09-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pen-and-paper-digital-journal/id1467006448/reviews.md

## What is Pen & Paper?

Replace your journals and notebooks with this amazing App designed for Apple Pencil®. Use it to take class notes, discuss ideas, draw or just make some doodles!
When you are done simple export them to a PDF.

Use intuitive gestures to navigate through the pages and undo. Simple, gorgeous, free and no ads!

We do not collect any kind of data!

## Key features

- Digital journaling
- Note-taking with Apple Pencil
- Doodling and sketching
- PDF export
- Intuitive gesture navigation
- Undo functionality

## What do users think of Pen & Paper?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- ✨ Perfect app
- 🎨 Variety of paper styles
- 💻 Simple and basic
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 No intrusive ads
- 📝 Great for journaling
- 🖌️ Realistic paper feel
- 📚 Consistent journaling
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💯 Amazing free app
- 🔍 Useful for notes and drawings
- 🎨 Customizable backgrounds
- 🖋️ Feels like real pen and paper

**Cons**

- 🔍 Lacks zoom feature
- 🔄 Occasional issues with writing detection
- 🔒 No landscape mode
- 🔀 Difficulty organizing pages
- 🔒 Limited pen/brush customization
- 🐛 Occasional data loss

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Writing not detected at times
- Pages sometimes deleted unexpectedly
- Toolbar interaction issues

**Most requested features**

- Add photo/link import capability
- Implement landscape mode
- Introduce text/typing features
- Add selection/move tools
- Provide more pen/brush customization
- Improve page organization and navigation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 218)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pen-and-paper-digital-journal/id1467006448/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Its really good

*2026-08-11, version 1.11*

Really good for cheer notes lets go TS you

### 5/5 — Love this

*2026-08-09, version 1.11*

I have been looking for a pen and paper that feels like true paper.

### 5/5 — 10/10 no notes

*2026-06-21, version 1.11*

I appreciate there being no subscription for a simple journal app, unlike the other hundreds of apps out there. I enjoy the selection of colors, pens, and ruled/grid options

### 5/5 — ᗩᗰᗩᘔIᑎᘜ

*2026-06-13, version 1.11*

𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕣𝕒𝕨 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕝 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕝. 𝕚𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤𝕟𝕥 𝕔𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕦𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕟 𝕚 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕡𝕡

### 4/5 — Good app

*2026-05-31, version 1.11*

Pretty easy to use so far and free!

### 4/5 — Good review

*2026-05-01, version 1.11*

This is a really good app and I would use this as a diary and write in it everyday it is a really good app:)

### 4/5 — If I could design this brilliant, I’d be bright!

*2026-04-16, version 1.11*

I love the simplicity of this app. I love that I can compartmentalize my thoughts into different notebooks. I love that I can
Choose my writing tool and how strong or lovely the utensil and color is.
I love that I can just write instead of type. 

I wish that it would not download each journal upon opening. Let me pick which journal I’m open to right then for speed sake and because why.   Bye!

### 5/5 — Exactly what I needed!

*2026-04-05, version 1.11*

I downloaded and tried so many apps just wanting a simple lined notebook that didn’t endlessly scroll and actually had marked pages I could write on. Everything I tried had maybe two of those things or wanted an insane subscription fee. 

But this app is perfect! It has all those things and hasn’t asked me for a cent after a week and many pages of use. Simple, no frills, no complications, perfect for a daily journal like I use it for or for students taking notes. Highly recommend!

### 5/5 — Good for journaling

*2026-03-31, version 1.11*

Fantaculicious

### 5/5 — Best for work note

*2026-03-26, version 1.11*

Best for work note

## Frequently asked questions about Pen & Paper

### What is this app used for?

This app serves as a digital replacement for physical journals and notebooks. You can use it to take class notes, brainstorm ideas, draw, or create doodles. It's designed to be a versatile tool for capturing your thoughts and creations digitally.

### What are the key features of this digital journal?

Key features include the ability to take notes and sketch using an Apple Pencil, intuitive gesture controls for navigation and undoing actions, and the option to export your work as a PDF. The app is also free, ad-free, and does not collect any user data.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the app is completely free to use. It also features no advertisements, providing an uninterrupted user experience. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees associated with this application.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is designed for use with Apple Pencil, indicating compatibility with iPads that support Apple Pencil. It is an application for the Apple ecosystem, focusing on a seamless digital note-taking experience.

### How can I export my notes or drawings?

Once you have finished taking notes or creating drawings within the app, you can easily export them to a PDF file. This allows you to share your work, archive it, or use it in other applications or contexts.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.11 — 2021-01-31

- Apple pen (2nd generation) double tap support.
- Tool bar can be move to the top of the screen.

### 1.10 — 2020-12-30

Bug Fixes.

### 1.9.0 — 2020-05-03

- Sort journals by last open.
- Bug fix

### 1.8.1 — 2020-04-16

Critical bugs fixed

### 1.8 — 2020-04-12

- Critical bug fixes
- New shapes tool

## Apps similar to Pen & Paper

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [Bamboo Paper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bamboo-paper/id443131313) | 4.2 (646) | Free | Productivity |
| [Notepad+: Note Taking App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notepad-plus-note-taking-app/id920402079) | 4.3 (8,466) | Free | Productivity |
| [QuickNotes X: Notes, AI & PDF](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quicknotes-x-notes-ai-and-pdf/id1021085778) | 4.3 (3,753) | Free | Productivity |
| [Inkflow Visual Notebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inkflow-visual-notebook/id519524685) | 4.6 (1,865) | Free | Productivity |
| [MyScript Notes: AI Handwriting](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myscript-notes-ai-handwriting/id1119601770) | 4.7 (38,542) | Free | Productivity |

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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 2026-09-10.*