Comparison

MXTNote vs StoneNote

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

Head to head
About

MXTNote

This app helps organize research and study materials by linking PDFs, notes, and web pages. It offers PDF reading, text and handwriting notes, and an arXiv explorer for academic papers. Create a knowledge graph to visualize connections between your research fragments.

Highlights
  • PDF reader with link navigation
  • Text and handwriting note-taking
  • Link notes and PDFs to create a knowledge graph
  • ARXIV explorer for academic papers
  • Web page import (HTML to PDF)
  • OCR and image search for PDFs
  • Sync across devices
Features
Read full description

MXTNote is a free PDF reader and note taking app. When we study for a subject, we start by collecting reference, document idea fragments, then we expand our knowledge structure by creating links between these fragments, or add more content around them. MXTNote provide ways to simplify some of these steps Here are some examples: - A PDF references another PDF, you can select the two location and link them. - After embedding a selection from PDF to notebook, a two way link is automatically created between PDF and notebook. - Link can be created between notes to form a graph, to capture a knowledge/task dependency At block level, MXTNote consists of the following: - PDF reader - Text note taking - Handwriting note taking - Graph view - ARXIV explorer - Calendar Here are the detail features: (those marked with (*) requires MXTNote account, free signup) Reading: - PDF reader with thumbnail index, link navigation - Import web page (HTML will be converted to PDF) - support DJVU/MOBI (*)(file will be converted to PDF) - Text search (using text in PDF, or OCR) - Image search (useful for searching math symbols) - Translate selected text into English Notes: - Simple text note - Write on PDF or select box from PDF - Support links between notes, attach tags to notes. - Search notes by original PDF, tags, or text - Built-in split screen to copy note to notebook - Multiple page notebook with text or handwriting. - Support pressure sensitive input (Apple pencil). - Print notebook to PDF file or printer - Use Latex input for math formula or use the Math formula editor ARXIV: - Search ARXIV and download paper - Monitor ARXIV for new papers matching predefined query Sync: - Sync across all your device (*) - Available as web app Other: - In-app tutorial available for major functions please visit our website for details: https://note.mxtsoft.com/doc

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
Read full description

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

MXTNote4 screens
StoneNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MXTNote at 5.0 against StoneNote's 4.4. MXTNote also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. StoneNote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MXTNote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MXTNote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MXTNote ships an update every 2 weeks, StoneNote weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MXTNote versus StoneNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMXTNoteStoneNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.4 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings25 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTao Ma斯熠 巩

Customer experience

MXTNote

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

StoneNote

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

In-app purchases

None

MXTNote

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

StoneNote

One-time1
  • StoneNote Pro$4.99

Questions

Is MXTNote free?
MXTNote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is StoneNote free?
StoneNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MXTNote or StoneNote?
MXTNote is rated higher. MXTNote averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while StoneNote averages 4.4 from 5 ratings.
Do MXTNote or StoneNote have ads?
Neither MXTNote nor StoneNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MXTNote or StoneNote?
MXTNote ships an update every 2 weeks, and StoneNote weekly. Most recently, MXTNote was updated on September 24, 2026 and StoneNote on October 30, 2026.

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