Notability review
A flexible notes app for handwriting, PDFs, recordings, and AI study tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Notability is a note-taking application for students, professionals, educators, and teams. It combines typed and handwritten note creation with PDF, document, and slide import and annotation. Notes can be organized into folders, shared by link or invitation, and edited collaboratively in real time. The app supports web, macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows, with Notability Cloud synchronizing notes across supported devices and platforms.
The free Starter plan includes unlimited note-editing on the web, PDF and document import, all editing tools and content, and more than 20,000 note-taking templates. Plus costs $15.99 per year and adds audio recording and transcription, searchable handwritten notes, up to 100 YouTube link-to-note conversions monthly, and up to 400 AI-powered quizzes and flashcards monthly. Pro costs $79.99 per year and adds Smart Notes, AI summaries, unlimited YouTube conversions, unlimited quizzes and flashcards, and chat with notes. Business costs $60 per user per year, while Business Pro costs $180 per user per year and adds AI-powered transcripts, Smart Notes, and AI Chat. Custom Contract adds custom payment terms, dedicated support, and custom controls.
Its standout strength is the connection between handwritten work, audio, and study tools. Audio recording can be linked to annotations, live transcription makes spoken material searchable, and handwriting recognition supports finding written content. Students can also turn YouTube links into notes and create quizzes or flashcards from their material. Integrations with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and WebDAV broaden its fit with existing file workflows. Notability is a strong choice for learners who work across handwriting, PDFs, recordings, and structured review; people seeking only basic text notes may find its specialized capabilities unnecessary.
Notability pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines typed notes, handwriting, PDFs, audio, and transcription
- Searches handwritten notes and links audio to annotations
- Supports collaboration and cloud storage across five platforms
- Where it doesn't
- Many advanced AI and audio features require a paid plan
- Pro costs $79.99 per year, above the Plus tier
- The broad feature set may exceed simple note-taking needs
Notability fact sheet, pricing and score →
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