Comparison

Neo Notes vs Noteshelf 3

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

Head to head
About

Neo Notes

This app digitizes your handwritten notes, allowing you to store, edit, and share them easily. It offers transcription to digital text, voice recording synced with notes, and cloud backup options. Enhance productivity and learning by keeping your handwriting accessible anywhere.

Highlights
  • Digitize handwriting instantly
  • Edit and format notes
  • Transcribe handwriting to text
  • Record audio synced with notes
  • Cloud backup and sync
  • Share notes in various formats
  • Tag and search handwritten data
Read full description

Neo smartpen is an innovation which transfers the handwritten data to digital text by using technology. Now, you can keep your handwriting in a digital form and bring them everywhere. Neo Notes is a dedicated application of Neo smartpen. You can digitize your handwriting instantly and simultaneously. It also provides an offline mode that stores your handwriting and transfer when the pen is connected with your smartphone. Transferred data can be easily edited and shared in a variety of platforms. Enhance your work productivity, learning, and self-development. [Main Updates] - The search function has been enhanced. From now on, you can search without running transcribe. - The design has changed from Notebook cover to the Settings. - You can share your handwritten documents in Microsoft Word(.docx) and PowerPoint(pptx) format. This function is experimental, and it will be stabilized gradually. ------------ Main Features ----------- [Digital Storage] Neo smartpen saves the handwritten data to the connected smart device. Its sensitive pressure recognition saves the handwritten data on the Ncode notebook accurately. [Editing Function] You can edit and change the font color and size as you prefer or delete any unnecessary data. You can also emphasize important information with a highlighter in edit mode. [Text Transcription] You can transcribe handwritten to digital text with a simple touch with a fingertip. Convert your written data to a digital text and copy & paste it on your memos or emails. Neo Notes support up to 15 different language transcriptions. [Auto Save Options] Use our “Authentication Center” and log in with your choice of Cloud services; OneNote, Evernote, Adobe CC or Google Drive. Then you can toggle on Auto Save Function at “Auto Save Options”. Now, you can check your data anywhere. [Easy and Convenient Share] Your handwritten contents can be shared via email, SNS and different applications in PDF, image, text and vector format. [Google Drive Backup and Restoring] If you upload your written contents to Google drive, then you can download it to other smart devices and continue to write or edit. Even if you wish to use different devices alternatively or change it to brand new one, you can save and download the existing data from Google drive. [Record & Playback] Record your voice while you write down your notes. You can playback the audio files that are synced with the pen strokes. Do not miss any important parts of your lectures or conversation by using the record function. [Tag & Search] You can easily search for any data by using a tag function. You can effectively manage your handwritten data by tagging it into different subjects. You may easily search your saved written contents by data or text. [Offline Sync] Neo smartpen saves written data on the offline mode and then automatically transfers and saves data once it is connected to your smart device. You can write without connecting it to your smart devices. (Neo smartpen is able to save up to 1,000 pages of written data) [Notebox] You can lock the used notebook before you use the same kind of notebook with this function. (If a used notebook is not locked your handwriting on the new notebook may overlap with used notebook) [Calendar View] The calendar view helps you to quickly search the data by date. Not only the date, but also the written place and the weather are recorded, so it is convenient to remember the environment at the time of writing. [Calendar Sync] Once you write your schedule on to “N Planner” it will sync with the designated online calendar. (Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar)

About

Noteshelf 3

Create handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, and record audio with this app. It offers extensive customization for notebooks, a variety of writing tools, and AI-powered features for summarization and translation. Organize your thoughts and documents seamlessly.

Highlights
  • Handwritten note creation
  • PDF annotation and markup
  • Audio recording with notes
  • AI-powered summarization and translation
  • Customizable notebooks and templates
  • Handwriting to text conversion
  • Document scanning and import
Features
Read full description

