# Brushes vs Notebook Studio

The clearest difference is price: Brushes at $3.99 against Notebook Studio's $9.99. Brushes also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Notebook Studio's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 weeks). On ads, in-app purchases, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Brushes costs $3.99 and Notebook Studio $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Brushes ships an update every 6 weeks, Notebook Studio every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Brushes | Notebook Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | **[4.6 (177 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brushes/id1168117279/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **177** | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #80 | **#45** |
| Size | 13 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Envoza](https://appshunter.io/developer/867470531) | [SAMUEL JOSEPH PROCTOR](https://appshunter.io/developer/6806854218) |

## What reviewers say

### Brushes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brushes/id1168117279)

**Currently charting:** #80 Top Paid · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

This app offers a powerful digital painting and sketching experience with a modern interface and advanced features. Create detailed artwork with customizable brushes, layers, and color tools. Optimized for Apple Pencil and various devices.

**Highlights:** Customizable parameterized brushes, Advanced layer management, Apple Pencil support with pressure curve, Light and dark mode interface, Unlimited undo/redo, Cloud Drive import/export

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Great for detailed drawings
- ✨ Simple and intuitive interface
- 💨 Fast and fun to use
- 🖌️ Unique 'Brushes look'
- 💰 Excellent value for price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Brush tip issues (square instead of fade)
- 💾 Auto-save malfunctions
- 🎛️ Poor brush size control (fine detail)
- ⚫ Difficulty getting a true black line
- 🔄 Not an improvement on original

**Reported bugs**

- Brush tips not staying (switching to square)
- Auto-save not working
- Cannot place images from gallery
- Brush size slider jumps
- Circular lines icon appears unexpectedly

**Requested features**

- More save color slots
- Full Chinese menu translation
- Instructions/manual
- Smudge tool
- Documentation


### Notebook Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-studio-pdf-designer/id6811397092)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Paid · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Brushes free?

Brushes costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Notebook Studio free?

Notebook Studio costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Brushes or Notebook Studio have ads?

Neither Brushes nor Notebook Studio shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Brushes or Notebook Studio?

Brushes ships an update every 6 weeks, and Notebook Studio every 10 days. Most recently, Brushes was updated on October 20, 2026 and Notebook Studio on October 16, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Brushes or Notebook Studio?

Brushes currently peaks at #80 in the App Store charts, and Notebook Studio at #45. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*