Active Stylus vs Inactive Stylus

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Non-Active Stylus (aka universal stylus)

Non-Active Stylus simulate finger. It doesn't have battery, and no light, no buttons. Advantage is that it's cheap and simple.

Problem of Inactive Stylus

Active Stylus

Active pen typically:

Advantage of active pen:

Disadvantage of active pen: