# Penbook: Paper Planner & Notes — Journal, Notebook & Study > Digital notebook app with customizable stationery and PDF annotation. (iPhone/iPad app by Pencil Research.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penbook-paper-planner-and-notes/id1473064295 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Pencil Research](https://appshunter.io/developer/1473063859) - Category: Productivity, Utilities - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.60/5 from 44,888 App Store ratings · 480 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 127 MB - Languages: American English, German (Germany), Chinese (Simplified, China) - Released: 2019-09-24 - Data updated: 2026-08-31 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penbook-paper-planner-and-notes/id1473064295/reviews.md ## What is Penbook? Write naturally with your Apple Pencil on Live Paper with Penbook. Build your perfect notebook from more than four hundred types of stationery. Then, use the best digital inking technology to pour your ideas, notes, plans, and dreams into it. Penbook's Live Paper is way smarter than ordinary stationery. Schedule your life on a monthly planner that shows a real calendar, organize your day with a day planner that shows you what time it is, and record your nutrition on a food diary that knows what day it is. Or, bring your own stationery! Import your PDFs into Penbook for quick annotation and editing. Give your notebooks colorful covers with fun art, and share them so your notes are always where you need them. FEATURES • Live Paper, the dynamic stationery that uses the smarts of your iPad and iPhone • Over 400 of academic, scientific, and planning stationeries • Import PDFs and use them as notebooks • Write naturally with your Apple Pencil, stylus, or finger • Unlimited unique cover combinations for your notes • Search your handwritten notes for words or phrases • Snap your strokes to perfect shapes with shape recognition INCLUDED STATIONERIES Penbook has a huge selection of customizable stationery. Each page of your notebook can be different, turning your iPad or iPhone into a magic notebook: • Blank stationery, with an optional date and configurable margin • Ruled paper with variable density • Graph paper with four options for square sizes • Dot stationery, either squared or isometric (offset) • Cross stationery with configurable margins and density • To Do pages with four layout options • Monthly habit paper for tracking streaks, habits, and goals • Day planner paper with a live updating timeline and calendar, and three layouts • Weekly planner paper that highlights the current time and date • Monthly planner paper that keeps track of the current day and shows you what's coming next • Yearly stationery for getting a complete overview of your next 365 days • Cornell paper for taking perfect study notes • French ruled (Séyès) paper • Penmanship practice paper • Table stationery for hand-written spreadsheets • Polar graph paper for plotting radial data • Semi-log and loglog paper for data with exponential growth or decay • Isometric stationery with equilateral (60-60-60) or isosceles (75-75-30) triangles • Perspective paper, configurable with one, two, or three vanishing points • Developer stationery with device stencils and configurable note-taking areas • Storyboard paper with 3 frame aspect ratios • Engineering paper with variable density • Chemistry paper for easily sketching molecules • Staff and tablature (music) paper with optional linked staves GET THE MOST OUT OF PENBOOK Use all of Penbook's stationery and writing features in a single notebook for free for as long as you like. Upgrade to Penbook Premium to create and export unlimited notebooks, receive access to new stationery and covers as they're designed, and get regular app updates. Penbook Premium is available by purchasing a yearly subscription or a one-time (lifetime) in-app purchase. When you choose to upgrade with the yearly subscription, you can start using Penbook Premium for free with a 7-day free trial. During the trial, cancel any time until 24 hours before the trial expires, and you will not be charged. If you do not cancel, you will be automatically billed for the yearly subscription when your free trial ends. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Our customer-first privacy policy: https://penbook.app/privacy-policy Penbook's terms of use: https://penbook.app/terms-of-use ## Key features - Live Paper dynamic stationery - Over 400 stationery types - Import and annotate PDFs - Natural handwriting with stylus - Searchable handwritten notes - Shape recognition - Customizable notebook covers ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Penbook Premium | $19.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $14.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $29.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $4.99 | per month | | Penbook Premium | $4.99 | per month | | Penbook Premium | $14.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $4.99 | per month | | Penbook Premium | $39.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $14.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $4.99 | per month | | Penbook Premium | $39.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $29.