Comparison

PaintNotes vs StoneNote

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
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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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Integrated video player within notes
  • Automatic video pause while writing
  • Screenshot capture and insertion
  • Layered notes support
  • Folder-based organization
  • iCloud sync
Features
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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

PaintNotes4 screens
StoneNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, StoneNote every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PaintNotes versus StoneNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaintNotesStoneNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (29 ratings)4.4 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings29 — better5
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer心悦 吕斯熠 巩

Customer experience

PaintNotes

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

StoneNote

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PaintNotes

One-time1
  • Unlocking features$3.99
1 purchases

StoneNote

One-time1
  • StoneNote Pro$4.99

Questions

Is PaintNotes free?
PaintNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StoneNote free?
StoneNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PaintNotes or StoneNote?
StoneNote is rated higher. PaintNotes averages 3.8 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while StoneNote averages 4.4 from 5 ratings.
Do PaintNotes or StoneNote have ads?
Neither PaintNotes nor StoneNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PaintNotes or StoneNote?
PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, and StoneNote every 10 days. Most recently, PaintNotes was updated on July 18, 2026 and StoneNote on September 7, 2026.

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