Stylus Labs Write vs Xournal++

Stylus Labs Write

• People who take handwritten notes on both a tablet and a desktop computer
• Stylus users on Linux or Windows who want an open file format
• Editing handwriting after the fact: inserting space, moving and reflowing lines

Xournal++

• Handwritten notes with a stylus or drawing tablet on a computer
• Writing over PDFs and exporting the annotated result
• Math and science notes that mix handwriting with LaTeX formulas

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.

Xournal++

• Desktop only: the project says development of the separate Android and iOS app has stalled and the web app is no longer available.
• A journal is stored separately from its background PDF, so moving either file breaks the link unless attach mode is used.
• The macOS release will not open until two terminal commands are run to clear and re-sign the app.
• Annotations exported to PDF cannot be edited afterward, and the export drops annotations built into the source PDF.

Stylus Labs Write

Tools that follow lines of handwriting

Insert Space adds blank lines or room between words and reflows the paragraph, including multicolumn layouts. Ruled erase and select work on whole lines of writing in one pass.

Bookmarks and handwritten links

A bookmark dropped beside text appears in a bookmark view for navigation. Handwritten links can point to bookmarks, web sites or other documents.

Undo/redo dial

A dial moves backward and forward through an unlimited undo history with one continuous motion instead of repeated taps.

SVG documents

The native format is SVG, which any modern web browser can display. Documents are plain files that can also be saved as HTML or exported to PDF.

Shared whiteboarding

Several people can work on a document in real time through a whiteboard server. The vendor publishes the server and recommends running it on your own network.

Split view, clippings and pens

Two documents, or two parts of one, can be open side by side. Frequently used content is saved as clippings, and pens, page size, color and ruling can be customized.

Xournal++

Stylus and tablet input

Supports pressure-sensitive styluses and drawing tablets from makers such as Wacom, Huion and XP-Pen, with configurable pen, highlighter and eraser tools.

PDF annotation

A PDF can be set as the background of a journal and written over. Text in the PDF is searchable, and the result exports back to PDF.

Shapes, images and snapping

Draws lines, arrows, circles, rectangles and splines, inserts images, and snaps objects to a grid or to steps of rotation.

LaTeX editor

A built-in LaTeX tool places typeset formulas on the page. It depends on a working LaTeX installation on the computer.

Audio recording

Records audio while you write and attaches the recording to objects in the note, which the Play Object tool plays back.

Layers, toolbars and Lua plugins

Notes can be split into layers that are hidden or edited separately, toolbars can be rearranged, and plugins are written in Lua.

Stylus Labs Write

• Write for desktop and Android$0

  Windows, macOS, Linux and Android builds downloaded from the vendor's site. The source code is on GitHub under the AGPL-3.0 license.

• Stylus Labs Write (iOS)$0

  The free iPhone and iPad app, which the download page calls the trial version. It puts a watermark on each page.

• Full version (iOS)$8.99

  one-time in-app purchase (US App Store)

  Removes the watermark from the free iPhone and iPad app.

• Stylus Labs Write Pro$8.99

  one-time purchase (US App Store)

  The iPhone and iPad app sold as a paid download instead of an in-app upgrade. Family Sharing covers up to six people.

Xournal++

• Xournal++$0

  The full app for Windows, macOS and Linux, as stable or nightly builds. The Windows version is also in the Microsoft Store.