Pricing: Free plan available $14.99 per year for the premium plan.Lack of a favorites toolbar can make valuable notes difficult to find, even when bookmarked as favorites.Limited organizational tools force users into a style of note-keeping that may feel restricted or insufficient.Limited note edits on the free plan (resets monthly) means that hardcore notetakers could find themselves unable to continue taking notes without an upgrade.No iCloud syncing or backups on the free plan creates some risk for notetakers who don’t upgrade.Math conversion (premium only) allows you to convert handwritten calculations into common mathematical expressions.Favorites toolbar makes it simple to create and save your favorite tools for fast and easy reuse.Audio recording syncs with notes as you write them so that you can see what you were writing during playback.In late 2021, Notability switched from a one-time purchase app to a free plan with a premium subscription option, so if you’re looking for an awesome app that doesn’t require a cash investment, Notability is a great option to consider. While it might seem trivial at first, the ability to connect the word or phrase that prompted you to write something down is a powerful refresher when studying for a test or an exam.īy combining multitasking tools and technologies like handwriting recognition and math conversion, Notability makes it easier than ever to take notes during classes, meetings, conferences, and everything in between. #alt#A screenshot picturing the Notability user interface featuring a selection of folders on the left sidebar and a collection of notes on the right selection interface. Create a new note by tapping on the button in the bottom right.
Switch between folders/sections using the left sidebar. #caption#The Notability interface makes navigation simple and easy. Creating effective notes has been proven to enhance recall and improve study sessions, resulting in greater academic success.įind the best app and notetaking system that works for you and stick to it! While some apps on our list have some keyboard-based functionality, like Nebo and Apple Notes, we’re looking at these apps through the lens of notetakers planning to handwrite their notes.īut, however you choose to do it, keep in mind that taking notetaking is essential when you’re trying to learn something. With that in mind, most of the apps below are designed for handwriting your digital notes using your iPad and your Apple Pencil.
While keyboarding is more efficient, for many notetakers, notes created in this way simply lack the sticking power that comes with using traditional methods. As with pen and paper, handwriting is slower, but it gives your mind more time to absorb what you’re writing. While there’s no “correct” way to write your notes, one of the things you’ll have to decide early on is whether you want to handwrite or type your notes.įrom what we’ve seen and the research we’ve done, data suggest that taking notes by hand is better than using a laptop. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at 7 of the best notetaking apps in the App Store.
The app you use for notetaking can have a huge impact on the quality of your notes.īut there are hundreds of apps to choose from, and not all apps are created equal. If you’re a serious notetaker, you know that just having an iPad and an Apple Pencil isn’t enough.