Free GoodNotes Alternatives for iPad

There are many alternatives to GoodNotes for iPad if you are looking for a replacement. The best free iPad alternative is Obsidian. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to GoodNotes and 19 are free and available for iPad so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free iPad alternatives to GoodNotes are Microsoft OneNote, Saber, Notability and Concepts.

filter to find the best alternatives

GoodNotes alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Digital Painting Tools or Todo List Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include iPad + Free and Android + Journaling. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to GoodNotes.
GoodNotes iconGoodNotes
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  • ...

Easily take notes on mobile devices, annotate PDFs, and organize in folders. Handwritten notes are searchable and sync across devices with iCloud.

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GoodNotes alternatives page was last updated Mar 31, 2025
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  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     988 likes
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    Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

    114 Obsidian alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1

    Top Obsidian Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Local Storage
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Graph view
    5.  Bidirectional links
    6.  Mind Mapping
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Personal Information Manager (PIM)
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  Knowledge Management
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Backlink

    Obsidian VS GoodNotes

     

    • Obsidian is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to GoodNotes.

    • Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to GoodNotes.

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Microsoft OneNote icon

    Microsoft OneNote

     1140 likes
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    Comprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.

    105 Microsoft OneNote alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 1

    Top Microsoft OneNote Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Web Clipper
    3.  Visual Organization
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Text formatting
    6.  Insert images
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Support for styluses
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Pressure Sensitivity
    12.  Multiple Account support

    Microsoft OneNote VS GoodNotes

     
    Comments about Microsoft OneNote as an Alternative to GoodNotes
    Top Positive Comment
    Evan Tanner
    Aug 18, 2024
    0

    Perfect for everything- iPad and mobile apps are free

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Oct 22, 2024
    0

    OneNote for Android does not have as much functionality, especially for journaling. The Android app does not have any template function, which is one of my main needs. OneNote for iOS, Windows, and Mac has this, but the Android app is very behind.

    Most Recent Comment
    Jonathan Jewell
    Positive Jan 7, 2023
    0

    Basically winning because Microsoft Office overall is so ubiquitous. Has a long way to go with the emergence of alternatives like Zettlr, Roam and Obsidian, but still, an excellent tool in itself and where it is up to now. But seriously, why have to install OneNote for Desktop and for Office if you are running it on desktop Windows OS and you own Office too - and not having all the functionality of both in either?!?!

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    3 of 5 comments
    GoodNotes Icon
    Microsoft OneNote icon

    • Some users think Microsoft OneNote is a great GoodNotes alternative, some don't.

    • Microsoft OneNote is the most popular Web-based alternative to GoodNotes.

    • Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Saber icon

    Saber

     25 likes
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    A (work-in-progress) cross-platform libre notes app. Please note that this app is still in early stages and not ready to trust with your notes yet.

    24 Saber alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Saber screenshot 1
    Saber screenshot 2
    Saber screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Handwritten Notes
    3.  Support for styluses
    4. Nextcloud icon  Nextcloud integration
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Pressure Sensitivity
    9.  No registration required
    10.  No Tracking

    Saber VS GoodNotes

     
    Comments about Saber as an Alternative to GoodNotes
    Guest
    Positive Jan 7, 2025
    0

    It is the only somewhat good open-source alternative to Goodnotes & Notability. I know it is currently missing a lot of features found in Goodnotes, but in the future it could become a real competitor, so give it a try.

    GoodNotes Icon
    Saber icon
    • Saber is Free and Open SourceGoodNotes is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Saber is Privacy focused and LightweightGoodNotes is not according to our users
  5. Notability icon

    Notability

     52 likes
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    Truly integrated iOS app combining handwriting, PDF annotation, and text for seamless note-taking. Auto Sync backs up notes. Customize themes, library, and toolbars for a personalized experience with robust features.

    52 Notability alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Notability screenshot 1
    Notability screenshot 2
    Notability screenshot 3

    Top Notability Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Apple Pencil support
    3.  Sketching
    4.  Sync with iCloud
    5.  Edit PDF
    6.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    7.  Integrated Search
    8.  Notebook
    9.  Handwriting recognition
    10.  Multiple languages
    11.  Pen Support

    Notability VS GoodNotes

     
    Comments about Notability as an Alternative to GoodNotes
    RemovedUser
    Negative Jul 23, 2022
    0

    It is a post-it like app. No handwriting.

