Xournal++ review
A capable desktop choice for handwritten notes and PDF annotation, with no subscription cost.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Xournal++ is an open-source desktop note-taking application for handwritten notes, drawing, and PDF annotation. It is aimed at people who work with pressure-sensitive styluses or drawing tablets and want control over pen, highlighter, and eraser tools. Its releases cover Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for desktop users who prefer a free application with editable notes, paper backgrounds, images, text, and geometric shapes. The project also supports following links in PDFs and exporting work to PDF, SVG, PNG, and other formats.
Its feature depth is strongest around handwritten documents and visual annotation. Layers and the page-preview sidebar help organize pages, while shape resizing, rotation, and grid snapping support structured diagrams and whiteboarding. The LaTeX editor includes syntax highlighting for formula-heavy work, and audio recording and playback can accompany handwritten notes. Lua plugin support and customizable toolbars add room for tailored workflows. These capabilities make Xournal++ more focused than a general-purpose notes app, particularly for annotated course material, marked-up PDFs, technical notes, and tablet-based sketching.
The trade-off is its narrow ecosystem. The product is desktop-focused, and the associated mobile project is described as stalled; Android support is provided through Xournal++ Mobile, while the web app is no longer available and iOS is not published in the Apple App Store. Sharing and synchronization are not established features in the published product details, so people who need a connected multi-device workspace should consider an alternative. Choose Xournal++ for free, open-source handwriting and PDF work on Windows, macOS, or Linux; choose elsewhere for broader mobile, web, sharing, or synchronization needs.
Xournal++ pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Pressure-sensitive stylus support with customizable writing tools
- PDF annotation plus layers, shapes, LaTeX, and audio
- Free, open-source releases for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop-focused coverage limits use across mobile devices
- Sharing and synchronization are not established features
- The associated web app is no longer available
Xournal++ fact sheet, pricing and score →
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