Comparison

Jottre vs Pencil Journaling

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

Head to head
About

Jottre

A minimalist handwriting app designed for iPad with Apple Pencil. It allows users to write notes and convert them into various file formats. Seamlessly sync your notes across iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

Highlights
  • Minimalist handwriting interface
  • Apple Pencil support
  • iCloud synchronization
  • Export to PDF, JPG, PNG
  • Dark/light mode support
  • SplitView and Multi-Window support
Read full description

Jottre is a simple canvas for handwritten notes and sketches. Write freely with Apple Pencil on iPad, or use your finger on iPhone. Notes sync automatically across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iCloud. When you're ready to share, export as PDF, JPG, or PNG.

About

Pencil Journaling

This app offers a focused journaling experience with a pen-compatible notebook and a built-in timer. Choose from over 50 themes and set daily reminders to cultivate a writing habit. Its minimalist interface helps you concentrate on your thoughts and clear your mind.

Highlights
  • Pen-compatible notebook
  • Focus timer
  • Over 50 journaling themes
  • Daily habit notifications
  • Minimalist UI
  • Page sharing options
Read full description

A simple notebook with a timer that allows you to choose a theme and write in pen. It also includes features for journaling, such as a list of over 50 themes and app notifications that can be made into a daily habit. This is recommended when you want to concentrate on your thoughts and clear your head. * Notebooks that are compatible with Apple Pencil and other pens * Timer that allows you to focus on a certain time * Minimal UI that doesn't interfere with thinking * A list of topics about work, yourself, etc. that you don't have to worry about what to write about * App notifications to encourage habit formation Usage: - Decide on the device orientation (i.e. page orientation) and press the Add button. - Decide on a theme or title. - Set the time for the timer. - Choose your favorite pen. - Start the timer. - Now let's focus on writing! - While the timer is running, you can switch between pen, eraser, and lasso in the lower left corner of the screen. - The thumbnails in the page list can be resized by pinching in and out. Version 1.3: Page sharing (copy/print/save image, etc.) is now supported. Tap the Share button at the bottom right of the page and select the sharing option (sharing to external applications may not work properly). Version 1.2: Skipped Version 1.1: Double-tap of the Apple Pencil is now supported. If you enable "Use Apple Pencil Double Tap" in the settings, you can switch between pen and eraser by double-tapping the Apple Pencil while the timer is running (the toolbar in the lower left corner of the screen will be hidden and the lasso tool will not be available).

Screenshots

Jottre4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Jottre at 4.8 against Pencil Journaling's 4.1. Jottre also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (75% vs 50%). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Jottre holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Jottre's written reviews are positive against 50% of Pencil Journaling's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Jottre ships an update every 3 weeks, Pencil Journaling every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Jottre versus Pencil Journaling: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJottrePencil Journaling
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4 ratings) — better4.1 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings47 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperA LoraniMasaru Suzuki

Customer experience

Jottre

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Pencil Journaling

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Jottre

No in-app purchases

None

Pencil Journaling

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Jottre free?
Jottre is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pencil Journaling free?
Pencil Journaling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Jottre or Pencil Journaling?
Jottre is rated higher. Jottre averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Pencil Journaling averages 4.1 from 7 ratings.
Do Jottre or Pencil Journaling have ads?
Pencil Journaling shows ads; Jottre does not.
Which is updated more often, Jottre or Pencil Journaling?
Jottre ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pencil Journaling every 6 weeks. Most recently, Jottre was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pencil Journaling on November 3, 2026.

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