Noteful vs Digital Notebook
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Noteful
This app offers a fluid handwriting experience for note-taking and document annotation on iPads. Organize notes with powerful tagging, utilize layers for annotations, and sync across devices. It's designed to streamline learning and knowledge work by replacing paper clutter with a digital solution.
- Natural, fluid handwriting experience
- PDF and MS Office document annotation
- Powerful tagging system for organization
- Layers for non-destructive annotations
- iCloud sync across iPhone and iPad
- Audio recording synced with notes
- Customizable UI and toolbar
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Noteful is your one-stop note-taking app to experience the new paperless revolution on iPad. Perfect for annotating documents, taking class notes or even building your personal knowledge system. It is time to put aside the paper clutter, as Noteful is a versatile tool that helps you to accelerate your learning and knowledge work. Take Beautiful Handwritten Notes • Natural, fluid and precise handwriting experience • Precise handwriting on iPad with Apple Pencil native support • Custom-built ink engine InfiniteStroke that captures and converts your strokes into high-resolution vector ink • 3 brushes available: ballpoint pen, fountain pen and highlighter • Switch between pen sizes and colours • Recognise geometrical shapes Markup, Highlight, Annotate • Import PDFs, MS Office documents to a notebook • Add images, shapes and typed text to notes • Use multiple paper templates in a single notebook • Export and share handwritten annotations as PDF • Use Quick Create to create a new notebook for quick sketching Powerful Tagging • Organise quickly by tagging with #tag or even #nested/tag anywhere in notebooks • More flexible than folders; Notes can be organised by subjects, by topics or by priorities • Browse notebooks or pages by tags • Rename, delete or re-assign tags to easily re-organise your library Layers in Notebook • Add annotation on separate layers without changing original content* • Hide or show layers independently • Rearrange layers • Make it possible to composite complex layout* All Your Notes, All the Time • Sync to all your iPhone and iPad devices* • Take textbooks, slides, handwritten notes and PDF documents with you wherever you go • Notebooks synced with iCloud are encrypted via account-based keys Powerful Editing • Erase strokes with eraser • Double tap on Apple Pencil to switch to eraser tool • Move and resize annotations with lasso tool • Unlimited undo, redo • Support Split View for multitasking Audio Record Notes • Record audio while you take notes • Audio playback position synced with the notes Modern App Design • A minimalist UI that maximizes content space • Streamlined design that requires fewer taps for common functions • Different orientations are available for the main toolbar • A clean UI that lets you focus on note-taking and the content We will be adding new features so please stay tuned for future updates. — Noteful is free to use without time limit but with certain features (marked with*) only available to users who upgrade to Noteful Pro via In-app purchase. Noteful Pro is available for one-time purchase and the features will be unlocked forever. — If you have support questions or product suggestions, please contact us by support. Wishing you happy note-taking! Customer Support: support@getnoteful.com Privacy Policy: https://www.getnoteful.com/privacy
Digital Notebook
This app offers a versatile platform for handwriting notes, journaling, and creative planning. It includes tools for students, daily organization, and digital bullet journaling, enhanced by an AI assistant for brainstorming and inspiration.
- Handwriting notes with pen, pencil, ruler, eraser
- Bullet journaling and daily planning templates
- Personal AI assistant for brainstorming
- Drawing board and sketch tools
- Import and annotate PDF documents
- Organize notes and files
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Master your productivity with Digital Notebook, the ultimate tool for handwriting notes, journaling, and creative planning. Whether you need to manage school notes, organize your daily life, or start a digital bullet journal, our app provides everything you need in one seamless experience. HANDWRITING NOTES & SCHOOL NOTES Experience the freedom of handwriting notes directly on your device. Perfect for students creating class notes and abstracts, Digital Notebook includes essential tools like a pen, pencil, ruler, and eraser to make your study sessions efficient and intuitive. BULLET JOURNAL & DAILY NOTES Organize your schedule with ease. Use our versatile templates for journaling, daily notes, and life planning. From a structured bullet journal to a creative diary, customize your workflow to match your personal style. PERSONAL AI CHATBOT Supercharge your note making with our personal AI assistant. Use it for brainstorming ideas, completing school assignments, or finding quick inspiration. Your AI companion is ready to help you plan events or answer any question instantly. DRAWING BOARD & SKETCHES Express yourself with our integrated drawing board. Use various drawing tools and stickers to create sketches, decorate your digital notebook, and add a creative touch to your everyday routine. IMPORT & ORGANIZE Keep your files secure and accessible. Import, annotate, and organize your documents on the go. It is the most efficient way to manage your daily notes and essential files in one pocket-sized workspace. Download Digital Notebook today and redefine your note-taking experience! Please note: some features require a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://appsprings.pro/privacy Terms of Use: https://appsprings.pro/tos
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Noteful at 87% against Digital Notebook's 10%. Noteful also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (24K vs 249). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Noteful sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Digital Notebook sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Noteful holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Noteful has 24K ratings behind it against 249, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Noteful's written reviews are positive against 10% of Digital Notebook's.
Noteful ships an update fortnightly, Digital Notebook every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 15, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Noteful | Digital Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (24K ratings) — better | 4.5 (249 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.1% of reviews — better | 10.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 24K — better | 249 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 158 MB | 133 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Noteful Technologies Ltd | Appsprings, TOO |
Customer experience
Noteful
Digital Notebook
Bugs and requests
Noteful
Reported bugs
3 issues- Syncing issues across devices
- Lasso tool not working properly with PDFs
- Eraser tool not functioning as expected
Requested features
6 requests- Handwriting recognition and search
- More text editing options (bullet lists, etc.)
- Improved PDF handling and annotations
- Custom templates and sticker support
- Expanded cloud storage options (Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)
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- Customizable pen pressure and smoothing
Digital Notebook
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Noteful
- Noteful Pro, Lifetime$6.99
Digital Notebook
- 1 week subscription$1.997 Days
- Note taking & PDF markup tools3 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Note taking & PDF markup tools$4.991 Month
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- 1 Week Subscription$6.997 Days
- 3 months subscription7 Days trial$7.993 Months
- 1 Year Subscription3 Days trial$14.991 Year
- 1 Month Subscription$19.991 Month
- 12 Months Premium$19.991 Year
- 3 Months3 Months trial$41.493 Months
- 12 Months Subscription$66.991 Year
Questions
Is Noteful free?
Is Digital Notebook free?
Which has better reviews, Noteful or Digital Notebook?
Do Noteful or Digital Notebook have ads?
Which is updated more often, Noteful or Digital Notebook?
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