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xournal VS Stylus Labs Write

Compare xournal VS Stylus Labs Write and see what are their differences

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xournal logo xournal

Lightweight notetaking and sketching app.

Stylus Labs Write logo Stylus Labs Write

Write is a word processor for handwriting, designed primarily for tablets with an active stylus.
  • xournal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-02-25
  • Stylus Labs Write Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-07-19

xournal features and specs

  • Open Source
    Xournal is open-source software, meaning it's free to use, modify, and distribute. This encourages community collaboration and regular updates.
  • Cross-Platform
    It is available on multiple operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS, allowing users to work across different systems without compatibility issues.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight, which means it has low system resource requirements and can run smoothly on less powerful hardware.
  • Versatile Annotation Tools
    Xournal offers a variety of annotation tools including handwriting, text, shapes, and highlighting, making it flexible for different note-taking styles.
  • PDF Annotation
    The software allows users to import and annotate PDFs directly, which is beneficial for reviewing and editing documents.

Possible disadvantages of xournal

  • Limited Features
    Xournal may lack some advanced features found in more comprehensive note-taking or PDF annotation tools, which can be limiting for power users.
  • User Interface
    The user interface is somewhat basic and might not be as intuitive or aesthetically pleasing as other modern applications.
  • Performance Issues with Large Files
    The application may experience performance slowdowns when handling very large PDF files or documents with numerous annotations.
  • No Cloud Integration
    Xournal does not have built-in cloud service integration, which means users have to manually manage syncing documents across devices.
  • Limited Support
    Being a community-driven project, it might not have as extensive support options as commercial software, which can be a drawback for users needing assistance.

Stylus Labs Write features and specs

  • Handwriting Recognition
    Stylus Labs Write offers impressive handwriting recognition that allows users to convert their handwritten notes into digital text seamlessly.
  • Vector-based Ink
    The software uses vector-based ink, which means that the handwritten input can be scaled indefinitely without losing quality, making it ideal for precise work and detailed notes.
  • Tools for Organization
    It provides numerous organizational tools, such as bookmarks and page hierarchies, to efficiently manage documents and notes, which enhances productivity.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    Write is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Android, allowing users to access their documents across different devices.
  • Customizable Interface
    Users can customize the interface to suit their preferences, including pen types, colors, and pressure sensitivity, to create a personalized writing experience.

Possible disadvantages of Stylus Labs Write

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    New users might find it challenging to navigate at first, as the interface is designed with advanced features that require some time to master.
  • Limited File Export Options
    The exporting capabilities are somewhat limited compared to other note-taking applications, which might hinder sharing with users not within the Stylus Labs ecosystem.
  • Lack of Cloud Integration
    Stylus Labs Write does not natively integrate with popular cloud storage services, making cloud-based document management less convenient.
  • No iOS Version
    There is no version available for iOS devices, which limits access for users who predominantly rely on Apple tablets and smartphones.
  • Basic User Interface Design
    The user interface design is relatively basic and might not appeal to users looking for a more modern or polished aesthetic.

xournal videos

+ Add

Xournal: Annotate, Edit, Handwrite, Comment & Highlight on PDF

More videos:

  • Review - Xournal and OneNote - An Overview
  • Review - Xournal on Ubuntu Precise Pangolin 12.04

Stylus Labs Write videos

+ Add

Stylus Labs Write Demo

More videos:

  • Demo - Stylus Labs Write Demo - Old

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to xournal and Stylus Labs Write)

xournal

Stylus Labs Write

Note Taking
63 63%
Note Taking
37% 37
Task Management
65 65%
Task Management
35% 35
Todos
58 58%
Todos
42% 42
Office & Productivity
100 100%
Office & Productivity
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, xournal should be more popular than Stylus Labs Write. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

xournal mentions (8)

  • Rnote – Sketch and take handwritten notes
    Unfortunately doesn't implement expand/contract vertical space (insert or remove vertical space). Ages ago when I used a Toshiba tablet laptop to do math this was a real killer feature in xournal (https://xournal.sourceforge.net/ | https://xournalpp.github.io/). - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Rnote – An open-source vector-based drawing app
    Please note that the original app was Xournal [1]. The one you link is a rewrite of the orignal (in C++) and is called Xournal++. [1] https://xournal.sourceforge.net/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: When did you stop using printers and why?
    I do the using Xournal [1] which is tailor-made for creating annotations. It leaves the PDF as is, saving your edits to a sidecar file (*.xoj) which when loaded pulls in the original PDF. It exports edited documents to 'real' PDFs with selectable text etc. [1] https://xournal.sourceforge.net/ (packaged by most distributions). - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Is there good way to apply a hand written signature to a pdf in linux?
    If you don't mind the signature being raster (not vector), I've used Xournal for this in the past. It's extremely lightweight and easy. Just open the PDF file with Xournal, draw the signature, and then export it to PDF (Control + E). This will not rasterise the PDF itself (to the best of my knowledge), but rather just superimposes a layer containing your signature on top of the original PDF. Source: about 3 years ago
  • The Xournal ++ app
    Xournal++ exists since 2013. Maybe you typoed and by your comment about abandoning you were referring to Xournal without the ++? The Xournal website even suggests to try Xournal++. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Stylus Labs Write mentions (3)

  • Best note taking app with handwriting support
    The only app that I've found that has all those features is "write" by styluslabs: https://styluslabs.com/. It isn't open source, but it is available for free. It's cross platform, with ios and android apps too. Seems like it's a passion project by a single developer. I've been extremely happy with all of its features. I use its whiteboard feature for collaboration, and I've found it to be lag free and a much... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Cool Desktops Don’t Change
    I totally agree with you. One Note is fantastic and I would like to use it but not being able to open the notes in linux makes me avoid it. Do you know if there is a way of opening One Note notes in Linux without using the webapp? (I don't even need to edit them!) In the meantime, I'm using stylyslab write [0] which uses svgz and is a good replacement for OneNote and a compromise I'm willing to make to not be... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Libre Office Draw supports editing PDFS!
    I've personally found write by styluslabs to have better pen input than xournal++ (using surface pen on surface go). Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing xournal and Stylus Labs Write, you can also consider the following products

Xournal++ - Xournal++ is a handwriting notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with GTK3, supporting Linux (e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, SUSE), macOS and Windows 10. Supports pen input fr...

OneNote - Get the OneNote app for free on your tablet, phone, and computer, so you can capture your ideas and to-do lists in one place wherever you are. Or try OneNote with Office for free.

Tomboy - Apps/Tomboy - GNOME Wiki!

Jarnal - Jarnal is an open-source application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal, making a...

Turtl - The secure, collaborative notebook

GoodNotes - GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents.

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