Comparison

Sketch vs SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

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

Head to head
About

Sketch

Create drawings and sketches directly on your device. Offers a wide range of colors, adjustable brush thickness, and transparency options for detailed artwork. Compatible across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Minimalist interface
  • 16 million+ color selection
  • Adjustable brush thickness
  • Color transparency
  • Cross-device compatibility
Features
Read full description

Sketch Notes is a simple application that allows you to draw on the device. Several functions available : - Look minimal - Choose more than 16 million colors with RGB selection - Choose the thickness of the brush - Added the color transparency - Compatible with iPhone, iPad and Mac

About

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

This app transforms your device into a digital notebook for natural handwriting and drawing. Utilize pre-designed elements, import documents for annotation, and sync notes across devices. It offers a paperless workflow with easy sharing and export options.

Highlights
  • Natural handwriting experience
  • Pre-designed shapes and clipart
  • Import and annotate PDFs/images
  • iCloud Sync for notes
  • Move, resize, and rotate handwriting
  • Export and share documents
Features
Read full description

SketchNote will help you take great notes without any art skill. Use pre-designed shapes, letter & Numbers, clipart to take great notes. Transform your iPhone and iPad into smart digital paper. Take handwritten notes in digital notebooks. WRITE NATURALLY - LIKE ON REAL PAPER * Completely natural writing experience * Write with the Apple Pencil and your finger * Select and customize your pen color, thickness, and style * Easily switch between pen, highlighter etc. NEVER LOSE YOUR NOTES AGAIN * All your notes with you at all times thanks to iCloud Sync ESCAPE THE LIMITS OF ANALOG PAPER * Move, resize, and rotate your handwriting or change colors * Draw perfect shapes and lines with the Shapes Tool * Pinch to zoom and write more precisely GO PAPERLESS * Import PDF, images, photos and more to annotate them right on your iPhone and iPad * Export documents and share them with others for a fully digital workflow ATTACH ANYTHING * Attach videos, images, photos [ Upgrade to subscription version ] Upgrading to subscription version requires auto-renewal subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Links to Your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: http://www.btoj.com.au/privacy.html http://www.btoj.com.au/terms.html Please feel free to contact us for anything.

Screenshots

Sketch4 screens
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SketchNote, Visual Note Taking at 3.0 against Sketch's 1.6. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (33% vs 25%). Sketch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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. SketchNote, Visual Note Taking sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Sketch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Sketch's written reviews are positive against 33% of SketchNote, Visual Note Taking's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sketch ships an update every 7 months, SketchNote, Visual Note Taking every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on June 8, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Sketch versus SketchNote, Visual Note Taking: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSketchSketchNote, Visual Note Taking
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.6 (7 ratings)3.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrancesco AbbondoB TO J PTY LTD

Customer experience

Sketch

All ratings7 ratings
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

Sketch

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SketchNote, Visual Note Taking

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • 1 Year Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Sketch free?
Sketch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SketchNote, Visual Note Taking free?
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sketch or SketchNote, Visual Note Taking?
SketchNote, Visual Note Taking is rated higher. Sketch averages 1.6 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while SketchNote, Visual Note Taking averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Sketch or SketchNote, Visual Note Taking have ads?
Neither Sketch nor SketchNote, Visual Note Taking shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sketch or SketchNote, Visual Note Taking?
Sketch ships an update every 7 months, and SketchNote, Visual Note Taking every 2 days. Most recently, Sketch was updated on June 8, 2026 and SketchNote, Visual Note Taking on August 24, 2026.

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