The all new iPad Pro is one of the most powerful tablets out there. Combined with the Apple Pencil, it can be the only tool one needs to embark on their creative journey. Not only Apple Pencil acts as a stylus, significantly improving input accuracy, but its pressure and tilt sensitive tip really enhances how you can interact with a blank canvas. Of course, you’ll need an app or two to kick off your artistic career and if you’re not really sure which one to go with, we’ve compiled a list of the best Apple Pencil apps that you should try. The apps included in this list aren’t just for the artistic type, with quite a few options that can be quite helpful for professionals and students. So, without much further ado, let’s take a look at the best Apple Pencil apps available on the App Store.
We have divided this article in several sub-categories so you can easily find the apps that suite your needs. You can click on the link below to quickly move to the section you are interested in.
Best Apple Pencil Apps for Drawing and Editing Photos
1. Autodesk SketchBook
2. Adobe Comp CC
Download Concepts (Free with in-app purchases)
In case you’re looking for an app that will allow you create impressive 3D models on your iPad, then you should check out Shapr. An impressive mobile CAD app, Shapr is great for everyone from engineers to architects who often have to create detailed 3D models of their projects. Despite your level of expertise, Shapr is rather easy to use and once you get a hang of it, you’ll be able to create some stunning models with the app. All of the modeling tools in the app are available for free, but if you wish to transfer your models to another software you’ll be required to pay a premium.
7. Pigment
Download Procreate ($9.99)
For a simplified drawing experience, Sketch Club is one of the better options. Aside from letting you get a good grip on drawing, the app can also help you enhance your painting and typography. Featuring a variety of tools including brush, pen, smudge, blur, and vector, the app can enable you to create impressive arts. Moreover, it also comes with layer filters so that you can fine-tune colors, edges, vignette, and blurs with precision.
As an artist, you would also find its library of a variety of grids, professionally-designed templates, and 3D isometric lines highly appreciable. But what has caught my eyes in Linea Sketch is the flexible exporting that lets me export my work not only as a layered Photoshop document but also transparent PNG. Not to mention, the classic pencil that kind of compels me to brace up the traditional style of sketching.
Download Inspire Pro ($9.99)
1. PDF Expert
PDF Expert, as the name suggests, is an expert level tool for people who frequently reads PDF files on their iPad and wishes to use the Apple Pencil to highlight, sign and fill out PDFs on the go. The app allows you to add simple annotations to PDF files, including highlight, underline, strikethrough, etc, insert predesigned stamps to the file, and create diagrams and schemes using the host of tools available at your disposal. PDF Expert is definitely a must have for anyone looking to step up their PDF reading game on their iPad.
3. MyScript Calculator
1. GoodNotes 5
Download GoodNotes 5 ($7.99)
If you don’t want to settle with anything less than the best Apple Pencil app for your iPad, Notepad+ Pro is the one name that you should keep in mind. What puts this app ahead of the curve is the versatility to excel in many aspects. Whether it’s taking notes or annotating PDFs or drawing arts, the app is fully equipped to live up to the billing. Based on your needs, you can edit PDF files and annotate them using different tools.
Speaking of customization, the app comes with a unique feature called “emoji autocomplete” that allows you to personalize your tasks and headings. Better still, Bear has got the support for many export options such as HTML, PDF, DOCX, MD, JPG, EPUB, and TextBundle so that you can comfortably deal with different file types.
