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7 Best Affordable Apple Pencil Alternatives with Pressure Sensitivity of 2024

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7 Best Affordable Apple Pencil Alternatives with Pressure Sensitivity of 2024

The Apple Pencil is a first-class stylus. The digital pen offers pixel-level accuracy and unmatched pressure sensitivity, making drawing, sketching and note-taking an enjoyable experience. It's no surprise that both professionals and students hold this pen in high regard. The only downside, however, is the outrageous price tag. So, in this article, we'll discuss some of the best Apple Pencil alternatives you can use in 2024. The best Apple Pencil alternatives are just as good as the official Apple stylus, and they'll save you a lot of money too. That said, don't skip the first Apple Pencil replacement you find. There are plenty of horrible knockoffs out there, too, which is why we did some digging to find the best stylus for the iPad and iPad Pro. All of the options below are worth your time and money.

Apple Pencil

However, if you want to opt for the original, we’ve linked to the Apple Pencil right here.

Apple Pencil (1st Gen)

Apple's first-generation Apple Pencil was originally released in November 2015 and has been around ever since. At its debut, it was only available for the first iPad Pro model, with subsequent models being supported after that. It has a Lightning connector on the end to charge the Apple Pencil directly from your iPad, and has a detachable tip that can be replaced if your current tip starts to wear out.

The first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible with all iPad Pro models prior to 2018, iPad Air 3, iPad Mini 2019, and all base model iPads since 2018.

Apple Pencil 1st Gen: $99

No current savings

$99 at Amazon

$99 at Walmart

$99 at Apple

Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)

The second-generation Apple Pencil came out in October 2018 alongside the third-generation iPad Pro, and while superficially similar, there are quite a few differences between the two models. One big difference is that the Apple Pencil 2 charges magnetically when connected to newer iPads, which means there's no Lightning connector. The design is also slightly refined, with one side used for charging, while a sensor near the tip enables double-tap functionality.

The second-generation Apple Pencil works with all 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros (2018 and newer), as well as newer iPad Air (2020 and 2024) models and iPad Mini 6.

Apple Pencil 2nd Gen: $99

Save $30

$99 at Amazon

$99 at Walmart

$99 at Best Buy

The Apple Stylus is an expensive and advanced device for professional creators. However, you may not have the budget to buy an Apple Pencil, in which case our list of non-Apple styluses for 2024 should help.

Top 7 Best Affordable Apple Pencil Alternatives

#1. Logitech Crayon (Editor’s Choice)

Price: $69.99 | Buy now from Logitech and Get Up To 10% Cash Back

Editor's Review

For those looking for a cheaper alternative to the Apple Pencil, the Logitech Crayon is the only Apple-approved option. The Logitech Crayon was on display at Apple's educational demo last year. Logitech Crayon is authorized by Apple for easy use with iPad and all Apple apps.

In fact, some reviewers prefer the Logitech Crayon to the Apple Pencil.

While it was initially only available to schools and educators, Logitech changed course and made it available to everyone. The Logitech Crayon is also more kid-friendly than the Apple Pencil, which rolls off the table easily, and the 2mm tip is very accurate for both professional and casual users.

This stylus supports Dynamic Line Width, which means the line thickness changes depending on the angle the Logitech Crayon is held, mimicking the feel of a real pencil. If you like digital illustration, this is the perfect Procreate Pen!

The lithium battery lasts up to 7.5 hours on a single charge, and the quick-charge function can charge a dead battery for 30 minutes after 2 minutes of charging.

All told, this is the best Apple Pencil alternative you can buy. When it comes to premium styluses, the Logitech Crayon is the coolest in school.

Pros:

Much cheaper than Apple Pencil
Simple and comfortable to use, suitable for many people
Apple endorsed
No pairing required
Accurate nib
Tilt sensitivity and palm rejection
Long battery life

Cons:

Lack of pressure sensitivity
Still not as sensitive compared to Apple Pencil

#2. Adonit Note+

Price: $69.99 | Buy now from B&H Photo Video and Get Up To 1.5% Cash Back

Editor's Review

The Adonit Note+ is a serious contender for the best Apple Pencil alternative for digital artists, as it offers most of the Logitech Crayon features, such as palm rejection and tilt support. However, it has better stuff on it!

You have a pressure sensitivity of 2,048. If you want to make thicker or thinner lines without changing the width of the tool, Note+ is the way to go. It even has programmable buttons that allow you to set them up as shortcuts to your most frequently used shortcuts.