    GoodNotes Icon
    Notability icon

    • Most users think Notability is a great GoodNotes alternative.

    • Notability is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
  6. Concepts icon

    Concepts

     30 likes
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    Concepts is the digital design sketchbook of the future. It’s powerful, flexible and smart, so you can go from quick sketches to beautiful and precise illustrations in a single app. Enhance your creative capabilities with our infinite canvas, flexible multi-touch shape guides...

    39 Concepts alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Concepts screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Custom Brushes
    2.  Support for Layers
    3.  Vector strokes
    4.  Infinite canvas
    5.  Smooth lines
    6.  Support for styluses
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Sketching
    10.  Gallery management
    11.  Apple Pencil support
    12.  Auto Correction

    Concepts VS GoodNotes

     
    Comments about Concepts as an Alternative to GoodNotes
    Guest
    Positive Feb 13, 2025
    0

    Is simple to use, and powerful

    GoodNotes Icon
    Concepts icon
    • Concepts is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
  7. Notes icon

    Notes

     38 likes
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    Use Notes to capture a quick thought, create checklists, sketch ideas, and more. And with iCloud, you can keep your notes up to date across all your devices.

    127 Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Real time collaboration
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Full-Text Search
    6.  Sync with iCloud
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Handwritten Notes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Spell Checking
    11.  WYSIWYG Support
    12.  Tagging

    Notes VS GoodNotes

     
  9. INKredible icon

    INKredible

     6 likes
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    INKredible is an app with a single mission: to make your handwriting experience on tablets as good as, if not better, than pen on paper.

    32 INKredible alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    INKredible screenshot 1

    INKredible Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Text Wrapping
    3.  Highlighter
    4.  Add/remove pages
    5.  Export to PDF
    6.  Selectable text in pdf
    7.  Distraction-free Writing

    INKredible VS GoodNotes

     
    Comments about INKredible as an Alternative to GoodNotes
    Guest
    Positive Mar 26, 2020
    1

    Really nice app for diary and most incredible hand writing notebook

    Guest
    Positive May 27, 2020
    0

    I like things simple and easy instead of a lot of icons and options to select froms. I like the simple way of taking notes. What I would like is it would be nice to be able to draw forms and combine them that automatically recognize and correct the forms. I have been using mostly some rectangles line and square, but when you want to move or make big, it is complicated to shore one piece as it does select the other instead of the one you want. Overall it is good but still need some improvements.

    GoodNotes Icon
    INKredible icon

    • Almost everyone thinks INKredible is a great GoodNotes alternative.

    • INKredible is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
  10. Noteful icon

    Noteful

     3 likes
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    Noteful is your one-stop note-taking app to experience the new paperless revolution on iPad.

    236 Noteful alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Noteful screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Full-Text Search
    4.  Handwritten Notes
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Notebook
    8.  Voice Notes
    9.  Export to PDF
    10.  Tagging

    Noteful VS GoodNotes

     
  11. Flexcil icon

    Flexcil

     12 likes
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    PDF annotation, reading and management.

    23 Flexcil alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Flexcil screenshot 1

    Top Flexcil Features

    1.  Drag and Drop
    2.  Hyperlinks
    3.  Handwritten Notes
    4.  PDF annotation
    5.  Support for Gestures
    6.  Combine PDF
    7.  Handwriting
    8.  Folders
    9.  Import PDF
    10.  Export to PDF
    11.  Apple Pencil support
    12.  Edit PDF

    Flexcil VS GoodNotes

     
    Comments about Flexcil as an Alternative to GoodNotes
    Guest
    Positive Jul 6, 2021
    0

    best for android until 2021

    GoodNotes Icon
    Flexcil icon
    • Flexcil is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
  12. CollaNote icon

    CollaNote

     6 likes
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    CollaNote is a note-taking, PDF markup, and digital planning software. It includes 25 pens and brushes, an advanced ink engine, and stabilizer for accurate writing. It has a Smart Dark Mode for visibility in different light settings.

    33 CollaNote alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • VN flagVietnam

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    CollaNote screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Educational

    Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  PDF annotation
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Planner
    6.  Drawing Board
    7.  Notebook
    8.  Shared whiteboard
    9.  Built-in translation
    10.  Scan to PDF
    11.  Collaborative writing

    CollaNote VS GoodNotes

     
10 of 19 GoodNotes alternatives