Best Writing Apps for Apple Pencil: 5 Top Options

January 4, 2022 / 7 minutes of reading

Are you looking for a way to write on your iPad or iPhone? If so, you may be curious about the best writing apps for Apple Pencil. You can use iOS and iPad Pro to create handwritten notes. What are the best writing apps for Apple Pencil on your map? Get the most out of your note-taking app. 

Are you someone who likes to write with a stylus? If so, you may be looking at that purchases in the App Store. Both Microsoft and Apple have a wide variety of applications that can help you take notes. If you want to get the most out of Apple notes come to you may be curious about the best note-taking apps for Apple Pencil.

What are some of the best iPad apps you can use that have handwriting recognition? Get the most out of your functionality, and take a look at the best applications that work with MacOS for Apple Pencil.

Testing Criteria

Best writing apps for Apple pencil

Apple Pencil has become popular, and you might be curious about the best writing apps for Apple Pencil. We have taken a look at a wide variety of applications, trying to find the best ones to work with Apple Pencil. Our testing criteria include:

  • The Features Available: First, we took a look at the features that are available for the application. If you are trying to find the right writing application, you should use an application that has the right features to meet your needs. 
  • The Ease of Use: We also took into consideration the ease of use of the application. You may have access to the best application in the world, but if it is difficult to use, this is not going to do you any good.
  • Value for Money: Finally, we also considered the value for your money. You need to make sure you get your money’s worth out of your application. 

With all of this in mind, what are the best writing apps for Apple Pencil? Take a look at a few of the top examples below. 

1. GoodNotes

Pricing: Pricing starts at $8 on the App Store.
Best For: Anyone who likes to take notes that include sketches by hand.

Best Writing Apps For Apple Pencil: GoodNotes
This program allows you to not only write but also sketch on Apple Pencil

If you are someone who loves to take detailed notes, then one of the top options you need to consider is GoodNotes. This is one of the smoothest apps for those who use Apple Pencil, and the program comes with a wide variety of useful features. One of the biggest benefits of this program is that it allows you to not only write but also sketch on Apple Pencil. If you need to write graphs for math class, you can do that. If you need to write music notation from music class, this program can help you with that as well.

If you need to customize your note-taking experience to meet your needs, the program also allows you to upload your own customized templates. There are plenty of cover styles for digital notebooks that can help you stay organized. The program comes with text conversion, search recognition for various types of handwriting, and numerous other customizable features. With a relatively low price, this is definitely an option you should consider. 

Pros
  • It is one of the top options for handling imported PDF documents.
  • You can support portrait and landscape pages in the same notebook.
  • The optical character recognition for handwriting is incredibly accurate.
Cons
  • You cannot upload voice recordings to the program, which might limit you in some respects.
  • You cannot include hyperlinks in the program, which can make it hard if you do references or citations.
  • It is difficult to put different formatting in the same text box, limiting user control. 

Think about these benefits and drawbacks if you are looking for a strong note-taking program for Apple Pencil.

2. PDF Expert

Pricing: The program is free but you have the option to use in-app purchases.
Best For: Anyone who prefers to upload and annotate for their notes.

Best Writing Apps For Apple Pencil: PDF Expert
The free version allows you to draw, highlight, and annotate your documents

There are multiple files to take notes, and some people prefer to annotate and mark up their own PDFs. If that sounds like you, then you may want to take advantage of PDF Expert. This is a great program because it uses a lot of the markup extensions already included in apple, making this a smooth program.

You can open up PDFs from your iCloud. Then, you can fill out forms, take advantage of a digital highlighter, underline important areas, and even sign documents. You can also create stamps out of words you use frequently, making it easier for you to edit the structure of the PDF document.

The free version allows you to draw, highlight, and annotate your documents. If you want to edit the original text of the PDF document, you will need to upgrade to the pro version, which can get expensive, but also opens the door to more customizable features.

Pros
  • The user interface is very straightforward and easy to use. It will work seamlessly across multiple documents.
  • You can sync everything to your Google Drive, making sure that all annotations you make are instantly saved to the cloud.
  • You can use your stylus to take notes directly on the document making the process of filling out forms much easier.
Cons
  • The optical character recognition program is not great.
  • Some of the in-app purchases can be very expensive.
  • The free version does not allow you to edit any of the original text on the PDF.

Consider this program if you are someone who likes to annotate PDFs

3. Apple Notes

Pricing: Free on the App Store.
Best For: Those who want to save quick notes with images to the iCloud.

