By 
Both Samsung Notes and Apple Notes are free apps that come pre-installed on their respective devices. Samsung Notes is available on Samsung phones and tablets running Android, as well as on Samsung PCs and Galaxy Books. However, it is limited to Samsung devices. Apple Notes, on the other hand, is available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Apple Notes also has a web version that you can access through any browser, a feature that Samsung Notes lacks. The improved web app from Apple is a welcome development, allowing you to view your notes on any device, even if you don’t have your Apple device with you. However, both apps are best suited for users who prefer to stay within their respective ecosystems.
When it comes to page customization, Apple Notes is quite limited, offering only three templates and three line spacing options. This simplicity is a drawback for those who need more functionality. In contrast, Samsung Notes offers a wide range of page templates, including single-page and multi-page options, and even allows you to save custom templates to the app’s library. This flexibility is a significant advantage, especially for those who like to use digital notebooks and planners.
Neither app provides page size options, which is more problematic in Apple Notes than in Samsung Notes. Samsung Notes distinguishes between pages, making it easier to see where one page ends and another begins. This is especially useful when you need to share notes later. Apple Notes, however, continuously extends the page downward, which can be challenging when exporting notes. By importing custom templates into Samsung Notes, you can avoid worrying about page sizes altogether.
Both apps feature modern and minimalist user interfaces, but Samsung Notes offers more customization options for its toolbar. While Apple Notes allows you to customize four tools, Samsung Notes lets you rearrange and hide up to eleven tools. Both apps have two toolbars—one fixed at the top and a mobile one that can be moved to any side of the screen. Samsung Notes’ mobile toolbar is more compact and less intrusive, as it anchors to the screen’s edge, keeping your notes unobstructed.
Samsung Notes also includes features that Apple Notes lacks, such as full-screen mode and horizontal scrolling. The two-page view in Samsung Notes can be particularly useful, and you can even change the page color for native templates. When it comes to writing tools, both apps offer four pen tools and a pencil, but Samsung Notes provides a more extensive range of customization options. Apple Notes has opacity settings for all pen tools, while Samsung Notes limits this to the pencil tool. Samsung Notes also offers a wider range of pen thicknesses, from 1 to 100, giving you more control over your writing experience.
In terms of color options, Apple Notes is simpler but more user-friendly, with five fixed colors and easier access to custom colors. Samsung Notes, while offering more color sets, can be confusing to navigate. However, Samsung Notes allows you to save frequently used pens in your preferred colors, something Apple Notes lacks.
Both apps excel in handwriting experiences, with no lag and perfect palm rejection. The S Pen’s rubber tip in Samsung Notes provides a more natural feel compared to the Apple Pencil, which can feel like writing on glass. Samsung Notes also enhances the writing experience with pen sounds, making it the preferred choice for handwritten notes on a Samsung Galaxy Tab. Apple Notes, however, offers a consistent experience across all Apple devices.
Each app has its strengths and weaknesses in various features. For example, Apple Notes has a single highlighter with a unique texture, while Samsung Notes offers two highlighters with more customization options. Samsung Notes also outshines Apple Notes in eraser functions, offering more flexibility and the ability to erase the highlighter alone.
When it comes to zooming, Samsung Notes supports vector ink, allowing you to zoom in up to 600% without pixelation. It also includes a zoom tool, although it’s not perfect. Apple Notes lacks a zoom tool and its ink pixelates when zoomed in, making it less ideal for detailed work.
Both apps support text input through body text and text boxes, but Samsung Notes offers more flexibility and formatting options. Apple Notes, while more limited, provides a cleaner interface and better list-making tools, with eight bullet types for unnumbered lists. Samsung Notes, however, excels in checklist functionality, automatically dimming and striking out completed items.
Samsung Notes also offers advanced features like audio recording synced with your notes, extensive image editing tools, and the ability to scan documents. Apple Notes supports inline PDF reading and markup, but Samsung Notes provides more comprehensive image handling and customization options.
In summary, Samsung Notes is a more complete handwriting note-taking app, offering a wider range of features and customization options. It’s an excellent choice for those who want to start taking digital notes without needing additional apps. Apple Notes is a solid app, but it may require supplementary apps for more serious note-taking. If I had to choose between the two, I would opt for Samsung Notes, even as a long-time Apple user. The flexibility and functionality it offers make it a standout choice for digital note-takers.
