Comparison

Handwritten note vs Paper

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

Head to head
About

Handwritten note

This app allows users to quickly jot down notes by hand with a smooth writing experience. It offers basic drawing tools like adjustable line thickness and color selection, with options to save or clear your notes.

Highlights
  • Handwritten note-taking
  • Multi-finger writing
  • Adjustable line thickness
  • Four color options
  • Save notes as images
  • Erase written lines
Features
Read full description

Draw it down the moment inspiration strikes. Handwritten Notes is a simple, no-fuss drawing and handwriting app that lets you start sketching or taking notes instantly—no setup, no learning curve. Great for * Jotting down quick handwritten notes or reminders * Sketching ideas and rough concepts * Kids’ doodling and drawing practice * Practicing line art and illustrations Key Features * 5 pen colors: Black, Red, Green, Blue, and Pink * Adjustable pen thickness with an easy-to-use slider * Eraser for quick corrections * Clear all with a single tap * Save your drawings directly to the Photos app Why You’ll Love It * No sign-up required—just install and start drawing * Clean, intuitive interface with a simple toolbar * Free to use (ad-supported) No complicated tools. No unnecessary clutter. Just a blank canvas and your ideas, ready whenever inspiration strikes.

About

Paper

This app offers a clean and configurable writing environment for various creative projects. It supports Markdown and plain text, syncs with iCloud, and integrates with other tools. Users can publish drafts to popular blogging platforms and export documents in multiple formats.

Highlights
  • Gorgeous writing space
  • Silky-smooth typing
  • Deep personalization (Pro)
  • Markdown or Plain Text support
  • iCloud sync
  • Publish to Medium, WordPress, Ghost
  • Export to PDF, HTML, DOCX, ePub
Features
Read full description

“This is a super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.” App Store Review 2020 # STORY Read it here → paper.pro/story # HIGHLIGHTS · Gorgeous writing space · Silky-smooth typing · Deep personalization (Pro) · Markdown or Plain Text · Syncs with iCloud · Integrates with TextExpander · Publishes drafts to Medium, WordPress, Ghost, or Micro.blog · Exports to PDF, HTML, RTF, DOCX, ePub, image, or clipboard · Works seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac # PRO FEATURES Basic adjustments like text size are free in Paper. More advanced personalization can be purchased with Pro Features. You will not be buying anything blindly, though. The trial period for Pro Features is untimed, so you can take your time to decide if they are a worthy investment. While trialing Pro Features, you might occasionally see a popup. Simply press Reset in the popup to get rid of it completely. Pro Features are either a subscription or a one-time purchase. Both the subscription and the one-time purchase unlock Pro Features on all your iPhones and iPads that share the same Apple ID. This subscription (or one-time purchase) applies only to iPhones and iPads. Macs require a separate subscription (or one-time purchase). The one-time purchase is hidden by default. To enable it, go to the Settings app → Apps → Paper → Purchases → toggle "Show Lifetime Option". If you want to upgrade from a Monthly subscription to a Yearly one (or to a Lifetime license), go to Paper’s page in the App Store and press the rounded button with the price next to the Yearly subscription option (or next to the Lifetime in-app purchase). # BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS & ORGANIZATIONS Businesses, schools, and organizations can use one of the following methods to purchase the Pro version of the app: · Apple Business Manager · Apple School Manager · Volume Purchasing The Pro version of the app can be accessed from this link → paper.pro/get # MARKDOWN FORMATTING SYNTAX # Heading 1 ## Heading 2 ### Heading 3 #### Heading 4 ##### Heading 5 ###### Heading 6 **Bold** __Bold__ *Italic* _Italic_ ~Underline~ ~~Strikethrough~~ ==Highlight== ::Highlight:: `Inline Code` ``` Code Block ``` [Link Text](http://paper.pro) ![Alt Text](http://image.jpeg) - Bulleted List - Bulleted List - Nested Bulleted List * Bulleted List * Bulleted List * Nested Bulleted List 1. Numbered List 2. Numbered List 3. Numbered List 1. Nested Numbered List - [ ] Task List - [x] Task List > Blockquote >> Nested Blockquote >>> 2x Nested Blockquote Text that needs a footnote[^Footnote description] ++ Inline comment ++ /* Inline comment */ %% Comment block | Col 1 | Col 2 | | ------ | ------ | | Cell 1 | Cell 2 | | Cell 3 | Cell 4 | --- ← Horizontal Rule \_ ← Markdown Escape ° ← HTML Escape # FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ## How do I share my document? · On the main screen with documents: Tap and hold the document. Select "Share" from the menu. · In the document editor: Tap the title of the document in the top bar, then tap the round "Share" button in the popup. ## How do I print my document? · On the main screen with documents: Tap and hold the document. Select "Print" from the menu. · In the document editor: Tap the title of the document in the top bar. Select "Print" from the menu. ## Can I draw in the app? No. Paper is purely a plain-text editor. ## Can I add pictures? You can only link to public images on the Web. ## Can I password-protect my notes? No. ## Paper changes the font when I switch between alphabetic and non-alphabetic keyboards. How do I prevent it? · Change the keyboard to a non-alphabetic one (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc.). · Tap the "Settings" button in the top right corner. · Under the "Font" submenu, toggle "Keep for ABC Keyboards". ## Need more help? You can reach me via the in-app chat → "Settings" button in the corner → "Chat with the Maker" # TERMS OF USE paper.pro/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Handwritten note2 screens
Paper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paper at 72% against Handwritten note's 0%. Paper also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and ads (none vs shown). Handwritten note's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Paper sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Handwritten note asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paper holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Paper has 1.7K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Handwritten note's written reviews are positive against 72% of Paper's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Handwritten note ships an update every 4 months, Paper monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Handwritten note versus Paper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandwritten notePaper
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.7 (1.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews72.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKiyoshi KoikeMihhail Lapushkin

Customer experience

Handwritten note

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Paper

All ratings1,729 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.4%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews230 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral9.1%
Negative18.7%

Bugs and requests

Handwritten note

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Paper

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Files randomly disappearing
  • Cursor issues causing freezes
  • Syncing and iCloud integration problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add image support
  • Improve file management and recovery
  • Expand font and customization options
  • Implement team/collaborative writing features
  • Add text formatting options like italics and bold

In-app purchases

None

Handwritten note

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Paper

Subscriptions4
  • Pro Features — Discounted$14.991 Month
  • Pro Features$29.991 Month
  • Pro Features — Discounted$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Features$99.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro Features — Discounted$99.99
  • Pro Features$199.99

Questions

Is Handwritten note free?
Handwritten note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Paper free?
Paper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Handwritten note or Paper?
Paper is rated higher. Handwritten note averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Paper averages 4.7 from 1.7K ratings.
Do Handwritten note or Paper have ads?
Handwritten note shows ads; Paper does not.
Which is updated more often, Handwritten note or Paper?
Handwritten note ships an update every 4 months, and Paper monthly. Most recently, Handwritten note was updated on October 10, 2026 and Paper on October 18, 2026.

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