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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notability (the app you have) | Free Starter plan | iPhone, Android, Mac, Web | - |
| Goodnotes | Free plan | Everywhere | you need it on Windows |
| 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 | you need it on Windows |
1
Goodnotes
Free plan; paid plans from about $12/year
Digital paper for handwritten notes and PDF markup, best on iPad with a pencil.
Pick it if you need it on Windows.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
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 and you need it on Windows.
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 you need it on Windows and privacy matters most to you.
Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
We matched these apps to Notability 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.