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15 Best Notes Apps for iPad and Apple Pencil
No matter what app you are looking to add to your mobile device, the moment you enter the app store the selection process turns into a maze of overwhelming proportions. To prepare you for a quick and painless decision, let me devote some time to notes apps for private as well as for everyday work and business purposes. After painstakingly going through all the decision making steps you would incur upon entering the app store my product comparisons, ratings and analysis have narrowed down my list to the 15 best choices for a notes app.
This blog gives you a comprehensive, researched list of the best iPad notes app, filtered by features and pros and cons. – You are welcome, have fun!
LIST OF BEST APPS FOR NOTE TAKING
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Description |
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Notes app with countless organization options |
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Unlimited design- and organization possibilities |
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Googles free product par excellence |
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Create multimedia notes and lists |
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Create, categorize and transcribe in MS OneNote |
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Excellent everyday list planner free |
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Multilingual talent and Apple Pencil fan in one |
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Ideal for project management and business |
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Note app and word processor |
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A blank page free of distractions |
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Quick doodling |
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Fast mark up, commenting and pixelating |
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Automatic syncing truly for free |
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Paint and draw app with note feature |
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App especially designed for students |
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1. Notability
NOTES APP WITH COUNTLESS ORGANIZATION OPTIONS
Notability is a top notch notes app, which has been perfected for use with Apple pencil and iPad Pro. In addition to a myriad of processing, organization and design options Notability even puts import and editing of PDFs at your fingertips. Even entire websites can be imported in PDF format just by using their “Share” Extension. You want to have your animated note play along your audio files? Go ahead. Notability makes it easy for you! This super-efficient I Pad note app syncs automatically so that you can pick up where you left off on any of your mobile devices.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Perfected for Apple Pencil and iPad Pro
Spotlight searches note entries on the iPad
accurate hand writing recognition even with your finger
Countless editing, organizing and design options
“Share” extension: Website to PDF
animated note plays with your audio files
automatic sync with other devices
DISADVANTAGES
none
PRICE
$ 9.99 | In-App Purchases: $ 1.99 – $ 3.99
Back to List | Website | App Store
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2. GOODNOTES 4
UNLIMITED DESIGN AND ORGANIZATION POSSIBILITIES
This outstanding notes app from Time Base Technology employs Digital-Ink-Technology to present your drawings and sketches in high definition. Even your handwritten notes can be searched with Goodnotes4. Or, just use it as a writing app, because it is perfectly suited to be used with your keyboard. There are no limits to the possibilities for design, customizing and editing of your notebook and there are countless “paper“ templates. Presumably, you will want to share some content with other people? Use the ingenious digital whiteboard. Back-up your data with third party providers such as Dropbox, Google Drive and many others with the userfriendly export feature.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
“Digital-Ink” technology enables high resolution reproductions
Goodnotes 4 can search even through handwritten notes
corrects geometric drawings
ideal for use with a keyboard for typing
Digital whiteboard facilitates sharing and publishing
Unlimited design- and organization possibilities
DISADVANTAGES
We could not find any real disadvantages
PRICE
7.99$
Back to List | Website | App Store
3. GOOGLE KEEP
GOOGLE’S FREE PRODUCT PAR EXCELLENCE
Google keep works on your iPad, as well as your iPhone and Mac. It even syncs notes on all your devices without any additional expense. The Google keep app offers many options for organizing and it transcribes your audio recordings, when you are in a hurry. Adding audio and photo files is a breeze in this notes app.
ADVANTAGES
Google keep transcribes audio
Full-fledged organization options
Automatic sync of all your devices
Top return on investment: the app is free!