Best Writing Apps For Apple Pencil: Apple notes
This option is pre-installed on numerous devices that you can access simply by installing the iCloud application

Another application you may want to consider is called Apple Notes. This option is pre-installed on numerous devices that you can access simply by installing the iCloud application or by visiting the iCloud website. This is one of the best applications if you need to save sketches, checklists, applications, and handwritten notes. Furthermore, you can keep all of your devices in sync. That way, you don’t have to worry about which version is the most recent one. 

Pros
  • This application comes with a built-in document scanner, allowing you to scan paper documents into your notebook.
  • You can secure your notes using Face ID.
  • You can use your camera to add pictures to your notes.
Cons
  • You might have a difficult time exporting the notes in a file type that is compatible with other devices.
  • Apple Notes does not have as many features as some of the other applications.
  • The scanner can sometimes struggle to pick up everything on a handwritten page.

Consider using Apple Notes for your note-taking needs

4. Notability

Pricing: Costs $8.99, but you might be able to take advantage of specials from time to time.
Best For: If you are looking for an application that can help you take notes, this is probably the best option for you.

Best Writing Apps For Apple Pencil: Notability
You have the ability to edit PDF documents with just a flick of the stylus

Notability is a top-notch application for note-taking. It has also been specifically designed to help people use Apple Pencil with the iPad Pro. There is a myriad of design and customization options, allowing you to tailor your experience to meet your needs. Furthermore, you have the ability to edit PDF documents with just a flick of the stylus. 

It is even possible for you to import and Tire websites into the application. That way, you do not have to stress about improving the quality of your website. Finally, it is also possible for you to use this application to sync with other applications on your iPad. That way, you can pick up right where you left off if you have work to do. 

Pros
  • It has been specifically designed to work with Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro.
  • You have access to a spotlight search feature, allowing you to find exactly what you are looking for.
  • The handwriting recognition of this application is exceptional.
Cons
  • The application is relatively new, so you may encounter bugs from time to time.
  • Even though you have the option to export your files, it can take a while for you to complete this process.
  • There are not a lot of integrations available with other applications you might use.

If you are looking for an application that has been specifically designed for Apple Pencil, you might want to consider this option. 

5. MyScript Nebo

Pricing: Free on the app store, comes with in-app purchases.
Best For: Those who hand to convert handwritten notes into regular text.

Best Writing Apps For Apple Pencil: Nebo
You can export your text in a variety of formats that are compatible with your other devices

My Script Nebo is one of the best options available for converting handwritten notes into digital text. You can use Apple Pencil to write out everything by hand. Then, this application will take your notes and convert them immediately, turning them into a digital format that makes them easier to read. This is particularly useful if people say your handwriting is difficult to interpret.

The program also comes with multiple digital pens. That way, you can choose the one you like the best, adding diagrams, videos, photos, and even math equations to your notes. Then, you can export your text in a variety of formats that are compatible with your other devices. 

Pros
  • The application is compatible with a wide variety of file formats, so you can easily move your files from device to device.
  • This is a strong application if you have handwriting that is difficult to read. The application can interpret multiple handwriting styles, converting them into digital text.
  • You can use the service from MyScript to sync your files across all devices. Or, you can integrate the program with iCloud, Dropbox, and other helpful programs. 
Cons
  • You don’t have the option to drag and drop images into your notes.
  • Some of the purchases in the application can be expensive.
  • There is no recycle bin available, which can make it difficult for you to retrieve deleted files.

Consider using this program to help you get the most out of Apple Pencil

Final Word on the Best Writing Apps for Apple Pencil

If you are staring at a blank page, you may be interested in an application that can help you improve your workflow. There are numerous drawing tools available, and you may be looking for an application that can help you improve your writing experience.

If you want to start writing, you may be looking for an application that can help you an annotation. There are numerous writing app examples available that are compatible with Apple Pencil, and a lot of them can help you take advantage of feature-rich applications that can improve the quality of your writing. Take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option, and find the best Mac app for your iOS devices. 

FAQs About the Best Writing Apps for Apple Pencil

What is the best app for writing on the iPad?

There are plenty of options available, and you may want to take a closer look at Procreate, Noteshelf, MyScript, Pixelmator, and Goodnotes 5. ITheseapplications can go a long way toward helping you improve the quality of your writing.

How can I improve my handwriting with Apple Pencil?

It can take a while to get used to the writing style on Apple Pencil. The best way to improve your writing with this application is to practice regularly. As long as you write with the stylus often, you should have an easy time getting used to this application. 

Author

  • Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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