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.

Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Microsoft Journal alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Xournal++ icon
     182 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
    • 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. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • AltStore
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
     
    • 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
  3. Saber icon
     29 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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 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
  4. xournal icon
     74 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
  5. GoodNotes icon
     77 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  6. Notes icon
     38 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  7. Noteshelf icon
     17 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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 is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Journal.

    • Noteshelf is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Journal is Free and Proprietary
  8. Notability icon
     52 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  9. NoteLab icon
     12 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  10. CollaNote icon
     6 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  11. Squid icon
     19 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
12 of 38 Microsoft Journal alternatives