Top 5 Note Taking Apps With Stylus: Expert Review

Do you ever feel like your best ideas vanish before you can write them down? Maybe you love the feel of pen on paper, but carrying around notebooks gets messy. Today, many of us use tablets to capture thoughts, but finding the perfect note-taking app that works well with a stylus can feel like a treasure hunt. You want smooth writing, easy organization, and maybe even some cool drawing tools, but the sheer number of apps makes it overwhelming.

Choosing the wrong app means frustrating lag, lost notes, or an interface that just doesn’t “click” with how you think. It is a genuine pain point! This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the best note-taking apps designed specifically for stylus users, focusing on what truly matters for handwriting, sketching, and staying organized.

Keep reading to discover the top contenders that will transform your tablet into the ultimate digital notebook. Get ready to ditch the frustration and start capturing your brilliance effortlessly!

Top Note Taking App With Stylus Recommendations

No. 1
iflytek AINOTE Air 2 Bundle – Stylus Pen & Folio Case, 8.2" AI Note Taking Tablet,Digital Notebook for Note Taking,Digital Notepad with AI Transcription,ChatGPT Supported,Ideal for Work,Study,Meetings
  • 【AI Note Taking & Meeting Summaries】- iFLYTEK AINOTE Air 2 supports permanent free real-time voice-to-text with an accuracy rate of more than 90%, and you can handwrite meeting points at the same time.This digital notebook is your good assistant for various meeting scenarios
  • 【Paper-like Writing】- The paper tablet is equipped with a stylus pen and an 8.2'' e-ink screen with a paper-like writing experience, 23ms low latency and supports handwriting recognition in 83 languages and converts them into text
  • 【Powered by ChatGPT】- With built-in ChatGPT, tackle study notes, meeting summaries, and writing tasks more efficiently. Get instant help organizing ideas, clarifying content, or drafting polished text—all from this digital notebook
  • 【AI Schedule Management】- During the note writing process, you can mark the notes with symbols such as stars and circles, the electronic notepad will automatically create to-do items and notes, automatically extract schedule information and remind you, and display weekly work reports
  • 【15 Languages Transcription】- The writing tablet for adults supports voice transcription in 15 languages (En/Es/Zh/Fr/Sa/Vn/Kr/Ru/De/Jp/Hk/Th/Id/My/Hu), mutual translation in 10 languages(Zh, En, Hu, Ja, Ko, Fr, De, Es, Ar, Ru), and continues to expand language support for global users
No. 2
iFLYTEK AINOTE Air 2 Bundle – 8.2" E Ink AI Note-taking Tablet with Stylus, 4096 Pressure Levels, Digital Notebook with Voice-to-Text Transcription, Multi-languages Support, Ideal for Meetings & Study
  • 【8.2 inches AI Note-Taking & Meeting Summary】iFLYTEK AINOTE Air 2 – The ultimate digital notebook and note-taking tablet with real-time voice-to-text, multi-language translation, meeting summaries, and schedule management to enhance your productivity. A digital notebook perfect for various meeting scenarios.
  • 【Multi-Language Transcription Support】iFLYTEK AINOTE Air 2 writing tablet for adults supports fast and accurate transcriptions in 16 languages (EN/ES/CN/FR/JA/KO/IT/AR/VI/RU/DE/YUE/TH/ID/MS/HU). Additionally, it converts handwritten notes to text in 85 languages, making it a versatile e ink tablet for global users. Please note: voice transcription and handwritten text conversion cannot be used simultaneously. Please wait for the ongoing transcription to finish before converting handwriting.
  • 【Paper-Like Writing Experience】The iFLYTEK AINOTE Air 2 features an 8.2-inch E Ink screen with 4,096 pressure levels, delivering a natural, paper-like handwriting feel. 4 Diverse pen shapes make it ideal for professionals and students alike.
  • 【AI Notetaker & Schedule Management】Mark up handwriting supernote effortlessly with special star, triangle, and circle symbols using the stylus pen to automatically create to-dos and attention items. Manage your personal schedule and display weekly work reports with ease. A perfect gift for friends, colleagues and client.
