Introduced in 2015 alongside the iPad Pro, Apple Pencil is a top-notch stylus. Boasting pixel-perfect precision and unmatched pressure sensitivity, the digital pen makes drawing, sketching, and note-taking a pleasant experience. No wonder, the stylus is revered by both pros and students alike. That said, the only downside is the way too expensive price tag. While the first-generation Apple Pencil is available for $99, the second-generation model comes for $129. But bother not, this is where these top 12 Apple Pencil alternatives come into the reckoning.
Which Apple Pencil Substitute Should You Choose?
Though the market is flooded with a variety of digital pencils, not all of them can claim to be a worthy replacement of the Apple Pencil. If your need warrants a stylus that can offer a paper-like drawing experience, look for the alternative that offers precision fine-tip and also provides palm rejection as well as pressure-sensitivity.
However, if all you need is a decent stylus that can live up to the task of drawing and painting, there are quite a few cheap yet pretty good Apple Pencil alternatives that support not only all iPad models but also play nice with iPhones and Android devices. To make your task of finding an able substitute a bit easier, I have highlighted the key features of each digital pen. Now that you know what these styluses have in store, let’s explore the extensive roundup.
1. Wacom Bamboo Fineline 2 – A Fully-Equipped Stylus with Pressure-Sensitive Fine Grip
If there is a premium stylus that can make a good match with Apple Pencil’s precision, it has to be Wacom Bamboo Fineline 2. Featuring a pressure-sensitive fine tip, Fineline’s precision tip excels in both drawing and sketching aspects.
The ergonomic design coupled with a soft-touch surface offers a much-improved grip so that you can comfortably hold your digital pen. With the more natural stylus-on-screen experience, you will have a fluid sketching and drawing experience.
What’s more Fineline 2 works with a range of apps including note-taking, drawing, as well as photo-editing apps. Besides, it comes with an efficient battery which you can charge using the included cable. Given these notable features, the $50 price-tag seems reasonable. Overall, it’s a great accessory for the 4th-gen iPad Air and the latest iPad Pro.
Key features:
- Ergonomic design with improved grip
- Pressure-sensitive fine tip
- Works with a range of apps
- Much-improved grip
Buy from Amazon ($49.99)
2. Logitech Crayon – Pro-Grade Stylus with Excellent Palm Rejection
Logitech Crayon is the only Apple-approved Apple Pencil alternatives for anyone who is looking for something cheaper. Apple showcased the Logitech Crayon in its Education event which took place last year. Since it’s approved by Apple, the Logitech Crayon will work seamlessly with your iPad.
Moreover, it also offers one of the best palm rejection experiences which can go a long way in letting you sketch and write with enhanced control. The Crayon also offers an impressive 7 hours of battery life. I love that the Logitech Crayon brings tilt support which makes it easier to draw shades. That said, it lacks the pressure sensitivity of the Apple Pencil.
Finally, just like Apple Pencil, the Logitech Crayon supports fast charging giving you 30 minutes of usage with just 2 minutes of charge. The Crayon also works with all the supported Apple Pencil apps. Overall, this is one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives which is also officially supported by Apple that you can buy.
Key features:
- Top-notch palm rejection
- Anti-slip grip
- Impressive 7 hours of battery life
- Supports fast charging
Buy from Logitech ($69.99)
3. Adonit Dash 4 – Top-Notch Stylus That Delivers Paper-Like Drag
Boasting PixelPoint tip, Adonit Dash 4 promises to offer a paper-like drag to let you draw and sketch with precision like a pro on your iPad. The stylus sports a pretty lightweight and ergonomic design that provides an enhanced grip. Made of high-grade aluminum material, the stylus looks premium. And with the carrying clip, you can securely carry the digital pen.
Equipped with an efficient battery, the Dash 4 can deliver up to 15 hours of battery life. Notably, you can power up the stylus using your power bank and computer. It takes around 1 hour to get fully charged. That’s not all, Dask 4 works with not only iOS/iPadOS but also Android devices which make it one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives for those who are looking for a versatile stylus.
Key features:
- Pretty lightweight and ergonomic design
- Delivers paper-like drag
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
- Durable high-grade aluminum construction
Buy from Amazon: ($59.99)
4. Adonit Pro 4 – Premium Apple Pencil Substitute at Relatively Low Price
The Adonit Pro 4 is another great option that you can go for, which makes use of a precision disc instead of a fiber tip for added stability. The not-so-smart stylus doesn’t offer any Bluetooth connectivity or pressure sensitivity options like the aforementioned options, so it isn’t really meant for professionals, but it works perfectly well with all touchscreen devices, making it a handy tool for casual users who’re looking for a basic stylus.
