The best alternatives to the Apple Pencil for annotating sheet music
An iPad for reading sheet music is great, but with a digital stylus for annotating it, it's even better !
Previously, the Apple Pencil was unrivalled for its design, precision and practical features, such as "palm rejection". Indeed, the iPad does not detect the stylus as a finger, but as a tool in its own right associated with it. So when you're annotating or drawing, you can do so without worrying about putting your hand on the iPad, just like on paper - and it's much more comfortable that way!
For many years, the only stylus available for the iPad was the Apple Pencil. As the latter was relatively expensive, some people who couldn't afford it were forced to annotate with their fingers.
But good news for the latter: the Apple Pencil is no longer the only product to offer palm rejection functionality: more and more digital styli appearing on the market do the same.
We have selected for you 4 interesting alternatives to the Apple Pencilso you can easily annotate your scores without breaking the bank. But first we'd like to introduce you to the 2 generations of Apple Pencil and their features.
Apple Pencil 1st generation - $99
Apple Pencil 2nd generation - $129
Adonit Note - $39.99
Adonit Note+ - $69.99
Logitech Crayon - $70
Adonit Pixel - $74.99
Let's start with an introduction to the Apple Pencil
The Apple Pencil is the most precise of all digital pens for iPad. Apple has ensured a perfect symbiosis between the iPad and its Pencil.
It's the only stylus, for example, that tells us the exact level of its battery when paired with the iPad.
The 1st generation pencil ($99/99€)
The design of the 1st generation Apple Pencil is slightly different from the 2nd generation. Compared to its successor, it's not ideal, notably because of its cap, which is easy to lose. With no magnetic attachment, it's also difficult to attach to the iPad. What's more, it is charged and paired by being plugged into the iPad or a lightning cable via the adapter, which is far less practical than its new version.
However, these minor shortcomings have been corrected by Apple with the release of the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.
You can buy the 1st generation Apple Pencil for €99 by clicking here.
You can find all the iPads compatible with this Pencil in our comparison table.
The 2nd generation pencil ($129/135€)
The Apple Pencil 2nd generation is the most powerful digital stylus for iPad on the market today. It has all the features you'd expect from a digital stylus, and works perfectly: palm rejection, tilt and pressure sensitivity, etc. To benefit from these features, however, you'll need an iPad Pro 2018 or later.
It's the only stylus that charges and pairs simply by being in contact with the iPad, via induction. Place it on the side of your iPad (Pro only) for a few minutes and your pencil is charged! It can also be stored by attaching it to this magnetic holder, so it's always close at hand.
So you can't annotate while it's charging, but that's rarely a problem as, according to Apple, 15 seconds of charging allows 30 minutes of use.
To be able to annotate with this Pencil, it must be paired with the iPad via Bluetooth. Each Apple Pencil can only be used on one iPad at a time. So you can't annotate on two different iPads without going through the pairing stage.
Although not visible, the second-generation Apple Pencil features shortcuts buttons (discussed below). A light double-tap on the Pencil can, for example, change mode and switch from one pen to another, or from pencil to eraser and open the Newzik annotation bar.
Bonus: when you buy an Apple Pencil 2nd, you can engrave whatever you like on it, free of charge! This can come in handy if you don't want to confuse it with that of your fellow musicians!
You can buy the Apple Pencil 2nd generation for €135 by clicking here.
A set of 4 tips to change the lead on your Apple Pencil is available for 25€ by click here.
You can find all the iPads compatible with this Pencil in our comparison table.
Alternatives to the Apple Pencil
Now we're going to show you what we think are the four best alternatives to the Apple Pencil. One is from the famous Logitech brand, and the other three are from Adonit.
Adonit is a company based in the USA and Taiwan, and one of Apple's biggest stylus competitors. On their their site other models which we have chosen not to present in this article, as they do not offer "palm rejection" and are therefore not real alternatives to the Apple Pencil.
Adonit Note: Newzik's favorite ($39.99/35€)
The Adonit Note stylus is the least expensive of all the styli presented here, with a price tag of $39.99 (around €35).
To use it, there's no need for a Bluetooth connection or pairing! Unlike the Apple Pencil, you simply switch it on by clicking its single button, and it's immediately functional. So you can annotate on several iPads with the same stylus at the same time. This can be very handy when you're annotating the score of your desk-mate or pupil!
Like most pens, the lead is easily replaceable. However, it seems to be at least as solid as that of the Apple Pencil. A replacement lead is not supplied with the stylus.
Palm rejection works perfectly on this model: you can write serenely, with your hand resting on the iPad.
Unlike the Apple Pencil, and since it doesn't connect via Bluetooth, it's not possible to see a precise indicator of the Note's battery level on the iPad. However, the stylus itself does have a battery level indicator: the LED light is blue when the stylus is charged, and this light turns red and flashes when the stylus needs power. Charging the stylus is quite quick, and in 4 minutes you gain 1 hour of use!
Charging is done by plugging in the tip of the stylus, via a USB-C port. So, in an emergency, you can use it while charging. However, it's best to charge it before a rehearsal or concert, even though its battery life can last up to 12 hours. The red LED stays on during charging and turns blue when fully charged. Charger and cable included.
The Adonit Note is made of aluminum, for a pleasant grip, feel and use. Its design is ideal for comfortably annotating your digital scores.
You can find all the iPads compatible with this stylus in our comparison table. Please note: all iPad models must be updated to iOS version 12.2 or later to use the Note.
Newzik's opinion
In our opinion, this is the stylus with the best functionality/price ratio. In fact, it meets all the criteria required for musicians' needs. A single button makes it easy to switch on and off. The Adonit Note also has a small hook on the side for easy storage or hanging on a music stand when not in use. What's more, this hook is magnetized, so it can be attached to your desk or the edge of your iPad. Finally, compared with other styli, its design is original and looks like a real pen, and it's available in 2 colors (pink and black).
