Looking for apps similar to Notability?

Alternative Apps
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I used to rely on Notability, but I need an alternative app now. Are there good options with note-taking and organization features similar to Notability? Please suggest apps!

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1. GoodNotes 6

Homepage Link: GoodNotes

Pros:

  • Sleek, user-friendly interface with powerful organization tools.
  • Exceptional handwriting recognition and search function.
  • Cross-note links and folder organization for better structure.
  • Recently added collaboration features for shared notebooks.

Cons:

  • Limited to Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, Mac).
  • One-time cost which may feel steep for casual users.

Features:

  • Digital planner compatibility and robust pen tools for handwriting.
  • Import and annotate PDFs seamlessly.
  • Convert handwritten notes to text.
  • Syncs easily with iCloud for access across Apple devices.
  • Split-screen mode for side-by-side note referencing.

User Reviews:
Users rave about its clean aesthetic and powerful search tools. Handwriting-to-text conversion is frequently cited as smoother than alternatives. Many love that it feels like a proper “digital replacement” for their paper notebooks.

Verdict: If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, GoodNotes is probably the closest competitor to Notability. It’s polished, intuitive, and comprehensive.

2. Microsoft OneNote

Homepage Link: OneNote

Pros:

  • Free and available on all platforms, including web browsers.
  • Organizes notebooks into sections and pages, which feels natural.
  • Acceptable handwriting input and search options.

Cons:

  • Somewhat clunky user experience compared to minimalist apps.
  • Syncing can be inconsistent across platforms.

Features:

  • Cloud-syncing via OneDrive with plenty of free storage.
  • Versatility in embedding media: photos, files, audio.
  • Ink-to-text capabilities.
  • Cross-platform editing and robust integration with other Microsoft services like Word and Excel.

User Reviews:
Critics often call OneNote the “Swiss army knife” of note-taking apps. Power users swear by its flexibility and cross-platform capabilities, although the lack of streamlined features irks some.

Verdict: If flexibility and value are your priorities, especially across multiple devices, OneNote comes remarkably close as an alternative to Notability.

3. Evernote

Homepage Link: Evernote

Pros:

  • Available across nearly every platform.
  • Strong emphasis on organization with tags and notebooks.
  • Web clipper feature is fantastic for those who like saving online content.

Cons:

  • Free version has limitations (2 devices only and meager storage capacity).
  • Pricing for premium plans feels excessive compared to competition.

Features:

  • Search-heavy design allows easy access to old notes, scanned PDFs, or photos.
  • Audio support for capturing voice notes.
  • Integrates well with other tools like Google Drive and Outlook.
  • Templates for day planners, meeting notes, and to-do lists.

User Reviews:
Evernote’s loyal community appreciates its reliability and robust search capabilities. However, premium subscribers gripe about recent price hikes.

Verdict: While slightly dated, Evernote remains a solid choice for note-takers wanting a mix of light project management and extensive note organization.

4. CollaNote

Homepage Link: CollaNote

Pros:

  • 100% free and optimized for iPads.
  • Collaborative features allowing shared real-time editing.
  • Highly customizable writing tools and paper types.

Cons:

  • Exclusively for iOS.
  • Lacks advanced text conversion or search integration.

Features:

  • Impressive handwriting tools resembling premium paid apps.
  • Free cloud backup.
  • Collaboration mode allows group inputs similar to Google Docs.
  • Recording + note sync for revisiting lectures or key moments.

User Reviews:
For a free app, people say it comes shockingly close to premium solutions. Its newness means occasional bugs, but functionality is very well-received.

Verdict: On a budget or love collaborations? CollaNote punches well above its weight for zero cost while mimicking Notability’s core features.

5. Zoho Notebook

Homepage Link: Zoho Notebook

Pros:

  • Aesthetically pleasing design makes it fun to use.
  • 100% free with no glaring limitations.
  • Works on multiple platforms with decent sync capabilities.

Cons:

  • Not ideal for heavy note-takers who want advanced sorting tools.
  • Handwriting support is lackluster compared to other contenders.

