# SketchNote, Visual Note Taking vs Pencil

The clearest difference is rating: Pencil at 4.0 against SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's 3.0. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly) and review sentiment (33% vs 25%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pencil sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pencil holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's written reviews are positive against 25% of Pencil's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking ships an update every 2 days, Pencil weekly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SketchNote, Visual Note Taking | Pencil |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchnote-visual-note-taking/id1659590787/reviews) | **[4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-pdf-notes-with-pencil/id6466286421/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **4** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 42 MB | 511 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [B TO J PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/569308231) | [Kairoos Solutions SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/978066434) |

## What reviewers say

### SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchnote-visual-note-taking/id1659590787)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| 1 Year Subscription | $19.99 | per year |


### Pencil

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-pdf-notes-with-pencil/id6466286421)

This app allows users to handwrite, sketch, and annotate PDFs on their iPad and iPhone. It supports Apple Pencil and other styluses for note-taking, drawing, and even watercolor painting. Features include audio recording within notes and AI assistance for summarizing and translation.

**Highlights:** Handwrite and sketch with stylus or finger, Annotate and mark up PDFs, Record audio directly in notes, Create formatted text notes, Watercolor painting workspace, Scan and import documents, AI assistance for summaries and translation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlock All and AI Assistant | $3.99 | per month |
| Pencil Annual | $14.99 | per year |
| Pencil Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SketchNote, Visual Note Taking free?

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pencil free?

Pencil is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking or Pencil?

Pencil is rated higher. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Pencil averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do SketchNote, Visual Note Taking or Pencil have ads?

Neither SketchNote, Visual Note Taking nor Pencil shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking or Pencil?

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking ships an update every 2 days, and Pencil weekly. Most recently, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pencil on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*