DISADVANTAGES
none
PRICE
free
Back to List | Website | App Store
4. EVERNOTE
CREATES MULTIMEDIA NOTES AND LISTS
Evernote lets you create volumes of note books, task and check lists. As all the other note apps do, Evernote offers a myriad of options. Add illustration, texts, audio and video files, PDFs and many other elements to your notes! Evernote also transcribes your dictated note, which translates to significant time savings over the course of a regular work day. Scan documents and photos with your camera and digitize your analog media. Sync & Cloud keeps all your devices on the same page anywhere anytime. Evernote’s finishing touch to its stupendous array of features is a well-organized filing and search system.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Create notebooks, task and checklists
Add texts, illustrations, audio and video files, PDFs and many other elements
Transcribes your dictated notes, digitizes photos and documents
Scans your business card and digitizes it for you
Sync & Cloud keeps your notes updated on all your devices
Plenty of organization and editing options
DISADVANTGES
Relatively expensive In-app-purchases to enable all features of Evernote
PRICE
free | Premium: 2,99 – 59,99$
Back to List | Website | App Store
5. MICROSOFT ONENOTE
CREATE, CATEGORIZE AND TRANSCRIBE IN MS ONENOTE
Create, edit and share your notes. Regardless whether you work in PowerPoint or on a website, everything has its place in Onenote. Categorize and tag your notes to keep them well organized. Cloud synchronization enables access to your data from all your devices which is the key requirement for sharing and collaborating in a team. This notes app also transcribes your handwritten notes.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Categorize and tag your notes
PowerPoint and websites can be integrated into note
Transcribes handwritten notes
Sync & Cloud lets you work with your notes from all your devices
DISADVANTGES
Manageability of features within the notes app
PRICE
free
Back to List | Website | App Store
6. MICROSOFT TO DO
LIST PLANNER FOR EVERYDAY USE
According to Verge magazine To Do (formerly Wunderlist) is one of the best, if not the best list planner for your iPad prompting me to take a closer look at this notes app. The auto sync feature allows access to the app from all your devices. Whether shopping, to-do or travel list, start with your reminders and expand on them with illustrations, notes or other files. To Dd provides a plethora of helpful features that ease the everyday demands of life – A perfect planner for you, your family and your work!
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Conceived to facilitate list planning of any kind
Auto synchronization among all your devices
Add your memories, illustrations, comments and many other file formats
Also an ideal companion at work
DISADVANTGES
I did not find direct disadvantages in this notes app
PRICE
free | Unlimited access: 4.99 – 49.99$
Back to List | Website | App Store
7. MY SCRIPT MEMO
MULTILINGUAL TALENT AND APPLE PENCIL FAN IN ONE
MyScript Memo is destined for use with the Apple Pencil, as this note app is primarily a drawing and writing app. In addition to a number of editing options the integrated handwriting recognition impresses with its support for 63 languages! The palm rejection mode prevents mistakes that are typically caused by the contact of your hand with the touchscreen. This app supports left handed writing in its handwriting recognition.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Ideal for use with the Apple Pencil
Writing and drawing program
Handwriting recognition supports 63 languages
Palm detection mode prevents contact errors when writing with the Apple Pencil
DISADVANTAGES
Export feature for written text has to be purchased
PRICE
free | text export feature: 1.99$
8. BEESY
IDEAL FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS
Beesy lends itself ideally for use in the world of business and work. The integrated To-Do-Manager turns existing commitments and notes into lists for you, saving you significant time in preparing and managing and documenting meetings and projects. Audio, photos and GPS-Data offer plenty of opportunity for this organizational genie, such as travel planning. The intelligent system learns from your entries and content and increasingly anticipates your needs with continued and consistent use. This feature rich notes app accommodates keyboard use with ease. If you ever happen to get stuck just access the included tutorials and assistance.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Ideal for project management in business
Intelligent and timesaving management system
Integrated To-Do-Manager
Works perfectly with iPad keyboards
Numerous support options within the app
DISADVANTAGES
Very complex
Several expensive in-app-purchases
PRICE
free | in-app-purchases: 1.99 – 69.99$
Back to List | Website | App Store
9. NOTES
REDUCED AND SIMPLE
The Notes app by Apple is well-suited for casual note-taking, quick jottings, and simple organization. However, if you require more advanced features or extensive organization capabilities, you may want to explore note-taking apps that cater to specific needs.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Pre-installed on all Apple devices
Notes syncs seamlessly across Apple devices through iCloud
Integrates with native Apple apps, such as Mail, Safari, and Photos, enabling easy sharing and content embedding.
User-Friendly Interface
Collaborate , allowing multiple users to make edits and additions in real-time.
End-to-end encryption
DISADVANTAGES
Very limited formatting options
Dificult organization due to lack of tags
Very basic drawing options
No OCR
PRICE
free
10. INKREDIBLE
A BLANK PAGE FREE OF DISTRACTIONS
INKredible is truly minimalistic in its design, with all its efforts focused on detail. The innovative recognition technology corrects any type of handwriting. The resolution remains optimized even during zooming and for printing. INKredible is perfectly suited for use with Apple Pencil.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Simply designed notes app for any kind of work
App is “a blank page“ – without distractions for the user
New resolution technology manipulates and corrects every handwriting style
DISADVANTAGES
Limited design and editing options
PRICE
free | in-app-purchases: 0.99$ each
Back to List | Website | App Store
11. SNAPPEN
JOT DOWN NOTES IN A HURRY
The SnapPen app is perfect for use with the Apple Pencil. It is built around the sharing of image notes, photos and text. The ease of use and its zoom in and zoom out feature support your commenting and decorating in the app. In short, SnapPen is a user-friendly note app for jotting down something on the fly.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Ideal for use with Apple Pencil
Hinged on sharing image notes, photos, texts and many more.
