Documents & Writing·Standings

Handwritten Notes Software

Write and organize handwritten notes on a digital device, with the right choice depending on which features and platforms matter to you. The board compares free plans, entry-level paid prices, handwriting conversion, PDF annotation, audio recording, offline mode, shared editing, primary platform and OCR languages.

The signal score is out of 10 and uses maker-published details on usage, APIs, documentation, open-source code and free tiers. The API, open-source and free-tier marks indicate whether those options are listed for a tool.

18 platforms
16 with a free tier
Checked 28 Sept 2026

#PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
1
G
Goodnotesgoodnotes.com
Handwriting note app for phones, tablets, and computers, with plans starting at $11.99 per year.

6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $11.99/yr
2
N
Notabilitynotability.com
A notes app with a free plan, offline use, and a 30-day trial for phones, computers, and web browsers.

6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $11.99/yr
3
N
Noteshelfnoteshelf.net
Note-taking app with PDF markup and connections to iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Evernote, and WebDAV.

6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · $9.99 one-time
4
S
Sabersaber.adil.hanney.org
Saber is an application for creating and organising handwritten notes.

6.5 APIOpenFree Free tier
5
C
CollaNotecollanote.com
A free-plan notes app for Apple devices that supports sharing and works without internet.

6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
6
SL
Stylus Labs Writestyluslabs.com
A free handwriting app for phones and computers with sharing and live collaboration.

6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier · $8.99 one-time
7
S
Squidsquidnotes.com
Squid is a digital handwritten note app for class, work, or personal use, with PDF markup and document signing.

6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
8
MN
MyScript Notesmyscript.com
Note app for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows with a free plan, trial, and note sharing.

6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
9
P
Penbookpenbook.app
Digital notebook and planner with calendars and page layouts, plus Apple Calendar and iCloud connections.

6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · $49.99 one-time
10
X
Xournal++xournalpp.github.io
Free, open-source note software for Linux, Mac, and Windows, with stylus and PDF tools.

6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
11
NW
Notes Writernoteswriter.com
A free-plan Apple app that works offline and brings handwriting, PDFs, documents, and more together.

6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · $6.99 one-time
12
N
NoteLedgekdan.com
Handwriting notes app for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows with text conversion, PDF markup, and audio recording.

5.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
13
RA
reMarkable appremarkable.com
A multi-device app for handwriting conversion and PDF markup, with a free plan and paid plans from $3.99 monthly.

5.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
14
K
Kilonoteskilonotes.com
Freemium Android and iOS app for handwriting conversion, PDF marking, audio, and offline use.

4.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
15
L
Livescribe+livescribe.com
A free mobile app that turns handwriting into text, records audio, and works without internet.

4.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
16
R
Rnoternote.flxzt.net
Free Linux software for handwritten notes and PDF markup that works offline.

4.8 APIOpenFree Free tier
17
Z
ZoomNoteszoom-notes.com
A paid Apple app for converting handwriting, marking up PDFs, and recording audio; no free plan.

4.1 APIOpenFree —
18
P
Penlypenly.net
A paid Android app for handwriting recognition and PDF markup, with no free plan.

4.0 APIOpenFree —

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which devices and platforms do I need?

Consider which devices you expect to use first. The board covers iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux and web access; compare each tool's platform details with your setup.

A primary-platform label can help show what a tool centers on, but confirm that it supports the devices you need.

Can I turn handwriting into text?

For converting handwritten notes into searchable or typed text, review the handwriting-to-text and OCR language details. OCR means software recognizes text in an image or handwriting.

Language support matters when you write in a language other than English, so compare the listed OCR languages with your needs.

Can I annotate PDFs, record audio, or work offline?

The board lists PDF annotation, audio recording and offline mode separately. Check each feature you need rather than assuming they are bundled together.

If you expect to work on notes with another person, review the shared note editing details. Confirm that the tool's sharing options suit the way you need to collaborate.

How can I compare free and paid plans?

Review the free-plan mark alongside the listed starting paid price. A free trial is not the same as an ongoing free plan, so check the pricing details to see which option is offered.

Questions

What features matter in handwritten notes software?

Look at device support, handwriting conversion, PDF annotation, audio recording, offline mode and shared editing. Check OCR language support and pricing too.

Which handwritten notes apps work on my device?

The board covers iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux and web. Check each tool's platform details against the devices you use.

Can handwritten notes software convert writing to text?

The board lists handwriting conversion and OCR languages. Review a tool's language details if you want it to recognize your writing.

Is there free handwritten notes software?

The board includes a free-plan mark and starting paid prices. Check individual pricing details; a free trial is not the same as an ongoing free plan.

Can I use handwritten notes software offline?

The board lists offline mode as a feature to compare. Check a tool's details if you need to write or access notes without an internet connection.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure