5 Best Note Taking App with Stylus Android Users Can Use (2026 Guide)

If you are looking for the best note taking app with stylus Android users can rely on, this guide covers the top options.

Typing notes is fine, but if you use a stylus or S Pen, handwriting notes feels faster and more natural. Whether you’re a student, designer, or someone who prefers writing instead of typing, the right note-taking app can completely change your workflow.

The problem is most note apps are built for typing, not handwriting.

So after comparing features, stylus compatibility, performance, and real user experience, here are the best note taking apps for Android with stylus support you can use right now.

You can add this Quick Recommendation box near the top of your article (after intro). This improves UX and helps featured snippet chances.

Quick Recommendation

If you don’t want to read the full comparison, here is the quick pick based on different needs:

Best overall stylus note app:
Samsung Notes (best performance for S Pen devices)

Best free app:
Microsoft OneNote (works on all Android devices)

Best premium writing experience:
Noteshelf (best for tablet users)

Best for students:
Flexcil (best for PDF study notes)

Best lightweight app:
Squid (works smoothly on low-end phones)

These are currently the best note taking app with stylus Android users prefer.

Quick Decision Formula:

• Samsung phone → Samsung Notes
• Any Android phone → OneNote
• Tablet users → Noteshelf
• Study notes → Flexcil
• Low RAM phone → Squid

1. Samsung Notes (Best Overall for S Pen Users)

If you own a Samsung Galaxy device with S Pen, Samsung Notes is usually the best option. It is deeply optimized for Samsung hardware and offers the smoothest handwriting experience.

Key Features:

• Excellent S Pen pressure sensitivity
• Handwriting to text conversion
• PDF annotation support
• Audio recording with notes
• Sync with Samsung Cloud

Pros:

✔ Very smooth writing experience
✔ Completely free
✔ Works offline
✔ Best for Galaxy Tab users

Cons:

✘ Limited features on non-Samsung devices
✘ Not ideal if you switch brands

Best for:

Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab users.

2. Microsoft OneNote (Best Free Cross Platform Option)

If you want something that works across Android, Windows, and web, OneNote is a solid choice. Many students use this because it works like a digital notebook.

Key Features:

• Unlimited notebooks
• Stylus handwriting support
• Cloud sync
• Drawing tools
• Collaboration support

Pros:

✔ Completely free
✔ Works on multiple devices
✔ Good organization system
✔ Reliable cloud backup

Cons:

✘ Writing latency can vary on budget phones
✘ Interface feels heavy sometimes

Best for:

Students and professionals who want synced notes.

Download Microsoft OneNote from Google Play

3. Noteshelf (Best Premium Writing Experience)

Noteshelf is one of the closest experiences to writing on real paper. The writing engine is very refined and many tablet users prefer it over free apps.

Key Features:

• Realistic handwriting feel
• Multiple pen styles
• Notebook templates
• Audio notes support
• PDF markup tools

Pros:

✔ Very natural writing feel
✔ Clean interface
✔ Good for long notes
✔ Regular updates

Cons:

✘ Paid app
✘ Some features locked behind purchase

Best for:

Tablet users and digital note enthusiasts.

4. Squid Notes (Best for Low RAM Devices)

Squid is designed specifically for stylus users and works well even on mid-range phones.

Unlike many apps, it uses vector graphics, meaning notes stay sharp even when zoomed.

Key Features:

• Vector handwriting engine
• Low storage usage
• Export to PDF
• Pressure sensitive writing
• Simple UI

Pros:

✔ Lightweight app
✔ Smooth performance
✔ Good for older devices
✔ Simple learning curve

Cons:

✘ Premium features require subscription
✘ Limited templates

Best for:

Budget Android devices and students.

5. Flexcil (Best for PDF Note Taking)

If you take notes from PDFs or study materials, Flexcil is extremely useful. Many competitive exam students use this.

Key Features:

• PDF reading + note taking combo
• Gesture shortcuts
• Drag and drop notes
• Multi window support
• Study focused design

Pros:

✔ Excellent for study notes
✔ Great PDF annotation tools
✔ Modern UI
✔ Tablet optimized

Cons:

✘ Some premium features paid
✘ Learning curve for gestures

Best for:

Students and exam preparation.

Comparison Table

Here is a quick comparison of the best note taking app with stylus Android users can choose from.

App	Free Version	Stylus Support	Best Use
Samsung Notes	Yes	Excellent	Samsung users
OneNote	Yes	Good	Students
Noteshelf	Paid	Excellent	Tablet users
Squid	Free + Paid	Good	Budget phones
Flexcil	Free + Paid	Excellent	PDF studying

These are the best note taking app with stylus Android options available right now.

What To Look For in a Stylus Note Taking App

Before choosing an app, consider these factors:

1. Stylus Latency

Lower latency means smoother writing. Samsung Notes and Noteshelf perform best here.

2. Pressure Sensitivity

Important for artists and designers. Check if the app supports pressure levels.

3. Palm Rejection

Prevents accidental touches while writing.

4. Cloud Sync

Important if you switch devices.

5. Export Options

PDF export is essential for students.

Best Free Stylus Note Taking Apps

If you only want free apps:

Best overall free: Microsoft OneNote

Best for Samsung: Samsung Notes

Best lightweight: Squid

Best for study: Flexcil free version

Common Mistakes People Make

Many users pick note apps without checking compatibility.

Avoid these mistakes:

• Choosing typing apps instead of handwriting apps
• Ignoring stylus optimization
• Not checking export options
• Using heavy apps on low RAM phones

Best Stylus Devices for Note Taking (Optional Upgrade)

If you plan to improve your setup later, these devices work great:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab series
• Samsung S Pen phones
• Android tablets with active stylus

Adding a good stylus improves writing accuracy significantly.

Alternatives You Can Also Try

If you want more options:

• Evernote
• INKredible
• Nebo
• LectureNotes

These are also popular among stylus users.

Conclusion 

Choosing the best note taking app with stylus Android depends on your device and needs.

If you want the safest recommendation:

Best overall: Samsung Notes

Best free cross platform: Microsoft OneNote

Best premium experience: Noteshelf

Best lightweight option: Squid

Best for study: Flexcil

Your choice should depend on your device and how you take notes. Samsung users should start with Samsung Notes, while others should try OneNote first.

Overall, choosing the best note taking app with stylus Android depends on whether you need study notes, office notes, or PDF annotation features.

If you are still confused, these best note taking app with stylus Android options cover most user needs.

Best Note Taking App with Stylus Android – FAQs

Which is the best note taking app with stylus for Android?

Samsung Notes is best for Samsung users. OneNote is best free option overall.

Which free stylus note app is best?

Microsoft OneNote and Squid are good free options.

Which app is best for Samsung S Pen?

Samsung Notes is optimized for S Pen and performs best.

Can I convert handwriting to text?

Yes. Samsung Notes and OneNote support handwriting conversion.

Which app is best for students?

OneNote and Flexcil are good for students.