Software Alternatives for Utilizing Digital Pens on Linux

1. Overview

Digital pens and touch screens have drastically changed the way we interact with phones, tablets, and laptops. They enable users to digitize creativity and productivity, from sketching and note-taking to annotation, graphic design, and professional illustrations. However, many Linux users find it challenging to discover software that effectively supports digital pens. Luckily, there are some viable open-source note-taking and drawing options available for Linux users to maximize the potential of their digital pens.

In this tutorial, we’ve curated a list of top software alternatives for utilizing digital pens on Linux. Notably, these apps are listed without any specific ranking order.

In all cases when using Snap or Flatpak commands, the appropriate packaging system should be available beforehand.

2. Xournal++

Xournal++ is a popular open-source note-taking software that supports macOS, Windows, and Linux. It’s basically a modern and advanced version of the Xournal application.

Xournal++ enables users to handwrite notes, sketch, and journal using a stylus and drawing tablet. Additionally, users can write their scientific and mathematical works using its built-in LaTeX editor.

Moreover, Xournal++ lets users record their notes and listen to the recordings later for better clarity.

2.1. Installation and Interface

Of course, we can install Xournal++ on Linux by executing the appropriate command, depending on the distribution of the system:

$ sudo apt install xournalpp # Debian-based systems
$ sudo dnf install xournalpp # Fedora-based systems
$ sudo pacman -S xournalpp # Arch-based systems

Alternatively, we can install Xournal++ using the Snap or Flatpak commands:

$ flatpak install flathub com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp # Flatpak
$ sudo snap install xournalpp # Snap

After installing Xournal++, we can launch it and enjoy creating digital handwritten notes:

Here, we see the interface of Xournal++.

2.2. Features

So, let’s cover some of the features Xournal++ offers:

• supports for PDF annotation
• offers numerous paper backgrounds
• exports to various file formats
• provides different drawing tools and stroke styles
• offers audio recording and playback
• includes numerous predefined and fully customizable toolbars
• supports pressure-sensitive digital pens and drawing tablets including Wacom, Huion, and  XP-Pen

Additionally, it’s available in more than 20 languages.

2.3. Uninstalling

Depending on the installation method, we should be able to remove Xournal++ from the Linux system fairly easily:

$ sudo apt remove --purge xournalpp # Debian-based systems
$ sudo dnf remove xournalpp # Fedora-based systems
$ sudo pacman -Rns xournalpp # Arch-based systems

$ flatpak uninstall com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp # Flatpak
$ sudo snap remove xournalpp # Snap

Overall, Xournal++ is a versatile note-taking, annotation, and sketching tool suitable for students, educators, and professionals.

3. Krita

Krita is an open-source, fully-featured painting software primarily used for digital art and 2D animation. It was originally created for Linux but now supports other major platforms, including Android, macOS, and Windows.

Additionally, Krita offers numerous advanced brush engines, color spaces, and amazing filters for vector art, sketching, and painting.

3.1. Installation and Interface

To install Krita on a Debian-based Linux distribution, we can use the APT command:

$ sudo apt install krita

Alternatively, we can use a Snap command to install the software:

$ sudo snap install krita

Afterward, we launch Krita and enjoy drawing or sketching:

Here, we can see the fairly standard interface of Krita.

3.2. Features

Moving forward, let’s highlight some features of the Krita application:

• offers brush stabilizers for stable strokes
• offers 100 plus brushes
• provides built-in vector tools
• works well with touchscreen, drawing tablets, and digital pens
• supports 9 brush engines
• supports numerous color depth and color models
• offers PDS support and drawing assistants

Additionally, Krita is one of the few painting software options that support opening, storing, editing, and creating HDR and scene-referred images.

3.3. Uninstalling

Lastly, we can remove Krita from a Linux system by running any of the respective commands, depending on the installation method:

$ sudo apt remove krita --purge # Debian-based system
$ sudo snap remove krita # Snap

Overall, Krita offers excellent brush engines, pressure sensitivity, and features tailored for art creation, making it a favorite among digital artists, illustrators, and animators.

