Squid: Take Notes, Markup PDFs
July 03, 2024
More About Squid: Take Notes, Markup PDFs
Turn your device into a virtual whiteboard or give presentations in a class, meeting, or conference by wirelessly casting to a TV/projector (e.g. using Miracast, Chromecast). Export notes as PDFs or images, then share them with others or store them in the cloud!
Squid is vector based - keeping your notes beautiful at any zoom level and on any device. You can erase entire letters and words quickly with the stroke eraser tool, or just parts of words with the true eraser tool. The selection tool allows you to change the color and thickness of your handwriting and even resize a drawing whenever you want without any loss in quality.
Squid takes special advantage of active pens on capable devices to provide natural, pressure-sensitive handwriting. Just write with the pen and erase with your finger!
Squid is designed to be both powerful and simple to use, allowing you to take notes quickly and efficiently.
Awards/Recognition
• Featured App in Google Play
• Category Honorable Mention for Productivity in the Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen App Challenge: https://goo.gl/Ji9dCS
• Popular Choice Award in the Dual Screen App Challenge: https://goo.gl/J7uT0B
Key Features
• Take notes naturally with a pen and erase with your finger on active pen enabled devices (e.g. Galaxy Note devices with S Pen)
• Take notes with your finger or passive stylus on non-active pen devices (e.g. Nexus 7)
• Vector graphics engine
• Multiple paper types (e.g. blank, ruled, graph) and sizes (e.g. infinite, letter, A4)
• Undo/redo, select, move, and resize
• Change the color and weight of selected items
• Cut, copy, and paste items between notes
• Two-finger scroll and pinch-to-zoom
• Two-finger double tap to quickly jump to a specific zoom level
• Organize notes within notebooks
• Sort notes and notebooks
• Import, crop, and resize images
• Export notes to PDF, PNG, or JPEG for printing, archiving, or sharing
• Share notes with friends and colleagues via email, Evernote, etc.
• Multi-Window support
• Shortcuts to create a new note or open a notebook
• Present notes on a secondary display via HDMI, Chromecast, etc. (Android 4.2+)
Squid Premium
• Create notes and pages with premium backgrounds (math, engineering, music, sports, etc.)
• Import PDFs and mark them up like any other note
• Express yourself with additional tools (highlighter, “true” eraser, shapes, text)
• Backup/restore and bulk export notes as PDFs to cloud storage providers Dropbox and Box
Learn more about Squid Premium: https://goo.gl/mJFjeO
Google Workspace for Education customers can purchase Squid Premium in bulk using the Squid EDU Bulk License app (https://goo.gl/Kkxjtk)
Information about active pen devices: https://goo.gl/6BRJy
Explanation of required permissions: https://goo.gl/q5f8Y
If you encounter any bugs, please email us at [email protected] with a description of the bug!
We would love to hear any feedback or feature requests you have at https://idea.squidnotes.com
Latest Version
July 03, 2024
Steadfast Innovation, LLC
IT Tools
Android
9,570,972
Free
com.steadfastinnovation.android.projectpapyrus
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User Reviews
もりと（Will）
4 years ago
As someone coming from an iPad to a Tab S7+, Squid is a great alternative to notability, arguably the best note taking app on iPad. Squid is very responsive and the writing comes out clean. I like the organization options and having it as a PDF editor is great too. I have to take massive points off for one single thing that is such a downer that it frustrates me on an otherwise great app. This app, a note taking app, is not in fullscreen mode. That's right. The navigation bar is there at all times. It's incredibly frustrating to accidentally hit any of the buttons on the navigation bar which I have already done plenty of times in my first day using this app. An option for fullscreen mode would make this app so much better. As is, the navigation bar being there is massive points off and, maybe over time, a deal breaker. For now, I've resorted to using a fullscreen immersive app that forces the device to have it in fullscreen mode at all times when activated. A workaround, but not a solution.
Miles Whitford
4 years ago
This is definitely the best note taking app on Android. There are tons of options for paper type (lined, grid, engineering, sports layouts, etc.) and great options for writing with colors, shapes and lines. Adding pictures and screenshots is very easy. Using it on a Samsung Galaxy Tab with S-Pen is a breeze. I used it for 1.5 semesters of college and absolutely loved it. That's where my biggest issue with the app comes in. There is no syncing of your notes to any account (there is backup and restore, but the functionality is not the same). I had my tablet stolen halfway through this past spring semester and lost all of my notes from the past 1.5 semesters. While I could have backed up the notes, there should seriously be a sync functionality so you can edit notes on multiple devices and even view on a computer. Overall very good app. Just backup your notes (And please add this sync functionality, Steadfast!).