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $7.99 | per month | | Penbook Premium | $39.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $19.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $29.99 | per year | | Penbook Premium | $4.99 | per month | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Penbook Premium Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time | | Premium Lifetime (Loyalty) | $29.99 | one-time | | Penbook Premium Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time | | Penbook Premium Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time | | Penbook Premium Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time | ## What do users think of Penbook? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface - 🎨 Variety of customization options for notebooks - 📝 Smooth writing experience with Apple Pencil - 🗓️ Useful calendar integration - 💡 Innovative features like washi tape and stickers **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes and data loss issues - 🔒 Lack of password protection or locking feature - 🔧 Glitchy zooming and ruler functionality - 🧭 Poor notebook and page management - 💰 Restrictive free version, expensive subscription **Commonly reported bugs** - Sticker resizing issues causing app freezes - Ruler placement and alignment problems - Inconsistent behavior when switching between pages - Calendar sync not working as expected - PDF import and annotation functionality not reliable **Most requested features** - Allow custom notebook covers or images - Add text box and typing capabilities - Improve organization with folders or tags - Provide more customization options for templates - Implement a more intuitive undo/redo system ## Recent user reviews (10 of 480) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penbook-paper-planner-and-notes/id1473064295/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Awesome experience *2026-08-04* Unable to define the benefit in words ### 5/5 — Genius *2026-08-04, version 7.4.2* It solved the main issue that has stopped me from journaling forever: lack of sync with dynamic Google Calendar ### 4/5 — Needs more work. Don’t expect quick support. *2026-07-23, version 7.4.2* a good app if you want to create separate books with custom covers to hold a range of information on any topic. You can put the books in a library. There are plenty of useful tools for hand-writing and drawing. You can insert direct links to the web. A weakness is you can create a new book by importing a PDF but there appears to be no facility to directly import PDF’s into any existing book. I am getting an issue where the local library stops syncing with iCloud - a red cloud with a cross appears in the menu. The only way to restore syncing seems to be to backup locally, delete all PenBook data on iCloud then restore with the local backup. The error reappears intermittently. I have asked tech support for help for weeks but there seems to be no-one home. ### 1/5 — Whateverrrr *2026-07-16, version 7.4.2* App is incredibly slow… I only have two additional apps (excluding socials, which are also two) but this app still crashes frequently. ### 1/5 — Problems Using Latest Version *2026-07-15, version 7.4.2* I stopped using for a while and now features that had worked don’t seem to work consistently any longer. I did update to the latest version and am on the latest iOS. I will say issues may be related to latest version of iOS, but not sure either way, just very frustrated with the app hence my current rating. ### 5/5 — Penbook *2026-07-15, version 7.4.2* It’s an all in one writing app ### 1/5 — Perdi todos os cadernos depois de desligar o iCloud Backup! *2026-07-14* Dois dias atrás, decidi desligar o backup no iCloud por falta de espaço. Eis que hoje, acordei e todos os cadernos tinham sumido! Tentei restaurar um backup em ZIP que eu tinha em outra nuvem, e o app não reconhece o ZIP que ele próprio gerou. Não dá erro, mas também não recupera os cadernos. Perdi tudo, meses de anotações importantes. Eu tinha pago a licença Lifetime e fiquei na mão. Vou trocar pra uma concorrente. Fiquei extremamente decepcionada. ### 1/5 — Annoying! *2026-07-10, version 7.4.2* Cannot get this thing to work. I just paid to upgrade but many features are not available or don’t work. I cannot delete a page from a notebook. The swipe up to get the minimap does not work. There is no organizer button. Tried to submit a support query but the app only launches Apple Mail and I use Google. Would greatly appreciate if someone could reach out and help otherwise I will be canceling my subscription and requesting a refund. ### 5/5 — I love this *2026-07-08, version 7.4.2* And I love it so you don’t have to worry about doing summer work and ya know ### 5/5 — Diario *2026-07-07, version 7.4.2* Muy bueno ## Frequently asked questions about Penbook ### What is Penbook? Penbook is a digital notebook application that allows you to write naturally with your Apple Pencil or stylus on a variety of customizable stationery. It also enables you to import and annotate PDF documents, turning your device into a versatile note-taking tool. ### What are the key features of Penbook? Key features include 'Live Paper' dynamic stationery, over 400 academic and planning stationeries, PDF import for annotation, natural handwriting