Comparison

MathNotes vs Notes for iPad

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

Head to head
About

MathNotes

This app offers a comprehensive suite for STEM students, combining handwritten note-taking with powerful math solving capabilities. It features an AI tutor, graphing tools, and specialized calculators, all designed to aid in learning and organization. Notes can be compiled into professional documents and exported as PDFs.

Highlights
  • Handwritten note-taking with Apple Pencil
  • Photo-based math problem solver
  • 12 specialized calculators
  • AI tutor for homework help
  • PDF import and annotation
  • Offline functionality
  • Export to formatted PDFs
Features
Read full description

The all-in-one math solver and study app. MathNotes combines Desmos-like graphing, Symbolab-like step-by-step solving, 12 specialized calculators, an AI tutor, and beautiful handwritten notes, all in one place. Write naturally - Handwrite with Apple Pencil or your finger, no keyboard needed - Keep notes handwritten or compile to publication-ready documents Solve anything - Snap a photo of any problem for instant solutions, graphs, and step-by-step explanations - 12 built-in calculators: graphing, scientific, matrix, symbolic, unit converter, and more - AI-powered help that actually understands your work Stay organized - Unlimited notebooks and folders - Tag definitions, theorems, and formulas to build your own knowledge base - Import, annotate, and markup PDFs and textbooks - Export beautiful, perfectly formatted PDFs Built for students - Privacy-first: your notes are encrypted and never used for AI training - Works offline - One app replaces Desmos, Symbolab, Photomath, and your note-taking app Subscription - Plus unlocks unlimited notes, cloud sync, and other basic features. Premium unlocks the AI chat, agentic LaTeX editor, and cloud sync. Everything else: notes, all 12 calculators, PDF support: is free with limited use. Try Premium free for 7 days! Terms of Use: https://mathnotes.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://mathnotes.io/privacy

About

Notes for iPad

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
Read full description

Your perfect digital notebook. Notes for iPad Pencil Planner is a beautifully designed note-taking app that transforms your iPad into an endless paper canvas. Write naturally with Apple Pencil, plan your life with stunning templates, and organize everything in one place. Whether you're a student capturing lectures, a professional planning projects, or a creative sketching ideas — Notes for iPad is the essential tool to capture, organize, and bring your thoughts to life. YOUR ALL-IN-ONE DIGITAL NOTEBOOK • Write, sketch, and draw with realistic Apple Pencil support • Choose from multiple pen styles, colors, and thicknesses • Add typed text with customizable fonts and formatting • Mix handwriting with images and stickers seamlessly 60+ PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED TEMPLATES • Daily planners and to-do lists to organize your day • Weekly and monthly calendars for long-term planning • Habit trackers to build better routines • Meal planners and grocery lists for healthy eating • Workout logs and fitness trackers to reach your goals • Budget sheets and expense trackers for financial control • Meeting notes and project planning templates • And many more — new templates added regularly STICKERS & PERSONALIZATION • 1000+ beautiful stickers to decorate your notes • Categories: productivity, wellness, celebrations, seasons • Import your own photos and custom stickers • Resize, rotate, and layer elements freely STAY ORGANIZED YOUR WAY • Create unlimited notebooks for different areas of life • Convenient sidebar for quick page navigation • Custom covers and colors for each notebook • Archive completed notebooks to keep things tidy SYNC & SHARE • iCloud sync keeps your notes updated across devices • Export any page or entire notebook as PDF • Share your notes via email, AirDrop, or any app DESIGNED FOR COMFORT • Beautiful dark mode for nighttime note-taking • Clean, distraction-free interface • Optimized specifically for iPad's large display • Smooth, lag-free performance Your ideas deserve a beautiful home. Notes for iPad combines the freedom of paper with the power of digital — giving you the perfect space to plan, create, and organize your life. Support: hello@britetodo.com Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ A subscription or one-time purchase is required to access premium templates and features. Weekly, Yearly, and Lifetime Access options are available.

Screenshots

MathNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

MathNotes and Notes for iPad both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of MathNotes's written reviews are positive against 40% of Notes for iPad's. MathNotes also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). Notes for iPad's advantage is ratings volume (99 vs 8). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. MathNotes sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for MathNotes against 4.6 for Notes for iPad. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notes for iPad has 99 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of MathNotes's written reviews are positive against 40% of Notes for iPad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MathNotes ships an update every 4 days, Notes for iPad every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MathNotes versus Notes for iPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMathNotesNotes for iPad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (8 ratings)4.6 (99 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings899 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size173 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark MillerBrite Technologies

Customer experience

MathNotes

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Notes for iPad

All ratings15 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

MathNotes

Subscriptions5
  • iwrote Plus7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • MathNotes Premium7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • MathNotes Pro7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • MathNotes Plus7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • MathNotes Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time3
  • 1 Course Credit$24.99
  • 3 MathNotes Credits$54.99
  • 5 MathNotes Credits$74.99
6 purchases

Notes for iPad

Subscriptions5
  • Notes for iPad - weekly$5.997 Days
  • Weekly Plus$7.997 Days
  • Monthly3 Days trial$17.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Notes for iPad for a year3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$39.99

Questions

Is MathNotes free?
MathNotes 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, MathNotes or Notes for iPad?
Notes for iPad is rated higher. MathNotes averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Notes for iPad averages 4.6 from 99 ratings.
Do MathNotes or Notes for iPad have ads?
Neither MathNotes nor Notes for iPad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MathNotes or Notes for iPad?
MathNotes ships an update every 4 days, and Notes for iPad every 2 weeks. Most recently, MathNotes was updated on October 8, 2026 and Notes for iPad on October 9, 2026.

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