5 Best Apps with Apple Pencil

The iPad, paired with the Apple Pencil, has revolutionized the way artists, students, professionals, and hobbyists engage with digital content. Whether you're sketching, note-taking, or just doodling for fun, the right apps can elevate your experience to new heights. With an ever-growing selection of apps available, it can be challenging to find the ones that best suit your needs. In this article, we've curated a list of the best iPad apps that pair seamlessly with the Apple Pencil. These apps cater to a range of users—from professional artists to those seeking art therapy, to students and professionals looking to organize their thoughts more effectively. Read on to discover the tools that can help you unleash your creativity and productivity with the Apple Pencil.

Procreate is arguably the gold standard in digital drawing apps for the iPad, and at $13, it's a steal considering the wealth of tools and features it offers. This app has been my go-to for a couple of years, and I’m continually amazed at the depth of functionality—there's always something new to learn that enhances my artwork. One of Procreate’s standout features is its customizable gesture controls, allowing you to tailor the app to your specific workflow. Key features like Quickshape, blend modes, layering, alpha locks, and clipping masks make this app incredibly powerful, enabling artists to push their creative boundaries. However, given its extensive capabilities, Procreate might be overkill if you’re just looking to doodle casually.

Price: $13 to download

Art Set 4 is a fantastic choice for those new to digital illustration. The app itself is free to download, but many of the most useful tools are part of the $13 Premium Pro upgrade. The interface mimics the feel of real paper and traditional art tools, which makes it an excellent starting point for beginners or casual users. I particularly appreciate how intuitive the app is, and even the free version offers a cohesive drawing experience. Upgrading to Premium unlocks over 200 brushes, 3D paint, fluid watercolor, layering, and a variety of customization options for your workspace, making it a comprehensive tool for more serious artwork.

Price: Freemium with a Premium upgrade for $13

Lake is one of my favorite apps because it turns the drawing process into a fun and relaxing experience. This free ASMR art app features coloring book sheets from artists worldwide, making it perfect for a peaceful, creative afternoon. One unique feature is the audio element: each tool, whether it’s a paintbrush or spray paint, comes with its own realistic sound, enhancing the calming experience (though you can disable these sounds if you prefer). The app also supports creativity by allowing you to color within the lines and add shading, with artist-provided color palettes to guide you. You can explore free daily images or dive into categories like kids, abstract, animals, and cities, offering endless variety.

Price: Freemium with a Premium upgrade for $13

LINA is my second favorite app, as it goes beyond just the creative process, offering a therapeutic and insightful experience. The app provides a personalized art therapy plan, where each drawing task is designed to explore different psychological themes (like "my inner child," "personal boundaries," or "my inner monster"). As you work through these tasks, you gain deeper insights into your own psychology. LINA can even analyze your drawings and offer mental health insights based on your creations, making it a transformative tool for personal growth.

Price: Freemium with various Premium plans starting from $5.99

Notability is an incredibly versatile app that excels in handwriting, note-taking, sketching, and organizing your thoughts. With a clean user interface, regular updates, and a host of tools, it makes journaling and note-taking feel natural and efficient. You can write on a variety of paper templates with customizable spacing and backgrounds. Notability also allows you to take notes using a variety of multimedia tools, including pencil, highlighter, text, and audio. Marking up documents, lecture slides, assignments, or images is a breeze. Additionally, its Math Conversion technology cleans up handwritten calculations, and you can search through all your notes, including handwriting and imported documents, making it an indispensable tool for students and professionals alike.

Price: Freemium, with a $14.99 per year Premium plan

The iPad, when paired with the Apple Pencil, becomes a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your career, studies, and personal growth. Whether you're a professional artist, a student, or someone seeking a creative outlet, the right apps can unlock new levels of productivity and creativity.
For career-oriented users, apps like Procreate and Notability provide professional-grade tools that can elevate your work, whether it's in design, note-taking, or presentations. For students, these apps offer intuitive interfaces that simplify learning and organization, making study sessions more effective and engaging.
On a personal level, apps like LINA and Lake offer therapeutic and relaxing experiences that promote mental well-being, allowing you to unwind while still engaging your creativity. Ultimately, these apps make life easier by streamlining complex tasks, boosting creativity, and offering tools that support both your professional and personal growth.