Comparison

Pencil Journaling vs InkPlanner

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

InkPlanner

A digital wall calendar app for iPad and Apple Pencil, offering a clear yearly overview. It allows handwritten entry of appointments and notes with a customizable color-coded legend for enhanced organization and a minimalist planning experience.

Highlights
  • Yearly overview at a glance
  • Handwritten notes and appointments
  • Customizable color-coded legend
  • Minimalist and simple design
  • Digital replication of physical wall calendars
Read full description

InkPlanner: Your digital wall calendar for iPad & Apple Pencil. Features: + Clear planning: your entire year at a glance. + Developed for Apple Pencil: Simply enter appointments and notes by hand. + Customized legend: Color-coded legend with five categories. Why did we develop InkPlanner? With InkPlanner, we want to transfer the proven clarity of a physical wall calendar to the digital world. With iPad and Apple Pencil, this feeling can be replicated in the best possible way, leading to more clarity, minimalism and simplicity. What does InkPlanner cost? InkPlanner is available for you to test free of charge. After the trial, you can unlock unlimited entries with a one-time payment. We do not use monthly subscription fees.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pencil Journaling at none against InkPlanner's 1. Pencil Journaling also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (50% vs 38%). InkPlanner's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, ratings volume and device support 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. InkPlanner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pencil Journaling asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Pencil Journaling against 4.2 for InkPlanner. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 10 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Pencil Journaling's written reviews are positive against 38% of InkPlanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pencil Journaling ships an update every 6 weeks, InkPlanner every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Pencil Journaling versus InkPlanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPencil JournalingInkPlanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (7 ratings)4.2 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better37.5% of reviews
Number of ratings710 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMasaru SuzukiChristian Merk

Customer experience

Pencil Journaling

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

InkPlanner

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative37.5%

In-app purchases

None

Pencil Journaling

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

InkPlanner

One-time1
  • Calendar$6.99

Questions

Is Pencil Journaling free?
Pencil Journaling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is InkPlanner free?
InkPlanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pencil Journaling or InkPlanner?
InkPlanner is rated higher. Pencil Journaling averages 4.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while InkPlanner averages 4.2 from 10 ratings.
Do Pencil Journaling or InkPlanner have ads?
Pencil Journaling shows ads; InkPlanner does not.
Which is updated more often, Pencil Journaling or InkPlanner?
Pencil Journaling ships an update every 6 weeks, and InkPlanner every 4 months. Most recently, Pencil Journaling was updated on November 3, 2026 and InkPlanner on November 12, 2026.

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