You can buy the Adonit Note for $39.99 (about €35) by clicking here.
Adonit Note +: The evolution of the Note ($69.99/65€)
This model is very similar to the Adonit Note, but with a few more advanced features.
The Adonit Note + features 2 shortcut buttons. These must be configured via Bluetooth, and only work with certain compatible applications. This is not yet the case with Newzik, but if you're interested in this feature, please let us know!
It's quite large, but not much heavier than the Adonit Note. Made of plastic and metal, it's still very pleasant to use. Its design is more similar to that of the Apple Pencil than the Note.
And like the Adonit Note:
No Bluetooth connection or pairing required (except for the shortcut buttons mentioned above).
The lead is as fine and precise as ever, and no spare lead is included with the purchase of the stylus.
The Note + has a battery indicator: the LED light glows red when the battery is low. Charging is done by plugging in the end of the pencil, via a USB-C cable, supplied at the time of purchase. The red light stays on during charging and turns blue when the battery is fully charged. Here too, writing while charging is possible, but there is no indication of the exact battery level.
You can find all the iPads compatible with this stylus in our comparison table. Please note: all iPad models must be updated to iOS version 12.2 or later to use the Note+.
Newzik's opinion
The Adonit Note + offers a number of interesting functions, but it's a little wide and therefore less easy to get to grips with quickly when annotating scores. Its main advantage remains its "shortcut buttons", but this feature can only be used on very specific applications. It may be well suited to a specific use that requires 100% of its functionality (for drawing or graphics, for example). If you're only going to use it to annotate sheet music, Adonit Note is just as powerful and will suffice.
You can buy the Adonit Note + for $69.99 (about €65) by clicking here..
Logitech Crayon: The best-known alternative to the Apple Pencil ($69.99/70€)
There's no need for a Bluetooth connection to use the Crayon, nor to pair it. It turns on and off in the same way: by clicking its single button. So you can annotate several iPads with the same stylus at the same time. Convenient for annotating your desk-mate's pen!
Compared with the Apple Pencil, or the Adonit, the Logitech Crayon's design is flatter. After a short period of adjustment, this format is perhaps more pleasant to use than the others. It also makes it easy to store in your instrument case. What's more, its flat shape means it won't roll off the stage or under the chairs of desk colleagues, as has already happened!
The Logitech Crayon's battery is slightly less powerful (approx. 7.5 hours of use), but still sufficient for repeated use. What's more, a charge of just 2 minutes provides 30 minutes of use. An indicator light informs us of the battery level when the main button is pressed. It is green when charged, and turns red when the level drops below 10%. It then flashes if the battery level falls below 5%.
The logitech Crayon stands out above all for its design and solid construction. According to the manufacturer, it can fall from a height of over one meter without any risk.
It is charged using a USB-C cable, which is included with purchase.
You can find all the iPads compatible with the Logitech Crayon in our comparison table. Please note that all iPad models must be updated to iOS version 12.2 or later to use the Crayon.
Newzik's opinion
Very practical and pleasant to use. This model is pretty much the equivalent of the Adonit Note in terms of functionality. It's the one we at Newzik use most frequently with the Apple Pencil.
You can buy the logitech Crayon for €70 by clicking here..
Adonit Pixel: A version specially designed for iPad Pro and iPhone ($74.99/70€)
What really sets the Adonit Pixel apart from all other pencils is its iPhone compatibility! Among all the pencils presented, it's the only one to feature this compatibility. This can be very handy for making a few annotations between rehearsals, for example, when you don't have your iPad with you.
According to Adonit, this model has been specially designed for the iPad Pro. It is not compatible with iPads mini or Air. See all compatible models in our comparison table.
Like the Adonit Note +, the Adonit Pixel features 2 shortcut buttons. They must be configured via Bluetooth, and only work with certain compatible applications. This is not yet the case with Newzik, but if you're interested in this feature, please let us know!
The Adonit Pixel is recharged using a USB charger designed exclusively for this pencil. It is therefore not possible to charge the pencil while using it. Be careful not to lose the charger, as you won't find one like this in any store.
Like other Adonit models, the Pixel indicates its battery level by means of an indicator light, which is green (or off) when charged and changes color when it needs charging.
Newzik's opinion
The worst value for money, in our opinion: the Pixel, much more expensive but not necessarily better than the Adonit Note +. The Pixel's design is rather large, which can be distracting for precise annotations.
If annotations aren't your only use for the pencil, if you've got an iPad pro, and if you're a fan of drawing or graphic design, then it could be worth your while.
The fact that it is compatible with the iPhone is of course a plus, enabling you to annotate your scores wherever you are.
You can buy the Adonit Pixel for $74.99 (about €70) by clicking here..
Conclusion
Not least because it was designed and built specifically for it, the Apple Pencil remains the "Rolls-Royce" of iPad styli. However, it no longer has the monopoly it once did, and there are now many digital styli to suit different budgets. Thanks in particular to their palm rejection function, some have nothing to envy to the Apple Pencil!
Which stylus is right for you will of course depend on your use and needs, and in some cases, using an alternative to the Apple Pencil may even be more suitable: in orchestras and ensembles where all musicians are equipped with iPads, for example, using styli like the Adonit Note may be the best option. Indeed, as the Adonit Note doesn't need Bluetooth to connect to the iPad, you won't have to worry about musicians mixing up their styli and having to pair them with their devices again and again.
However, if you often use your iPhone to consult your scores on the move, the Pixel is the right choice for you, since it's the only iPhone-compatible stylus on this list.
The advantage of these alternatives is that every musician can find the right stylus for his or her specific needs!
Below is a table comparing the different styli mentioned in this article:
