Comparison

Pocket Note vs SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pocket Note

Transform your device into a powerful business notepad. Quickly capture ideas with handwriting, typing, and rich media. Organize notes into groups and export them as images or PDFs for easy sharing and printing.

Highlights
  • Handwritten and typed input
  • Customizable pen sizes and colors
  • Paste photos and maps
  • Insert figures and lines
  • Export as image or PDF
  • Organize notes into groups
  • iCloud synchronization
Features
Read full description

Would you like to make your smartphone or tablet PC into a useful business tool?  Pocket Note is a notepad application specially designed for the business scene. With Pocket Note, you can quickly put your ideas together by a straightforward, simple operation. [Major functions] - We provided grid lines and horizontal ruled lines on the notepad to make it easier to organize what you write down.And when you don't need a grid or horizontal lines, you can choose "blank". - You can input either manually or from the keyboard (compatible with Apple Pencil).  For manual input, choose from 2 pens, "regular" or "thick", and an eraser.  For pen size and color, choose from 20 sizes and 25 colors. - You can paste up to 20 photos on each page. - You can paste maps.  With a map, you can do the following:   You can display your current position on the map using GPS.   By continuously pressing down at a given location on the map, you can place a pin at the location.   By inputting a name or address, you can place a pin at that location.   You can also specify the zoom factor as you wish. - By pasting figures and lines, you can display your notes graphically.  For figures, choose from rectangles, triangles or circles.  You can specify their size and shape freely.  Lines may be with or without arrows.  For figures and lines, choose from 25 different colors. - You can save your notes as an image or a PDF file. You can do the following:  Print them out with a printer.  Save them as images in iOS "Photos".  Attach them to emails as images or PDF files.  Share them as images with iCloud Photo Sharing.  Paste them as images in iOS standard "Notes".  Save them as PDF files in iOS standard "iBooks".  They can be uploaded as images to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Evernote, Flickr, Line, etc.  (If these applications are installed. Also, if the application is compatible with iOS App Extensions, they can be uploaded as images.) - Notes can be organized into groups.  Several groups can be set for each note.  Notes can be displayed by group, or by modified date. - It's compatible with iCloud, so you can share your notes on your iPhone or iPad. - Compatible with Siri Shortcuts. You can use this application for free for 30 days. If you want to use this app from the 31th day onward, please watch the advertisement movie or make In-App Purchase. [Contact us] https://www.studioks.net/en/contact-us/ [Studio K's - Business Applications Maker] https://www.studioks.net/en/

About

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

This app transforms your device into a digital notebook for natural handwriting and drawing. Utilize pre-designed elements, import documents for annotation, and sync notes across devices. It offers a paperless workflow with easy sharing and export options.

Highlights
  • Natural handwriting experience
  • Pre-designed shapes and clipart
  • Import and annotate PDFs/images
  • iCloud Sync for notes
  • Move, resize, and rotate handwriting
  • Export and share documents
Features
Read full description

SketchNote will help you take great notes without any art skill. Use pre-designed shapes, letter & Numbers, clipart to take great notes. Transform your iPhone and iPad into smart digital paper. Take handwritten notes in digital notebooks. WRITE NATURALLY - LIKE ON REAL PAPER * Completely natural writing experience * Write with the Apple Pencil and your finger * Select and customize your pen color, thickness, and style * Easily switch between pen, highlighter etc. NEVER LOSE YOUR NOTES AGAIN * All your notes with you at all times thanks to iCloud Sync ESCAPE THE LIMITS OF ANALOG PAPER * Move, resize, and rotate your handwriting or change colors * Draw perfect shapes and lines with the Shapes Tool * Pinch to zoom and write more precisely GO PAPERLESS * Import PDF, images, photos and more to annotate them right on your iPhone and iPad * Export documents and share them with others for a fully digital workflow ATTACH ANYTHING * Attach videos, images, photos [ Upgrade to subscription version ] Upgrading to subscription version requires auto-renewal subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Links to Your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: http://www.btoj.com.au/privacy.html http://www.btoj.com.au/terms.html Please feel free to contact us for anything.

Screenshots

Pocket Note4 screens
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pocket Note at 4.3 against SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's 3.0. Pocket Note also leads on ratings volume (14 vs 3). SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Pocket Note sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SketchNote, Visual Note Taking sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pocket Note holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 33% and 33% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pocket Note ships an update every 2 months, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pocket Note versus SketchNote, Visual Note Taking: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocket NoteSketchNote, Visual Note Taking
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (14 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNAOAKI SEKIGUCHIB TO J PTY LTD

Customer experience

Pocket Note

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative55.6%

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pocket Note

One-time1
  • Pocket Note License$3.99
2 purchases

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • 1 Year Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Pocket Note free?
Pocket Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SketchNote, Visual Note Taking free?
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pocket Note or SketchNote, Visual Note Taking?
Pocket Note is rated higher. Pocket Note averages 4.3 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while SketchNote, Visual Note Taking averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Pocket Note or SketchNote, Visual Note Taking have ads?
Pocket Note shows ads; SketchNote, Visual Note Taking does not.
Which is updated more often, Pocket Note or SketchNote, Visual Note Taking?
Pocket Note ships an update every 2 months, and SketchNote, Visual Note Taking every 2 days. Most recently, Pocket Note was updated on October 6, 2026 and SketchNote, Visual Note Taking on October 15, 2026.

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