I spent three weeks switching between a reMarkable Paper Pro and a Supernote Manta on my desk, using whichever one was closer when a thought hit. By the end of week two I could tell you exactly which one I reached for without thinking, and it surprised me.
If you’re stuck deciding between reMarkable vs Supernote, you’ve probably already read five “spec sheet” comparisons that just restate the marketing copy. This isn’t that. These are the five differences that actually changed how I used each device day to day — not the ones that just look good in a table.
Both of these are paper tablets, not iPads with a fancy screen filter. They’re built for people who want to think on a blank page without a browser tab open in the background. But “e-ink notebook” is where the similarity mostly ends, and the differences below are the ones that’ll actually decide which one survives on your desk past month one.
reMarkable vs Supernote: Quick Comparison Table
| Spec | reMarkable Paper Pro | Supernote Manta |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629 (with Marker Plus) | $505 (device only) |
| Screen | 11.8″ Canvas Color, 1620×2160 | 10.7″ monochrome E Ink, 1920×2560 (300 PPI) |
| Storage | 64GB fixed, no expansion | 32GB + microSD up to 2TB |
| Software | Closed system, Connect subscription for full features | Android 11-based, no subscription for cloud sync |
| Weight | 525g | ~535g |
| Where to buy | Amazon, remarkable.com | supernote.com only (not sold on Amazon) |
1. Screen Technology: Color Canvas vs. Monochrome E Ink
The Paper Pro’s Canvas Color display is the headline feature, and it’s the first thing people notice. It uses layered color ink particles rather than a color filter, so highlighter strokes and colored pens actually look like ink instead of a washed-out tint. For anyone who color-codes notes, marks up PDFs, or sketches, this is a real functional upgrade, not just a marketing bullet.
The Supernote Manta is a straight monochrome E Ink panel at 300 PPI, and it’s honestly the crisper writing surface of the two — text and fine linework render slightly sharper because there’s no color layer sitting on top of the display stack. If your use case is dense note-taking, PDF markup in black ink, or reading, the Manta’s screen won’t feel like a downgrade at all.
One thing that surprised me: both pens use passive EMR technology, so neither one needs a battery, Bluetooth pairing, or a charging cradle. You pick it up and write. That sounds like a small detail until you’ve used a stylus tablet where the pen dies mid-meeting — it genuinely never happens here on either device.
- THE ULTIMATE PAPER TABLET – For the first time on a reMarkable paper tablet, you can write, sketch, and read in color. Ultra-slim and portable, but with a full-size 11.8” color display, adjustable reading light, and an unmatched paper-like writing experience.
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX – You’ll find reMarkable Paper Pro, a digital notebook for unprecedented paper-like writing with 11.8” Canvas Color display; Marker Plus, the reMarkable pen with built-in eraser; 6 spare Marker tips; and USB-C cable.
- PAPER-LIKE WRITING – Designed to work exclusively with the groundbreaking color display to deliver realistic friction and natural writing feel, the included Marker Plus offers precise control, incredible responsiveness, and all-day comfort.
- ALL YOUR WORK, ORGANIZED – Sort your notes and documents with folders and tags, write directly on PDFs, and instantly convert handwriting to typed text. Everything's in one place and easy to find.
- READ IN COMFORT. DAY OR NIGHT – Unlike most laptops and phones, reMarkable Paper Pro has a low-glare display that reflects natural light, so you can read without eye-strain, even outside. An adjustable reading light means you can keep working when the lights go out, too.
2. Subscriptions: reMarkable Connect vs. Supernote Cloud
This is the difference that actually changes the device’s long-term cost, and it’s the one most spec sheets bury. reMarkable’s Connect subscription unlocks handwriting search, unlimited cloud storage, AI-powered handwriting-to-text conversion, the meeting notes tool, and the desktop/mobile note-taking apps. You get a 50-day free trial, and after that, files older than 50 days stop syncing to the cloud unless you’re subscribed.
Supernote takes the opposite approach. Supernote Cloud ships with the device and doesn’t gate core sync behind a recurring fee — you get cloud backup and cross-device access without a subscription wall. If you’ve already got a WHOOP band, a smart ring, and three streaming services on auto-renew, not adding a fourth subscription is a genuinely nice feeling.
To be fair to reMarkable, the base device is fully usable without Connect — you just lose the AI conversion and long-term cloud history. But if “no subscription, ever” is a hard requirement for you, that alone might decide this comparison.
Do the math on total cost of ownership before you buy, not just the sticker price. Connect runs a recurring monthly fee on top of the $629 hardware cost, and if you plan to lean on handwriting search or AI conversion daily, that adds up over two or three years. Supernote’s free cloud sync means the $505 price tag is closer to the real, final cost of owning the device.
3. Storage: Fixed 64GB vs. Expandable to 2TB
The Paper Pro ships with 64GB of fixed internal storage and no microSD slot — what you buy is what you get, forever. For handwritten notes, which are tiny files, that’s genuinely more than enough for years of use. It only becomes a real limitation if you’re stuffing the device with hundreds of large PDF textbooks or scanned documents.
