What it does
Squid is a handwriting-oriented notes app that can include imported PDFs for annotation. Its official help center explains how PDF import creates a note or inserts a PDF into an existing note. PDF import and several other features are premium, available through a standalone purchase or the Squid Premium subscription, so check that restriction before building a document-heavy notebook.
To make a note, Squid's help guide says to tap the plus icon on the main screen and choose a default note, a paper background, or an imported PDF. A new note is placed in the current notebook, or in Unfiled Notes if none is selected. That gives a student a direct route from an empty notebook to a handout ready for annotation; another guide explains how to add a PDF to an existing note and keep multiple PDFs together.
PDF import is a premium feature. The help center describes either purchasing that feature separately or subscribing to Squid Premium; the subscription also unlocks premium paper backgrounds, backup/restore, and bulk export. This is a meaningful tradeoff for a workflow built around annotated documents. I did not import a PDF, test the writing surface, or verify what remains available after a subscription ends.
Strengths
- An imported PDF can be used to create a new note or inserted into an existing note.
- The help page says a note can contain multiple PDFs.
- Premium offers document markup, paper backgrounds, backups, and bulk export.
Watch out for
- PDF import is premium, and backup/restore and bulk export are listed among Squid Premium features.
Best for
- Handwriting notes directly on course or work PDFs
- Keeping several annotated documents within a single note
Sources
- Squid - Take Notes & Markup PDFs (Oct 25, 2026)
- How do I import a PDF? - Squid Help Center (Oct 25, 2026)
- What is Squid Premium? - Squid Help Center (Oct 25, 2026)
- How do I create a note? - Squid Help Center (Oct 25, 2026)