# Penjo vs Beararoo

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Penjo at 281 against Beararoo's 1. Beararoo's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Penjo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Beararoo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Beararoo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Penjo has 281 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

## The numbers

| Metric | Penjo | Beararoo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (281 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penjo-pencil-journal-planner/id6446053076/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beararoo/id6771484653/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **281** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 73.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | — |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zafer ARICAN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1118422608) | [Brandon Supernaw](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895388595) |

## What reviewers say

### Penjo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penjo-pencil-journal-planner/id6446053076)

This app allows you to handwrite notes, sketches, and plans digitally. Integrate your calendar events and reminders, then use your notes and photos to create a daily diary. Search your handwritten entries and synced across your Apple devices.

**Highlights:** Handwritten notes and sketches, Apple Calendar and Reminders integration, iCloud sync across devices, Handwriting search, Customizable journal appearance, Photo editing and manipulation, PDF export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Pro Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✍️ Excellent Apple Pencil integration and handwriting experience
- 📅 Seamless calendar and reminders integration
- 💰 One-time lifetime purchase option (no subscriptions)
- 🎨 Clean, minimalist, and intuitive user interface
- ⚡ Fast and responsive performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable cloud sync across multiple devices
- 💳 Confusing payment model and paywall messaging
- 🔐 Missing security features like screen lock
- 📱 Limited macOS support (Intel Macs incompatible)
- 🎨 Limited customization options for colors and themes

**Reported bugs**

- Cloud sync not working across devices despite paid subscription
- App crashes when using photo effects
- Calendar not syncing or displaying properly
- Notebooks disappearing or becoming unopenable
- Text boxes misaligning after app closure

**Requested features**

- Dark mode or black background option
- Screen lock/page lock to prevent accidental writing
- Apple Pencil advanced features (highlighter, squeeze, double-tap)
- Text formatting options (resize, color change for selected text)
- More page layout templates and line spacing options


### Beararoo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beararoo/id6771484653)

This app offers a comforting digital space for children experiencing overwhelm. It provides tools for emotional check-ins, a calm zone with soothing sounds and breathing exercises, and gentle games to improve focus. A daily routine tracker and an "I Need Help" feature offer additional support.

**Highlights:** Emotional check-ins with reassuring messages, Calm Zone with soothing sounds and guided breathing, Gentle, untimed brain games for focus, Daily routine tracker with rewards, Instant "I Need Help" support feature

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beararoo Plus | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Penjo free?

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

### Is Beararoo free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Penjo or Beararoo?

Beararoo is rated higher. Penjo averages 4.7 out of 5 from 281 ratings, while Beararoo averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Penjo or Beararoo have ads?

Neither Penjo nor Beararoo shows ads.

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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.*