Comparison

Pencil Journaling vs Refill Calendar

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

Head to head
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).

About

Refill Calendar

Organize your schedule with a weekly vertical planner that supports customization of date labels and refill images. This app is designed for handwriting input and is optimized for Apple Pencil use on iPads.

Highlights
  • Weekly vertical schedule layout
  • Customizable refill images
  • Adjustable date label position, size, and color
  • Optimized for Apple Pencil
  • Handwriting input support
Read full description

Handwritten schedule organizer application. Weekly vertical type starting on Monday. You can change the refill image to your favorite refill by preparing it. You can set the position, size, and color of date labels, etc. Note Event information in the calendar application will not be reflected. Use the Apple Pencil.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Refill Calendar at 5.0 against Pencil Journaling's 4.1. Refill Calendar also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Pencil Journaling's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, device support 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

Refill Calendar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pencil Journaling has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pencil Journaling ships an update every 6 weeks, Refill Calendar every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Pencil Journaling versus Refill Calendar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPencil JournalingRefill Calendar
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (7 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMasaru SuzukiSHIN INABA

Customer experience

Pencil Journaling

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

Refill Calendar

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Pencil Journaling

No in-app purchases

None

Refill Calendar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pencil Journaling free?
Pencil Journaling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Refill Calendar free?
Refill Calendar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pencil Journaling or Refill Calendar?
Refill Calendar is rated higher. Pencil Journaling averages 4.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Refill Calendar averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Pencil Journaling or Refill Calendar have ads?
Pencil Journaling shows ads; Refill Calendar does not.
Which is updated more often, Pencil Journaling or Refill Calendar?
Pencil Journaling ships an update every 6 weeks, and Refill Calendar every 5 months. Most recently, Pencil Journaling was updated on November 3, 2026 and Refill Calendar on November 3, 2026.

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