Transform your note-taking with Noteshelf! Create stunning handwritten notes, markup PDFs, and record audio, all powered by AI. Noteshelf is designed for students, teachers, and anyone who loves to take notes. Organize your thoughts and ideas like never before. Why You'll Love It - Craft beautiful handwritten notes with realistic pens and highlighters. - Personalize notebooks with custom covers and a customizable toolbar. - Choose from 200+ exclusive templates for planners, journals, and more. Write, Type, Draw, or Record - Convert handwriting to text in 65 languages. - Add fun emojis and stickers to personalize your pages. - Record audio as you take notes, perfect for lectures and meetings. - Use advanced image editing features. Paperless Organization - Organize notebooks into folders and subfolders. - Bookmark important pages and create a table of contents. - Use tags to quickly categorize and find your notes. - Create links between notebooks to connect ideas. Annotate Like a Pro - Import and annotate PDFs, DOCs, PPTs, and images. - Use the built-in document scanner to digitize physical documents. - Export and share your notes as images and PDFs. Noteshelf AI - Generate handwritten notes on any topic. - Summarize pages, translate text, and explain complex terms. Keep Your Notes Safe - Secure your notes with passwords, Face ID, or Touch ID. - Access your notes across iPad, iPhone, and Mac with iCloud sync. - Auto-backup to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and WebDAV. Share Ideas with Presentation Mode - Project your notes via external display. - Use the Laser Pointer to highlight key points. Go Premium for unlimited notebooks, handwriting recognition, auto-backup, and 100 monthly AI credits. Download Noteshelf today and take your note-taking to the next level! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Neo Notes4 screens
Noteshelf 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Noteshelf 3 at 4.6 against Neo Notes's 2.3. Noteshelf 3 also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (6.7K vs 41). Neo Notes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 17) and iOS requirement (9.1 vs 18.0). On price, 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. Noteshelf 3 sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Neo Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Noteshelf 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Noteshelf 3 has 6.7K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Neo Notes's written reviews are positive against 55% of Noteshelf 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Neo Notes ships an update every 2 months, Noteshelf 3 every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Neo Notes versus Noteshelf 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNeo NotesNoteshelf 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (41 ratings)4.6 (6.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.1% of reviews55.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings416.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS9.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size179 MB462 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNeoLAB Convergence IncFluid Touch Pte. Ltd.

Customer experience

Neo Notes

All ratings41 ratings
Positive22.0%
Neutral17.1%
Negative61.0%
Written reviews141 reviews
Positive41.1%
Neutral17.7%
Negative41.1%

Noteshelf 3

All ratings6,655 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral3.2%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews858 reviews
Positive55.1%
Neutral9.7%
Negative35.2%

Bugs and requests

Neo Notes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Noteshelf 3

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Notebooks failing to open or sync correctly
  • Handwriting recognition not working as expected
  • Imported PDFs losing formatting or functionality
  • Unexpected loss of data or notes
  • Compatibility issues with older devices or operating systems

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add ability to create folders within notebooks
  • Improve page organization and navigation
  • Implement a more intuitive color picker and pen customization
  • Introduce a history/undo feature for linked pages
  • Add support for custom stickers and templates
Show 1 more
  • Optimize performance and reduce loading times

In-app purchases

None

Neo Notes

No in-app purchases

17 purchases

Noteshelf 3

Subscriptions15
  • Noteshelf 3 Weekly Premium$4.997 Days
  • Noteshelf 3 Weekly Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Noteshelf 3 Weekly Premium$7.997 Days
Show 12 more
  • Noteshelf3 Weekly Premium3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Noteshelf3 Monthly Premium$9.991 Month
  • Noteshelf3 Monthly Premium$19.991 Month
  • Noteshelf 3 Yearly Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Noteshelf3 Yearly Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Noteshelf3 Yearly Premium$39.991 Year
  • Noteshelf 3 Yearly Premium3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Noteshelf Premium Yearly$49.991 Year
  • Noteshelf3 Yearly Premium3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Noteshelf 3 Yearly Premium1 Month trial$69.991 Year
  • Noteshelf3 Yearly Premium$79.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium for Noteshelf 2 users$9.99
  • Noteshelf 3 Premium - Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Neo Notes free?
Neo Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Noteshelf 3 free?
Noteshelf 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Neo Notes or Noteshelf 3?
Noteshelf 3 is rated higher. Neo Notes averages 2.3 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Noteshelf 3 averages 4.6 from 6.7K ratings.
Do Neo Notes or Noteshelf 3 have ads?
Neither Neo Notes nor Noteshelf 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Neo Notes or Noteshelf 3?
Neo Notes ships an update every 2 months, and Noteshelf 3 every 5 days. Most recently, Neo Notes was updated on June 11, 2026 and Noteshelf 3 on September 30, 2026.

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