We spend a lot of time talking about matte screen protectors and debating which brand offers the most realistic pen-on-paper experience, but what about Apple Pencil tips? They’re an overlooked yet essential part of the equation. After all, they’re one half of that sought-after pen-on-paper feeling.
We’re kicking off the conversation by talking about two of the most popular brands in the iPad accessory world. And to really get to the bottom of Paperlike Pencil Tips vs Rock Paper Pencil, we’re looking at all the gritty details. In this article, we’ll compare these brands based on first impressions, design, feel, maintenance, and price.
More interested in comparing realistic matte screen protectors? We’ve done that too. Our overview of Rock Paper Pencil vs Paperlike covers user reviews, surface texture, affordability, and more.
Basic details
Paperlike Pencil Tips
What you get: Four Paperlike Pencil Tips
Pricing: $19.99
Where to buy: Paperlike website
For some, Paperlike Pencil Tips are an afterthought. This brand is primarily known for its matte screen protector and unless you’re a real iPad accessory enthusiast, you might not even know that Paperlike Pencil Tips exist.
Four tips will set you back $19.99. They’re made from a tougher material than standard Apple Pencil alternatives, so you can write and draw without worrying too much about wear and tear. Of course, every nib will wear down over time, but Paperlike’s proprietary nibs are designed to withstand Paperlike’s extremely textured surface.
Rock Paper Pencil
What you get: One reusable screen protector, two ballpoint Apple Pencil Tips, and one protective storage sleeve
Pricing: $44.99
Where to buy: Astropad website
Rock Paper Pencil claims to turn iPads into digital sketchbooks, and the tips are a big part of that equation. Remarkably, Rock Paper Pencil is the only realistic pen-on-paper iPad accessory that includes both a matte screen protector and Apple Pencil replacement tips. Most brands only include the screen, ignoring a vital part of the iPad experience.
In the box, you’ll find a reusable screen protector, two Apple Pencil replacement tips, and a protective storage sleeve.
Let’s take a more in-depth look…
Design and materials
Paperlike Pencil Tips are certainly eye-catching — the charcoal gray color looks like a traditional pencil. The screw joint is bright blue, an unexpected pop of color that adds a fun twist to the otherwise utilitarian design.
The classic cone shape remains, offering familiarity to digital notetakers and artists who are accustomed to typical Apple Pencil tips. You can seamlessly switch between Apple Pencil Tips and Paperlike Pencil Tips, and the only noticeable difference will be a more realistic writing and drawing experience.
🖌️ Pssst, are you a digital artist, illustrator, or graphic designer? You might like our tips on how to overcome creative block as a digital artist.
The cone-shaped tip is made from a custom polymer. It’s a lot harder than the other options on the market, perhaps to accommodate the intense wear and tear that Paperlike’s screen protector is known for.
If you like alternative Apple Pencil tips that are designed to look just like the real thing, you’re in luck. Rock Paper Pencil’s tips are super similar and look almost identical to Apple’s characteristic white cone. The only difference is the fine ballpoint tip.
In Rock Paper Pencil v1 and v2, the tip was made from a copper alloy core and finished with a palladium coating. Version 3 introduced a stainless steel tip that’s designed to resist wear and tear. It doesn’t look too shabby, either.
When compared side-by-side to a standard Apple Pencil tip, it’s easy to see why so many iPad artists have made the switch to Rock Paper Pencil. The 1mm tip offers digital illustrators, notetakers, and hobbyists unbeatable levels of control and personalization, even more so than a standard Apple Pencil.
💡 Our thoughts: Paperlike’s design is eye-catching, but Rock Paper Pencil’s super-thin ballpoint tip offers the same precision as a standard pencil.
Installation and ease of use
Both Paperlike Pencil Tips and Rock Paper Pencil are compatible with all Apple Pencil generations, even the new Apple Pencil Pro. So, no complaints there, but how easy is it to install these competing brands?
Standard Apple Pencil Tips are installed via a screw top. To remove said tip, you must gently squeeze it between your fingers and turn it counterclockwise. Underneath, you’ll find a metal transducer element. To me and you, that’s the part of the stylus that senses pressure.
The good news is that our two competitors follow the exact same format as the Apple Pencil, at least where installation is concerned. To install the tip, just place it over the metal transducer and turn it clockwise. Once the tip refuses to budge anymore, you know it’s on nice and tight.
So far, all is equal. But it’s worth talking about the matching iPad screen protectors that the tips are designed for.
On a functional level, Paperlike’s products are more difficult to use. According to Paperlike, to correctly install the screen, you need to watch a multi-step video, collect several tools (one of which isn’t included with the product), and use several stickers… Not to mention the bathroom recommendation.
For the uninitiated: Paperlike encourages you to install the screen protector in your bathroom after a hot shower. In theory, the steam should settle the dust particles in the air, lessening the chances of trapping debris and bubbles underneath your Paperlike.
This isn’t directly related to Paperlike Pencil Tips, but it just goes to show how many hurdles you have to overcome to use the stylus.
Rock Paper Pencil doesn’t have this problem. The matte screen protector is fitted with NanoCling technology that uses static to cling to your iPad screen. Installation can take as little as a few seconds, and if it’s misaligned, you can simply peel it off and try again.
That’s another hurdle inherent in Paperlike — it’s single-use! If you don’t install it properly the first time (with all the hurdles, who can blame you?), you have to order another one. Meanwhile, your Paperlike Pencil Tips will start gathering dust.
💡 Our thoughts: Although both brands use the same installation method for the pencil tips, that’s where the similarities end. From start to finish, Rock Paper Pencil offers a far more streamlined experience than Paperlike.
Feel and friction
Paperlike promises to bring an analog feel to the digital world — but does it live up to the hype?
