Squid: Take Notes, Markup PDFs

Android Only

Free· User Rating

How I would decide whether Squid fits my workflow

The first question is not whether Squid can replace a paper notebook. It is whether your daily notes benefit from handwriting. If you mainly write long paragraphs, search through text, or organize large research projects, a traditional typed notes app may remain faster. If you annotate lecture slides, sketch ideas, solve equations, or mark up documents, the handwriting-first approach becomes much more convincing.

I would also consider the hardware before switching. A stylus makes the experience far more practical, especially when you need accuracy or want to write for several minutes. Finger input works for quick marks and casual notes, but it is less comfortable for detailed writing. On a larger screen, the page feels more like a genuine workspace; on a phone, I see Squid as better suited to short annotations, checklists, and quick diagrams than full pages of handwriting.

Another decision point is how much structure you need. Squid is appealing when the page itself is the main object. You can focus on writing, drawing, and marking rather than building a complicated database of tags and fields. That simplicity is a strength for people who want to open a notebook and begin. It can feel less ideal for someone who expects advanced typed-note organization, extensive automation, or a highly interconnected knowledge system.

The app’s store summary points to class, work, personal use, PDF markup, and sharing, and those uses match its strongest identity. I found it most useful when the original material already existed visually. A worksheet, presentation, form, or reading document gives handwriting a clear purpose: circle something, add an arrow, write a correction, or explain a step beside the source.

Why handwritten pages feel different from typed notes

Typing encourages me to turn every thought into a sentence. Handwriting is more forgiving. I can draw a box around an idea, connect two points with a line, or place a reminder exactly where it belongs. That freedom is not just cosmetic. For planning, mathematics, design thinking, and visual study, the ability to mix words and marks on one page can reduce the friction between thinking and recording.

There is also a useful psychological difference. A blank digital page can feel less formal than a text editor, so I am more willing to sketch an unfinished idea. Squid supports that rough stage better than many conventional productivity apps. I can begin with a loose diagram and refine it later instead of deciding on a perfect outline before writing anything.

That said, handwriting has a cost: it is harder to search, edit, and reuse than typed text. If I write a meeting note that later needs to become an email, I may have to rewrite it manually. Squid is therefore strongest when the visual page is the finished product or when the notes are primarily for personal reference.

Using it for classes, meetings, and everyday planning

For a student, I would use Squid alongside course materials rather than as a replacement for every academic tool. A practical routine is to open a lesson document, write explanations beside difficult sections, and use a separate page for a worked example. The important benefit is context: the note stays close to the diagram, paragraph, or question that caused it.

In a meeting, I would use it for action points and quick visual planning. I can draw a simple process, mark a printed agenda, and capture a thought without interrupting the conversation to format it. Afterward, sharing the page can be useful when the recipient needs to see the original layout. I would still choose typed notes if the meeting produces a long, searchable record that several people must edit.

At home, the app can handle less formal jobs surprisingly well. I might use a page for planning a room rearrangement, sketching measurements, making a packing checklist, or annotating a document that needs a signature or correction. These are small tasks, but they show why the notebook metaphor works: the page is flexible enough for words, arrows, boxes, and rough drawings without forcing every item into a rigid form.

PDF annotation is the feature that changes the decision

Many note apps provide a blank canvas, but PDF markup gives Squid a more concrete role. Instead of copying information into a new note, I can work directly on the document. That is valuable when reading instructions, reviewing a worksheet, correcting a draft, or preparing material for someone else.

My preferred workflow is to read once without marking anything, then return to add only the comments that will matter later. I use underlining for key passages, short handwritten explanations for confusing sections, and arrows when a note refers to a specific visual element. This keeps the page readable. If every line receives a different color or several layers of writing, the document becomes harder to use than the original.

One non-obvious advantage is that PDF markup can preserve the relationship between a note and its source. In a separate notebook, I might write “check the second diagram” and later forget which diagram I meant. Writing directly beside it removes that ambiguity. This is especially useful for study material and review work where the location of a comment carries meaning.

The trade-off is that annotation is not the same as document editing. If you need to rewrite paragraphs, rearrange pages, or collaborate through a full editorial workflow, a dedicated PDF editor may be a better fit. Squid makes handwritten interaction comfortable; it should not be chosen simply because a document happens to be in PDF format.

