Microsoft Journal AlternativesNote-taking & Digital Painting Tools like Microsoft Journal

Microsoft Journal is described as 'Journal, a Microsoft Garage project, is a Windows 10 app helping people who love to journal to evolve their ideas and express themselves quickly with the power of their digital pen' and is a Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Microsoft Journal for a variety of platforms, including iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and Android Tablet apps. The best Microsoft Journal alternative is Xournal++, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Microsoft Journal are Linwood Butterfly, Saber, xournal and GoodNotes.

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Alternatives list

  1. Xournal++ icon

    Xournal++

     182 likes
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    Handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation using pen input and pressure sensitivity, shape drawing, customizable toolbar layouts, image insertion, audio recording, multi-language options, LaTeX integration, and complete export in PDF or PNG formats across all platforms.

    54 Xournal++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Xournal++ screenshot 1
     

    • Xournal++ is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Journal.

    • Xournal++ is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft Journal.

    • Xournal++ is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Journal is Free and Proprietary
    • Xournal++ is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft Journal is not according to our users
  2. Linwood Butterfly icon

    Linwood Butterfly

     41 likes
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    Butterfly is a note-taking 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.

    44 Linwood Butterfly alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • AltStore
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Linwood Butterfly screenshot 1
     

    • Linwood Butterfly is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet & Self-Hosted alternative to Microsoft Journal.

    • Linwood Butterfly is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Journal is Free and Proprietary
    • Linwood Butterfly is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Journal is not according to our users
  4. Saber icon

    Saber

     29 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.

    25 Saber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    • Saber is the most popular iPad alternative to Microsoft Journal.

    • Saber is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Journal is Free and Proprietary
    • Saber is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft Journal is not according to our users
  5. xournal icon

    xournal

     74 likes
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    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.

    50 xournal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    xournal screenshot 1
     
  6. GoodNotes icon

    GoodNotes

     77 likes
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    Experience "digital paper" with seamless note-taking on iOS devices. Annotate PDFs, PowerPoint, and Word, plus organize notes in unlimited folders. Enjoy searchable handwritten notes that sync across devices with iCloud, intuitive QuickNote feature, and customizable templates.

    64 GoodNotes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    GoodNotes screenshot 1
    GoodNotes screenshot 2
    GoodNotes screenshot 3
     
  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.

    135 Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Notes screenshot 1
     
  9. Noteshelf icon

    Noteshelf

     17 likes
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    Take beautiful handwritten notes or annotate PDFs on your iPad, and now even on your iPhone. With the new Noteshelf you can do all of the familiar, like type notes, record audio, draw shapes, sketch, sign contracts, fill forms, along with a lot of new, like add bookmarks, create...

    77 Noteshelf alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Chrome OS
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • Windows
    Noteshelf screenshot 1
    Noteshelf screenshot 2
    Noteshelf screenshot 3
     

    • Noteshelf is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Journal.

    • Noteshelf is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Journal is Free and Proprietary
  10. 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.

    51 Notability alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Notability screenshot 1
    Notability screenshot 2
    Notability screenshot 3
     
  11. NoteLab icon

    NoteLab

     12 likes
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    NoteLab brings the power of digital note taking to Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and Solaris.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    NoteLab screenshot 1
     
  12. CollaNote icon

    CollaNote

     6 likes
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    All-in-one solution for note-taking, PDF annotation, digital planning, and journaling with 25 pens and brushes, AI shape detection, real-time collaboration, Smart Dark Mode, ASMR sound, audio recording, password protection, over 150 templates, and syncing options.

    33 CollaNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    CollaNote screenshot 1
     
  13. Squid icon

    Squid

     19 likes
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    Take handwritten notes naturally on your Android tablet, phone, or Chromebook supporting Android apps! With Squid you can write just like you would on paper using an active pen, passive stylus, or your finger.

    23 Squid alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • Kindle Fire
    Squid screenshot 1
     
  14. Soysauce Lab Noto icon

    Soysauce Lab Noto

     8 likes
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    Noto is a modern writing app. With delightful interactions, powerful editing tools, and a beautiful design, Noto helps you capture the best of your everyday life.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Soysauce Lab Noto screenshot 1
     
12 of 38 Microsoft Journal alternatives