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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Stylus Labs Write alternatives

Stylus Labs Write compared with 5 alternatives: Xournal++, Rnote, Saber, Linwood Butterfly and Squid.

Stylus Labs Write has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Stylus Labs WriteThis toolFree plan · from $8.99 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Xournal++FreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
RnoteFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
SaberFree plan · from $5/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Linwood ButterflyFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
SquidFree plan · from $1.00YesAndroid

How each one differs from Stylus Labs Write

  1. Xournal++

    Open-source handwriting notes and PDF annotation for desktop

    • Xournal++ is free. Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android.
    • Only Stylus Labs Write lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Stylus Labs Write also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: Handwritten notes with a stylus or drawing tablet on a computer

    Xournal++ vs Stylus Labs WriteXournal++ pricing and details

  2. Rnote

    Open-source app for sketching and handwritten notes with a stylus

    • Rnote is free. Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android.
    • Only Stylus Labs Write lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Stylus Labs Write also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: Students and teachers who write by hand with a stylus or drawing tablet

    Rnote vs Stylus Labs WriteRnote pricing and details

  3. 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. Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android.
    • Saber is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Stylus Labs Write also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: Students and others who take notes by hand on a tablet

    Saber vs Stylus Labs WriteSaber pricing and details

  4. Linwood Butterfly

    Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas

    • Linwood Butterfly is free. Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists a web app.
    • Only Stylus Labs Write lists an iOS app.
    • Linwood Butterfly is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Linwood Butterfly also covers templates.

    Suits: Handwritten lecture notes and PDF markup with a stylus

    Linwood Butterfly vs Stylus Labs WriteLinwood Butterfly pricing and details

  5. Squid

    Handwritten notes and PDF markup for Android and Chromebooks

    • Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown. Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android.
    • Only Stylus Labs Write lists Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Stylus Labs Write is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Students and teachers writing by hand on Android tablets or Chromebooks

    Squid vs Stylus Labs WriteSquid pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Stylus Labs Write

  • Typed text is not supported: the FAQ says Write can display text in an SVG document but cannot edit it.
  • There is no built-in sync; the FAQ suggests syncing the document folder with a third-party tool, or saving to cloud folders in the iOS Files app.
  • Google Play updates are suspended, and that listing was last updated in December 2021; the current Android build is an APK from the vendor's site.
  • The free iOS app watermarks every page until the $8.99 full version is bought.
Stylus Labs Write pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Stylus Labs Write?

The alternatives to Stylus Labs Write in this directory are Xournal++, Rnote, Saber, Linwood Butterfly and Squid. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Stylus Labs Write.

Is there a free alternative to Stylus Labs Write?

Yes. Xournal++, Rnote and Linwood Butterfly are free to use. Saber and Squid have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 6, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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