  • 【Eye-Friendly Reading Audiobooks】The iFLYTEK e-paper tablet digital notepad features a dual-color reading light with 24 adjustable brightness levels, offering a strain-free, eye-friendly reading experience for work, study, or leisure. Allowing you to comfortably read PDFs or eBooks and take notes directly on them.
No. 3
Yuan Digital Notebook with Smart Pen, 94 sheet Real Paper Note-Taking, Real-Time Sync & Digital Storage, Playback & Sharing via APP, iOS/Android Compatible
  • 【Important Note】 Before using the YUAN Smart Pen for the first time, fully charge it via USB. The first full charge may take several hours – we recommend charging it overnight.
  • 【Yuan Smart Notebook】the handwriting of the smart notebook can not be erased! our smart notebook with the special code for the smart pen to recognize, so the Yuan smart pen only work with our Yuan smart notebook. Replacement smart notebooks and the refill of the smart pen are available in our store.
  • 【Yuan Smart Writing Set Real-Time Synchronization】 The YUAN Smart Writing Set integrates real writing with digital technology, making creation smoother: the words you write and the content you draw are transmitted to the APP in real time via the smart pen, seamlessly achieving the "digitalization of handwritten content" — retaining the authentic tactile experience of traditional writing while combining the convenience of digital technology.
  • 【Yuan Smart Pen】 YUAN Smart pen allows you to write smoothly at any angle of 360° and accurately captures everything you create, storing it digitally on your device. It can record and share in real time. You simply jot down your notes on paper, and they get digitized and stored. You can view your notes on your smartphone without the need to carry a physical notebook.
  • 【Offline Storage & Long Battery Life】 No need to worry if your smartphone or tablet is not at hand! Reopen the Yuan Smart Pen Business APP, and the recently written content will be automatically synchronized – so data loss is not a problem. The Smart Pen has 8 hours of battery life and 110 days of standby time, combined with 1.5 hours of fast charging. It meets daily usage needs and ensures reliability during trips.
No. 4
Android E-Ink ePaper Tablet, Paperwhite eBook Reader Digital Notebook for Note Taking, Drawing Paper White Graphics Notepad with Stylus and Case, Cloud Sync and Screen Casting - Model Mini 9.7" Silver
  • 1. KloudNote Mini has a beautiful and stylish design, built-in A35 quad-core processor, 1.5GHz, 32G memory. The display is a 9.7-inch E-ink eye protection screen with a resolution of 1200x825 (150dpi). The operating system is Android 8.1, and it comes with a 4100mAh lithium-ion battery with an effective battery life of up to 40 hours.
  • 2. Features: Electronic paper display technology is different from traditional LED display light-emitting technology. It has no backlight and no strobe, which will not make people feel glare. It is still clearly visible under direct sunlight outdoors. The book-like reading experience can improve the dry eyes, sore eyes, and eye fatigue caused by watching electronic products for a long time, and effectively protect your vision health.
  • 3. Smooth writing experience, you can choose different pen types for writing or drawing, and preset 39 note templates, which can effectively help office workers solve meeting records and other needs, and support multiple cloud storage synchronization functions to ensure that data will never be lost; the note sharing function allows others to easily view their notes.
  • 4. It has built-in handwritten notes to text function and recording function, and can convert the recording files into text output after voice recognition, effectively improving office efficiency.
  • 5. It uses a 4096-level electromagnetic pressure-sensitive pen, which is passive and wireless, with high touch accuracy and no need to be charged. The stylus has a built-in eraser, which can be easily erased by turning it upside down like a traditional pencil.
No. 5
3-Pack Tablets Stylus Pen for All Touchscreen with Precision Disc Tip, 2-in-1 Universal Stylus Compatible with Android, iOS, and Phone– Perfect for Writing, Drawing, and Note-Taking
  • Wide Compatibility for Multiple Devices: Works seamlessly with Samsung, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Smartphone, and other touchscreen devices. No drivers are needed- simply open and play, ensuring compatibility with a variety of tablets and smartphones. No Charging Required, Ready Anytime.
