PaintNotes vs StoneNote
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Infinite canvas
- Freeform writing and drawing
- File import
- Minimalist interface
- Unlimited drafts
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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.
StoneNote
Seamlessly take handwritten notes while watching study videos on the same page. This app integrates a video player directly into your notes, allowing for automatic pausing, screenshot capture, and video bookmarking. Organize your work with layered notes and folders, and sync across devices.
- Integrated video player within notes
- Automatic video pause while writing
- Screenshot capture and insertion
- Layered notes support
- Folder-based organization
- iCloud sync
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Take handwritten notes while watching study videos on the same page. StoneNote seamlessly integrates notes and videos. No need to split screens, watch videos directly on the note page with ease. Capture screenshots effortlessly, enjoy automatic pause while writing, insert video bookmarks, and even recognize speech in the video. Smooth handwriting experience * Our self-developed vector ink engine offers an elegant, smooth, and precise writing experience. * Choose from various brushes: fountain pen, ballpoint pen, and highlighter. * Easily switch brush colors and sizes. * Deeply supports Apple Pencil for precise writing on iPad. Deep integration of notes and videos * Built-in video player within the notes, allowing you to take notes while watching videos. * Automatically pauses video playback when you start writing. * Choose from various video playback modes: side-by-side, top-and-bottom split screen, floating window, etc. * Capture screenshots with a simple two-finger tap and drag them into your notes. * Play videos from your device and online, with the ability to download and cache online videos. * Choose video subtitles and language. * Supports playback speed adjustment, video bookmarks, and video speech recognition. Images and texts * Insert images and text in various ways: click, copy, drag, etc. * Adjust image size, rotate, and freely crop. * Adjust text font, size, and color. Import, annotate, and share * Import various media, including PDF documents and videos. * Write and annotate with various stroke styles. * Export and share your notes. Layered notes support * Non-disruptive, write on separate layers without affecting other layer content. * Easily create and delete layers. * One-click hide or show layers. Effortlessly edit your notes * Use the lasso tool to move, zoom, and modify your notes. * Easily erase strokes with the eraser tool. Well-organized notes * Create folders with unlimited levels to manage your notes. * Move notes between folders. * iCloud sync keeps your notes up-to-date on all devices. * Export your notes in various formats anytime. — Upgrade to StoneNote Pro to unlock unlimited notes and iCloud sync. One-time purchase, no subscription fees, and enjoy future free updates.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: StoneNote at 4.4 against PaintNotes's 3.8. PaintNotes's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 50%) and ratings volume (29 vs 5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. PaintNotes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and StoneNote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
StoneNote holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PaintNotes has 29 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of PaintNotes's written reviews are positive against 50% of StoneNote's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, StoneNote every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PaintNotes | StoneNote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (29 ratings) | 4.4 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 29 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 心悦 吕 | 斯熠 巩 |
Customer experience
PaintNotes
StoneNote
In-app purchases
PaintNotes
- Unlocking features$3.99
StoneNote
- StoneNote Pro$4.99









