# Pencil vs StudyJourney

The clearest difference is rating: StudyJourney at 5.0 against Pencil's 4.0. StudyJourney also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Pencil's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pencil sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and StudyJourney sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

StudyJourney holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pencil | StudyJourney |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-pdf-notes-with-pencil/id6466286421/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/studyjourney/id6806005070/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | — |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 511 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairoos Solutions SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/978066434) | [Manish preet ram Saravanan](https://appshunter.io/developer/6806005072) |

## What reviewers say

### Pencil

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-pdf-notes-with-pencil/id6466286421)

This app allows users to handwrite, sketch, and annotate PDFs on their iPad and iPhone. It supports Apple Pencil and other styluses for note-taking, drawing, and even watercolor painting. Features include audio recording within notes and AI assistance for summarizing and translation.

**Highlights:** Handwrite and sketch with stylus or finger, Annotate and mark up PDFs, Record audio directly in notes, Create formatted text notes, Watercolor painting workspace, Scan and import documents, AI assistance for summaries and translation

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlock All and AI Assistant | $3.99 | per month |
| Pencil Annual | $14.99 | per year |
| Pencil Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |


### StudyJourney

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/studyjourney/id6806005070)

Transform study sessions into engaging virtual journeys with a focus timer. Track progress, build streaks, and unlock new routes and cabins. Keep your study data private and on your device.

**Highlights:** Immersive virtual journeys, Focus timer, Live route view, Progress tracking, Optional app blocking, Unlockable cabins and routes

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StudyJourney Pro — Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| StudyJourney Pro — Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| StudyJourney Pro — Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pencil free?

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

### Is StudyJourney free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Pencil or StudyJourney?

StudyJourney is rated higher. Pencil averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while StudyJourney averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Pencil or StudyJourney have ads?

Neither Pencil nor StudyJourney 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.*