The Apple Pencil turns your iPad into a full-fledged creative work machine. However, some apps handle the capabilities of the stylus better than others. In this article we highlight six such great Apple Pencil apps.
Good Apple Pencil apps
An Apple Pencil is not necessary to operate an iPad, but it is handy. The digital pen ensures that you can work more accurately. Also, some apps add special features for the Apple Pencil.
1. Notes shelf
Noteshelf is one of the best-known Apple Pencil apps. The program takes into account how much pressure you exert on the digital pen. By tapping the Pencil twice, you can also quickly switch between various tools. You can quickly switch from pencil, fountain pen or pen.
You can also record notes with your voice, because Noteshelf works together with Siri. Thanks to multiple notebooks, you stay organized and if you do lose a note, the powerful search function offers a solution. It can even detect handwritten notes.
2. Notability
Another great note-taking app is Notability. This program is very multifunctional and lets you make notes with photos and drawings. You can also continuously switch between handwritten notes and typed notes.
Notability handles the Apple Pencil very subtly, and that’s where the power lies. For example, do you lean on the iPad with the palm of your hand while writing? No problem: Notability does not register this touch. This way you can continue with your note or sketch. Notability also assists you in drawing straight lines by immediately correcting small mistakes.
3. Procreate
Creative people have known Procreate for a long time. The excellent drawing app is packed with features and you can tell from everything that the program is made especially for iPadOS, not just transferred from the Mac.
The app regularly wins prizes and has even been awarded a Design Award by Apple. Procreate is therefore one of the best Apple Pencil apps ever.
Procreate is packed with features and there is really no way to begin listing these. Do you have inspiration and are you a skilled draftsman? Then you can make it with Procreate. Therein lies the immediate disadvantage of Procreate as an Apple Pencil app: the program can be quite intimidating for beginners.
4. Paper
Do you like illustrating, but do all the possibilities of Procreate scare you? Then try Paper from WeTransfer. This fairly simple drawing app is great for making sketches, plans, scribbles, and notes. The app has both a free and paid version.
If you just want to jot down some random things, then the free version is probably enough. This offers a wide range of drawing tools including a brush, pencil and fountain pen. The paid version unlocks more drawing tools that allow you to create complex mind maps, for example.
5. Pixelmator
If you’re not into drawing or illustrating, but you do post-process photos regularly, you can take a look at Pixelmator. This surprisingly complete photo editor makes good use of the Apple Pencil. Thanks to the stylus, you can select and edit even the most minuscule details of photos.
Also, Pixelmator takes into account the fact that you may be leaning your hand on the iPad during post-processing, just like Notability. You can also tilt the Apple Pencil during finishing, move faster or press harder to use more functions. Pixelmator may not be a Photoshop replacement, but it is certainly good enough for editing private photos.
6. LiquidText
Do you regularly check workpieces? Or do you often provide feedback to presentations? Then LiquidText is worth a try. This app makes it easy to provide feedback to documents, sheets, presentations and even websites. With the Apple Pencil in hand, you can highlight striking things, cross out errors and complete incomplete passages.
LiquidText is not one of the most innovative Apple Pencil apps, but it is a very practical one. For example, by swiping the pen over paragraphs, you can easily select large chunks of text. And when you press the Apple Pencil a little harder than usual, you can copy a piece of text or an image more easily and, for example, send it.
Get creative with an iPad
Do you spend a lot of time with design, illustrations or graphic design? Check out our article about the best iPad drawing apps. In addition to Procreate, you will find many other applications for creatives here.
And while you don’t have to sharpen the tip of an Apple Pencil, you do need to replace it every now and then. You can read how and when to do this in our article about replacing an Apple Pencil tip.