MathNotes vs ScribblePad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MathNotes
This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for STEM students, combining handwritten note-taking with advanced math solving capabilities. It features an AI tutor, multiple calculators, and PDF annotation, all designed to streamline studying and problem-solving.
- Handwritten notes with Apple Pencil/finger
- Photo-based problem solving
- 12 specialized calculators
- AI tutor for homework help
- PDF import and annotation
- Offline functionality
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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
ScribblePad
A private, free note-taking and PDF annotation app for Apple devices. It offers natural handwriting, organization tools, and optional cloud backup to your own storage. Enjoy a distraction-free experience with no accounts or tracking.
- Natural handwriting with Apple Pencil
- PDF annotation and markup
- Organize notes with subjects and notebooks
- On-device handwriting search (OCR)
- Audio recording synced to notes
- Optional Google Drive/iCloud backup
- Offline functionality
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The free, private note app for iPhone, iPad & Mac. No subscription, no account, no tracking — just fast handwriting, PDF markup, and backup to YOUR own cloud. Write naturally with Apple Pencil, organize notes into colorful subjects, and keep everything synced to your own Google Drive or iCloud. Nothing lives on our servers — your notes stay yours. WRITING & TOOLS • Smooth, low-latency ink (PencilKit) — pen, pencil, highlighter, eraser, lasso • Pinch to zoom, palm rejection, and ruler • Add text boxes, shapes, images, and stickers on top of your ink ORGANIZE • Subjects → notebooks → pages, drag to reorder • Templates: blank, ruled, grid, dotted + your own custom pages • Search your handwriting instantly with on-device OCR PDF & IMPORT/EXPORT • Import and annotate PDFs • Export as PDF, PNG, or the native .scribble format • Share notes with other ScribblePad users AUDIO • Record audio synced to your strokes — replay your notes in time PRIVATE BACKUP & SYNC (OPTIONAL) • Back up to your own Google Drive (the app only sees files it creates) or iCloud • Works fully offline — the cloud is yours, not ours No sign-up. No ads. No data collection. Just a beautiful place to think.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ScribblePad at 5.0 against MathNotes's 4.5. ScribblePad also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 8). MathNotes's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. MathNotes sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. ScribblePad asks for nothing beyond the download.
ScribblePad holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MathNotes | ScribblePad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 4 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 173 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mark Miller | Sagar Seth |
Customer experience
MathNotes
ScribblePad
In-app purchases
MathNotes
- iwrote Plus7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- MathNotes Premium7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- MathNotes Pro7 Days trial$9.991 Month
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- MathNotes Plus7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- MathNotes Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- 1 Course Credit$24.99
- 3 MathNotes Credits$54.99
- 5 MathNotes Credits$74.99
ScribblePad
No in-app purchases