The stylus comes with a magnetic cap, which protects the precision disc while the stylus is not in use and it has a textured grip etched onto the barrel making it really comfortable to hold. The stylus has a very unique clip to keep it securely in your pocket and its all-aluminum build ensures that the stylus has a long life. The circular disc on the stylus is also replaceable, so you wouldn’t have to worry about buying a new stylus in case it breaks.
Key features:
- Precision disc
- Works with all touchscreen devices
- Magnetic cap
- Enhanced grip
Buy from Amazon: ($29.99)
5. Zspeed – A High-Quality Stylus with Grippy Design
Zspeed’s stylus sports a pretty lightweight and sleek design. And with the anti-slip hold, the pen feels like a real pen. Made of high-quality copper, it’s strong enough to be a lasting companion for your device. The inclusion of 1.45 fine tip enhances the accuracy, enabling you to take notes and sketch with precision.
Moreover, the stylus pen comes with a magnetic closure cap to safeguard the USB port against dirt and damage. When it runs out of power, you can also use the sensitive fiber mesh tip or rubber tip to get your work done. Talking about battery life, Zspeed is second to none as it can last up to 12 hours.
Key features:
- Anti-slip hold
- 1.45mm
- magnetic closure cap
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
Buy from Amazon ($16.99)
6. Buteny – Super Handy Apple Pencil Alternative with 1.5mm Fine Tip
It’s the striking resemblance with the Apple Pencil 1st-gen that has made me include Buteny in this roundup. So, if you are on the lookout for a digital pen that can look and feel like Apple’s stylus, it can be worth taking a look at.
Beyond appreciable design, it comes with 1.5mm fine tip which can let you draw and sketch with the needed efficiency. Another feature that makes it a fine asset is that it doesn’t require any pairing. So, you can get started with drawing without having to go through any pairing process.
With the magnetic cap, it’s also equipped to resist dust. As for the battery life, Buteny stylus can last up to 10 hours after a full charge which is up to the mark. Considering universal compatibility and the useful features, it deserves to be considered one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives.
Key features:
- Lightweight and slim design
- 1.5mm fine tip
- Magnetic cap
- Provides up to 10 hours of battery life
Buy from Amazon ($25.99)
7. Mixoo – Affordable Stylus with Disc Tip
For basic drawing, sketching, and note-taking, you can count on Mixoo to live up to the task. Featuring sturdy stainless steel construction, the digital pen is durable enough to endure wear and tear. Thanks to the retractable design, you can simply press the top of the pen to quickly eject and hide the disc pen. The disc tip works reliably without any noticeable lag.
Better still, Mixoo supports all capacitive touchscreen devices including iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. So, irrespective of which device you have, you can sketch or draw without having to face incompatibility issues. That’s not all, you can also choose this stylus in multiple color variants including white, blue, black, and rose gold.
Key features:
- Retractable design
- Disc tip
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
- Universal compatibility
Buy from Amazon ($9.99)
8. MEKO – The Universal Disc Stylus
Much like the Mixoo 2-in-1 stylus, the MEKO Universal Disc stylus comes with two tip options – a fiber tip for smooth input and a disc tip for more precision. The not-so-smart stylus doesn’t have any connectivity options or a pressure-sensitive tip, but it works with all touch screen devices without fail. Since there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the styluses from Mixoo and MEKO, your decision will primarily depend on your grip preference.
Much like the Mixoo stylus, the one from MEKO has a rubberized grip, but its body is a bit on the thicker side. So in case you’re someone who prefers a thicker pen, it’s quite likely that you’ll prefer the MEKO stylus over the Mixoo stylus.That’s not all, the MEKO stylus package also comes with two styluses and six replaceable tips that you can interchange as per your needs.
Key features:
- Good-looking aluminum construction with a curved design
- Pressure-sensitive
- Rubberized grip
- Comes with six replaceable tips
Buy from Amazon ($15.99)
9. Ciscle – Premium-Looking Design with 1.45mm Copper Tip
This offering from Ciscle packs a solid punch – way above its weight. So, if you are on the lookout for a premium look Apple Pencil substitute at a relatively low price, Ciscle fine point stylus could be a worthy contender.
