2
Penbook
Free download; paid upgrades in the app
Handwriting notebook for Apple Pencil with live paper templates.
Free planiPhone
At a glance
| App | Price | Platforms | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodnotes (the app you have) | Free plan | Everywhere | - |
| Notability | Free Starter plan | iPhone, Android, Mac, Web | you want a close match |
| Penbook | Free download | Apple | you want a close match |
| MyScript Notes | Free download | Apple | you want a close match |
| Pencil Planner & Calendar Pro | Free download | Apple | you want a close match |
| Microsoft OneNote | Free | Everywhere | you want it free |
| Zoho Notebook | Free | Everywhere | privacy matters most to you |
1
Notability
Free Starter plan; paid plans or a one-time Classic purchase
Handwriting, typing and audio recording in one notebook, made for lectures.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWeb
3
MyScript Notes
Free download; paid upgrades in the app
Handwriting note app that turns handwriting into neat text and diagrams.
Free planiPhone
4
Pencil Planner & Calendar Pro
Free download; paid upgrades in the app
Handwrite in a digital planner that syncs with your calendar.
Free planiPhone
5
Microsoft OneNote
Free; more storage with Microsoft 365
Free digital notebooks with sections, pages and pen support.
Pick it if you want it free.
FreeiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
6
Zoho Notebook
Free
Free, ad-free card-based notes app from Zoho for text, checklists, audio, sketches and files, synced across devices.
Pick it if privacy matters most to you.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
We matched these apps to Goodnotes by what they are for, who they suit and where they run, using our research on each app's official website and app store listing. We have not tested them hands-on for this page. Check the price on each app's own site before you buy.