It isn't only Apple that makes a top-notch stylus, there are plenty of other brands making pens to use on your iPad for drawing. While we think none of the below quite match up to the Apple Pencil 2, they are perfect for light note-taking, sketching, and rudimentary drawings.
When putting this list together, we've considered the connectivity (of course we've only included alternatives to the Apple Pencil, which means they need to connect to an iPad), design, pressure levels, and any extra features as well as the price of each model, weighing up the options and using Apple's own devices as a benchmark.
If you've considered these but still prefer Cupertino's stylus, see our list of cheap Apple Pencil deals – the newest Apple Pencil USB-C is at a really decent price (but doesn't have the feature set of the Apple Pencil 2).
The best Apple Pencil alternatives available
Why you can trust Creative Bloq
Best overall
+ Battery life
+ Palm rejection
+ Tilt support
- Sensitivity
Expect great things from this one; it's the only Apple-approved stylus on this list. With lightning-quick recharge and 7.5 hours of battery, we found this stylus comfortable to draw with and enjoyed its Apple Pencil 2 features. See our review for more.
Best for art
+ Battery life
+ Compatibility
+ Pressure sensitivity
- No recording
With palm rejection, 2,048 pressure sensitivity levels, tilt support, and programmable shortcuts, we judged this perfect for art. It supports most iPads, has USB-C charging, and our tests proved its 10 hours of continuous use. See our Adonit Note+ review for more.
Best pen-like
+ High-end design
+ Comfort and feel
- No pressure sensitivity
- Non-magnetic
We love how how this pen looks just like a fountain pen with its sleek metal body and removable cap to protect the lid. Our tests found it's best for note-taking, it's comfortable to hold and can be easily clipped onto clothes if you want to safely store it. Read our review for further details.
Multi-devices
+ Palm rejection
+ Battery life
- Pressure sensitivity
- Tilt support
Useful if you've got multiple devices, this stylus lacks Bluetooth connectivity, pressure sensitivity, and tilt support, but does have palm rejection, fast USB-C charging, and 15-hours of battery life. We found it lightweight and stylish at 15g, and like its clip for portability. Read our full review for more.
Feature-rich
+ Battery life
+ App compatibility
+ iPad compatibility
- No pressure sensitivity
Similar to the Logitech Crayon, this stylus boasts palm rejection and tilt sensitivity. Although lacking pressure sensitivity, it's pairable with any iPad from 2018 onwards, provides around eight hours of battery life and fast USB-C charging.
Best dupe
+ Wireless charging
+ Apple Pencil 2 dupe
- Very basic
- No pressure sensitivity
Similar design to the Apple Pencil 2, the Adonit Neo Pro also offers magnetic charging. It's far more affordable than the former, but we felt the lack of pressure sensitivity, making it better for writing and doodling than art. See our review.
Older iPads
+ Scratchless
+ Highly affordable
- Palm rejection
- Basic
While lacking Bluetooth, palm rejection and pressure sensitivity this cheap stylus excels in touchscreen navigation with its PET Precision Disc tip. A great budget-friendly option, especially for older iPads, we enjoyed taking notes with it. See our full review for more.
Best budget
+ Very cheap
+ Does the job
- Pressure sensitivity
- Very basic
The cheapest stylus listed here, this lacks advanced features like pressure sensitivity but offers a pleasant nib, a clear disc for precise drawing, and replaceable tips. It's not suitable for digital art, but works well for note-taking and making quick sketches.
How to choose the best Apple Pencil alternative
Choosing the best Apple Pencil alternative requires careful consideration of various factors. The first and most obvious is that the stylus is compatible with your iPad model. And ensure that the stylus is compatible with the digital art apps you intend to use.
Beyond that, look for a stylus that offers a high level of pressure sensitivity, as it allows for a more natural and precise drawing or writing experience. You may also want to look for palm rejection technology, which prevents unintended touch inputs while using the stylus. Another feature that's a real plus for digital artists tilt support. This enables shading and angle-sensitive brush strokes, providing a more versatile and realistic drawing experience.
If you plan to work on the move a lot, check the stylus's battery life and charging method. Finally, consider your budget and find the right balance between cost and features.
FAQs
What are Apple Pencil alternatives?
Apple Pencil alternatives are styluses designed for use with Apple devices, such as iPads. These styluses offer similar functionality to the Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil 2 or Apple Pencil USB-C, but come from other manufacturers. They tend to be cheaper than the official Apple Pencils.
Why are the benefits of using an Apple Pencil alternative?
It's a fair question: given that the Apple Pencil 2 is the best stylus on the market right now, why would you want anything different? The most common answers is cost: most Apple Pencil alternatives are going to be pricier than the Apple Pencil 2. Also, if you have more than one iPad, you may find either the Apple Pencil 1, 2 or 3 may not work on both of them, but a third-party stylus may do just that.
Why are the downsides of using an Apple Pencil alternative?
One of the main downsides of using an Apple Pencil alternative is if it lacks some of the advanced features of the Apple Pencil, such as pressure sensitivity or tilt detection. Even if that's not the case, it probably won't have quite the same seamless integration with the iPads as an official Apple stylus. More broadly, the build quality and user experience may not be as good as with the Apple Pencil.
How we test the best Apple Pencil alternative
Our testing of the best Apple Pencil alternatives involves a thorough evaluation of key performance metrics and user experience factors. We assess the stylus's pressure sensitivity and accuracy by performing detailed drawing and writing tasks. During these tasks, we pay close attention to how well the stylus captures subtle variations in pressure, ensuring a realistic and responsive experience. We also assess the comfort of holding the stylus over extended periods and battery life under various usage scenarios.