  • High-Precision Touch for Smooth Writing & Drawing: Featuring advanced capacitive technology, this stylus pen offers high sensitivity and precision, delivering a smooth, real-pen experience perfect for writing, sketching, note-taking, and more.
  • Ergonomic Design for Comfortable Grip: Crafted with a lightweight and durable body, the stylus is designed for long periods of comfortable use. Whether you’re creating, studying, or performing everyday tasks, it ensures a pleasant grip.
  • Scratch-Resistant & Durable, Protects Your Screen: Equipped with a soft, high-quality Disc tip that ensures smooth touch without scratching the screen, keeping your device’s display in pristine condition while providing a seamless user experience.
  • Replaceable Nib for Extended Use: The stylus pen comes with an extra tip for long-lasting use. Simply unscrew the metal cap to easily access and swap out the nib, ensuring your stylus is always ready for smooth and precise performance.
No. 6
Ophaya 2 in 1 Digital Pen Smart Pen Writing Set, Includes Smartpen, Notebook, Use with Ophaya App for Notes Taking, Recording, Storing
  • 【2in1 Smartpen Writing Set】The Ophaya Smart Digital Notebook with Pen Set includes 1 digital smart pen, 1 dot-code digital notebook, 5 B5 paper sheets, 2 ink refills, 2 liquid refills, 1 USB recharging cable, and a user manual. Notepad featuring a locked button, which allows for up to 50,000 uses. Eliminating the need for paper waste and encouraging creative for you and your children. It is great for both home and office use.
  • 【Real-Time Synchronization】Designed with exclusive invisible dot-code recognition technology, the Ophaya SmartPen incorporates a high-speed infrared camera that exhibits high sensitivity in recognizing content. This allows you to write or draw at any angle of 360° and accurately captures everything you create. The captured content is digitally stored in your device and can be shared in real-time.
  • 【Record Audio Function】The Ophaya digital smart pen for note-taking not only captures your written content, but also includes an audio recording feature. When connected to the app, it allows you to record audio with clear sound. This is particularly useful when you're unable to take notes or might miss important information during work or school. With the smart pen, you can record the audio by simply tapping the record button on your notebook or writing board to enhancing your work efficiency.
  • 【One-click Storage and Sharing】Ophaya smart digital pen for note-taking support multiple formats such as PDF, pictures, GIF, and MP4 (with recording capability). You can easily send and share your notes or creations via popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more. Additionally, you can directly send them via email or upload it to your preferred cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive.(Note: PDF files can be merged together before sharing.)
  • 【Offline Storage】In situations when your phone is not accessible, the app is not connected, or the network signal is weak, there's no need to worry! The digital pen offers offline storage capability, allowing you to store approximately 1000 A4 pages. This feature is ideal for various scenarios such as note-taking, drawing, and creative endeavors. It serves as a perfect gift for students, teachers, businessmen, and writers who enjoy capturing their imagination and creating with purpose.
No. 7
Galaxy Note 9 Stylus Pen withBluetooth Replacement Stylus Touch S Pen for Samsung Galaxy Note 9 N960 All Versions Stylus Touch S Pen(Ocean Blue)
  • Quality:Brand New High Quality Stylus Pen.
  • Use:The Galaxy Note 9 S Pen allows you to make notes, draw, browse, Study or edit.
  • Matching:For Galaxy Note 9 mobile phone,for Samsung Galaxy Note 9 SM-N960(WithBluetooth function).
  • Package Includes:S-Pen replacement for Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
  • After-sales:If you have any questions about our products, please contact us in time, we will give you a satisfactory answer within 24 hours.
No. 8
Noteshelf - Note-taking, PDF
  • Take handwritten notes, record audio, annotate PDF, organize, backup & share…
  • Chinese (Publication Language)

