Rnote review
A free, open-source Linux canvas for handwriting, sketching and PDF markup.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Rnote is an open-source desktop application for handwritten notes, sketching and drawing with a stylus or touchscreen. Its vector-based canvas supports pressure-sensitive freehand strokes alongside shape, line, text and image tools. Linux users who want an offline workspace for personal notes, diagrams or PDF markup are the clearest fit, particularly solo users and small teams that value open-source software over cloud collaboration.
The free model keeps access straightforward: Rnote is available as open-source software with no paid tiers. Its main strength is the canvas itself. Notes can use an infinite or expandable workspace, while imported PDFs can be written on and marked up directly. Images can also be brought into notes, and exports cover PDF, SVG and raster image formats. SVG export is useful when preserving vector content matters, while PDF export supports document sharing and archiving. This combination gives the app more structure than a basic bitmap sketchpad without adding a subscription layer.
Rnote is designed for offline desktop use on Linux, with community and documentation support rather than a hosted service ecosystem. That focus suits users who want local files and do not need synchronized work across platforms. The trade-off is a narrow feature set for collaborative or media-rich workflows: handwriting-to-text conversion, audio recording and collaboration are not included. There is also no non-Linux deployment listed, so users working across operating systems or expecting browser and mobile access should choose another handwritten-notes tool. Pick Rnote for private, stylus-first note taking and annotation; look elsewhere for shared notebooks, transcription or broader platform coverage.
Rnote pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Vector canvas supports pressure-sensitive handwriting and drawings
- Imports and annotates PDFs, with image, shape, line and text tools
- Exports to PDF, SVG and raster image formats for flexible sharing
- Where it doesn't
- No handwriting-to-text recognition
- No audio recording or collaboration features
- Desktop-only Linux deployment limits platform coverage
Rnote fact sheet, pricing and score →
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