The Best Handwritten Notes Software in 2026
Goodnotes is the top-ranked handwritten notes software of the 18 we ranked (9.2/10, free plan), best for cross-platform note takers and collaborative teams. Notability is the runner-up (9.0/10), and MyScript Notes is the next highest-ranked option with a free plan (8.8/10). We researched handwritten notes software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings reflect the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features such as handwriting recognition, annotation, audio capture, offline access, and collaboration in handwritten notes software.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Goodnotes#1 of 189.2/10A flexible digital notebook with offline editing, collaboration, and AI features.
Free plan · 7-day trial
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Runner-up
Notability#2 of 189.0/10A handwriting and study workspace with synced audio, AI tools, and collaboration.
Free plan · 30-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
MyScript Notes#3 of 188.8/10A flexible handwriting app for notes, math, diagrams, and annotated PDFs.
Free plan · 7-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 18 tools, best first
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Best forCross-platform note takers and collaborative teams
A flexible digital notebook with offline editing, collaboration, and AI features.
Free plan · 7-day trial Our Goodnotes verdict → Visit GoodnotesFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit Goodnotes -
Best forStudents who want audio-linked notes and study tools
A handwriting and study workspace with synced audio, AI tools, and collaboration.
Free plan · 30-day trial Our Notability verdict → Visit NotabilityFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Notability -
Best forHandwriting, math, and flexible page layouts
A flexible handwriting app for notes, math, diagrams, and annotated PDFs.
Free plan · 7-day trial Our MyScript Notes verdict → Visit MyScript NotesFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →8.8/10★★★★☆Visit MyScript Notes -
Best forBuyers seeking a low-cost, multi-platform notebook
A low-cost notebook for handwriting, PDF annotation, and audio, with a free tier to start.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Noteshelf -
Best forApple users wanting feature-rich handwritten notes
A broad Apple note-taking app that pairs Pencil writing with study and collaboration tools.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit CollaNote -
Best forStylus users mixing notes with visual projects
A visual notebook that combines stylus notes, PDF markup, audio and mood boards.
- Audio recording
- Handwriting to text
- PDF annotation
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit NoteLedge -
Best forApple users organizing notes and annotated PDFs
A flexible Apple note app with handwriting, PDF annotation, scanning, and export tools.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Notes Writer -
Best forApple Pencil users who want planners and templates
A stationery-rich handwriting app for Apple devices, with PDF annotation and planner pages.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Penbook -
Best forAndroid users annotating PDFs or teaching
Android handwriting app for notes, PDF markup, signatures, and classroom presentations.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Squid -
Best forreMarkable users who need notes on other devices
A companion app for reMarkable tablet users who want their notes across devices.
- Offline mode
- Handwriting to text
- PDF annotation
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit reMarkable -
Best forMobile users who want simple searchable notes
A free mobile notebook for handwriting, PDF markup, and searchable notes.
- Audio recording
- Offline mode
- Handwriting to text
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Kilonotes -
Best forDesktop users who want free PDF annotation tools
A capable free desktop app for handwritten notes, drawing, and PDF annotation.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Xournal++ -
Best forLinux users who prefer an open-source canvas
A free, open-source Linux canvas for handwriting, sketching and PDF markup.
- Offline mode
- PDF annotation
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Rnote -
Best forCross-platform users who want flexible handwriting edits
A handwriting-first app with reflow, split view, and shared whiteboarding.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Stylus Labs -
Best forOpen-source users syncing handwritten notes across devices
Open-source handwriting notes with encrypted sync and cloud or self-hosted options.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Saber -
Best forApple users who want zoomable planner notebooks
A paid Apple note-taking app for zoomable notebooks, PDFs and planner pages.
- Audio recording
- Handwriting to text
- PDF annotation
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit ZoomNotes -
Best forLivescribe smartpen owners capturing handwritten notes
A free mobile companion that turns Livescribe smartpen writing and audio into searchable notes.
- Audio recording
- Offline mode
- Handwriting to text
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Livescribe+ -
Best forAndroid users who want planners and PDF markup
A paid Android app for stylus notes, PDF annotation, and digital planners.
- Handwriting to text
- PDF annotation
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Penly
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goodnotes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Notability | Yes | $14.99/user/yr | 9.0 |
| 3 | MyScript Notes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | Noteshelf | Yes | $9.99 one-time | 8.6 |
| 5 | CollaNote | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 6 | NoteLedge | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 7 | Notes Writer | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 8 | Penbook | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 9 | Squid | Yes | $4/user/yr | 7.9 |
| 10 | reMarkable app | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 11 | Kilonotes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 12 | Xournal++ | Yes | Free | 7.6 |
| 13 | Rnote | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
| 14 | Stylus Labs Write | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 15 | Saber | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 16 | ZoomNotes | No | 7.2 | |
| 17 | Livescribe+ | Yes | Free | 7.1 |
| 18 | Penly | No | 7.0 |
Head-to-head All 27 comparisons →
- Goodnotes vs MyScript Notes
- Goodnotes vs Noteshelf
- Goodnotes vs CollaNote
- Goodnotes vs NoteLedge
- Goodnotes vs Notes Writer
- Goodnotes vs Penbook
- Notability vs MyScript Notes
- Notability vs Noteshelf
- Notability vs CollaNote
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How we rank handwritten notes software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update