A Google user
6 years ago
I thought this was a good program with smooth writing, so I bought it to be able to import pdf's and write on them. I paid the $10 for a yearly subscription. Yes, it allows you to write on the pdf's, but the refresh is horrible, I imported a 10 page pdf, and the tablet slowly redraws each page when I move between them. Should not have half the screen disappear. No, it's not the tablet. I use One Note by Microsoft, and I have none of these issues. Honestly not worth it. I would recommend One Note, which is free and writes smoothly (plus you have access to all your notes on the web for free), or Xodo, which lets you highlight pdf's (I imported a 2000 page document, no issues scrolling entire document), also can add text, draw, and more. Going back to that, should have never left. Figured a paid app would be better than a free one, I was wrong. Really would like a refund.
A Google user
6 years ago
I'm sure part of this has to do with the device involved, but the handwriting on this with a Pixel Slate is phenomenal. Hands down the closest I've experienced to writing on paper even when compared to high end drawing tablets. I had to knock a star off due to not being able to switch pages easily in a PDF, but if you have a Slate, this app is a must.
Matt Carson
4 years ago
I've been using Squid every day for two different classes, so about 6 months total, and it's really a great app. I can only really think of some minor suggestions for improvement, such as sync across devices, and the ability to add to remove elements after selecting them with the selection tool. And it would be nice to have the ability to lock some items in place, so they don't get moved or selected accidentally later. I often make tables and being the force them into the background after drawing them, similar to how an imported PDF functions, would be nice. That's about all I can think of for now. But this app is so much better than all the others I've looked it, it's hard to complain too much. I especially like how it works so well with my S Pen to suppress any contact my hand makes from disturbing my canvas.
Daniel Oliveira Edmar
2 years ago
The app is wonderful in so many ways, BUT! Please enable scrolling between pages, both in regular squid notes and in imported PDF's, instead of having to click the tiny arrow in the upright corner. If that feature is enabled this becomes a five star review. Another cool feature would be to be able to rotate and flip objects that you've "marked" with the square or lasso. Thanks!
A Google user
6 years ago
On a Pixel Slate, this is a great app. There are just a couple of things that are almost deal breakers for me. I'm sure most of it is user-error, but I cannot get the palm rejection to work for the life of me. As I draw with the stylus, it's constantly trying to multi-task, zoom or other things. I wish there was a quick and easy way to turn on palm rejection. I also wish there were more pen types like in INKredible. The other big missing feature is the ability to back up to Google Drive as a cloud option. That seems pretty reasonable since, as I'm on an Android device I will clearly have a Google Drive account. Having used both iOS and Android tablets, I think this is the best one on Android, but I still feel like GoodNotes on iOS is the best, overall experience and has some great features Squid should take a look at...
A Google user
5 years ago
Good app and good stylus support, but the lack of sync makes it much less useful than other note taking applications. Unfortunately, I'm cancelling my subscription since the developers have been "working" on sync for years now, which is supported by many other note taking apps for free. As much as I like the app, it doesn't make sense to pay for something that's missing a major feature that its competitors have.
A Google user
6 years ago
The only thing I don't like at all is the pricing model. I like that some feature can be bought outright, and I don't mind paying. But having to pay a subscription for cloud backup is a bit much. If you want $5 fine, like like I paid a flat fee for PDF inport. While it works great on the Chromebook Plus it isn't so good on the pixelbook with the pixel pen. it is occasionally laggy and really annoying. Obviously this is a software problem and I'm sure it will get fixed.
Juan Manuel Russo
3 years ago
Good: -It works well, and the interface is nice. -It is also very nice to be able set it up to erase with your finger (after taking notes with your stylus wacom or active based). It is relatively easy to export to jpg or locally to the device or google drive. -There is a cast button that lets you cast to google devices... like nest hubs and chrome cast... I have not tried in the office with Google Meet conference hardware, but will update when I do. -They don't have their own weird cloud. This app is standalone and does not need an account with whoever devs Squid. -You can lasso inserted photos and move them Bad: -The erase with your finger option is negated by the fact that when the palm rejection doesn't work (which happens often), ends up erasing your notes (I guess this is more problematic for me since I am left handed). I had to turn it off. -There is no option to auto backup to Google Drive or OneDrive. This is particularly upsetting, because unless you remember to manually backup, you may lose your device and your notes. To do that you would have to use Dropbox or Box (i am not about to get another service just for this app). Also, given that those two are the most popular cloud services for business, it makes it impossible for me to propose the adoption of this app at work. -This app is subscription based. Premium features cost per month/year... not single purchase like INKredible. I guess you can buy features one at a time, but that doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I am still on the fence of which app to keep.
