Squid review

Squid has been one of the go-to handwriting apps on Android for more than 12 years, and it focuses on a clean writing experience. Its vector graphics engine keeps strokes sharp at any zoom level, the stroke eraser removes whole letters or words, and on active pen devices such as Samsung tablets with an S Pen you can write with the pen and erase with a finger. Low latency ink is available on Chromebooks. Pages can be infinite or sized to letter or A4, with blank, ruled and graph paper in the base app. Notes stay on the device with no account required, and you choose where to back them up. Squid Premium adds the features many students need: PDF import and markup, the highlighter, shapes, text, premium papers for math, engineering and music, and bulk export to Google Drive, Dropbox or Box. The trade-off is scope. It runs only on Android and ChromeOS and lists no handwriting conversion.

Who it is for

Android tablet and Chromebook users with an active pen who want private, local handwritten notes.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending); free base app, Squid Premium sold in the app.

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Vector graphics engine that keeps ink sharp at any zoom level
• Write with the pen and erase with your finger on active pen devices
• Low latency ink on Chromebooks
• PDF markup, form filling and signing on Premium
• Cast notes to a TV or projector as a virtual whiteboard

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No account or sign-in required, notes stay on the device
• Strength: Pressure sensitivity and pen side button actions on supported pens
• Strength: Google Play Editors' Choice with 10M+ downloads
• Weakness: Android and ChromeOS only
• Weakness: PDF import, highlighter and shapes need Squid Premium
• Weakness: No handwriting-to-text conversion listed

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, base features
• Platforms: Android tablets and phones, Chromebooks
• Downloads on Google Play: 10M+
• Account required: No

Where it ranks

Squid is No. 9 in our Best Handwritten Note-Taking Apps verdict.