Features:

  • Cloud-based yet accessible offline.
  • Web clipper perfect for collecting inspirational content.
  • Audio notes function well for voice memos.
  • Integrates easily with Zoho’s larger suite of tools and extensions.

User Reviews:
Casual users love its lightweight and simplistic design, but hardcore note-takers find a lack of depth.

Verdict: Great for those who want straightforward, distraction-free note-taking without advanced tools.

6. Nebo

Homepage Link: Nebo

Pros:

  • Excellent AI-powered handwriting-to-text technology.
  • Cross-platform (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.).
  • Interface bridges basic note-taking with light document editing.

Cons:

  • Not ideal for multimedia-heavy notes.
  • Requires adjustment to its slightly unconventional workflow.

Features:

  • Multilingual handwriting recognition.
  • Export notes directly to Word, PDF, or HTML formats.
  • Active stylus features for organizing and marking text interactively.

User Reviews:
Recommended by users who prioritize handwriting and conversion accuracy. Some experience irritation with its UI learning curve.

Verdict: Nebo strikes the perfect balance for those valuing handwritten input without committing to heavy, full-suite applications.

7. Bear

Homepage Link: Bear

Pros:

  • Simple, elegant, and Markdown-based editing approach.
  • Lightweight and perfect for text-focused users.
  • Tags and hashtag system enable fluid organization.

Cons:

  • No handwriting or sketching support.
  • Paid subscription required for cross-device sync and exporting.

Features:

  • Crosslinks between notes build a pseudo “wiki.”
  • Markdown made incredibly user-friendly.
  • Export versatility: PDF, DOCX, HTML, JPG, or even Markdown.
  • Regularly updated to fit Apple design standards.

User Reviews:
Ideal for writers or list-makers, Bear amazes users with its simplicity and distraction-free experience.

Verdict: A different breed of note-taking tool, perfect for text power users who don’t need multimedia or handwriting support.

8. Apple Notes

Homepage Link: Apple Notes

Pros:

  • Completely free and built into iOS + macOS.
  • Fantastic integration within the Apple ecosystem.
  • Smooth handwriting/performance for casual users.

Cons:

  • Lacks customization/tools for advanced note organization.
  • Limited export options.

Features:

  • Folder support and easy iCloud backups.
  • Seamless media embedding (images, links, videos).
  • Handwriting feels natural even without advanced stylus tools.

User Reviews:
Highly loved for its simplicity and seamless integration, especially for users sticking to Apple products.

Verdict: Apple Notes is convenient but basic—an excellent entry point for casual note-taking.

9. NoteShelf

Homepage Link: NoteShelf

Pros:

  • Very precise stylus responsiveness, especially on iPads.
  • Split-view support and template library.
  • Excellent import/export formats (PDF, Word, and more).

Cons:

  • Android and Windows versions lag behind iOS’s refinement.
  • $9.99 initial cost, no free option.

Features:

  • Audio support syncs to pen strokes.
  • Enormous variety in paper templates and customization.
  • Supports multiple languages for handwriting input.

User Reviews:
Apple users adore NoteShelf for its fluid handwriting capabilities. A few criticize its Android version as less intuitive.

Verdict: Premium feel for one-time payment and especially fantastic for dedicated tablet users.

10. Simplenote

Homepage Link: Simplenote

Pros:

  • Lightweight, free, and minimalist compared to other apps.
  • Multi-platform without subscription/paywall gimmicks.
  • Fast syncing and tag-based sorting system.

Cons:

  • Ill-suited for visual notes or PDF/image-heavy workflows.
  • No handwriting or stylus-based features.

Features:

  • Nothing but pure text and basic formatting.
  • Efficient search and tag indexing.
  • Instant sync for cross-device workflow.

User Reviews:
Loved by distraction-free users, but dismissed by others for being overly spartan.

Verdict: If you want something barebones and fast without interruptions, Simplenote crushes expectations.

Pick based on what features matter most!