Adonit Note+ is also compatible with many note-taking apps and art apps for the iPad, but only seems to be fully compatible with some apps - i.e. Pressure Sensing works with Concepts and Medibang Paint, but not Procreate. The Adonit Note+ is significantly cheaper than the second-generation Apple Pencil, which is why it could be our Apple Pencil of choice. You can speculate it's less powerful, but of course it depends on what you need it for.

It's compatible with many iPads, so double check, but make sure your iPad is supported first.

It charges via USB-C and you can get 10 hours of continuous use.

Also consider the lower-priced Adonit Note, which works with older iPads and costs just $40. No matter which version you choose, Adonit makes some of the best stylus pens in the world right now.

Pros:

Reason for purchase
Affordable
Long battery life
Works with most iPad models
Pressure sensitivity
Palm rejection
Pressure sensitivity
Programmable shortcut buttons

Cons:

No recording function
Requires pairing with each app
Requires USB-C for charging

#3. Adonit Dash 4 – Best for Cross-Device Compatibility

Price: $49.99 | Buy now from B&H Photo Video and Get Up To 1.5% Cash Back

Editor's Review

If you want to cover all your devices, an alternative to the Apple Pencil is the Adonit Dash 4. It is compatible with iPad, iPhone and Android devices.

The lack of Bluetooth connectivity means there's no pressure-sensing or tilt support, so this one isn't aimed at professional artists making masterpieces on their iPads. However, you'll enjoy native palm rejection, allowing you to write as usual. We found it to be a simple but reliable pen for drawing and sketching. It's a versatile pen that's a great tool for general use.

Of the many Adonit styli available, the Dash 4 is somewhere in the middle for price and purpose. For those more focused on digital art, the Apple Pencil is the gold standard when it comes to the iPad - expensive, but worth the investment. Or need pressure sensitivity, the Adonit Note+ is a solid tool with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity.

It can be a little pricey for a stylus that doesn't include pressure sensitivity, but its build quality and broad compatibility make up for it. Second, the stylus is designed to be lightweight and ergonomic for a better grip. The stylus is made of high-grade metal for a luxurious look.

It boasts super-fast USB-C charging and a solid 15 hours of battery life, so you can draw longer.

Pros:

Toggles between universal use for all iOS and Android devices and palm rejection mode for supported iPad models
Affordable
Long battery life
Comes with charging stand

Cons:

Requires USB-C charging
No tilt or pressure sensitivity

#4. Zagg Pro Stylus

Price: $69.99 | Buy now from ZAGG and Get Up To 6% Cash Back

Editor's Review

Like the Logitech Crayon, the Zagg Pro Stylus has gorgeous features like palm rejection and tilt sensitivity that instantly make it superior to many cheap styluses.

There's no pressure sensitivity, which would give artists looking for an Apple Pencil alternative to pause, but it's built to last for extended periods of time and has broad compatibility.

It pairs basically with any iPad 2017 or newer, and it attaches magnetically to any iPad Pro 11 or Pro 12.9. The Type-C fast charging connection is designed for the newer technology, and you can fully charge the pen in less than 1.5 hours. The battery lasts about eight hours.

Zagg Pro Stylus has a stylish design. It features a dual-tipped design with a universal passive stylus on one side and a more precise active stylus on the other.

If you're looking for an affordable alternative to the Apple Pencil, the Zagg Pro Stylus is right behind the Logitech Crayon. Meanwhile, the Zagg Pro's writing instrument size is more expensive, similar to rival styluses.

Pros:

Beautiful design with more functions
Tilt sensitivity and palm rejection
Same app compatibility with Pencil
Works with all current iPads
Long battery life and fast charging
This dual-tip stylus features a universal capacitive-touch rear tip, while an active tip on the other side provides smooth, precise lines for note-taking, drawing and sketching.

Cons:

Relatively expensive
Lack of pressure sensitivity
Requires a USB-C connection to charge

#5. Meko Universal Stylus – Cheapest Apple Pencil Substitute

Price: $13.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Editor's Review

By far the cheapest Apple Pencil alternative on this list, the Meko Universal Stylus is a great option for anyone spending little money.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have any of the bells and whistles you'd expect from a stylus -- not even palm rejection. You don't want to use this pen for digital art, but if you just want to jot down some notes or sketches, it will do the job well. For such a cheap price (about 1/25 the cost of the Apple Pencil), you really can't say much more than that.

