# Digital Notebook vs Notes for iPad

The clearest difference is ads: Notes for iPad at none against Digital Notebook's shown. Notes for iPad also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 10%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Digital Notebook's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Digital Notebook sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Notes for iPad sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Digital Notebook against 4.6 for Notes for iPad. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 248 and 99 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 10% of Digital Notebook's written reviews are positive against 40% of Notes for iPad's.

Digital Notebook ships an update every 6 weeks, Notes for iPad every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Digital Notebook | Notes for iPad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (248 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-notebook-note-taking/id6449457503/reviews) | **[4.6 (99 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-for-ipad-pencil-notes/id6757370665/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **248** | 99 |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews | **40.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 124 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Appsprings, TOO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689193977) | [Brite Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/1620922833) |

## What reviewers say

### Digital Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-notebook-note-taking/id6449457503)

This app offers a versatile platform for note-taking, drawing, and document annotation. It includes an AI assistant for brainstorming and research, along with tools for creating class notes, diaries, and sketches. Users can also import and organize their documents for easy access.

**Highlights:** AI-assistant for brainstorming and research, Freeform note-taking with pen and pencil tools, Drawing and sketching capabilities with stickers, Document import, annotation, and organization, Diary and abstract creation

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 week subscription | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Note taking & PDF markup tools | $2.99 | per month |
| Note taking & PDF markup tools | $4.99 | per month |
| 1 Week Subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| 3 months subscription | $7.99 | per 3 months |
| 1 Year Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| 1 Month Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| 12 Months Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| 3 Months | $41.49 | per 3 months |
| 3 Months Subscription | $41.49 | per 3 months |
| 12 Months Subscription | $66.99 | per year |


### Notes for iPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notes-for-ipad-pencil-notes/id6757370665)

Transform your iPad into a digital notebook with a natural writing experience using Apple Pencil. Organize your life with over 60 templates, add stickers, and sync across devices. Perfect for students, professionals, and creatives.

**Highlights:** Natural handwriting with Apple Pencil, 60+ professionally designed templates, Extensive sticker library and import options, Unlimited notebooks with custom covers, iCloud sync across devices, Export notes as PDF

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Notes for iPad - weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Plus | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| Notes for iPad for a year | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Digital Notebook free?

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

### Is Notes for iPad free?

Notes for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Digital Notebook or Notes for iPad?

Notes for iPad is rated higher. Digital Notebook averages 4.5 out of 5 from 248 ratings, while Notes for iPad averages 4.6 from 99 ratings.

### Do Digital Notebook or Notes for iPad have ads?

Digital Notebook shows ads; Notes for iPad does not.

### Which is updated more often, Digital Notebook or Notes for iPad?

Digital Notebook ships an update every 6 weeks, and Notes for iPad every 2 weeks. Most recently, Digital Notebook was updated on September 28, 2026 and Notes for iPad on October 1, 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.*