Comparison

PaintNotes vs Note X

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PaintNotes

This app offers a minimalist digital notebook with an infinite canvas for freeform writing and drawing. Easily import files and organize your thoughts without delay.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas
  • Freeform writing and drawing
  • File import
  • Minimalist interface
  • Unlimited drafts
Read full description

The PaintNote are simple, freely written notebooks. The minimalist interface and simple features make it easier to use. Start to write without any waiting. Unlimited draft paper, free to move, zoom and position. You can import files in a variety of formats.

About

Note X

A versatile note-taking app for digital and handwritten notes, memos, and drafts. Organize study materials with built-in notebooks, insert images, and customize writing styles. Secure your notes with password protection.

Highlights
  • Keyboard and handwriting input
  • Built-in notebooks for organization
  • Insert pictures into notes
  • Customizable paper and font colors
  • Password protection and encryption
  • Share notes as images
Features
Read full description

Note X is a super practical note-taking app and notebook, where you can realize paperless learning and easily complete take notes, handwritten notes, memos and unlimited drafts to help you record your life and study. [Function Introduction] -It also supports keyboard input and handwriting input, making notes more flexible and convenient. -Built-in different notebooks help you sort out your study notes. -It supports inserting pictures into notes, making notes more efficient. -You can choose a variety of writing paper and font colors to meet your different needs. -Support the use of iPad and Apple Pencil to improve your use efficiency. -One-click to generate pictures and share your notes inspiration with friends. -Set a password for your notes and encrypt your notes. This subscription will be automatically renewed through your iTunes account, and the renewal fee will be deducted according to your package within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel the automatic renewal at the Account Settings Department. To cancel the automatic renewal, you must at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. If your trial has not ended, the remaining days will automatically expire after you start subscribing. To open the subscription, you need to agree to the following terms: Terms of Service: https://keshoujie.github.io/posts/keshoujie/fuwu Privacy terms: https://keshoujie.github.io/posts/keshoujie/privacy

Screenshots

PaintNotes4 screens
Note X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Note X at 4.6 against PaintNotes's 3.8. Note X also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). PaintNotes's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 10 months). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PaintNotes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Note X sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Note X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 23 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, Note X every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PaintNotes versus Note X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaintNotesNote X
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (29 ratings)4.6 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better23
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer心悦 吕受杰 柯

Customer experience

PaintNotes

All ratings29 ratings
Positive65.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative24.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Note X

All ratings23 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative8.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PaintNotes

One-time1
  • Unlocking features$3.99
3 purchases

Note X

Subscriptions2
  • Plus Version3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Plus Version Quarterly3 Days trial$3.993 Months
One-time1
  • Pro Version$6.99

Questions

Is PaintNotes free?
PaintNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Note X free?
Note X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PaintNotes or Note X?
Note X is rated higher. PaintNotes averages 3.8 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Note X averages 4.6 from 23 ratings.
Do PaintNotes or Note X have ads?
Note X shows ads; PaintNotes does not.
Which is updated more often, PaintNotes or Note X?
PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, and Note X every 10 months. Most recently, PaintNotes was updated on July 18, 2026 and Note X on July 5, 2026.

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