4. LibreDraw

LibreDraw is part of the well-known LibreOffice suite that comes by default in the majority of Linux distributions. It offers all the basic tools users would need for creating and editing graphics, diagrams, and document layouts. Not only can it handle simple drawings, but it can also manage complex technical diagrams.

Additionally, it provides basic tools for document manipulation, such as a spell checker, autocorrect, thesaurus, and hyphenation mode.

4.1. Installation and Interface

To begin with, we can install LibreOffice in the Linux system using the Snap or Flatpak commands:

$ flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice # Flatpak
$ sudo snap install libreoffice # Snap

Afterward, we can create diagrams, charts, and basic designs as part of document workflows:

Thus, we see the interface of LibreDraw.

4.2. Features

At this point, let’s highlight some features of LibreDraw:

• offers a variety of page sizes, with 300 cm by 300 cm being the maximum size
• provides shapes for technical diagrams, including flowcharts and network diagrams
• includes tools for image and graphic manipulation
• offers a library designed to handle input from various drawing devices including digital pens
• enables the creation of 3D objects
• supports numerous file formats for exporting files

Moreover, Linux users enable users to add tables, charts, and formulas into files.

4.3. Uninstalling

Lastly, we can uninstall LibreOffice from the Linux system using the appropriate Snap or Flatpak command, depending on how it was installed:

$ flatpak uninstall flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice # Flatpak
$ sudo snap remove libreoffice # Snap

Overall, LibreDraw is ideal for creating simple diagrams and presentations, especially for users who already rely on LibreOffice for other tasks.

5. GIMP

GIMP (stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open-source, cross-platform graphic editing software. It enables users to manipulate and edit images and graphics, as well as create free-form drawings.

5.1. Installation and Interface

We can install GIMP using the Flatpak command:

$ flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP

So, after installing GIMP, we can edit photos, design graphics, and create visual content:

Above, we can see the main interface of GIMP.

5.2. Features

So, let’s list some features GIMP offers:

• available for MacOS, Windows, and Linux
• offers high-quality manipulation
• supports a variety of styluses and graphic tablets
• offers 150+ effects and filters
• supports automated scripting languages

Moreover, it offers customization options and supports numerous third-party plugins.

5.3. Uninstalling

Lastly, we can remove GIMP from Linux by executing the respective Flatpak command:

$ flatpak uninstall flathub org.gimp.GIMP

Overall, GIMP is suitable for professional graphic designers, photographers, and users requiring advanced image editing capabilities.

6. Joplin

Joplin is a popular open-source note-taking and to-do list tool available for mobile, tablet, and desktop. It enables users to create notes with a variety of multimedia, such as images, videos, PDFs, and audio files. Moreover, it supports synchronizing user data across various devices and sharing notes with others using Joplin Cloud.

6.1. Installation and Interface

So, we can install Joplin on Linux by running either the Snap or Flatpak command:

$ flatpak install flathub net.cozic.joplin_desktop # Flatpak
$ sudo snap install joplin-desktop # Snap

Afterward, we can use Joplin to organize notes and create to-do lists, all while syncing data across devices for productivity:

In this case, we can observe the interface of Joplin.

6.2. Features

Let’s list some features of Joplin:

• supports Markdown format
• offers client-side encryption
• provides a Web Clipper extension for Chrome and Firefox
• offers a built-in drawing tool that enables users to use a stylus
• offers note synchronization with Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, and WebDAV

Moreover, users can create handwritten notes using Joplin.

6.3. Uninstalling

Lastly, we can remove Joplin from Linux by running any of the following commands, depending on the way it was installed:

$ flatpak uninstall flathub net.cozic.joplin_desktop # Flatpak
$ sudo snap remove joplin-desktop # Snap

Overall, Joplin is suitable for professionals, students, and users seeking an encrypted note-taking app with cross-platform synchronization.

7. Conclusion

In this article, we listed note-taking and drawing software alternatives for utilizing digital pens on Linux. Each application is suited for a specific use case and audience.

Xournal++ is ideal for note-taking and annotations, while Joplin offers secure note-taking with synchronization support. On the other hand, Krita is perfect for digital art, GIMP excels in advanced image editing, and LibreOffice Draw is suitable for diagram creation.