Comparison

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking vs CanvasNote

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

CanvasNote

Read full description

The Ultimate Note-Taking App CanvasNote is the indispensable app for everyone who loves to write with a pen and seeks the ultimate note-taking experience. This app is specifically designed for use with a pen and offers a plethora of features to perfect your handwritten notes. It naturally supports the Apple Pencil, as well as alternatives compatible with the iPad or iPad Pro. Here is a detailed overview of everything CanvasNote has to offer: Outstanding Note-Taking Features: Integrated Templates: Choose from a selection of templates, including squared or lined paper, as well as special templates for music notes and mathematics. You can write in both portrait and landscape orientation. The innovative "Own Templates" area: Here, you can not only create individual categories but also share your templates with other users and save them directly on the iPad. A backup of the template folders can also be created to easily restore them on a new device. Effortlessly import templates via the iPad's photo gallery or as a PDF document and explore the variety of free note templates available online in image format or as PDF templates, to save on the iPad and import into CanvasNote. Create your own template collection, neatly divided into categories, to quickly find and apply them in your notes. Customizable Pens and Colors: Switch between different pen types, tools, and colors to give your notes a personal touch. Creating your own color palette is also possible. With three integrated sliders for the individual RGB channels, any conceivable color can be mixed. There are tools for circles, rectangles, and a special line pen that allows for the perfect drawing of vertical and horizontal lines. The line thickness and pressure sensitivity of each pen and tool can be individually adjusted via sliders. The eraser function is also available. Organization and Management: Dynamically Growing Folders: Create folders for different notes that dynamically expand as you add new pages. This keeps you always organized. Image and Document Integration: Add images from the iPad's photo gallery and write directly on them. Use the iPad's internal camera to capture documents and insert them into your notes. The integrated scan function allows for perfect capture of external documents via the iPad camera or photo gallery. Comprehensive PDF Integration: CanvasNote offers extensive PDF features. Import and edit PDF files with ease and export your edited documents in no time. Versatile Application Areas: Perfect for School, Work, and Personal Use: CanvasNote is excellent for use in school, at work, and for personal notes. Whether you want to create lecture notes, ideas, or drawings, this app is the right choice. Intuitive Management: Clear Folders: All your notes are stored neatly in folders within the app and can be easily viewed and organized. Requires a Digital Stylus: Please note that CanvasNote requires a stylus for input (Apple Pencil or iPad-compatible alternative) and cannot be written or drawn on with fingers. Experience the ultimate note-taking experience with CanvasNote and enhance your productivity and creativity. Get CanvasNote now and dive into the world of digital handwritten notes!

Screenshots

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SketchNote, Visual Note Taking at every 2 days against CanvasNote's every 5 days. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and CanvasNote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking ships an update every 2 days, CanvasNote every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking versus CanvasNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSketchNote, Visual Note TakingCanvasNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperB TO J PTY LTDNicolai Kummer

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • 1 Year Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
1 purchases

CanvasNote

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Version$1.99

Questions

Is SketchNote, Visual Note Taking free?
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CanvasNote free?
CanvasNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SketchNote, Visual Note Taking or CanvasNote have ads?
Neither SketchNote, Visual Note Taking nor CanvasNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking or CanvasNote?
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking ships an update every 2 days, and CanvasNote every 5 days. Most recently, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking was updated on October 7, 2026 and CanvasNote on October 1, 2026.

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