Goodnotes alternatives are other note-taking apps for handwriting, sketching and marking up PDFs with a stylus. Some focus on beautiful notebooks, some on turning handwriting into text, and some on research and annotation. Check which devices you use and how each app exports your notes, so you're never locked in.
Goodnotes is popular with students and planners, but its free plan is tight and it isn't the only good handwriting app. Some people want different tools, different devices or simply a different feel on the page.
Here are ten Goodnotes alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from notebook apps and PDF markup tools to open-source and research-focused options. Each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today.
Think about what you write most. Lecture notes, meeting notes, planners and PDF reading all suit slightly different apps, and a lovely pen feel won't help if exporting is a pain.
And before you move, check the free plan rules on the app you're leaving, because they decide what you can still edit.
Goodnotes alternatives at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or store listing describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free versions usually come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexcil | Note and PDF app | Studying from PDFs with a stylus | Yes |
| LiquidText | Reading and annotation app | Deep work across many documents | No |
| MarginNote | Study and reading app | Mind maps from your reading | Yes |
| Nebo | Handwriting note app | Turning handwriting into text | Trial only |
| Notability | Note-taking app | Notes with audio recording | Yes |
| Noteshelf | Digital notebook app | Planners and journals | No |
| OneNote | Digital notebook | Free notes across devices | Yes |
| Penbook | Handwriting notebook app | Ready-made books and layouts | Yes |
| Saber | Open-source note app | Handwriting on many platforms | Yes |
| Squid | Android note app | Handwritten notes on Android | No |
Ten Goodnotes alternatives for stylus users
Flexcil
Best for: Students who study from PDFs and want gestures for highlighting and clipping.
LiquidText
Best for: Researchers who want to pull quotes from several documents into one workspace.
MarginNote
Best for: Learners who want to turn highlights into outlines and mind maps.
Nebo
Best for: People who want their handwriting converted into tidy, editable text.
Notability
Best for: Students who want to record lectures alongside handwritten notes.
Noteshelf
Best for: Planners and journal writers who want attractive notebooks and templates.
OneNote
Best for: People who want free notebooks that sync across phones, tablets and computers.
Penbook
Best for: Note-takers who want ready-made books for notes, schedules and organising.
Saber
Best for: People who want an open-source handwriting app on several platforms.
Squid
Best for: Android tablet users who want handwritten notes and PDF markup.
What happens to your notebooks on the free plan
Here's the rule to read before you switch or downgrade. Goodnotes' own support page says its free plan allows up to 3 notebooks, 3 text documents and 3 whiteboards, with 3 folders and 100 MB of storage. If you move to the free plan with more than 3 notebooks, the extra ones become read-only until you upgrade.
Your notes aren't deleted, which is good news. But if you plan to leave, export the notebooks you need as PDFs first, so you can import them into whichever app you choose.
How to choose a handwriting app
- Devices: does it work on your tablet, phone and computer?
- Writing feel: try the pen tools before you move everything.
- Handwriting search: can it find words you've written by hand?
- PDF tools: how well does it handle highlighting and annotation?
- Export: can you get your notes out as PDFs easily?
Moving your notes across
- Export your most important notebooks as PDFs.
- Install the new app and import one notebook.
- Write a page of notes to test the pen and eraser.
- Check that search finds your handwriting.
- Move the rest once you're happy with the feel.
Better notes in meetings
Handwritten notes are great for thinking, but meetings need follow-up. My post on the AI meeting notes habit explains why writing your own notes still matters.
And if you're tempted to let software take notes on client calls, read what AI notetakers record and who owns it first.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Do you make note-taking apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice on handwriting apps
Try the writing feel before anything else. Features are easy to compare on paper, but the pen either feels right in your hand or it doesn't.
And always keep an export of anything important. Apps change their plans, and a folder of PDFs means you're never stuck.
If you're a student, think about exam season too. The app you choose in September has to cope with a year of lecture notes, so test search and organisation with a full week of real notes before you commit. A tidy folder structure from day one saves hours of hunting later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Goodnotes?
It depends on your device and how you write, from study apps to handwriting-to-text tools.
How many notebooks does Goodnotes allow for free?
Goodnotes' support page says up to 3 notebooks, 3 text documents and 3 whiteboards on the free plan.
What happens if I downgrade Goodnotes?
Its support page says notebooks above the free limit become read-only until you upgrade.
Is there a free Goodnotes alternative?
Yes. Several apps here have free versions, and one is open source.
Which handwriting app works on Android?
Several apps on this list run on Android tablets.
Can I move my Goodnotes notes to another app?
Export them as PDFs, then import them into the new app.
Can a note app turn handwriting into text?
Yes. Some apps convert handwriting into editable text.
Which app is best for annotating PDFs?
Reading and study apps with strong highlight and clip tools suit PDF work.
Do I need a stylus?
A stylus makes handwriting much easier, though some apps work with a finger.
Can I record audio with my notes?
Some apps record lectures alongside your handwritten notes.
Are digital planners worth it?
They suit people who like planning by hand but want search and backups.
Can I use these apps on Windows?
Some do, so check each app's device list.
Can I type and handwrite in the same notebook?
Many apps let you mix typed text, handwriting and images on the same page, which suits lecture notes.
How do I back up handwritten notes?
Export important notebooks as PDFs regularly, and turn on any cloud backup the app offers.
