Best Pen Display Apps

171+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.3 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated June 2026

Finding the right pen display app can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 171+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Top Picks for Pen Display

Handwriting to Text PenToPrint#2

Handwriting to Text PenToPrint by Serandi systems LTD

Scan Notes to Word with AI OCR
Strong Contender
📊 Productivity
4.4😊(3.8K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Handwriting to Text PenToPrint screenshot 1
Handwriting to Text PenToPrint screenshot 2
Handwriting to Text PenToPrint screenshot 3
Handwriting to Text PenToPrint screenshot 4
Handwriting to Text PenToPrint screenshot 5
Handwriting to Text PenToPrint screenshot 6

This app uses AI-powered OCR technology to scan handwritten notes and convert them into editable digital text. Easily transform paper documents into shareable Word or text files, creating a searchable digital archive. It's designed for speed and accuracy, handling various handwriting styles.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Fast and accurate handwriting recognition
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 💡 Helpful for converting handwritten notes to digital text
  • 🚀 Impressive OCR capabilities even for messy handwriting

Room to Improve

  • 🔒 Premium features required to export or save text
  • 🐛 Occasional errors in text conversion
  • 🔒 Subscription-based model with no free trial
Note Taker HD#3

Note Taker HD by Software Garden

Versatile writing & PDF markup
Worth Considering
📊 Productivity
4.0😊(138 ratings)
$4.99
Note Taker HD screenshot 1
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Note Taker HD screenshot 6

This app allows for versatile handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation on iPad and iPhone. It offers features like zoomed ink, shapes, typed text, and image insertion, with flexible organization and sharing options.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Fantastic app, great for engineering and customer communication
  • 👍 Text and sketching on the same page
  • 👍 Typed notes are more legible than handwritten
  • 👍 Typed text remains as editable text objects

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Crashes when exporting PDFs
  • 🐛 Crashes when adding photos
  • 🐛 Crashes and loses data

More Pen Display apps to explore

4
QuickNotes X: Notes, AI & PDF
QuickNotes X: Notes, AI & PDF
QuickNotes X: Notes, AI & PDF
Note-Taking, Made Easy.
Free

This app offers a fluid and precise note-taking experience with a custom vector ink engine, voice recording synced to writing, and ML-powered shape recognition. Organize notes with notebooks and folders, protect them with passwords and biometrics, and sync seamlessly across devices via iCloud. Mark up PDFs and presentations, and customize your notes with various tools and templates.

Vector ink engine for fluid writingVoice recording synced to notesML-powered shape recognition
📊 Productivity
(3.7K)
free with in-app purchases
5
Penbook: Paper Planner & Notes
Penbook: Paper Planner & Notes
Penbook: Paper Planner & Notes
Handwritten Course & PDF Notes
Free

Create custom digital notebooks with a vast library of stationery or import your own PDFs for annotation. Write naturally with a stylus and organize your notes with dynamic features like live planners and searchable handwriting.

Live Paper dynamic stationeryOver 400 stationery typesImport and annotate PDFs
📊 Productivity
(44K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Noteshelf 3: AI Digital Notes
Noteshelf 3: AI Digital Notes
Noteshelf 3: AI Digital Notes
Note Taking & PDF Annotation
Free

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.

Handwritten note creationPDF annotation and markupAudio recording with notes
📊 Productivity
(5.5K)
free with in-app purchases
7
Notes+ : Notes for Pencil
Notes+ : Notes for Pencil
Notes+ : Notes for Pencil
Note Taking & Note Taking Apps
Free

Enhance your digital note-taking with realistic writing tools, diverse templates, and AI-powered features. Import files, organize with versatile tools, and boost productivity with multi-tasking capabilities. Secure your notes and access smart AI assistants for summaries, quizzes, and transcriptions.

Realistic writing experienceFile import and conversionVersatile note-taking tools
📚 Education
(3K)
freemium
8
Paintwork - Infinite Notebook
Paintwork - Infinite Notebook
Paintwork - Infinite Notebook
Painting and Handwritten notes
Free

Create handwritten notes, diaries, and drawings with a vast array of tools. Features include customizable brushes, vector graphics, a rich color palette, and image import. Export your creations as PDFs or images.

Customizable brushes and erasersExtensive vector graphics toolsRich color palette
📊 Productivity
(17K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Sketch Pad 3
Sketch Pad 3
Sketch Pad 3
Unlimited Canvas
Free

This app provides an unlimited digital canvas for doodling, sketching, drawing, and note-taking. It offers various pen sizes, colors, editing tools like cut and paste, and export options to multiple platforms. Work is automatically saved for easy continuation.

