SketchNote, Visual Note Taking vs Notebook
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking
This app transforms your device into a digital notebook for natural handwriting and drawing. Utilize pre-designed elements, import documents for annotation, and sync notes across devices. It offers a paperless workflow with easy sharing and export options.
- Natural handwriting experience
- Pre-designed shapes and clipart
- Import and annotate PDFs/images
- iCloud Sync for notes
- Move, resize, and rotate handwriting
- Export and share documents
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SketchNote will help you take great notes without any art skill. Use pre-designed shapes, letter & Numbers, clipart to take great notes. Transform your iPhone and iPad into smart digital paper. Take handwritten notes in digital notebooks. WRITE NATURALLY - LIKE ON REAL PAPER * Completely natural writing experience * Write with the Apple Pencil and your finger * Select and customize your pen color, thickness, and style * Easily switch between pen, highlighter etc. NEVER LOSE YOUR NOTES AGAIN * All your notes with you at all times thanks to iCloud Sync ESCAPE THE LIMITS OF ANALOG PAPER * Move, resize, and rotate your handwriting or change colors * Draw perfect shapes and lines with the Shapes Tool * Pinch to zoom and write more precisely GO PAPERLESS * Import PDF, images, photos and more to annotate them right on your iPhone and iPad * Export documents and share them with others for a fully digital workflow ATTACH ANYTHING * Attach videos, images, photos [ Upgrade to subscription version ] Upgrading to subscription version requires auto-renewal subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Links to Your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: http://www.btoj.com.au/privacy.html http://www.btoj.com.au/terms.html Please feel free to contact us for anything.
Notebook
This app offers a simple and efficient way to create various types of notes, from study materials and to-do lists to life records and work summaries. It allows for easy organization with labels, image insertion, and customizable paper styles. It is compatible with Apple devices and supports Apple Pencil.
- Label classification for easy organization
- Insert pictures into notes
- Select practical paper styles
- Supports Apple Pencil
- Compatible with iPhone and iPad
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Notebook : Simple note-taking app and notepad. We start from the simple and efficient design concept to create a convenient note for you. You can make study notes, to-do list, record life, work summary, etc. through notebook. Features: *Label classification: You can set different labels for your notes to make it easier to find. *Insert pictures: Take pictures of important notes and insert them into the notes, which saves time and effort. *Practical paper: select special paper for your notes, select paper according to different needs, and make notes easier. *Device support: It is compatible with iPhone and iPad, and supports the use of Apple Pencil. [Subscription Description] We support three methods of monthly, quarterly, and permanent subscription. The payment is made through the user's iTunes account. After the user confirms the purchase, the payment is made immediately. Automatic renewal: Apple's iTunes account will be charged within 24 hours before the expiration date. After successful deduction, the subscription cycle will be extended by one subscription cycle. To cancel the renewal, please operate at least 24 hours before the current fee deduction period by clicking "Settings" - "iTunes Store and AppStore" - "AppleID" - "View AppleID" - "Subscription" to cancel the automatic renewal member subscription. Terms of Service: https://linkunyumou.github.io/posts/likun/fuwu.html Privacy terms: https://linkunyumou.github.io/posts/likun/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Notebook at 93% against SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's 33%. Notebook also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (122 vs 3). SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). 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. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Notebook sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Notebook holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notebook has 122 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's written reviews are positive against 93% of Notebook's.
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking ships an update every 2 days, Notebook every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SketchNote, Visual Note Taking | Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (3 ratings) | 4.6 (122 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 93.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 122 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | B TO J PTY LTD | 玉坤 林 |
Customer experience
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking
Notebook
Bugs and requests
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Notebook
Reported bugs
2 issues- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
Requested features
7 requests- More themes/customization options
- Ability to insert PDFs for annotation
- Landscape mode support
- Two-finger pinch to zoom functionality
- Sharper pen tool for black ink
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Ability to resize inserted photos
- More advanced features
In-app purchases
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking
- 1 Month Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- 1 Year Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Notebook
- Plus version3 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Plus version Quarterly3 Days trial$3.993 Months
- Pro version$6.99