If you use Paperlike Pencil Tips on a standard iPad screen, you’re not likely to notice much of a difference. You can’t transform the slipperiness of an iPad screen with Paperlike Pencil Tips alone. Instead, you need to use the screen protector and tips at the same time.
Once the screen protector is installed, the kinetic writing and drawing experience is definitely more realistic. It’s obvious that Paperlike Pencil Tips are more textured than original Apple Pencil nibs, which translates to a writing and drawing experience that’s more similar to a piece of paper than a piece of glass. It’s not an exact match, but it’s a worthy alternative.
Like Paperlike, Rock Paper Pencil’s tips only work with the matching matte screen protector. When both are installed, you can expect a far more realistic pen-on-paper experience. The nodes on the screen are designed to replicate the “tooth” of a standard pencil and paper.
Notably, the ballpoint nib didn’t halt our workflow. Writing feels as smooth as it does with an analog pen and paper. You can write and draw without barriers, moving the stylus across the screen in whatever way benefits your workflow.
The 1mm stainless steel nib is the optimal size for accuracy and control. This creates precise strokes when drawing or writing, and ultimately helps make your handwriting better on iPad.
💡 Our thoughts: Paperlike Pencil Tips and Rock Paper Pencil Tips both feel more textured than a typical iPad screen, but the latter’s fine-point nib and smooth application make it perfect for professional digital drawers and notetakers.
Durability and maintenance
Paperlike claims that their tips are much more durable than standard Apple Pencil tips, lasting up to ten times longer. In theory, this should combat the problem of Paperlike screen protectors accelerating wear and tear.
And this claim rings true: across weeks and months of testing, we found that Paperlike’s Pen Tip fared better than standard Apple Pencil tips. However, we still noticed significant wear after using Paperlike Pencil Tips for a month. Even though these tips are designed with heavy-duty materials, the speed of deterioration is still faster than that of other Apple Pencil replacement tips.
In terms of maintenance, it’s pretty simple. If you use your Apple Pencil every day, you may need to create a standing monthly order for Paperlike Pencil Tips. The exact time span varies from person to person, depending on their personal style and usage. But apart from that, there are no cogs to spin, wheels to grease, or other maintenance tasks to worry about.
Likewise, Rock Paper Pencil makes very few maintenance demands. And, since they are far more durable than Paperlike Pencil Tips, you don’t have to worry about replacements nearly as much.
Built from stainless steel, these ballpoint tips are specifically designed to not wear down. They’re built to last, even with daily use. So you can enjoy frequent notetaking, planning, and drawing sessions without the worry of having to constantly replace your tips.
Plus, the Rock Paper Pencil kit comes with two tips, so if one does get damaged, you have another on deck and ready to go!
💡 Our thoughts: Paperlike’s matte screen protector is known for being extremely abrasive, and although the replacement tips do somewhat soften the blow, they still can’t compete with Rock Paper Pencil’s durable stainless steel tips.
Price and value
At $19.99 for four tips, you’ll pay roughly $5 per Paperlike Pencil Tip. It’s far from the cheapest iPad accessory out there, and you have to consider how quickly the tips will deteriorate. Then again, Paperlike’s screen protector has a reputation for wearing down standard Apple Pencil tips, so it might be worth investing in compatible nibs.
However, it’s difficult to gauge just how durable Paperlike Pencil Tips are compared to Apple’s tips or any of the off-brand alternatives out there.
Then you have to factor in Paperlike’s proprietary system. The tips are only designed for Paperlike’s screen protector, a single-use product that’s tricky to install.
A pack of two Paperlike screen protectors will set you back $44.99, and, since the screen and tips are designed to work together, you need to factor both prices into the equation. That means a grand total of — drumroll, please — $64.98. And it’ll only be that cheap if you successfully install the iPad screen protector on the first try. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy another.
Rock Paper Pencil also has a proprietary system. But all the necessary iPad accessories come in one package, reducing wastage, confusion, and cost. For $44.99, you get one matte screen protector, two Apple Pencil Tips, and a protective sleeve.
And remember, Rock Paper Pencil’s iPad screen protector is reusable. That’s another tick for your wallet and the environment.
💡 Our thoughts: When it comes to affordability, Rock Paper Pencil is the clear winner. Not only is it cheaper overall than comparable Paperlike iPad accessories, but it also reduces hassle by putting all the essential tools in the same box.
Final thoughts
All in all, Rock Paper Pencil just makes sense. The pencil tips are included in the cost of the screen protector, and, considering that the screen wears down tips far less than Paperlike, it’s a way more affordable and long-lasting option.
Rock Paper Pencil is better for your bank balance, the environment, and ultimately, it provides a more realistic pen-on-paper experience. Paperlike Pencil Tips just can’t compete with Rock Paper Pencil’s 1mm ballpoint tip. The kinetic experience, friction, and control are second to none.
Dedicated digital illustrators, graphic designers, and notetakers won’t find a better iPad accessory. Try Rock Paper Pencil today to revolutionize your digital drawing, writing, and browsing experience.
Rock Paper Pencil: A Pen-On-Paper Experience for iPad
Want the protection of an iPad screen protector but are looking for one that can be taken off and remain useable? Rock Paper Pencil is for you!
Designed to create the most realistic pen-on-paper feel for iPad – Rock Paper Pencil includes a reusable, paper-feel iPad screen protector and two ballpoint Apple Pencil tips.
Built with nano-texture technology, Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Pencil, giving you more control while drawing or writing.
- NanoCling Screen Protector: Securely bond your screen protector to your iPad using static cling. Easy application, non-adhesive, removable and reusable.
- Matte Texture: Subtle friction mimics the feel of paper (no more slippery glass!)
- Precision Apple Pencil Tips: Smoother, more controlled strokes