support, searchable handwritten notes, shape recognition, and unlimited customizable notebook covers. ### How much does Penbook cost? The app offers a free version where you can use all stationery and writing features in a single notebook. To create and export unlimited notebooks, access new stationery and covers, and receive regular updates, you can upgrade to Penbook Premium. ### What devices is Penbook compatible with? Penbook is designed for use on Apple devices, specifically the iPad and iPhone, leveraging features like the Apple Pencil for a natural writing experience. ### What are common use cases for Penbook? Common use cases include taking lecture notes with specialized academic stationery, planning your schedule with live planners, annotating textbooks or documents, journaling, and practicing handwriting or drawing. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 7.5 — 2026-08-04 The new Sleep Journal is perfect for recording sleep hygiene, writing down dreams, and documenting your restfulness. ### 7.4.2 — 2026-05-29 Paper planners, journals & study notebooks just got better. Introducing Health Journal, the only notebook with your Activity Rings built into the paper. Now, you can take handwritten notes about your goals and challenges on special Live Paper stationery that shows your progress. (This minor update fixes a stationery selection bug related to Health Journal.) ### 7.4.1 — 2026-03-25 Introducing Health Journal, the only notebook with your Activity Rings built into the paper. Now, you can take handwritten notes about your goals and challenges on special Live Paper stationery that shows your progress. (This minor update fixes wording errors related to Health Journal.) ### 7.4 — 2026-03-10 Introducing Health Journal, the only notebook with your Activity Rings built into the paper. Now, you can take handwritten notes about your goals and challenges on special Live Paper stationery that shows your progress. ### 7.3.4 — 2026-02-12 Pencil users can take notes that matter with the new Planner Maker. Create your perfect planner with just three taps: just choose your theme, select between daily, weekly, and monthly paper, and set the notebook's duration. ## Apps similar to Penbook | 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 (447,082) | Free | Productivity | | [Weekly Planner - Diary, Notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/weekly-planner-diary-notes/id1187285712) | 4.7 (15,140) | Free | Productivity | | [Evernote: AI Notes & Notebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/evernote-ai-notes-and-notebook/id281796108) | 4.4 (77,262) | Free | Productivity | | [CollaNote: Notes & PDF Markup](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collanote-notes-and-pdf-markup/id1540956268) | 4.7 (13,484) | Free | Productivity | | [Notebook – Notes, Notepad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-notes-notepad/id973801089) | 4.7 (23,845) | Free | Productivity | ## More apps by Pencil Research - [Condukt: MIDI Controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/condukt-midi-controller/id1473063860) - [Scanner Live](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scanner-live/id1635873614) - [Petey - AI Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/petey-ai-chat/id6446047813) - [Open Scanner: PDF Scanning](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-scanner-pdf-scanning/id6578414558) - [Read Aloud Calendar - Daybrief](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-aloud-calendar-daybrief/id6741436033) All apps by Pencil Research: https://appshunter.io/developer/1473063859 ## Related topics [journal planner work](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/journal-planner-work) · [handwritten notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/handwritten-notes) · [good notes free planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/good-notes-free-planner) · [papers highlighting](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/papers-highlighting) · [journal and planner digital](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/journal-and-planner-digital) · [goodnotes planner digital](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/goodnotes-planner-digital) · [paperless environments](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/paperless-environments) · [add time thickness](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/add-time-thickness) · [digital paper flow 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/digital-paper-flow-2) · [pencil journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pencil-journal) · [free journal planners](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/free-journal-planners) · [paper by wetransfer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/paper-by-wetransfer) · [fpnibs](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/fpnibs) · [bamboo paper](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bamboo-paper) · [paper keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/paper-keyboard) · [burgundy journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/burgundy-journal) · [pencil planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pencil-planner) --- *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 2026-08-31.*