GoodNotes Alternatives for Linux

GoodNotes is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Xournal++, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to GoodNotes and 12 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to GoodNotes are xournal, OpenBoard, Rnote and Butterfly.

GoodNotes alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Digital Painting Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GoodNotes.

GoodNotes alternatives page was last updated

GoodNotes

Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool

GoodNotes for iPhone and iPad is a notetaking app with the theme of "digital paper." It's usable for all your...

More about GoodNotes

Xournal++
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
42 Xournal++ alternatives
Xournal++ (a fork of Xournal) is a handwriting Notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with platform independent GTK, supporting Linux, e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Suse, macOS and Windows 10. Supports Pen input like Wacom Tablets.
- - Xournal++ is the most popular Linux, Android Tablet & Self-Hosted alternative to GoodNotes.
- - Xournal++ is the most popular Open Source alternative to GoodNotes.
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Xournal++ Features
1. Handwritten NotesXournal++ supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationXournal++ support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. Works OfflineXournal++ can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Pressure SensitivityXournal++ can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
5. Ad-freeXournal++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. PortableXournal++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
7. Support for LaTeXXournal++ supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
8. Dark ModeXournal++ supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Spell CheckingXournal++ can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Support for styluses
Handwriting
Export to PDF
LaTeX Math
Pen Support
Multi layer drawing
Audio with notes
Freehand Writing
Highlighter
Auto-saving
Comments about Xournal++ as a Alternative to GoodNotes
Most users think Xournal++ is a great GoodNotes alternative.
violoncello
It allows you to store your notes wherever you want and doesn't force you to use whatever cloud synchronisation
Positive comment•
3

LinuxDoge
cross platform, not invasive
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Pen works with cursive but not so well with print.
Negative comment•
1

Guest
OSS alternative with many great features.
Positive comment•
0
xournal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Windows
Linux
43 xournal alternatives
Xournal is an application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal using a stylus. It is free software (GNU GPL) and runs on Linux (recent distributions), Windows and other GTK+/Gnome platforms.
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xournal Features
1. PDF annotationxournal support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Handwritten Notesxournal supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
3. Drawing Tablet Supportxournal supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
Edit PDF
Support for styluses
Sketching
Discontinued
It hasn't been updated since 2017, but there is an active fork Xournal++

Opinions about xournal as a Alternative to GoodNotes
Most users think xournal is a great GoodNotes alternative.
OpenBoard
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Whiteboard
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
62 OpenBoard alternatives
OpenBoard is a cross-platform (Linux / Windows / macOS) interactive whiteboard application. It is currently maintained by the Education Department (DIP) of the Canton of Geneva in Switzerland.
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OpenBoard Features
1. Handwritten NotesOpenBoard supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Pressure SensitivityOpenBoard can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
3. Ad-freeOpenBoard doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeOpenBoard supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in OpenBoard simultaneously.
Interactive Whiteboard
Fullscreen support
Grease Pencil
Shared whiteboard
Freeform notes
Export to PDF
Pencil
Handwriting
Dual screen support
Integrated Web Browser
Rnote
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
Flatpak
13 Rnote alternatives
Rnote aims to be a simple but functional note taking application for freehand drawing or annotating pictures or documents. It eventually should be able to import / export various media file formats.
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Rnote Features
1. Handwritten NotesRnote supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationRnote support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. LightweightRnote consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Rnote without registration.
5. No TrackingRnote will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Pressure SensitivityRnote can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
7. Dark ModeRnote supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Works OfflineRnote can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Support for styluses
Shape Tools
Support for SVG
Export to SVG
Infinite canvas
Butterfly
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
32 Butterfly alternatives
Butterfly is a note app where your ideas come first. You can paint, add texts, and export them easily on every device. This app works on android, windows, linux, and in the web.
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Butterfly Features
1. Dark ModeButterfly supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Ad-freeButterfly doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingButterfly will not track you or use your personal data.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Butterfly without registration.
5. Handwritten NotesButterfly supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
6. LightweightButterfly consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Privacy focusedButterfly is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
8. Works OfflineButterfly can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. PortableButterfly can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Handwriting
End-to-End Encryption
Distraction-free
Customizable
Decentralized
Cloud Sync
Built-in Note Taker
PDF annotation
Saber: Handwritten Notes
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
F-Droid
17 Saber: Handwritten Notes alternatives
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.
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Saber: Handwritten Notes Features
1. Dark ModeSaber: Handwritten Notes supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Handwritten NotesSaber: Handwritten Notes supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Privacy focusedSaber: Handwritten Notes is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Nextcloud integration
Support for styluses
Palm Rejection
NoteLab
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
17 NoteLab alternatives
NoteLab brings the power of digital note taking to Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and Solaris.
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NoteLab Features
1. Handwritten NotesNoteLab supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
Sketching
Handwriting
Opinions about NoteLab as a Alternative to GoodNotes
Most users think NoteLab is a great GoodNotes alternative.
Jarnal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
94 Jarnal alternatives
Jarnal is an open-source application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal, making a presentation, annotating a document - including pdf - or collaborating using a stylus, mouse or keyboard. It is similar to Microsoft .
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Jarnal Features
1. Handwritten NotesJarnal supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
Sketching
Handwriting
Opinions about Jarnal as a Alternative to GoodNotes
Most users think Jarnal is a great GoodNotes alternative.
MrWriter
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Whiteboard
Mac
Windows
Linux
17 MrWriter alternatives
Notetaking and blackboard replacement application. Inspired by Xournal. Written in C++/Qt for Linux / Windows / Mac.
Suggest and vote on features
MrWriter Features
1. Handwritten NotesMrWriter supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
gournal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Journaling App
Linux
11 gournal alternatives
Gournal is a note-taking application written for usage on Tablet-PCs (such as the Toshiba M200)
Suggest and vote on features
gournal Features
1. Support for MarkDowngournal supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Handwritten Notesgournal supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
Sketching