Alternatives, Digital Art, Notetaking

Best Paperlike Alternatives for iPads (3 Favorites) 

October 13, 2023 ⋅ By Lexi Burgess

Alternatives to Paperlike for your iPad

iPads are quickly becoming one of the most popular options for students, professionals, and creatives. The convenience factor is hard to ignore, but so is the departure from the tactile experience of using a pencil and a sheet of paper. 

Many iPad users want the best of both worlds. If you are in the market for a product that replicates the feeling of paper, you will have heard of Paperlike. It is one of the most popular options out there, but it doesn’t tick every box. More and more iPad users are searching for alternatives to Paperlike. 

What is Paperlike?

Price: $44.99

Paperlike is a screen protector that emulates the feeling of writing or drawing on paper. Hence the name, Paperlike. 

This matte, anti-glare screen protector has lots of benefits, but also lots of drawbacks. The tedious installation process requires perfection and, to make matters worse, the screen protector is not reusable. One small slip up and you will have to buy another screen protector.

It’s no surprise that iPad users are on the hunt for the best Paperlike alternatives.

Best Paperlike Alternative: Rock Paper Pencil 

Best Overall

Price: $39.99

Rock Paper Pencil is the only screen protector and Apple Pencil tip pairing for iPad.

The matte, reusable screen protector provides the same great texture of Paperlike (with MUCH easier installation):

  • NanoCling Screen Protector: Securely bond your screen protector to your iPad using static cling. Easy application, non-adhesive, removable and reusable.
  • Matte Finish: Made with nano-texture technology to mimic the texture of paper and minimize glare.
  • Removable & Reusable: NanoCling is non-adhesive, bubble-free, and leaves no residue. Enjoy the matte finish of your screen protector for some projects and the crystal-clear display of your iPad for others.

The screen protector also comes with two ballpoint Apple Pencil tip replacements:

  • Precise Control: Fine ballpoint tips allow for controlled and precise lines when drawing and writing
  • Wear Resistant: Your Pencil tip won’t wear down, and neither will your screen protector!
  • Straight to the Point: Feels like your favorite smooth ballpoint pen on paper

Rock Paper Pencil is is quickly gaining traction as the best Paperlike alternative. Unlike other products that only swap the Pencil tip or the screen texture, we’ve crafted unmatched realism by combining a custom Apple Pencil tip and a precisely engineered screen protector. Together, they create the most realistic pen-on-paper feeling for iPad.

Let’s take a look at a few other options.

Shop Rock Paper Pencil

Mothca Matte Glass for iPad 

Best for Fall Protection

Price: $19.99

The great thing about the Mothca screen protector is that it has a tempered glass layer. Tempered glass fares far better than regular glass or plastic against accidental drops and scratches, which makes it great for taking notes or drawing on the go.  

Before you rush to Mothca, you need to know that this screen protector features etched glass. This makes for a smoother finish and a less papery feel. Just to be clear, this screen protector is matte, so it does feel more paper-like than a regular iPad screen, but it doesn’t offer the same paper tension and friction as brands like Rock Paper Pencil. 

KCT Paperfeel Screen Protector

Best Price

Price: $10.98

Lots of creatives use KCT Paperfeel. This is one of the best Paperlike alternatives and, to make the deal that little bit sweeter, it is far cheaper than Paperlike. 

This screen protector is 0.17mm thick, and it comes with an installation kit to help you through the application process. It has anti-glare and anti-fingerprint technology, and the textured screen feels similar to paper. 

The main downside of Paperfeel is that it has the same tedious installation process as Paperlike. Paperfeel might be one of the best alternatives to Paperlike in terms of cost, but it doesn’t provide the ease of magnetic installation or the precision of ballpoint pencil tips like Rock Paper Pencil.

Final Thoughts  

The only Paperlike alternative that matches (and even exceeds) this fan-favorite product is Rock Paper Pencil. Despite being a newcomer to the market, Rock Paper Pencil ticks all the boxes. Creatives, students, and professionals can enjoy a realistic pen-on-paper feeling for their iPad with an easy installation process.