The Meko Universal Stylus is a passive stylus that works with any device with a capacitive touchscreen, which means it's compatible with numerous iterations of iPhones, smartphones and iPads.

It has a double pointed design. The MEKO Universal Disc Stylus comes with two tip options - a fiber tip for smooth input and a disc tip for more precision.

With up to 8 hours of battery life and just 1 hour of charging time, you don't need to worry about running out of power.

That's not all, the MEKO stylus package also comes with two styluses and six replaceable nibs that you can interchange according to your needs.

Pros:

Very cheap
Universal compatibility
Attractive aluminum construction with curved design
Dual tip design (no scratch disc + capacitive stylus)
Long battery life
Rubber grip
Comes with six replaceable tips

Cons:

Not a fine point pen
No Extras - Passive Stylus
Lack of pressure sensitivity
No protective film may scratch the screen

#6. Ankace Stylus Pen

The best combination of price and capabilities

Price: $19.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Editor's Review

Whether you need a stylus to write, draw, or even take notes, Ankace's stylus delivers pixel-level accuracy with built-in palm rejection, a rare feature in this affordable stylus.

The real selling point, however, is the stylus's 1.2mm tip, which is similar in diameter to the Apple Pencil and responsive.

You can move it around on a tablet, it's responsive, has no breakpoints and zero lag, and the tilt function really feels like you're putting a pencil on paper. If you're looking for a top-notch Apple Pencil alternative that won't break the bank, you'll love the ANKACE Stylus Pen of any kind.

Plus, if you're tired of every stylus having the same silver color, Ankace's stylus is available in a variety of attractive colors and has a much more refined look than most of its competitors.

Pros:

Affordable
Built-in palm rejection function
Multiple colors to choose from
Quick response
Long battery life

Cons:

Does not work with iPads prior to 2018
So-so build quality
Lack of tilt sensitivity

#7. Wacom Bamboo Fineline Stylus

Editor's Review

Above we mentioned the Adonit Note+ premium stylus, which has great features, great battery life, and is half the price of the Apple Pencil. A similar product came under the Wacom Bamboo Sketch name, another pricier all-rounder, but with the added quality and durability that Wacom typically offers.

Wacom makes great graphics tablets and styluses, and it also makes great Fineline Stylus.

Fineline is Bamboo Sketch's less expensive sibling. The former is used for drawing and illustration, and Fineline is used for handwriting - so while it's pressure-sensitive, it only has 1024 pressure levels, while Sketch has twice as many. It's great for doodle diagrams or sketches, but if you want to make really intricate artworks, it's best to use the slightly more expensive sibling.

With its beautiful design and simple twist mechanism to open and close it, and a mechanism that hides the small tip when you're not using it, it's a great option for note-taking.

More importantly, though, it's a precise stylus with good app compatibility.

While its battery life is around 15 hours, the Fineline comes with a programmable shortcut button, charges via USB, and is available in four different colors.

Pros:

Another great product from Wacom
Excellent value for money
It feels great in the hand
Accurate nib, moves well
Pressure sensitive tip
Elegant design
Suitable for a range of applications

Cons:

Pairing isn't as easy as we'd like
Not as sensitive as Sketch
Sketch is better for artists

Wrap Up

Apple Pencil is a very complex technology with few competitors. Aimed at the creative industry, the Apple Pen has a smooth nib that offers performance/quality at an affordable price.

While Apple's own Pencil is a great accessory, it might be too expensive for some. So, we've selected the best alternatives, which offer a range of different uses and aren't just more affordable options for Apple Pencils.

Among them, the Logitech Crayon is the best product that comes closest to the Apple Pencil. It's an affordable and high-quality alternative that goes well with Apple's apps. With great features and up to 7 hours of battery life, this product is perfect for creatives.

Our second choice is the Adonit Note+, which offers great features, great battery life, and half the price of the Apple Pencil. The stylus is compatible with the sixth-generation 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the third-generation iPad Air and iPad Mini 5. Note+ has several nifty shortcuts you can use to speed up your writing. You can quickly erase, undo and redo at the touch of a button.

Palm rejection allows you to comfortably rest your hand on the iPad while writing without any issues. You can use your Adonit Note+ for up to 10 hours before needing a charge. When it's time to refuel, a five-minute quick charge will give you an hour of use. All in all, find the best replacement for your Apple Pencil.