Comparison

Noting Pro vs Mindhive

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

Head to head
About

Noting Pro

Create stunning vector notes with gradient ink and pressure-sensitive tools. Features include shape recognition, layers, PDF annotation, and iCloud sync. Unlock all features with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Vector gradient ink strokes
  • Pressure-sensitive pens and erasers
  • Shape recognition and editing
  • Layer system for organization
  • PDF annotation with editable gradients
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Smart laser pointer with lasso selection
Features
Read full description

NotingPro is a professional handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation app designed exclusively for iPad. Say goodbye to pixelated edges. Powered by our proprietary low-latency vector ink engine, NotingPro lets you write stunningly beautiful strokes with natural gradients and realistic brush character right on your iPad. Even when zoomed in 20x, your notes remain sharp, clear, and distortion-free. Say no to expensive long-term subscriptions! NotingPro uses a one-time purchase model, giving you the purest and most efficient paperless writing experience. [Ultra-Smooth Writing Experience]** - Proprietary vector ink engine: Low latency, incredibly fluid, and works with Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity to effortlessly create elegant stroke variations. - Versatile brush library: Offers fountain pen, pencil, art pen, sketch pen, and a variety of markup pens, with adjustable opacity and thickness. - Signature gradient colors: Freely set start and end colors to write gorgeous gradient text; supports saving frequently used color palettes and syncing them across devices. - Smart laser pointer: Not only writes across pages and changes color on the fly, but also fits geometric shapes — a perfect tool for presentations and annotations. [Powerful PDF and Layout Processing] - All-in-one PDF annotation: Supports long-press excerpting, line highlighting, wavy underlines, and translation. Annotation content also supports gradient colors and secondary editing. - Multi-level outlines and bookmarks: Easily handle thick textbooks; supports margin expansion, so note-taking is no longer confined to the original page layout. - Flexible page management: Insert various A4 paper templates (yellow/black/white backgrounds), add unlimited pages, write across pages, rearrange page order, and support both vertical and horizontal scrolling. [Advanced Tools & Pro-Level Play] - Layer management: Just like professional drawing software, support creating, drag-to-reorder, merging, and deleting layers. - Super lasso and fill: Drag to select content across pages, move, scale, and rotate in one step; one-tap intelligent fill for enclosed areas. - Multimedia insertion: Insert multiple images (drag, drop, and scale across pages) as well as text boxes with keyboard input. - For the detail-obsessed: Customizable delete actions, invisible tape for memory aid (tap to show/hide), and unlimited undo/redo. **[Secure Sync & Multi-Screen Collaboration]** - iCloud real-time sync: Notes are securely saved in your cloud, seamlessly connected across all your devices. - Split View and multi-window: Support opening multiple windows on iPad, allowing you to read literature and take notes side by side, doubling your efficiency. - Easy sharing: Import PDFs directly from the system share sheet, and export beautifully formatted PDFs with one tap to share with others. **[About Free Trial & Unlocking] - To ensure a great experience, NotingPro offers a free trial version. - Free tier limits: You can create up to 5 notes in total (each note can have up to 5 pages and layers). - Kind reminder: The limit is lifetime cumulative; deleting created notes does not restore the quota. We recommend using it to deeply explore the core features. [Lifetime Purchase, No Subscriptions] Just one payment permanently unlocks all limitations and powerful future updates! Now available at a launch half-price promotion — only ¥15.0 (original price ¥30.0) to own this all-in-one note-taking powerhouse. [Contact Us] The developer's progress depends on your genuine feedback. If you have any suggestions while using the app, feel free to reach out to us anytime! Bilibili / Xiaohongshu: NotingPro

About

Mindhive

This app offers a handwriting-first approach to mind mapping and visual note-taking. It blends mind maps, handwritten notes, and flashcards with an infinite canvas and authentic ink tools. Easily import notes and organize thoughts for studying, brainstorming, or project planning.

