Head-to-head · Best iPad Stylus Alternatives

Adonit Note+ 2 vs Metapen Pencil A8

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Adonit Note+ 2 and Metapen Pencil A8 score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #3 in Best iPad Stylus Alternatives

Adonit Note+ 2

4.3

$70as of Jun 8

The Adonit Note+ 2 is the alternative for aspiring iPad artists: it is the only stylus here with genuine 2,048-level pressure sensitivity, plus two programmable shortcut buttons and three interchangeable nibs. AppleInsider rated it 3.5/5 and Laptop Mag called it a stroke of excellence. The catch reviewers stress is that pressure and shortcuts only work in select apps, and setup can be fiddly, but no rival here offers pressure at this price.

Strengths

— Genuine 2,048-level pressure sensitivity, rare among alternatives
— Two programmable shortcut buttons for tools and colors
— Three interchangeable nibs of varying hardness

Watch-outs

— Pressure sensitivity only works in select compatible apps
— Software compatibility is finicky to configure
— Durability raises long-term doubts per reviewers

$70 · Buy at adonit.net Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best iPad Stylus Alternatives

Metapen Pencil A8

4.3

$26.99as of Jun 7

The Metapen Pencil A8 is the best budget Apple Pencil alternative: a tilt-sensitive, pixel-precise stylus that reviewers say writes virtually identically to an Apple Pencil for everyday notes and sketching, all for around $27. It charges fully in 30 minutes for up to 10 hours of use and carries a 4.5-star average across tens of thousands of reviews. It skips pressure sensitivity and magnetic charging, but the value is unmatched.

Strengths

— Writes virtually identically to an Apple Pencil for everyday use
— Tilt sensitivity for varied line weights and shading
— Pixel-level 0.1mm accuracy with no breakpoints or lag

Watch-outs

— No pressure sensitivity for pro art apps
— No magnetic wireless charging like the ZAGG
— Plastic build feels less premium than aluminum rivals

$26.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Adonit Note+ 2

The Adonit Note+ 2 is the only pressure-sensitive stylus in this group, the key differentiator over the Logitech Crayon, ZAGG Pro Stylus 2, Metapen A8 and JAMJAKE, which all lack pressure. It adds programmable buttons and interchangeable nibs the others do not have, but its app-dependent features and durability concerns mean the Crayon remains the more reliable everyday writer.

Metapen Pencil A8

The Metapen A8 is the value champion of this group, undercutting the Logitech Crayon, ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 and Adonit Note+ 2 by a wide margin while still offering tilt sensitivity and lag-free writing. Like the Crayon, ZAGG and JAMJAKE it has no pressure sensitivity, so the Adonit Note+ 2 stays the artist's pick, and unlike the ZAGG it lacks magnetic wireless charging, but no other stylus here matches its price-to-performance.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Adonit Note+ 2	Metapen Pencil A8
Compatibility	iPads 2018 and later	iPads 2018 and later
Pressure Sensitivity	2,048 levels (app-dependent)	No
Tilt Support	Yes	Yes
Buttons	2 programmable shortcuts	—
Nibs	3 interchangeable (soft/medium/hard)	—
Battery	8 hrs (1-hr charge)	Up to 10 hrs
Charging	USB-C	USB-C (30-min full charge)
Weight	14 g	—
Palm Rejection	—	Yes
Accuracy	—	0.1 mm
Tip Durability	—	20 km test

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