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.
So, what sort of stylus are you looking for? Let’s consider a few things first up!
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.
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.
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.
- Top-notch palm rejection
- Anti-slip grip
- Impressive 7 hours of battery life
- Supports fast charging
Buy from Logitech ($69.99)
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.
- Pretty lightweight and ergonomic design
- Delivers paper-like drag
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
- Durable high-grade aluminum construction
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.
- Precision disc
- Works with all touchscreen devices
- Magnetic cap
- Enhanced grip
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.
- Anti-slip hold
- 1.45mm
- magnetic closure cap
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
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.
Key features:
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.
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.
Key features:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No, 1st-gen Apple Pencil is not magnetic.
Yes, Apple Pencil 1st-gen works with iPad 7.
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.