Small habits that make the app more useful

I found that the best results come from deciding what each page is for before writing. A page for a rough brainstorm should not also become the final meeting record. Keeping those purposes separate makes handwritten notes easier to revisit and share. It also reduces the temptation to squeeze new information into an already crowded page.

For longer sessions, I would create a simple visual language and stick with it. For example, boxes can mean decisions, arrows can show relationships, and a particular mark can identify follow-up work. This is more useful than decorating every page with colors that have no consistent meaning. The app gives freedom, but a little personal discipline makes that freedom easier to manage.

When marking a PDF, I recommend leaving generous space around important sections before adding explanations. Handwritten notes often expand as I think, and a cramped margin forces me to cover the source material or start a second page. A short note placed in the right area is usually more valuable than a detailed paragraph squeezed into the first available gap.

One practical trade-off is sharing. A handwritten page can communicate tone and emphasis better than plain text, but it may be less accessible to someone who prefers typed content or needs to search the material. Before sending a document, I would ask whether the recipient needs the visual annotations themselves or only the information contained in them. That answer determines whether Squid is the right final format.

Where Squid wins against the usual alternatives

Compared with a standard typed notes app, Squid wins when speed means drawing rather than entering text. I can sketch a layout immediately, place a note anywhere on the page, and preserve the shape of an idea. Typed apps remain better for long prose, fast searching, and content that will be copied into other documents.

Compared with paper, Squid wins through portability and the ability to work with digital documents. I do not need a separate sheet for every handout, and a marked page can be shared without scanning it. Paper still has advantages: it never runs out of battery, has no learning curve, and often feels more comfortable for extended writing. For people who enjoy physical notebooks and do not need digital sharing, switching may not improve much.

Compared with a drawing app, Squid is more focused on notes and documents. A general illustration tool may offer a larger creative toolbox, but that can slow down a simple annotation. I would choose a drawing app for polished artwork, layered visual projects, or detailed illustration. I would choose Squid when the drawing supports a note, lesson, form, or PDF.

Compared with a full document editor, Squid offers a more direct handwritten experience but less emphasis on typed revision. A document editor is the better choice when several people need to change wording, track edits, or prepare a polished report. Squid is better when the original page should remain visible and the added marks are part of the meaning.

Where another option may fit better

I would hesitate to recommend Squid to someone who rarely uses a stylus and dislikes writing with a finger. The app can still be useful for occasional marks, but its central advantage becomes less important. In that situation, a keyboard-centered notes app may feel quicker and produce more reusable material.

I would also look elsewhere if searchable text is the main requirement. Handwritten notes can be memorable and expressive, yet they are not as easy to scan through as typed content. Someone managing a large archive of research, client records, or technical documentation may prefer an app designed around text retrieval and structured organization.

Creative professionals should be selective too. Squid is suitable for rough concepts and annotations, but it is not the choice I would make for finished illustration or advanced page design. The right tool depends on whether the page is a thinking surface or a final visual composition.

There is also a learning cost in moving from paper. Digital handwriting introduces a different surface, different gestures, and a different way of managing pages. Even if the app is straightforward, it may take a few sessions before the workflow feels natural. I would test it with a real class handout or work document rather than judging it from a blank page.

Free access, optional spending, and the cost of switching

Squid is available free of charge, with optional in-app purchases ranging from about one dollar to nearly fifteen dollars per item. That makes it easy to try without committing immediately. I would begin with the tasks I actually perform every week: one handwritten note, one PDF annotation, and one shared page. If those feel natural, optional spending becomes a practical decision rather than a guess.

The larger cost is not money but migration. Paper notes do not automatically become organized digital notebooks, and typed notes may need to be rewritten if I want a consistent handwritten archive. Before moving everything, I would choose one subject or project as a trial. This reveals whether the app fits my habits without turning a simple experiment into a major reorganization.

Sharing also affects the switching cost. If my colleagues or classmates expect editable text, a handwritten page may require an extra explanation. If they value visual comments or need to see exactly what I marked, the digital page can save time. The best workflow may be mixed: use Squid for thinking and annotation, then transfer only the final decisions into a typed system.