Unlimited canvas sizeDoodle, sketch, and drawTake notes and memos
📊 Productivity
(33)
free with in-app purchases
10
Element Note
Element Note
Element Note
Handwriting Note & PDF Markup
Free

This app offers a distraction-free digital notebook experience with advanced handwriting, PDF annotation, and sketching capabilities. It features unique brushes, a powerful rendering engine, and smart organization tools. Sync your notes across devices and collaborate with others seamlessly.

Unique handwriting brushesSmooth drawing enginePDF annotation
📊 Productivity
(2.4K)
free with in-app purchases
11
MyScript Notes: AI Handwriting
MyScript Notes: AI Handwriting
MyScript Notes: AI Handwriting
Smart note taking, PDF & study
Free

Transform handwritten notes into editable text with advanced AI. Brainstorm on an infinite canvas, annotate PDFs, and create structured documents. Supports 66 languages and works across devices.

AI handwriting recognitionInfinite canvas for brainstormingPDF annotation
📊 Productivity
(38K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Fonts Air - Font Art Keyboard
Fonts Air - Font Art Keyboard
Fonts Air - Font Art Keyboard
Change text fonts on iPhone
Free

Create eye-catching texts, captions, and comments with a custom keyboard. Enhance your social media posts and messages with unique fonts. Compatible with all popular messaging and social media apps.

Custom fonts keyboardCreate eye-catching textsWrite outstanding posts
🔧 Utilities
(54K)
free with in-app purchases
13
Inkflow Visual Notebook
Inkflow Visual Notebook
Inkflow Visual Notebook
Journal. Sketchnotes. Todos.
Free

This app offers a fluid digital writing and sketching experience, allowing users to easily capture, resize, and reorganize ideas. It supports high-resolution zooming for detailed work and integrates text, photos, and custom paper backgrounds. Users can share their creations in various formats.

Fluid digital ink for writing and sketchingResize and reorganize content with touch gesturesHigh-resolution zoom for precision detail
📊 Productivity
(1.9K)
free with in-app purchases
14
Lettre.app - PenPals for life
Lettre.app - PenPals for life
Lettre.app - PenPals for life
Digital handwritten letters
Free

This app allows you to send digital handwritten letters to connect with people globally. It offers a unique way to communicate, focusing on thoughtful messages and authentic connections, with features like digital stamps and premium stationery.

Write and send handwritten lettersFind global pen palsCollect unique digital stamps
🌟 Lifestyle
(1.3K)
free with in-app purchases
15
Display Sign
Display Sign
Display Sign
by Julian Dunskus
Free

Easily display any text, emoji, or symbols on your device's screen. Ideal for name plates, quick polls, or viewing content at full size. This utility app offers a simple and fast way to present information visually.

Display custom textShow emoji and symbolsFull-size viewing
🔧 Utilities
(1)
free
16
Moleskine Notebooks
Moleskine Notebooks
Moleskine Notebooks
by Moleskine S.r.l.
Free

Capture handwritten notes and sketches on paper and instantly convert them to digital text and vector art. Seamlessly export your work to various file formats for easy sharing and integration into presentations. Best of both worlds for productivity and creativity.

Handwritten notes to text conversionExport notes as Word, RTF, TXTDraw diagrams and import to presentations
📊 Productivity
(704)
free with in-app purchases
17
DraftPad
DraftPad
DraftPad
by Manabu Ueno
Free

A minimalist writing tool designed for quick drafting of messages, posts, or blog entries. It offers a clean interface without complex features, focusing on immediate text input and sharing. Easily export your text and track character counts.

Plain text writing fieldShare/export text via iOS activity sheetAutomatic history list for text restoration
📊 Productivity
(53)
free
18
Prodrafts - Infinite Notes
Prodrafts - Infinite Notes
Prodrafts - Infinite Notes
Flexible Canvas & Mind Map
Free

This app offers an infinite canvas for note-taking and mind mapping, supporting various file formats and multimedia attachments. Experience natural handwriting and organize all your thoughts and documents in one place for efficient learning and work.

Infinite expandable canvasRealistic pen strokesSupports all file formats
📊 Productivity
(3.6K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Livescribe+
Livescribe+
Livescribe+
by Livescribe Inc.
Free

Instantly sync handwritten notes and sketches from your smartpen to your iPhone or iPad. Organize, tag, and convert notes to text for easy management. Enhance notes with audio, photos, and typed memos, then share them as PDFs or videos.

Sync handwritten notes from smartpenOrganize notes by page, timeline, or pencastConvert handwriting to editable text
📊 Productivity
(52)
free
20
Pen and Paper
Pen and Paper
Pen and Paper
Notes, drawings, PDF markup
Free

Create handwritten notes and drawings, annotate PDFs, and add text and shapes. Zoom in for detailed editing, organize content with layers, and import custom fonts and page styles. Share your creations as PDFs or JPEGs.

Handwritten notes and drawingsPDF import and annotationText and shape insertion
📊 Productivity
(36)
freemium