User-friendly interface
DISADVANTAGES
Only available in English
PRICE
0.99$
12. SKITCH
QUICK MARKING, COMMENTING AND PIXELATING
Add your personal comments and notes to photos and PDFs. Skitch from the makers of Evernote is a user-friendly notes app for student or private use. Skitch enables sharing your collection of notes through a number of different channels.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Quick commenting and tagging of photos, texts, cards, websites, etc.
Allows pixelating of selected areas
Places can be chosen from a map and saved as a picture for future editing
Offers PDF editing
Share on Twitter, Evernote, Email, Message, Facebook etc.
DISADVANTAGES
PDF-feature incurs cost
PRICE
free | PDF-Feature: 1.99$
13. SIMPLENOTE
AUTOMATIC SYNC ENTIRELY FREE
Simple note is an straightforward note app for creating and organizing notes and lists. It syncs automatically with your other devices after you open an account on the app’s website. Signing into your account enables file sharing and editing of the content.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Sync is automatic
User-friendly interface for notes
DISADVANTAGES
Requires opening an account on their website
PRICE
free
Back to List | Website | App Store
14. PAPER BY WETRANSFER
PAINTING AND DRAWING APP WITH NOTE FEATURES
Create your note and link to images and stunning drawings. You can also use the spotlight tool to enhance areas in your pictures. The bonus: You can convert your note to PDF and even PowerPoint! Alltogether, Paper offers an esthetically pleasing overview of your notes and sketches.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Free app with PDF-Feature
Convert to PowerPoint
Completely free – even the in-app-purchases
DISADVANTAGES
Notes and drawing app provides only standard options
PRICE
free | in-app-purchases: free
Back to List | Website | App Store
15. INCLASS
APP DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS
InClass is a note app for the forgetful student and is primarily designed for use at school. Download this app to help your kids manage their daily schedule and possibly projects. InClass combines notes with videos, audio recordings and texts. A variety of memory and selection options and video tutorial on their own YouTube channel complete the offerings of this app.
ADVANTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
YouTube channel with tutorials
Note can be complemented with a plethora of data
Perfect for today’s student
DISADVANTAGES
No apparent disadvantages
PRICE
free | in-app-purchases: 0.99$
Many iPad and Apple Pencil owners have been using our special iPad Stand with Apple Pencil Holder, which you can learn more about here. In addition, our regular iPad Stand – that can be found here – is also a great option for those who have an iPad but don't use an Apple Pencil. They are both crafted from a single piece of beautiful wood (oak or walnut) and combine high functionality, ease of use with an elegant design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free journal app for iPad Pro Pencil?
There are several free journal apps available for iPad Pro with Apple Pencil support. The following can be recommended among others. You can see an additional variety of apps and more detailed information in the list above:
1. GoodNotes: GoodNotes offers a comprehensive set of features, including handwriting recognition, text editing, and PDF annotation. It allows you to create digital notebooks and customize your writing experience, according to befreela.
2. Notability: Notability is another highly regarded app that offers a range of features, such as note-taking, sketching, and PDF annotation. It supports handwriting recognition and provides various organization options.
3. OneNote: OneNote, developed by Microsoft, is a versatile note-taking app that supports Apple Pencil. It enables you to create notebooks, draw, write, and add multimedia elements. It also offers seamless synchronization across devices.
4. Apple Notes: The pre-installed Apple Notes app is a simple and user-friendly option that supports Apple Pencil. It allows you to create handwritten notes, sketches, and annotate PDFs. Additionally, it integrates well with other Apple devices.
Each app has its strengths and unique features, so it's a good idea to explore them further and see which one best suits your needs and preferences.
What is the best free note-taking app for iPad?
When it comes to free note-taking apps for iPad, a few popular options stand out. Find more options and further details in our list above:
1. Evernote: Evernote is a widely recognized and feature-rich note-taking app. It allows you to create and organize notes, attach files, record audio, and sync across devices. The free version offers a generous amount of storage and functionality.
2. Microsoft OneNote: OneNote, developed by Microsoft, is a versatile note-taking app that offers a range of features. It allows you to create notes, draw, add multimedia elements, and collaborate with others. It syncs seamlessly across devices and integrates well with other Microsoft products.
3. Google Keep: Google Keep is a simple and easy-to-use note-taking app that syncs with your Google account. It offers various features like creating notes, checklists, and voice recordings. It also supports image and location-based reminders.
4. Apple Notes: Apple Notes comes pre-installed on iPads and offers a straightforward note-taking experience. It allows you to create text notes, sketches, and checklists. It integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices and syncs across iCloud.
These apps have their unique features and strengths, so it's worth exploring them further to determine which one aligns best with your preferences and requirements.