The digital pen features a 1.45mm copper tip which is quite thin and fine. Thus, you can draw and sketch with the desired control. While Ciscle style can’t go head-to-head against Apple Pencil in terms of precision, it’s more than handy to let you get your job done. On top of all, the stylus offers up to 15 hours of battery life which is yet another plus.
Key features:
- Premium looking design
- 1.45mm copper thin
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
- Designed to work with both iOS/iPadOS and Android
Buy from Amazon (19.99)
10. ChaoQ- The Stylus with Mesh Fiber Tip
If you’re not a fan of the precision disc styluses and are more inclined towards using a stylus with a fiber tip, then you can opt for the ChaoQ Mesh fiber tip stylus, which offers a more natural feel, while sacrificing the precision aspect of the input.
Once again, the fiber tip stylus from ChaoQ offers no smart features or pressure sensitivity, but it works with all touchscreen devices, so you wouldn’t have to worry about compatibility. The simple yet functional stylus is great for casual users who’re just looking for an input device that’s a bit more precise than their finger.
What’s really great is that you’ll get a pack of four styluses with eight replaceable tips, four of which are rubber tips, making it a great buy for the family or if you’re too forgetful.
Key features:
- Fiber tip
- Secure grip
- Decent for drawing and note-taking
- Supports all touchscreen devices
Buy from Amazon ($8.99)
11. AmazonBasics – Multi-Tip Stylus
Rounding up the list is a simple yet functional stylus from Amazon itself – the AmazonBasics is a cheap yet exceptionally good stylus. While it can’t match the precision or the smart features that Apple Pencil is endowed with, it has all the basics covered to be your trusted digital pen for note-taking.
Made of aluminum material, the stylus has got a decent-looking design. There is a built-in clip to let you carry the stylus securely. Priced at $30 for a 4-pack, it supports all capacitive touchscreen smartphones and tablets.
Key Features:
- Durable aluminum construction
- Pretty good for note-taking
- Built-in pocket clip
- Supports all capacitive touchscreen devices
Buy from Amazon ($9.99, 2-pack)
12. ORIbox – Affordable Digital Pen with Clear and Thin Tip
Last but not least, ORIbox has got you fully covered as an affordable Apple Pencil substitute. First and foremost, the digital pen has got a classy design. Made of aluminum and plastic, it’s also quite sturdy. As for the tip, it’s clear and thin which you can use to take notes and also draw comfortably.
Moreover, the stylus pen features a magnetic cap which works as a useful shield to safeguard it against dust or accidental damage. Notably, it doesn’t require batteries, which means you won’t have to worry about charging it. Priced at $11, it supports all touchscreen devices and comes in two color variants like white and black.
Key features:
- Classy design
- Clear thin tip
- Made of durable aluminum and plastic
- Useful magnetic cap
Buy from Amazon ($10.21)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Features are Exclusive to the Apple Pencil and Not Available on Other Styluses?
The biggest exclusive feature is the pairing process. Apple Pencil automatically pairs with iPad, giving you a seamless experience. Apple Pencil is also deeply integrated with the iPad. Thus, it delivers unmatched pixel-perfect precision on Apple tablets. That aside, the digital pen also excels in terms of offering low latency which has a vital role to play in letting users sketch and color with enhanced control.
Q. Is There a Cheaper Alternative to the Apple Pencil?
Yes, there are quite a few cheaper alternatives to Apple Pencil. Adonit Pro 4 and Adonit Dash 4 are some of the notable substitutes that are available at a low price.
How is the Apple pencil better than a stylus?
What makes Apple Pencil apart is the pixel-perfect precision. Besides, it also features industry-leading low latency which makes it a great asset for drawing, sketching, and taking notes.
Q. Is the 1st gen Apple Pencil magnetic?
No, 1st-gen Apple Pencil is not magnetic.
Q. Does Apple pencil 1st gen work with iPad 7th generation?
Yes, Apple Pencil 1st-gen works with iPad 7.
Highly-Rated Apple Pencil Alternatives Lined Up for You
That rounds up our list of the Apple Pencil alternatives available in the market today. While some of these options offer a ton of features like the Apple Pencil, some of them are just simple tools that you can use to interact with your touch screen devices in a more controlled and accurate way. I think everybody can find a suitable replacement for Apple Pencil here. But, if you have decided to stick with Apple Pencil, check out the best Apple Pencil accessories to get the most out of it.
That’s all from us. Which of these Apple Pencil alternatives do you like the most? Do you think some of these styluses match up to the functionality offered by the Apple Pencil or does none of them even come close to the Apple Pencil experience? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sagnik Das Gupta
