Supernote vs reMarkable for Planning: Which Brand Fits Your Workflow?
Supernote suits people who want an open system they can expand, repair and customize without a subscription, while reMarkable suits people who want color, a reading light, and a smooth sync service. The brand that fits depends on how you plan and where you write because hardware features dictate your daily workflow. You'll choose between modular freedom and polished convenience. Pick your tool wisely.
Two Different Philosophies
The Supernote is built for people who like to tinker with their gear because it includes a microSD slot for vast storage and a battery that you can swap out yourself. This open approach means you don't have to worry about running out of space or being stuck with a dead tool when the cell wears out. You can also drop your own images into the MyStyle folder to make templates that look exactly how you want, which gives you a level of control that other tablets lack.
reMarkable takes a different path by focusing on a clean look that uses folders and tags to keep your work organized without any extra clutter. While the Paper Pro and the Move now have a reading light to help you see in dim rooms, they still don't let you install custom templates. This means you have to use PDF files if you want a specific layout, which adds a bit of work to your setup.
The Supernote keeps things simple with the cloud because it offers a free service that connects to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive without asking you for a monthly fee. Since it doesn't have a front light, you'll need a lamp if you want to write at night, but the hardware stays modular and easy to fix. This trade-off favors users who want a tool they can maintain and expand over many years.
reMarkable relies on its Connect service to provide handwriting search and unlimited cloud storage, but this requires a recurring cost. If you don't pay, your notes stay on the tablet and only recent files stay in the cloud, so you're betting on the subscription to keep your library synced. It is a polished system, but it's less flexible than the Supernote.
The Lineups Side by Side
The Supernote Manta and the reMarkable Paper Pure both compete for the large-screen space, but the Manta offers a sharper 300 PPI display while the Paper Pure stays at a lower resolution on its monochrome screen. You'll find that the Manta has 32GB of storage plus a microSD slot that holds up to 2 terabytes, whereas the Paper Pure only has 32GB and no way to expand it. This means the Manta is better for folks who carry years of heavy PDF planners around, and the Supernote vs reMarkable 2 comparison covers that matchup in detail.
The Supernote Nomad and the reMarkable Paper Pro Move represent the smaller, more portable tier, yet the Nomad uses a monochrome 7.8-inch screen while the Pro Move features a vibrant 7.3-inch color display. The Nomad lacks a front light, so you'll need a lamp if you plan to write in a dim room or at night. The Pro Move includes a light and is rated for up to two weeks on a single charge. The Nomad vs Paper Pro Move comparison goes deeper on the small pair.
If you want the biggest screen possible, the reMarkable Paper Pro provides an 11.8-inch color canvas with an adjustable light, which is much larger than the Manta's 10.7-inch screen. This extra space helps if you need a lot of room to draw or view complex charts without zooming in and out.
Planning and Calendars on Each
Both devices rely on hyperlinked PDF planners to manage your schedule, but the way you handle these files varies based on how each brand allows you to customize the experience. Supernote lets you take your own templates officially by dropping image files into a specific folder, so you can use any layout that fits your exact needs. The reMarkable doesn't support custom templates at all, so you must open a PDF as a document to use it as a planner. This means you are stuck with whatever layouts you buy or download from the web for the reMarkable.
Since neither tablet comes with a native calendar app, you have to rely on external tools to get your digital events onto the screen for daily use. The reMarkable has a Meeting Notes tool on Connect that shows up to five meetings in the next 10 hours, provided you link your Google Calendar or Outlook. This is okay for a quick glance, but it doesn't help you plan out a whole week or month. You'll still find yourself copying events by hand if you want a full view of your life ahead.
If you want a real calendar on a Supernote, tools like CalSync say they can build planners for Supernote and other tablets too. This helps bridge the gap between your digital life and your handwritten notes without manual entry. For the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, Planneriffic syncs Google, Outlook, Apple Calendar or iCal calendars over USB. It builds an interactive PDF planner with year, week, and day views that link to each other. This setup makes the tablet feel more like a real tool than just a notebook.
Which Brand Fits How You Work
If you build a large library of notes, you will likely prefer the Supernote because it lets you lasso handwriting to create keywords and titles for quick search without asking for a monthly fee. This system stays fast even as your files grow, and it uses a microSD slot to hold up to two terabytes of extra data. You can even swap the battery or motherboard yourself if things break, which keeps the hardware useful for years to come.
If you need to write in bed or at night, the reMarkable Paper Pro or Paper Pro Move is the choice here, since both include an adjustable reading light that helps you see the page in the dark. Supernote models lack a front light, so you must use a desk lamp if you plan to work after the sun sets. The reMarkable Paper Pure also uses screws and snaps instead of glue, which makes it much easier to repair than older models.
If you want your calendar events directly on the page, a tool like Planneriffic builds an interactive PDF planner for the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, and the Move planner guide shows how it works. If you care more about how your notes are filed than about your calendar, read the Supernote Manta vs reMarkable 2 comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Supernote better than reMarkable?
Choosing between them depends on whether you value an open system with repairable parts or a closed design focused on a simple writing experience. Supernote offers microSD slots for expandable storage and modular hardware that users can swap out. reMarkable focuses on a polished interface that feels like paper without extra distractions. You'll find Supernote better for tinkering with settings while reMarkable keeps things basic.
Does Supernote need a subscription?
You don't need a monthly fee because the Supernote cloud service is free for everyone who wants to store their digital notebooks. You can also back up files directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive without paying anything. This approach keeps your data accessible without adding a recurring cost to your workflow.
Does Supernote have a front light?
No current Supernote model features a front light, so you will need an external lamp if you plan to write in dim rooms. The reMarkable Paper Pro and the reMarkable Paper Pro Move both include adjustable lights for night use. If you only work at a bright desk, the lack of a screen light might not bother you much.
Can I use custom templates on either?
Supernote allows you to drop custom PNG or JPG images into a specific folder to create your own page layouts. reMarkable does not support custom page templates, so you have to use PDF documents to achieve a similar result. This limits how much you can personalize the look of your planners.
Can either tablet sync my calendar?
Neither tablet has a native calendar app, but you can use tools like CalSync or Planneriffic to bridge the gap. reMarkable Connect can show your next five meetings from Google Calendar or Outlook in the notes tool. Planneriffic builds interactive PDF planners for the reMarkable Paper Pro Move that sync over USB.