Choosing Your Perfect Digital Canvas: A Note Taking App With Stylus Buying Guide

Picking the right note-taking app that works well with a stylus can feel like a big decision. You want something that feels like real paper but has all the power of digital tools. This guide will help you find the best match for your needs, whether you are a student, artist, or busy professional.

Key Features to Look For

The best apps offer tools that mimic real-life writing. Look closely at these main features:

  • Handwriting Recognition: This feature changes your messy scribbles into typed text. It saves you time when you need to search your notes later.
  • Stylus Pressure Sensitivity: This is crucial for artists and detailed note-takers. More sensitivity means the line gets thicker or thinner when you press harder, just like a real pen or pencil.
  • Organization Tools: You need folders, tags, and notebooks to keep things tidy. Good search functions are also very important.
  • Export Options: Can you easily save your notes as PDFs or images? Make sure the app lets you share your work simply.
  • Template Variety: Does the app offer lined paper, graph paper, calendars, or blank pages? More options mean more flexibility.

Factors That Improve or Reduce App Quality

The quality of the app greatly affects how much you enjoy using it. Good apps make writing feel natural.

What Makes an App Great (Improves Quality):
  • Low Latency: Latency is the small delay between when your stylus touches the screen and when the line appears. Low latency makes writing feel instant and smooth.
  • Customizable Tools: You should easily change pen color, thickness, and style.
  • Reliable Syncing: Your notes must save quickly across all your devices (phone, tablet, computer).
What Makes an App Frustrating (Reduces Quality):
  • Laggy Performance: Slow drawing or writing makes the app unusable for quick notes.
  • Poor Palm Rejection: This happens when the app mistakes your resting hand for a writing tool, causing unwanted marks. Good palm rejection is essential.
  • Limited File Formats: If you cannot export your notes in standard formats, you might lose your work later.

Important Materials and Compatibility

While the app is software, its best performance relies on device compatibility and stylus type.

  • Device Support: Check if the app works best on iOS (Apple Pencil), Android (S Pen), or Windows devices. Some apps are optimized for one system only.
  • Stylus Compatibility: Does the app support active styluses (which need charging) or passive ones (like a basic rubber tip)? Active styluses usually offer better pressure sensitivity.
  • Cloud Storage Integration: Look for apps that link well with Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to keep your files safe.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about how you plan to use the app every day.

For Students:

Students need quick annotation tools. They should look for apps that let them import lecture slides (PDFs) and draw directly on them. Handwriting search is a huge time-saver during exam prep.

For Professionals:

Professionals often use notes for meetings. They need strong organization features, easy export to email, and good integration with calendar apps.

For Creatives:

Artists and designers prioritize tool variety. They need excellent brush engines, layers (if available), and high-resolution export options to maintain image quality.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Note Taking Apps with Stylus

Q: Do I need a special stylus for every app?

A: Not always. Some apps work with any basic stylus. However, the best features, like pressure sensitivity, usually require a specific active stylus made for your tablet (like the Apple Pencil).

Q: What is ‘palm rejection’ and why is it important?

A: Palm rejection stops the app from drawing lines where your hand rests on the screen while you write. Good palm rejection lets you write naturally without making mistakes.

Q: Can these apps replace my paper notebook completely?

A: For most people, yes! Modern apps offer infinite paper, easy organization, and powerful search functions that paper cannot match.

Q: Which apps are best for handwriting-to-text conversion?

A: Apps that focus heavily on this feature, often found on dedicated tablet platforms, usually perform the best. Read specific reviews for the latest accuracy scores.

Q: Is there a big difference between free and paid apps?

A: Often, yes. Free versions usually limit your export options or lack advanced features like unlimited cloud sync or premium pen tools.

Q: How important is low latency for general note-taking?

A: It is very important. Low latency means the line appears right when the stylus touches the screen. High latency makes writing feel slow and disconnected.

Q: Can I draw diagrams easily in these apps?

A: Many apps include shape recognition tools. You draw a rough circle, and the app straightens it into a perfect circle for easy diagrams.

Q: How do I make sure my notes are backed up safely?

A: Choose an app that automatically syncs your data to a secure cloud service you already use, like Google Drive or iCloud.

Q: What if I switch between writing and typing in the same document?

A: The best apps allow you to switch seamlessly between typing text blocks and handwriting or drawing within the same page.

Q: Are these apps good for drawing complex artwork?

A: Some are excellent for complex art, offering features like layers and blending. Others focus more on simple handwriting and organization. Check the specific feature list if art is your main goal.