In today’s Tech world, we find an Apple Pencil instead of a pen and paper, which is far more comfortable and technologically advanced. Apple Pencil is unrivaled and magnificent when it comes to sketching, jotting notes, drawing, and illustrating. Many people, though, would be hesitant to call it the best. Maybe it’s because it’s pricey, or maybe they just don’t like Apple things.
In a world where Apple competes with other companies, the population is readily divided into two camps: Apple lovers and non-Apple supporters. It could be for any of the reasons listed above that Apple Pencil isn’t the ideal option. As a workaround, we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 Apple Pencil alternatives in this post.
A good digital Pencil should be:
- Comfortable and much pencil-like. It should be supportive to the hand and finger muscles.
- Uniformly weighted- neither too heavy nor too light.
- There must be enough friction between the Pencil’s nib and the tablet surface- neither too coarse nor slippery.
Why People Need Alternatives to Apple Pencils
To explain briefly as to why some would not appreciate Apple Pencils, the following make reasonable points:
- Apple Pencils are expensive. The first-gen Apple Pencil was $99, and the second-gen cost $129, which could easily be beyond one’s budget.
- Apple Pencils are compatible only with certain iPads and not any again expensive tablet. Not everyone can afford an iPad as well as an Apple Pencil.
1. Logitech Crayon
Logitech’s Crayon was designed with educators in mind from the start. However, as time went on, it began to expand its capabilities. It’s now more inexpensive and a great alternative to Apple pencils.
What more can you want for as long as Apple approves the Crayon?
Pros
- Logitech Crayon has a seven-hour duration.
- Requires only two minutes of fast charging to enable you to work for 30 minutes.
- Has a child-friendly design.
- Comes with a tilt detection technique to adjust the weight of the lines while shading.
- It is affordable.
- Logitech Crayon works on iPad and all of Apple’s apps.
Cons
- Seven hours of battery life is less compared to other Apple Pencil competitors.
- Its pressure sensitivity is disappointing compared to the Apple Pencil.
2. Wacom Bamboo Sketch
Wacom Bamboo Sketch is one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives for painters and illustrators on the market. It features a great tip and outstanding pressure sensitivity, making it the perfect stylus for writing and sketching on tablets. It works with both the iPad and the iPhone over Bluetooth (iPhone 6 and later models).
Pros
- It has 16 hours of battery life.
- Wacom Bamboo Sketch can be charged using USB and not only the lightning port, as in the case of Apple Pencil.
- It also offers you soft and firm tips along with two customizable buttons for your writing preference.
- It is known for its accuracy and wide compatibility.
Cons
- Not recommended for more detailed forms of digital artwork.
3. Wacom Bamboo Fineline Stylus
Wacom Bamboo Fineline Stylus, another popular Apple Pencil alternative, is believed to be ideal for writing rather than drawing. The Bamboo Sketch was designed primarily for drawing, whilst the Fineline Stylus is ideal for taking notes. It is also less expensive than the former.
Pros
- It is handy and chunky with its simplistic design.
- Wacom Bamboo Fineline Stylus has a twist mechanism wherein you can hide the fine tip.
- It is excellent for writing with a 1024 pressure sensitivity level.
- Wacom Bamboo Fineline Stylus comes in four different colors.
- It has 15-hour battery life
Cons
- Wacom Bamboo Fineline Stylus is not as sensitive as Sketch.
4. Adonit Jot Pro 3
Adonit Jot Pro 3 is a simple, attractive, and cost-effective alternative to Apple Pencil. It has a sleek aluminum body with a magnetic cap that protrudes from the tip.
Pros
- Adonit Jot Pro 3 requires no charging since it does not have a battery to charge.
- You can use it without pairing up.
- It is simple and handy and can be a ready-to-go stylus for any simplistic need.
- Adonit Jot Pro 3 is the best affordable stylus in the market.
- It comes in four stylish colors.
Cons
- It has no pressure sensitivity.
- The nib is flimsy and does not work efficiently if there is debris on the surface.
- The disc surrounding the nib seems to be annoying.
5. AWAVO Stylus Pencil
The AWAVO Stylus Pencil is a great Apple Pencil replacement, especially for penning and sketching. Except while you’re sketching, it’s a capacitive stylus that looks and feels almost like to an Apple Pencil.
Pros
- It works on 3rd-gen, 5th-gen mini, 6th-gen iPad, and the 11-inch and 12.9-inch 3rd-gen iPad Pro.
- AWAVO Stylus Pencil has a 24-hours battery life that is truly amazing.
- Works without a Bluetooth connection.
- It is effective, comfortable, and a cost-affordable stylus.
Cons
- AWAVO Stylus Pencil is not universally compatible but selectively so.
- Its pressure sensitivity is lacking.
6. Adonit Mark
Adonit Mark is one of the most cost-effective Apple Pencil replacements in South Africa. It works with iPad (6th-8th generation), iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generation), iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation), and iPad mini (5th-gen).
