I Tried Note-Taking Apps for the iPad
Unlocking the power of the iPad with note-taking apps that work well with the Apple Pencil.
Let's talk about apps. Which apps? Note-taking apps for the iPad that work with an Apple Pencil. I have started this post several times. I could not figure out how to organize all the apps out there. So I decided to list good apps that work and what I use. My experience with all of these apps is limited to the free versions. ( I'm very anti-subscription.) I only know from this experience. The free versions can be enough for a lot of people. At the end of the year, I export the current journal into a PDF file and Goodnotes file and start a new one.
Goodnotes
Goodnotes works as my main writing app. I journal in, writing everything when I'm planning my day. I also use it as a book journal. And there is the real reason, notetaking. Goodnotes is the winner when it comes to features available in its free version. Goodnotes allows you to use the app, try it, and decide if you want to purchase a subscription.
I haven't decided if I will pay for the plus features. The free ones are enough for me right now.
With the Free Version
3 notebooks with unlimited pages
All stationary - pens, highlighter, washi tape, ruler, eraser, elements(stickers), lasso, text, timer
auto shape snap
Different paper sizes, colors, and templates
Import files up to 6 Mb. (check the amount)
Writing in Goodnotes is a great experience. The app is responsive. There is no lag in writing. There are many options for pen customization to fit your writing preferences.
Apple Notes
If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Macbook, Apple Notes is available to you for free. There's no cost other than those expensive devices. It's nice to have some free software to go with it.
Apple Notes works well as a typed note experience for any of your devices. But it shines with the Apple Pencil, allowing you to handwrite your notes.
Features
todo lists
simple formatting with typed text
solving math problems (ios 18)
import PDFs and images
A little secret feature that a lot of users don't know is that if you use Safari on a webpage and highlight text and share it will Apple notes, that highlight will show up in the notes with the link. This is a good feature to take notes on a single page and have everything together.
I use Apple notes to take quick notes on my phone mostly. If it wasn't for everything getting lost within it and me having a Windows PC, I would use Apple Notes. ( I don't organize anything I put in it.)
Collanote
A one man team created this app. I would say this is the free option to Goodnotes. When this app started, it was free. Now there's a customer base, there's a subscription. A lot of the different pens are part of the subscription But the basic pens are enough. I think its best feature is being able to save a certain pen or highlighter with a certain color and width for easy access. ( You get 3 in the free version)
Features
Unlimited notebooks
No file size restriction
All stationary - pens, highlighter, ruler, eraser, stickers, lasso, text
auto shape snap
Different paper sizes, colors, and templates
calculator
CollaNote offers planners where most are paid. You could find some free ones but it's more of a sample planner. There's the ability to make flashcards and to download community-made flashcard sets.
The most important feature is the ability to collaborate with others in real-time. It's a good feature to have. There are even public rooms for the community to write messages to each other and ask questions.
Notability
I like using this app. The writing was so smooth. Editing typed words is more easy than Goodnotes. The keyboard layout for typing was nice. But trying the app out was limited. You get a set number of edits that you could do in a month. I feel like one notebook with a limited number of pages would be better but hey I don't work there. The subscription is $15 a year. That's not bad.
Notability would be my default app if the free version offered more than Goodnotes did. But then again CollaNote exists now with a few others that offer more than it does.
Kilonotes
I currently have 5 notebooks created. So it beats some of the other apps. Now do I like using Kilonotes? I'm not sure. I haven't fully emerged into it like the others. The features are there.
The one feature that stands out is the whiteboard. You can write out things on it and add them to your notes. So if you are studying, you could work out a problem on your own and look at the answer in your notes.
With those apps, there are always more. Two to mention: Freenotes and Element Note.
Freenotes is free if you create an account. There is a stationary center with free templates.
Element Note is just cheap and simple. $10-lifetime price and $4 yearly price. But when I look at Element Note and wonder: why not just use Apple Notes? I guess the ability to be creative with your notes. Take a look at their website and see what they highlight with their app.
And the Winner is…
In the end, the best note-taking app is the one that fits your unique needs. Goodnotes stands out as a popular choice, especially if you’re already using it and don’t want to start over. Its cross-platform capabilities make it a solid option for those who need flexibility.
On the other hand, CollaNote offers a plethora of features, including a built-in calculator and unlimited notebooks, making it a great free alternative. If you’re looking for a cost-free solution, CollaNote or Freenotes might be the way to go.
Ultimately, there’s no definitive winner—it’s all about what works best for you. The great thing is, you can try out these apps without any financial commitment. Once you find the one that meets your needs, consider supporting it by purchasing premium features.