Best Handwriting Notes Apps

244+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated November 2026

If you already know Pencora, this is the deeper bench. 244+ handwriting notes apps for iPhone, all reviewed and ranked by user rating, recency, and download trend as of November 2026.

Compare top Handwriting Notes Apps (November 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Pencora: Handwriting NotesPencora: Handwriting NotesFree5.0★ (6)NoNoOct 2026
2OpenNotes: Notes & PDF MarkupOpenNotes: Notes & PDF MarkupFree4.4★ (41)NoNoNov 2026
3Stylus Labs WriteStylus Labs WriteFree4.8★ (305)NoYesNov 2026
4MyScript Notes: AI HandwritingMyScript Notes: AI HandwritingFree4.7★ (39K)NoYesNov 2026
5Pencil Notes: HandwritingPencil Notes: Handwriting$1.99—NoNoNov 2026
6Note - Handwriting-StyleNote - Handwriting-StyleFree5.0★ (1)NoNoOct 2026
7Feenote - Notes and listsFeenote - Notes and listsFree4.8★ (2.1K)NoYesNov 2026
8Noteora - Notes & HandwritingNoteora - Notes & HandwritingFree5.0★ (4)NoYesNov 2026

Top Picks for Handwriting Notes

Pencora: Handwriting Notes#1

Pencora: Handwriting Notes by Anastasia Naumkina

Search, Math & PDF Notes
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
5.0(6 ratings)
Free
Pencora: Handwriting Notes screenshot 1
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Pencora: Handwriting Notes screenshot 5

This app transforms your handwriting into searchable text, allowing for quick retrieval of notes, formulas, and even math equations. It offers a lag-free writing experience with advanced tools and supports importing from other note-taking applications. Backups are automatically managed via Google Drive.

OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup#2

OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup by Mark Miller

Handwriting, PDFs, no account
Strong Contender
📊 Productivity
4.4(41 ratings)
Free
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot 1
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OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot 3
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot 4
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot 5

A free, open-source note-taking app designed for handwriting and PDF annotation. Organize notes into folders, import documents, and export your work. It prioritizes privacy with local-first storage and optional iCloud backups.

Stylus Labs Write#3

Stylus Labs Write by Matthew White

Handwritten notes
Worth Considering
📊 Productivity
4.8😊(305 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Stylus Labs Write screenshot 1
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This app offers advanced tools for managing and editing handwritten notes and documents. It supports cloud integration, vector graphics, and includes features for intelligent selection, reflowing text, and creating links. It's ideal for note-taking, brainstorming, and sketching.

What We Love

  • ✍️ Freeform note-taking and movement
  • 🎨 Nice color and pen style options
  • 💡 Efficient and uncluttered feature set
  • 💾 Notes as SVG files for long-term access
  • ↔️ Automatic page extension (right/bottom)
  • ✅ Essential features are present
  • 🧑‍🏫 Good for studying and organization
  • 🖊️ Natural writing experience with stylus
  • 🖼️ Image insertion and writing over them
  • ✨ Clean interface
  • 💯 Works well for class notes
  • ➕ Great tools that others lack
  • 💻 Cross-platform availability (Windows, Linux, Android, iOS)
  • 🔖 Line-level bookmarking with zoom
  • 🚀 Game-changer bookmarking for table of contents
  • 👯 Split screen functionality
  • ☁️ Syncs with Nextcloud
  • 💖 Loved by users, used on all OS

Room to Improve

  • 🖱️ UI is a bit clunky
  • 💅 Look and feel not as polished as competitors
  • ❌ PDF export is necessary but not possible
  • 🐛 Randomly loses data/writing
  • 🐛 Inconsistent data loss makes app unreliable
  • 🤔 Premium option details unclear

More Handwriting Notes apps to explore

FAQ about Handwriting Notes

What are the best handwriting notes apps for iPhone?
Pencora: Handwriting Notes tops our handwriting notes apps ranking as of November 2026, with a 5.0-star average from 6 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 19 of the top handwriting notes apps we rank are free to download, including Pencora: Handwriting Notes and OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup.
Pencora: Handwriting Notes has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of November 2026.
We track 244+ handwriting notes apps on the iOS App Store as of November 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.

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