Comparison

PaintNotes vs Notebook

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

Notebook

This app offers a simple and efficient way to create various types of notes, from study materials and to-do lists to life records and work summaries. It allows for easy organization with labels, image insertion, and customizable paper styles. It is compatible with Apple devices and supports Apple Pencil.

Highlights
  • Label classification for easy organization
  • Insert pictures into notes
  • Select practical paper styles
  • Supports Apple Pencil
  • Compatible with iPhone and iPad
Features
Read full description

Notebook : Simple note-taking app and notepad. We start from the simple and efficient design concept to create a convenient note for you. You can make study notes, to-do list, record life, work summary, etc. through notebook. Features: *Label classification: You can set different labels for your notes to make it easier to find. *Insert pictures: Take pictures of important notes and insert them into the notes, which saves time and effort. *Practical paper: select special paper for your notes, select paper according to different needs, and make notes easier. *Device support: It is compatible with iPhone and iPad, and supports the use of Apple Pencil. [Subscription Description] We support three methods of monthly, quarterly, and permanent subscription. The payment is made through the user's iTunes account. After the user confirms the purchase, the payment is made immediately. Automatic renewal: Apple's iTunes account will be charged within 24 hours before the expiration date. After successful deduction, the subscription cycle will be extended by one subscription cycle. To cancel the renewal, please operate at least 24 hours before the current fee deduction period by clicking "Settings" - "iTunes Store and AppStore" - "AppleID" - "View AppleID" - "Subscription" to cancel the automatic renewal member subscription. Terms of Service: https://linkunyumou.github.io/posts/likun/fuwu.html Privacy terms: https://linkunyumou.github.io/posts/likun/privacy.html

Screenshots

PaintNotes4 screens
Notebook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Notebook at 4.6 against PaintNotes's 3.9. Notebook also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 67%) and ratings volume (186 vs 32). PaintNotes's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 Notebook 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

Notebook holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notebook has 186 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of PaintNotes's written reviews are positive against 93% of Notebook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, Notebook every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PaintNotes versus Notebook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaintNotesNotebook
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (32 ratings)4.6 (186 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews93.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings32186 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 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 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer心悦 吕玉坤 林

Customer experience

PaintNotes

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

Notebook

All ratings121 ratings
Positive87.6%
Neutral7.4%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive93.3%
Neutral4.4%
Negative2.2%

Bugs and requests

PaintNotes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Notebook

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

7 requests
  • More themes/customization options
  • Ability to insert PDFs for annotation
  • Landscape mode support
  • Two-finger pinch to zoom functionality
  • Sharper pen tool for black ink
Show 2 more
  • Ability to resize inserted photos
  • More advanced features

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PaintNotes

One-time1
  • Unlocking features$3.99
3 purchases

Notebook

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 Notebook free?
Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PaintNotes or Notebook?
Notebook is rated higher. PaintNotes averages 3.9 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Notebook averages 4.6 from 186 ratings.
Do PaintNotes or Notebook have ads?
Notebook shows ads; PaintNotes does not.
Which is updated more often, PaintNotes or Notebook?
PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, and Notebook every 2 months. Most recently, PaintNotes was updated on October 24, 2026 and Notebook on October 27, 2026.

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