Highlights
  • Handwriting + Card approach
  • Infinite canvas for freeform creation
  • Authentic ink experience with various tools
  • Image recognition for note import
  • Markdown and .xmind file import
  • Outline mode for structured editing
  • Cloud sync across devices
Features
Read full description

Mindhive is a handwriting-first mind mapping and visual note-taking app that uses a "Handwriting + Flashcard" approach to naturally capture your thoughts. You can write and connect ideas just like drawing a mind map on paper, perfectly blending mind maps, handwriting, and notes. Whether for study notes or project planning, Mindhive serves as an advanced alternative to Xmind and traditional outliners. [ Import & Seamless Transition ] ● Image Recognition & Import: Use image recognition to convert paper notes into mind map nodes. Fully supports importing Markdown and Xmind files. [ Handwriting & Mind Mapping ] ● Infinite Canvas Mind Maps: Create cards on an infinite whiteboard and write your mind maps as naturally as taking notes. Easily record complex formulas and visual sketches. ● Authentic Ink Tools: Built-in pens, pencils, and highlighters help you create a unique visual style for your mind maps. ● Pressure-Sensitive Eraser: Optimized pressure control makes modifying handwritten notes feel like a real eraser, keeping your visual maps clean. ● Bound Drawing Boards: Create drawing boards anywhere and bind them to cards so your handwritten content moves in sync. ● Flexible Connectors: Build clear mind map structures with flexible lines and sub-card hierarchies. [ Structured Organization ] ● Rich Map Layouts: Offers tree, fishbone, and free-form layouts. Multi-level card embedding provides more flexibility than traditional Xmind structures. ● Outline Mode: Switch to the outline view to edit structured text. It operates smoothly like traditional outliners, combining handwritten maps and structured notes. ● Cross-Card Hyperlinks: Link different cards or mind maps together to build a personal knowledge network. [ Sync & Quick Capture ] ● Screenshot to Card: Convert web snippets and images into mind map cards instantly. ● Mind Map Templates: Built-in templates for various note-taking and brainstorming needs get you started quickly. ● Cloud Synchronization: Securely store your handwritten mind maps and notes in the cloud. Seamlessly switch between mobile devices and PC. [ Practical Features ] ● Custom Themes: Define your own mind map backgrounds and card visual styles. ● Multi-Format Export: Export your work seamlessly as PDFs, images, Markdown, and outliner formats. ● Smart Handwriting Search: Search for text globally within your handwritten notes and images to locate information quickly. [ Who is Mindhive For? ] ● Students: Organizing lecture notes, exam prep, and subject mind maps. ● Professionals: Project planning, meeting minutes, and workflow mind maps. ● Creatives: Capturing inspiration and brainstorming creative visual maps. Mindhive integrates handwriting, mind mapping, and structured notes. Download now and experience a straightforward, flexible way to take notes and map your mind.

Screenshots

Noting Pro4 screens
Mindhive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Noting Pro at 75% against Mindhive's 0%. Noting Pro also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Noting Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Mindhive sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Noting Pro ships an update every 3 days, Mindhive weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Noting Pro versus Mindhive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNoting ProMindhive
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.3
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB258 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer裕坤 张广州数迪科技有限公司

Customer experience

Noting Pro

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Mindhive

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Noting Pro

One-time1
  • Noting Pro专业版 - 永久解锁$1.99
4 purchases

Mindhive

One-time4
  • Mindhive VIP$3.99
  • Mindhive VIP$4.99
  • Mindhive VIP永久会员$5.99
Show 1 more
  • VIP$5.99

Questions

Is Noting Pro free?
Noting Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mindhive free?
Mindhive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Noting Pro or Mindhive have ads?
Neither Noting Pro nor Mindhive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Noting Pro or Mindhive?
Noting Pro ships an update every 3 days, and Mindhive weekly. Most recently, Noting Pro was updated on September 13, 2026 and Mindhive on September 9, 2026.

Other comparisons