Alternatives · Note-Taking
Squid alternatives
Squid compared with 7 alternatives: Samsung Notes, Noteshelf, Notewise, Notein, Flexcil and 2 more.
Squid has a free plan. Paid plans start at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown. All 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| SquidThis tool | Free plan · from $1.00 | Yes | Android |
| Samsung Notes | Free | Free | Windows, Android |
| Noteshelf | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Notewise | Free plan · from $2.42/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Notein | Free plan · from $5.99 | Yes | Android |
| Flexcil | Free plan · from $8.99 | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Saber | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Stylus Labs Write | Free plan · from $8.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Squid
- Free
Samsung Notes
Samsung's free note app for Galaxy phones, tablets and Galaxy Book
- Samsung Notes is free. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Only Samsung Notes lists a Windows app.
- Samsung Notes also covers templates.
- Squid also covers whiteboard.
Suits: Galaxy phone and tablet owners, especially those with an S Pen
- Free plan · from $7.99 one-time
Noteshelf
Handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation for stylus devices
- Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Only Noteshelf lists iOS, macOS and Windows apps.
- Noteshelf can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Noteshelf also covers templates.
- Squid also covers whiteboard.
Suits: Students and teachers taking handwritten notes with a stylus
- Free plan · from $2.42/mo
Notewise
Handwriting canvas and AI notes for iPhone, iPad and Android
- Notewise starts at $2.42 per month, billed yearly ($28.99); Classic Unlimited is $16.99 one-time. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Only Notewise lists an iOS app.
- Notewise can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Notewise also covers meeting notes and transcription.
Suits: Students and professionals who mix handwriting, PDFs and recordings
- Free plan · from $5.99
Notein
Handwriting notes, PDF markup and linked notes for Android tablets
- Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Notein also covers linked notes and templates.
Suits: Android tablet and stylus users who want handwritten notes
- Free plan · from $8.99
Flexcil
PDF reader and handwriting notebook built around pen gestures
- Flexcil starts at $8.99 (Premium) or $9.99 (Flexcil Standard) on the US App Store; basis not shown. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Only Flexcil lists an iOS app.
- Flexcil also covers templates.
- Squid also covers whiteboard.
Suits: Students who study from PDF textbooks and lecture slides
- Free plan · from $5/mo
Saber
Open-source handwritten notes app for phones, tablets and PCs
- Saber starts at Any amount per month for 10 GB of sync storage; $5 per month for 50 GB. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Only Saber lists iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Saber is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Squid also covers whiteboard.
Suits: Students and others who take notes by hand on a tablet
- Free plan · from $8.99 one-time
Stylus Labs Write
Open-source handwriting word processor for desktop and mobile
- Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android. Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown.
- Only Stylus Labs Write lists Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS apps.
- Stylus Labs Write is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who take handwritten notes on both a tablet and a desktop computer
Limits worth knowing in Squid
- Squid is an Android app only. It also runs on Chromebooks that have the Play Store; no iPhone, iPad, desktop or web version is offered.
- PDF import, the highlighter, true eraser, shapes, typed text, premium backgrounds and cloud backup are all paid features.
- Google Play gives in-app prices only as a range of $1.00 to $14.99 per item, without saying which is monthly, yearly or one-time.
- Purchases are tied to the app store account used to buy them and apply only on the same platform and app store.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Squid?
The alternatives to Squid in this directory are Samsung Notes, Noteshelf, Notewise, Notein, Flexcil, Saber and Stylus Labs Write. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Squid.
Is there a free alternative to Squid?
Yes. Samsung Notes is free to use. Noteshelf, Notewise, Notein, Flexcil, Saber and Stylus Labs Write have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Squid alternatives work on Windows?
The Squid listing does not include a Windows app. Samsung Notes, Noteshelf, Saber and Stylus Labs Write list one.
Which Squid alternatives work on macOS?
The Squid listing does not include a macOS app. Noteshelf, Saber and Stylus Labs Write list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Squid?
Saber and Stylus Labs Write are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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