Pros
- It is incredibly affordable.
- Its triangular-shaped aluminum body makes it handy.
- Unlike Logitech Crayon, it resists rolling.
- Adonit Mark comes in three shades- white, black, and teal.
- It is widely compatible.
Cons
- The build materials are necessarily cheap.
- Adonit Mark is comparatively less precise.
7. MoKo Universal Active Stylus Pen
When it comes to drawing, sketching, and noting, the MoKo Universal Active Stylus Pen is a fantastic alternative to the Apple Pencil for Procreate. It’s well-known for its ability to double as a pen and a stylus.
Pros
- Moko Stylus is compatible with iPhones, smartphones, and a variety of iPads.
- Its 1.5 mm metal point is excellent for drawing and writing.
- Its sleek aluminum design and cubical clip make it handy. You can carry it in your pocket or on your tablet cover.
- Moko Stylus has fast charging- it requires only an hour to get fully juiced up. You can use a USB to charge it.
Cons
- Moko Stylus has 8 hours of battery life.
- The stylus cuts off power if you do not use it for 30 minutes straight.
8. Zagg Pro Stylus
The Zagg Pro Stylus is a fantastic Apple Pencil replacement for the iPad 8th generation. It’s great for smooth and precise line drawing, sketching, and taking notes. However, as a writing stylus, it could be considered a bit pricey.
Pros
- It is best known for its palm rejection and tilt sensitivity.
- Moko Stylus works with iPad 2017 and newer models and magnetically pairs up with iPad pro 11 and 12.9.
- It is a capacitive stylus known for its uber-precise tip.
- Moko Stylus has a premium build and falls as a close competitor to Logitech Crayon too.
- Its dual-tip helps in tilt recognition, capacitive touch, and drawing precisely and accurately.
- Moko Stylus requires less than 1.5 hours to charge it fully. You need a type-C USB for that
Cons
- It could be considered relatively expensive.
- Moko Stylus lacks pressure sensitivity.
9. Ankace Stylus Pen
The Ankace Stylus Pen is one of the less expensive Apple Pencil competitors. The pen is significantly more sophisticated-looking than its competitors, thanks to the inherent palm rejection method.
Pros
- It is cost-effective.
- Ankace Stylus Pen comes in various color ranges.
- Its 1.2 mm tip is what makes it a similar alternative to Apple Pencil.
- Its skinny nib offers pixel-perfect precision, smooth gliding, and zero lagging on the surface.
Cons
- Ankace Stylus Pen is not compatible with any of the iPad models before 2018.
- The build quality may be found lacking.
10. Zspeed Stylus Pen
The Zspeed Stylus Pen, which is known for its long battery life, is one of the 12 best Apple Pencil replacements for a variety of reasons. It offers a number of advantages, all of which are within a reasonable budget, allowing you to bring out the artist beneath the surface.
Pros
- It comes with a magnetic cap that protects the USB charging port from dust. It can be swapped for a rubber tip for better productivity.
- Zspeed Stylus Pen is highly sensitive and comes with a precise pen tip.
- It comes in different colors.
- Its 1.45 mm tip is known for its capacitive touch that is compatible with any capacitive touchscreen device.
- Zspeed Stylus Pen has a battery life that lasts for 8 to 10 hours straight.
Cons
- It automatically cuts off power after 30 minutes of no use.
- Zspeed Stylus Pen is comparatively fragile.
11. Cosmonaut
For those that prefer wilder grips, Studio Neat’s Cosmonaut is a good alternative to Apple Pencil. It works well on capacitive touch screen tablets for writing, doodling, and sketching (iPad Air, iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Surface, and more).
Pros
- Cosmonaut is widely compatible with iPads and any other capacitive touchscreen device.
- Owing to its wide grip, it is easy to hold and not prone to slipping and falling.
- The rubber material makes it quite comfortable, grippy, and handy. It is also durable and waterproof.
- Cosmonaut is cost-effective.
Cons
- Cosmonaut is not suitable for precise drawing.
- It lacks a capacitive tip.
12. Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen
Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen is the finest Apple Pencil replacement for writing among the several Apple Pencil alternatives described above. It has a rubber grip with light grooves, a silicon disc, and fibre tips, all of which help it write better. It’s an alternative to using a pen and paper.
Pros
- It comes with two replacement tips.
- Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen has a rubbery grip with light grooves to make it grippy and handy.
- It offers high precision.
- Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen is made up of stainless steel and aluminum without any plastic to give a pen-like writing experience.
Cons
- It is not ideal for any kind of sketching or drawing.
Conclusion
With the 12 best Apple Pencil alternatives listed above, you may now choose the ideal stylus for notes, professional or recreational illustrations, and artwork. You can also choose based on your financial constraints. I hope the solutions are affordable and meet your requirements.