The app has been available since March 28, 2012, and its long presence helps explain why it feels aimed at an established use case rather than a passing note-taking trend. Its Everyone content rating also makes it approachable for a broad audience, from schoolwork to personal planning. Still, broad availability does not remove the central question: do you want a handwriting surface, or do you mainly want a searchable text database?

My recommendation for different kinds of users

I recommend Squid most confidently to students who annotate slides or worksheets, professionals who review documents with handwritten comments, and tablet users who want a digital notebook without abandoning pen-based thinking. It is also a good choice for visual planners and people who regularly need to combine writing with arrows, diagrams, and page-level marks.

I would recommend trying it before making a full switch if you are uncertain about handwriting on glass. Use a real document, not just a decorative doodle. Write a complete page, revisit it the next day, and share one annotated file. Those three tests answer the practical questions that a feature list cannot: whether the writing feels comfortable, whether the page remains understandable, and whether the result works for other people.

I would skip it as a primary notes system if your work is mostly long-form typing, heavy text search, collaborative editing, or polished graphic design. In those cases, the usual typed, document-focused, or illustration-focused alternatives will likely be more efficient. Squid can still serve as a companion for sketches and markups, but it should not be forced to handle every kind of information.

After using it as a handwriting and PDF tool, my view is balanced but positive. Squid is at its best when the page itself matters: when location, visual emphasis, and natural handwriting communicate something that plain text would flatten. It is not a universal replacement for paper, a word processor, or a professional PDF editor. It is a focused productivity app that makes digital pages feel more flexible and personal.

For me, the deciding benefit is the reduced distance between seeing something and responding to it. I can mark the document in front of me, sketch the idea before I have the wording, and keep visual notes connected to their source. If that matches the way you study, work, or plan, the free starting point makes Squid worth trying. If your priority is searchable text and effortless editing, I would choose a different foundation and keep this app only for the moments when handwriting genuinely helps.

Pros

Natural handwriting feels smooth and responsive with a stylus.
PDF markup tools make highlighting and annotating documents convenient.
Notes can be organized into notebooks for easier access.
Useful palm rejection improves comfort during handwritten input.
Cloud backup helps protect notes when supported by the chosen account.

Cons

Several advanced tools and features require a premium subscription.
Handwritten notes may be harder to search than typed text.
Large PDF files can affect performance on older devices.
Exported documents may not always preserve every annotation perfectly.
The best experience depends on having a compatible active stylus.

FAQ

What is Squid: Take Notes, Markup PDFs used for?

Squid is a note-taking and PDF annotation app designed for handwritten notes, sketches, diagrams, and document markups. It lets you write with a finger or compatible stylus, organize notes into notebooks, and import PDFs for highlighting or adding comments. It is especially useful for students, teachers, professionals, and anyone who prefers a paper-like writing experience on a mobile device.

Does Squid support handwriting with a stylus and palm rejection?

Yes, Squid is built around handwritten input and works with fingers as well as many active styluses, depending on the Android device. On supported hardware, palm rejection helps prevent accidental marks while writing. The experience can vary according to the screen, stylus technology, and device compatibility, so users who rely on precise handwriting should check whether their phone or tablet fully supports the desired pen features.

Can I import, read, and annotate PDF files in Squid?

Squid allows users to import PDF documents and write directly on them, making it practical for reviewing worksheets, signing forms, marking presentations, or adding study notes. You can use handwriting, drawings, and other annotation tools over the document. Some advanced PDF-related options may depend on the app version or a paid subscription, so availability should be checked before downloading.

Is Squid: Take Notes, Markup PDFs free to download?

Squid can generally be downloaded and used with basic note-taking functionality at no initial cost, but certain tools and features may be restricted to a premium plan or in-app purchase. Depending on the version, paid features can include additional paper styles, advanced editing options, export capabilities, or enhanced productivity tools. Review the current Google Play listing for exact pricing and included features.

Can notes created in Squid be exported, synchronized, or backed up?

Squid provides options for managing and sharing notes, including exporting content in supported formats and sending pages to other apps. However, synchronization and backup behavior may depend on the account setup, device platform, and subscription level. Before using Squid for important school or work documents, it is advisable to test exporting a sample notebook and confirm that your preferred backup method preserves both handwriting and PDF annotations correctly.