Scrap the pen and paper. These top note-taking apps for iPad digitize your notes while keeping them all in one place.
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Notability Best iPad note-taking app overall View now View at Apple App Store Best iPad note-taking and productivity duo app View now View at Apple App Store Goodnotes 6 Best alternative iPad note-taking app View now View at Apple App Store Best iPad note-taking app for handwriting recognition View now View at Apple App Store Apple Notes Best native iPad note-taking app View now View at Apple App Store LiquidText Best note-taking app for annotating PDFs View now View at Apps.apple Show more (1 item)Did you upgrade from a spiral notebook to an iPad? For many of us, an iPad is the perfect work, school, or personal tech companion to a laptop to level up daily productivity. If you love the tactile feeling of writing notes on paper, or it's your preferred study method, you won't have to sacrifice. The iPad is equipped with a native Notes app, and third-party developers offer tons of specialized, detailed, and upgraded app experiences for taking notes on your Apple tablet.
But with hundreds of notebook-style apps on the market, it's hard to know which are worth your time or fit your needs. No one wants to waste time testing different apps and jumping ship until finding what works best. That's why we went hands-on with over a dozen note-taking apps for the iPad, keeping in mind cost, functionality, practicality, and design while focusing on apps that level up the hand-written note-taking experience.
Our pick for the best note-taking app overall goes to Notability for its tiered plan offerings, multiple pen styles, added format and design tools, and easy-to-use interface. But tons of apps are available for note-taking on your iPad, and some are suited to different wants and needs. See how Notability compares to our other top note-taking apps for studying, tool variability, and more.
Notability is widely regarded as one of the best note-taking apps for iPad, thanks to a simple interface matched by powerful capability. Notes are no longer just notes when you can add different forms of multimedia, like audio and video.
It melds several different types of note-taking apps for iPad, offering the ability to take notes, create a journal, or utilize special tools like ink and highlighter. It allows not only note-taking but also PDF annotation. This is a convenient additional feature for students and professionals who spend time reviewing and working with PDF documents.
Francois Gouelo uses Notability to help him in his role as owner of Enso Connect. "I've found Notability to be an invaluable tool in managing my business and helping us take our guest hosting game to the next level," he says, adding that it has significantly streamlined his workflow. "This versatility has been a game-changer in terms of productivity."
When I tested Notability, I immediately preferred it over other options because it was so easy to use. The app is arranged thoughtfully, and all the essential tools needed while jotting down notes are conveniently at the top of the screen. Plus, I appreciated the ability to use templates right away (even with just the free version). It brings the notebook experience to life and makes it fun.
You can also upload your document or slide to begin. The app is specifically compatible with Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon for specific tools like ink (I tested using the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen). When you first create an account, you'll be limited to the free plan, which offers a decent amount for free, but your note edits are still limited until you subscribe to a paid option if you want access to extended features. While there are several tiered subscription options, though there isn't a one-time payment option, which is a downside compared to alternatives like Goodnotes 6.
Several users on Reddit said they recommended Notability for note-taking, with one user emphasizing the all-in-one nature of the app. "Notability is better if you will be using the notes app for anything besides just writing (drawings, diagrams, math). The dotted line tool sealed the deal for me; as an engineering student, I use it quite often," one Redditor said.
As an editor, notes are primarily notes to me, but Notability's multifunctions greatly set it apart from other users. My closest friend is an AP statistics teacher in New Jersey, and she says there's nothing better than making answer keys and worksheets for her classes. She swears by Notability for in-class demonstrations on her projector while student teaching.
Notability key features: Price: $5/month or $15/year (other plans available) | Available app for Mac, iPhone, iPad | Templates | Customize notes with images, text, audio, and more | Import and mark-up PDFs and other docs | Store and organize notes | Math Conversion technology
