# Pencl Notes — Handwritten notes & PDF Markup > Digital handwriting and PDF markup app with Apple PencilKit integration. (iPhone/iPad app by Miguel Schulz.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencl-notes/id1488157338 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Miguel Schulz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1487957589) - Category: Productivity, Education - Price: $6.99 - Rating: 3.50/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 38 MB - Languages: English, German - Released: 2019-11-17 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencl-notes/id1488157338/reviews.md ## What is Pencl Notes? Experience the beauty and freedom of handwriting combined with our digital world on your iOS devices. Pencl Notes offers the most precise and latency-free input recognition using Apple PencilKit to provide an unmatched writing experience. Pencl Notes takes your note-taking to a whole new level. Create stunning notes in university, impress your customers or just let your creativity flow UNMATCHED WRITING EXPERIENCE • Use a normal pen, highlighters or even lead pencils • Experience an input latency of only 6ms (instead of 20ms) thanks to Apple PenclKit • Customize color, width and opacity to draw any stroke NOT ONLY A REPLACEMENT FOR PAPER • Move or copy strokes and text with the lasso-tool • Erase whole lines or only small parts with two different erasers • NEW: Draw lines using a digital ruler • Write on PDF-Documents and import images • Work on multiple documents side-by-side using splitscreen-mode (iPad only) INNOVATIVE SHAPE DETECTION: SHAPEMODE • ShapeMode replaces your hand drawn lines with perfectly straight shapes • Change color, corners, position and opacity of shapes • Draw coordinate systems in a matter of seconds • Fill a shape or keep it as an outline NEVER LIFT YOUR PEN • Different gestures speed up your workflow • Doubletap with one or to fingers to undo or redo an action • Hold down your finger anywhere to reveal the tool picker ICLOUD SYNCHRONIZATION • All of your documents are seamlessly synchronized between your devices using iCloud • Synchronization happens automatically, just activate it in settings ORGANIZE YOUR DOCUMENTS • Sort your documents by name, creation date or time of your last edit • Your documents are organized in customizable categories and sections that are easy to create and order • Access categories and sections from the sidebar JUST THE START • Pencl Notes will be actively expanded by useful new features: • New shapes for ShapeMode • Searching documents • Copy pages in different documents • More (interactive) paper templates Follow @penclnotes on Instagram to stay updated! ## Key features - Precise, low-latency handwriting with Apple PencilKit - Annotate and mark up PDF documents - Shape detection for perfect geometric forms - Organize notes with customizable categories - iCloud synchronization across devices - Split-screen multitasking on iPad ## Recent user reviews (8 of 8) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencl-notes/id1488157338/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Really close but still missing some stuff *2021-01-27, version 1.4.2* So I was originally looking for an app that utilize apple’s pencilkit and also allowed for zooming in which the default notes app is missing. This fixes the zoom issue and the handwriting is fluid and good paper options. However the problems with the app are pretty significant to switch me to fully going to this app and recommending it. 1. You can’t import PDFs just to mark up and keep in your folder, or at least I have not being able to figure it out. 2. You can’t double tap to Re-center the page like in every other notes app 3. No automatic straight line tool, but that may be an issue with pencil kit ### 1/5 — This app crashes *2020-09-01, version 1.4.2* This app crashes when I try to create a note or open any previous notes, including the samples! ### 4/5 — Almost perfect *2020-07-13, version 1.4.2* I love the application so far - the only thing keeping me from switching over from good notes is the lack of search feature! I would love to be able to search all notes (both handwritten and typed)! ### 1/5 — Nope! *2020-05-28, version 1.4.1* Was looking for new productivity/notes/list app compatible with Apple Pencil and bought this. Turned out to be a stupid decision. Not sure if other ratings on here were paid for or done by bots or what but I strongly disagree with a 4.8 out of 5 rating. It’s so bad that I believe this is the first review on the app start I have ever written. That’s 10+ years of apps! Have been using for under 24 hours and about to delete. The work flow and bugs make it more frustrating than beneficial. **Developer response:** Hi, I am sorry that you haven’t been able to use the app like all the others before you were able to do. Sometimes, the error isn’t with the developer. Please request a refund via Apples report a problem page. ### 5/5 — Such a pleasant note-taking experience! 10/10 *2020-05-06, version 1.4.1* I love using Pencil Notes! It combines the best of Notability, Good Notes, and other high-end apps for a much better price. It’s straight-forward, well-thought out, and an absolute pleasure to use. A VERY nice bonus is that the developer is extremely responsive to suggestions, from everything I’ve seen. Don’t be surprised when Pencl Notes starts being mentioned along side Notability and Good Notes in the mainstream tech world. It’s that good! Shout out to Paperless X on YouTube for introducing me to Pencl Notes. Great find! **Developer response:** Hi :) Thank you so much for your nice review, I’m glad you enjoy using the App! Let me know if you have any suggestions Best regards ### 5/5 — New Update *2020-02-24, version 1.3* So excited on the new update, many very welcome changes. Will update again after spending some time with it, but so far 5 stars for sure! **Developer response:** Hi and thanks for your review! I’m gonna look into these bugs and fix them in the next update. Stay tuned for new features in March :) Regards ### 5/5 — Great Start! *2020-02-01, version 1.2.1* Especially being such a new app, this is great! With it being a blend of notability and goodnotes, I can see that the future of this app could be amazing! Personal suggestions: - there’s occasional lag in the writing input (not quite as smooth as the native apple notes and notability yet but it’s getting there!) - voice recording - more shapes! (And hopefully better recognition!) - notability and procreate has this feature that when you draw a line and don’t lift your pen for a second, it registers as creating a straight line (procreate also has the feature that when u add an addition finger press without lifting the pen, it snaps to 0, 30, 45, 60 ,90 ... degrees which is amazing) - choice between switching to the pixel or stroke eraser - double tap to undo and triple tap to redo would make this feature even more of a streamlined experience - when zoomed in and using the ruler, there is a gap between the line created and where the ruler is that I wish was not there :( - brush pen(s)!! (If it can be like the procreate brush pen that would be amazing!) **Developer response:** Hi, Thank you for your suggestions! I’m gonna try my best to bring the app forward :) Regards ### 4/5 — Almost there! *2020-01-30, version 1.2.1* So i currently use GoodNotes 5 and just wanted a separate app to test out different formats. I like the idea of Pencl notes and the writing algorithm is decent enough not to have serious lag. The app itself is organized quite nicely and i like the background color of the home menus with all the notes. Few things i would like to see in the future : - Better copy and paste; being able to copy parts of an uploaded image or file easier - Smoother transition when opening documents; I’ve noticed a sluggish feel to it - Search feature of course that highlights the searched word in a noticeable color; preferably some sort of lavender - Ability to add pictures to specific pages easier; I’ve noticed I have to scroll to the absolute bottom of a page i want the image on or it will add it to the previous page instead - Maybe an automatic fit to page when zooming in or out just to make the process more convenient Personal things i would like: - Voice recording integration - Ability to move images between pages without having to re add the image; simply being able to drag it over to the next page would be great Overall the app is pretty dope and i can see it taking off more in the future as a good mix between notability and Good notes. I definitely will recommend this app more when some of these features are added, good luck to the developer and his team! **Developer response:** Hi Jguyy815, thank you for your detailed review! Glad you like the new update. Some of the features that you mentioned are already on my todo list. Regarding the images: I made a little correction to the algorithm so images should now be added to the correct page without having to scroll to the absolut bottom of the page. Contact me anytime if there’s anything I can do! Best regards ## Frequently asked questions about Pencl Notes ### What is Pencl Notes? Pencl Notes is a productivity app for iOS devices that allows users to take handwritten notes and mark up PDF documents. It leverages Apple PencilKit for a precise and low-latency writing experience. ### Does Pencl Notes have ads? Based on the provided data, the app does not explicitly mention advertisements. It is a paid application, suggesting a focus on user experience without ad interruptions. ### How much does Pencl Notes cost? Pencl Notes is available for a one-time purchase of $6.99. This price grants access to all current features and future updates. ### What devices is Pencl Notes compatible with? Pencl Notes is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It is designed to utilize the capabilities of Apple Pencil on supported iPads. ### How often is Pencl Notes updated? The latest version of Pencl Notes was released on July 12, 2020. The app was initially released on November 17, 2019, indicating a development cycle that may involve periodic updates. ### Can I use Pencl Notes offline? While iCloud synchronization is a feature for seamless data transfer, the core note-taking and PDF markup functionalities can be used offline. Synchronization will occur when an internet connection is re-established. ### What is ShapeMode in Pencl Notes? ShapeMode is an innovative feature in Pencl Notes that automatically converts hand-drawn lines into perfectly straight geometric shapes. This allows for precise drawing of diagrams, coordinate systems, and other graphical elements. ### What is the user sentiment for Pencl Notes? Pencl Notes has an average rating of 3.5 stars from 8 ratings. This suggests a mixed reception, with some users finding value in its features while others may have encountered issues or have specific feature requests. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 1.4.2 — 2020-07-12 NEW IN VERSION 1.4.2 - Bugfix: Adding the first page to a new document now works as expected - Bugfix: Changing a paper template of an existing page is now possible - Closing a document now brings you back to the category you were in before ## Apps similar to Pencl Notes | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Calendar handwritten notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calendar-handwritten-notes/id1476170272) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Taplet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taplet/id1541716426) | 4.2 (5) | Free | Productivity | | [Mental Note for iPad ๛](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mental-note-for-ipad/id364091207) | 2.7 (6) | $4.99 | Productivity | | [Findz: Team up, collect & chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/findz-team-up-collect-and-chat/id1478000632) | 5.0 (4) | Free | Productivity | | [Numerously](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numerously/id1453527678) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Productivity | | [Handwriting Book - Note taking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-book-note-taking/id1645807794) | 3.6 (7) | Free | Productivity | ## More apps by Miguel Schulz - [Plan Ink - Daily Planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plan-ink-daily-planner/id1556988170) - [Clock Drawing Test](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clock-drawing-test/id1594273677) - [RadioPrepared: AZF](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radioprepared-azf/id6759160939) All apps by Miguel Schulz: https://appshunter.io/developer/1487957589 --- *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.*