Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Penbook

The nicest freehand writing app ✍️

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Penbook launched in 2018; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Writebook▲318

   Instantly publish your own books on the web for free

   2024 · once.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Notebook for Windows▲129

   The beautifully simple note-taking app, now on Windows.

   2019 · zoho.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Microsoft Journal▲71

   A delightful freeform notetaking experience by Microsoft

   2022 · apps.microsoft.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Moleskine Smart Notebook▲214

   Turn hand-drawn sketches into fully workable vector files

   2014 · moleskine.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Easy Writer▲115

   Simple, elegant, distraction free writing.

   2018 · apps.microsoft.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Notebag▲298

   A keyboard-focused note-taking app that gets out of your way

   2020 · notebag.app · its alternatives →

7. 7
   OpenNotebooks▲71

   A simple and free note taking app for iOS devices.

   2021 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Ink Calendar▲72

   Plan your day with your pen

   2017 · apps.microsoft.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Writty▲292

   An open-source text editor to help you focus on what matters

   2020 · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Magic Notebook▲82

    A calm writing app with no complexity and no AI

    May 2026 · magic-notebook.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    UpNote▲161

    The most pleasant app for writing and organizing notes

    2020 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Drafts▲171

    Distraction-free note taking app

    2022 · getdrafts.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Writey Handwriting ▲60

    Learn and practice alphabet, cursive, and calligraphy

    Feb 2026 · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Flow by Moleskine Studio▲266

    Capture, create and share ideas in a digital Moleskine

    2019 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Online NotesPad▲247

    Free online notes taking app

    2025 · onlinenotespad.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Penster▲99

    Learn, improve, and master writing with AI

    2023 · penster.vercel.app · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Open source non-linear notepad app▲222

    MicroPad is a free non-linear note taking app that allows for easy organisation of all of your notes and notebooks.

    2018 · getmicropad.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Justwrite▲122

    A private, local-first writing space that works offline

    Jun 2026 · justwrite.sbs · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Tiny Sketchbook by cloudHQ▲136

    Create, collaborate and share your doodle art drawings

    2022 · blog.cloudhq.net · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Paper▲94

    Distraction-free writing app for your iPhone, iPad and Mac

    2017 · paper.pro · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Paper 4.0▲181

    Arrange sketches and notes in your online journal

    2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Simply Write▲154

    Distraction-free writing tool

    2025 · simplywrite.online · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Notesmartly▲78

    Organise your work in one place

    2018 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Defter Notes▲111

    iPad app for handwritten spatial notes

    2022 · defternotes.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →