No stylus can accurately reproduce the magic of the Apple Pencil with your iPad. But the good news is that many of them are very close and cost a lot less. If you’re a designer or artist, chances are you can’t do without an Apple Pencil. But for other tasks like note-taking, casual drawing or browsing, an affordable Apple Pencil alternative is more than enough.
Check out the list below for the best Apple Pencil alternatives that are as close to the real thing as possible and perfect for any budget.
The best stylus for all iPads
Editor’s Choice: Logitech Crayon
If you’re looking for an Apple-approved stylus, the Logitech Crayon is a great, affordable option. It works great on any iPad model and works effectively in all apps that support Apple Pencil. It connects instantly and can last over 7 hours on a full charge.
Like the Apple Pencil, you can tilt it to adjust the thickness of the lines, making it ideal for digital artists. The palm rejection technology is pretty good, so you can comfortably hold your hand while you work. Also, I like the streamlined design, which is comfortable to hold even for long hours. You can choose from an eye-catching orange or a classic all-grey version.
Price: $69.95
Here’s a great stylus for your iPad that has a couple of tricks up its sleeve! The Adonit Note+ is slightly more expensive than the Logitech Crayon, but offers some pretty cool features. Combined with compatible apps, you can program its two buttons to perform quick actions such as erase, redo, or scroll to zoom.
At the same time, advanced pressure sensitivity ensures that every line, dash, tick, and letter looks exactly the way you want it to. Natural palm deflection and tilt support enhance ease of use, making it a premium alternative to the much more expensive Apple Pencil. The only limitation is the build quality, which could be better at this price point.
Price: $69.99
Dual tip: ZAGG Pro Stylus
The ZAGG Pro stylus features a capacitive nib on the back for easy navigation and easy scrolling, and an active stylus on the other end for error-free writing and drawing with smooth lines and crisp strokes. It also comes with a spare tip which increases the life of the product.
While there’s no pressure sensitivity, it’s very good for note-taking, journaling, and PDF markup. Any app that uses a pencil can work with the Zagg Pro Stylus. It pairs with any iPad 2018 or newer and is comfortable to use for long hours. The battery will last about eight hours and can be charged in less than two hours via a USB-C connection. There is an LED battery indicator that shows how much charge is left at any given moment.
Price: $49.99
Best value for money: ESR Stylus
ESR’s $25 Apple Pencil alternative is a steal. This is a highly sensitive stylus that provides smooth writing as well as palm rejection and tilt sensitivity. It is compatible with iPads released in 2018 and later. I especially liked the build quality, which makes it feel like a real pencil in your hand.
It can also attach to compatible iPads using magnets, just like the original Apple Pencil does. However, it will not charge in the same way as the original. A single 90-minute charge provides approximately 13 hours of use, and after 5 minutes of inactivity, it enters power saving mode to maximize battery life.
Price: $24.99
Fast Charging: JAMJAKE Pencil for iPad
It is easy to hold and you can rest your hand comfortably on the screen while drawing or writing thanks to the effective palm rejection. The product comes with several extra pencil nibs with varying levels of hardness and tip size for your convenience. It also supports magnetic attachment to compatible iPads so you don’t lose it.
Price: $26.99
Light and easy to use: Metapen A8 pencil
Here’s an inexpensive Apple Pencil alternative that won’t leave you indifferent with its features. It is lightweight yet powerful. The build quality makes it a pleasure to hold, and the precise point makes it easy to write and sketch. It works flawlessly with Procreate and GoodNotes as well as all my other iPad apps.
What’s more, the brand claims its nibs are twice as durable as the original Apple Pencil. Its internal structure can withstand thousands of microdrops without sacrificing performance. Of course, it also has tilt support and palm rejection for an efficient workflow.
Price: $27.99
The Most Affordable Apple Pencil Alternative: MEKO
Want a truly versatile stylus at an unbeatable price? Check out the MEKO touch pen that works not only with iPad, but also with iPhone and other capacitive displays. It doesn’t look like an Apple Pencil, but it works very similarly, allowing you to write on your tablet with ease.
Of course, this one lacks palm deflection and tilt sensitivity, so it’s not for artists. But given the low price, this isn’t a problem for those who want a simple stylus for everyday use. I also appreciate its true handle shape, which makes it much easier to hold and maneuver.
Price: $16.99 for three.