A Google user
5 years ago
Good - potential to be amazing. I have samsung phone and a samsung tablet. I did not realize this app would not sync with both devices. I dont use dropbox etc. I also paid for the premium version and I feel it is basic assumption that the notes within the app should be able to sync across platforms. I also voted on your idea page. Thank you
Sarah
4 years ago
This review was made in 2014 This app works well and is very responsive. Much of the snote features can be found on this app too. On the aokp ROM, it will recognize your s-pen and allow you to use the side button as a shortcut. I also like that it has a looseleaf template. Suggestions: °The ui is a little bland, maybe there could be a choice of color for the side menu. °Would also appreciate a manuscript (sheet music) template.
Darsono Sutedja
4 years ago
This app feels very natural, and over all it's very usable. So why the 2-star? Well, the backup system is extremely unreliable! I paid for the subscription, enabled cloud backup to dropbox (or so i thought)... yesterday i had to powerwash my pixel slate, and to my disappointment, after coming back to squid, it keeps saying couldn't find previous backup!! I contacted support, and they asked if i enabled backup provider, and "check the appropriate box" ... so enabling backup is not enough??
Pranav Sharma
2 years ago
Best note taking app available on android, but still a long way to go. Better documentation of gestures would be great, as would the ability to open notes side by side like on Notability. I also wish I could rotate drawn text, and that it was possible to select and manipulate parts of imported pdfs without leaving the app. Rotating pdfs would be great too. I do quite appreciate the ability to import pdfs, change color and thickness of selected strokes, and export files so easily.
A Google user
6 years ago
Exvellent note taking experience. I use this on my Samsung chromebook with the S-pen, by far the best feeling notes app on android. I subscribed to the pro mode for over a year but unsubscribed because the PDF functionality is lacking. The fact that I couldn't highlight pdf text for copying made multitasking a pain. Also the way text insertion works uses too much wasted space on big screen tablet devices. If those two gripes were fixed I would happily support the developers by subscribing yearly.
A Google user
5 years ago
Best notes app I have ever used. Best with a Note phone, or stylus that is good and accurate though, but using the S-pen to write and finger to erase, Shapes, color, it really can't get much better, amazing controls, user friendly, wonderful interface. A must have app. I cannot think of many things I would change other than the premium available on Play Store, maybe a few more shapes, plus the ability to select/modify a shape, still wonderful, if you have a Note, get this app!
A Google user
6 years ago
This app does NEARLY everything I need. If I need to take handwritten ONLY notes it's amazing, but if I want to do a mix of handwritten and typed notes it's a mess and basically unusable. If I click with a touchpad I don't want to draw, I want to insert a text box. If this was an option this application would basically be perfect. Only thing after that is to support more formatting and keyboard shortcuts for said formatting.
A Google user
6 years ago
Perfect for my Chromebook Pro, I use it all the time for taking notes in class. Only wish it went full screen so the bottom dock bar would go away, as buttons sometimes get pressed! (EDIT: I realized you can press the full-screen button on the physical keyboard and the dock goes away!) Pro version, which includes importing PDF files, is $1.00 a month which is well worth the cost of paper for notes I would normally be buying. 😁
A Google user
6 years ago
Excellent app for capturing my handwriting! I use it on a Chromebook Pro, and it's even smoother than writing on paper. I'm able to easily organize my notes into notebooks, add pages to my notes, and even change whether I'm writing with notebook paper lines, graph paper, or plane white. And did I mention you can change the colors and thickness of the ink? Now, I'm not a fan of subscribing to things - the freemium version of Squid will do almost everything you need for notetaking, and I'm very happy with it. I did some in-app purchases for typing on the screen and adding shapes, and those have been worthwhile and affordable. --- Update: I now also have the app on my phone, and alas there is no way to sync the notes from my phone and my Chromebook. However, both my phone and Chromebook automatically backup my notes to Dropbox every day as PDF's, and it's easy to export the really important notes to specific folders in my Google Drive (and other online platforms) as needed. Plus you can't beat the control for line thickness, color, and page background. Granted, you get even better backgrounds (including daily planner) if you sign up for premium, and I can't afford that. But with a few in-app purchases you can get PDF and JPG import, which will them provide any background you could possibly want. I actually use the app to take photos and then draw sketches over the photos. Once the sketch is done, I copy the lines over to a plain white background, and voila - a nice cartoon image. Do if you're looking for a versatile and dependable notes app with automatic backup, I think this may be your best bet.
Bryan B
11 months ago
Wanted this app to be great. I really did. I have the upgraded version. It's my main note app. And I'm consistently frustrated and confused by it. If you like dark modes, then good luck to you. And if you want to copy and paste some text sometimes... Hope and pray. This app isn't the worst It definitely gets worse. But it's still dismal and will leave you feeling uncertain if you have captured what you wanted and trying over and over again, hoping that maybe it will make sense.
