# PaintNotes vs StoneNote

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | PaintNotes | StoneNote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paintnotes/id1106747531/reviews) | **[4.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stonenote-video-study-notes/id6479307006/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **29** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 43 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [心悦 吕](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689365127) | [斯熠 巩](https://appshunter.io/developer/1735501144) |

## What reviewers say

### PaintNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paintnotes/id1106747531)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlocking features | $3.99 | one-time |


### StoneNote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stonenote-video-study-notes/id6479307006)

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:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StoneNote Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*