The Manta starts smaller at 32GB built-in but adds a microSD slot rated up to 2TB. If you’re using your paper tablet as a PDF reader and document archive rather than just a notebook, this is the more future-proof setup — you can swap in a bigger card for a few dollars instead of being locked to whatever the device shipped with.
File management is a related difference worth flagging. reMarkable’s ecosystem keeps everything inside its own closed folder structure, synced through the app. Supernote’s Android base makes it easier to browse the file system directly, drop files onto a microSD card from a computer, and move things around without going through a proprietary sync client first. If you’ve ever fought with a locked-down file system on another device, this is the kind of small friction that adds up.
- A BETTER WAY TO MEET FACE TO FACE - No wall of laptops or notifications that interrupt your flow. reMarkable Paper Pro Move is distraction-free by design, so you can take notes and focus on who is in front of you. Enjoy the satisfaction of handwriting on a 7.3" color display that looks, feels, and even sounds like paper.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED - reMarkable Paper Pro Move, an ultraportable digital paper tablet with a 7.3" Canvas Color display, Marker Plus, 6 spare Marker tips, USB-C cable.
- SEARCH & CONVERT HANDWRITTEN NOTES – Convert your handwriting to typed text, and share your work with a tap. Your notes are synced to the cloud, ready in the mobile and desktop apps when you need them. Now search through your handwritten notes when you subscribe to Connect.
- TRAVEL LIGHT, THINK BIGGER – Carry all your ideas in a digital notebook that’s smaller than a paperback. reMarkable Paper Pro Move slips into your bag or jacket pocket, ready to capture inspiration whenever it strikes.
- ALL YOUR THOUGHTS, ORGANIZED Search to find anything on reMarkable Paper Pro Move — even handwritten notes*. Tags and folders keep your notes and documents organized, so your work is always at your fingertips.
4. Software Ecosystem: Closed System vs. Android-Based
reMarkable runs a minimal, purpose-built OS with no app store and no sideloading path for average users. That’s a feature for a lot of people — it’s exactly why the device feels distraction-free. There’s no notification, no browser, nothing to tap except your notes.
The Supernote Manta runs on Chauvet, a customized Android 11-based system. It’s still designed around writing first, and Supernote doesn’t market it as a general-purpose tablet, but the Android foundation means the company has more room to ship features like their own store integrations and partner apps without waiting on a full firmware rewrite. It’s a more open platform under the hood, even if the day-to-day experience is still locked down for focus.
5. Price, Bundles, and Where to Buy
The reMarkable Paper Pro Bundle runs $629 and includes the Marker Plus pen with eraser. If 11.8″ feels too big for a bag, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move is a 7.3″ portable version of the same color tech for people who want it in a jacket pocket, not a backpack.
The Supernote Manta lists at $505 for the device, which puts it noticeably cheaper before you even factor in that the Pro requires a pen purchase in some configurations. The catch: Supernote doesn’t sell through Amazon at all. You’ll need to buy directly from Supernote’s official store or their EU storefront, which also means no Prime shipping and you’re on Supernote’s own return policy.
FAQ: reMarkable vs Supernote
Is the Supernote Manta sold on Amazon?
No. Supernote sells directly through supernote.com and supernote.eu. You’ll find third-party cases and accessories on Amazon, but not the device itself, so factor in shipping time and Supernote’s own return policy before buying.
Do I have to pay for reMarkable Connect to use the Paper Pro?
No, the device works without it. You lose handwriting search, AI conversion, the meeting notes tool, and unlimited cloud history after the 50-day free trial, but basic writing, reading, and PDF markup still work on-device.
Which one is better for reading PDFs and textbooks?
The Manta’s expandable storage and sharper monochrome text make it the better pick for a heavy PDF library. The Paper Pro is better if those PDFs include diagrams or color-coded material you want to mark up in color.
Can I sideload apps on the Supernote Manta?
It runs an Android 11-based system called Chauvet, but Supernote doesn’t officially support a general app store or sideloading for typical users — it’s built and marketed as a writing-first device, not a general tablet.
Is either device good for reading ebooks, not just writing?
Both work fine as e-readers — they’ll open EPUB and PDF files and let you adjust fonts and margins. Neither is built primarily as a Kindle competitor, though. If reading is your main use case and writing is secondary, a dedicated e-reader will still beat both on price and battery life.
The Takeaway
After three weeks going back and forth, here’s where I landed on reMarkable vs Supernote: if color annotation and a slightly more premium, minimal feel matter to you, the Paper Pro earns its higher price. If you want expandable storage, zero subscription pressure, and to save over $100, the Supernote Manta is the more practical daily driver — you just have to buy it direct instead of on Amazon.
Neither one is a bad choice. They’re both genuinely good paper tablets solving the same problem in two different philosophies — closed-and-polished versus open-and-flexible.
Already own one of these? Tell me which one in the comments — and if you’ve made the jump from a regular notebook, I want to know how long it actually stuck.