Microsoft Journal AlternativesNote-taking Tools and other similar apps 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: Handwritten Notes, GoodNotes and xournal.

Microsoft Journal iconMicrosoft Journal
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Journal, a Microsoft Garage project, is a Windows 10 app helping people who love to journal to evolve their ideas and...

More about Microsoft Journal
More about Microsoft Journal
Microsoft Journal alternatives page was last updated Jul 21, 2024
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  1. Xournal++ icon

    Xournal++

     171 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.

    51 Xournal++ alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Xournal++ screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  PDF annotation
    3.  Support for styluses
    4.  Handwriting
    5.  Export to PDF
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  LaTeX Math
    8.  Pen Support
    9.  Pressure Sensitivity
    10.  Freehand Writing
    11.  Multi layer drawing
    12.  Ad-free

    Xournal++ VS Microsoft Journal

     

    • 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
  2. Linwood Butterfly icon

    Linwood Butterfly

     34 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.

    41 Linwood Butterfly alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • AltStore
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Linwood Butterfly screenshot 1
    Linwood Butterfly screenshot 2
    Linwood Butterfly screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Privacy focused
    4.  Support for Themes
    5.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Handwritten Notes
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Real time collaboration
    7.  Cloud Sync
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Decentralized
    10.  End-to-End Encryption
    11.  Portable
    12.  Handwriting

    Linwood Butterfly VS Microsoft Journal

     

    • 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 and DecentralizedMicrosoft Journal is not according to our users
  4. Saber: Handwritten Notes icon

    Saber: Handwritten Notes

     23 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: Handwritten Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    • Mac
    • iPad
    Saber: Handwritten Notes screenshot 1
    Saber: Handwritten Notes screenshot 2
    Saber: Handwritten Notes 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
    11.  Palm Rejection

    Saber: Handwritten Notes VS Microsoft Journal

     

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

    • Saber: Handwritten Notes is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Journal is Free and Proprietary
    • Saber: Handwritten Notes is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft Journal is not according to our users
  5. 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.

    60 GoodNotes alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • HK flagHong Kong SAR China

    Platforms

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

    Top GoodNotes Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Handwriting
    3.  Pressure Sensitivity
    4.  Integrated Search
    5.  Handwritten Notes
    6.  OCR
    7.  Support for Gestures
    8.  Apple Pencil support
    9.  Handwriting recognition
    10.  Folders
    11.  Freehand Writing
    12.  Drag and Drop

    GoodNotes VS Microsoft Journal

     
  6. xournal icon

    xournal

     73 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.

    48 xournal alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    xournal screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    It hasn't been updated since 2017, but there is an active fork Xournal++ icon Xournal++

    xournal Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Handwritten Notes
    3.  Edit PDF
    4.  Support for styluses
    5.  Drawing Tablet Support
    6.  Sketching

    xournal VS Microsoft Journal

     
  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.

    125 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 Microsoft Journal

     
  9. 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

    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 Microsoft Journal

     
  10. Noteshelf icon

    Noteshelf

     15 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...

    75 Noteshelf alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    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

    Top Noteshelf Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  PDF annotation
    3. Dropbox icon  Sync with Dropbox
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Markup examples
    7.  Visual Organization
    8.  Support for styluses
    9.  Voice Notes
    10.  Apple Pencil support
    11.  Protected by Password
    12.  Sync with iCloud

    Noteshelf VS Microsoft Journal

     

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

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

    21 NoteLab alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    NoteLab screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The last update is from 2013.

    NoteLab Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Sketching
    3.  Handwriting

    NoteLab VS Microsoft Journal

     
  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.

    32 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 Microsoft Journal

     
  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

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • Kindle Fire
    Squid screenshot 1

    Squid Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Handwritten Notes
    3.  Combine PDF
    4.  Infinite canvas
    5.  Import pdf files
    6.  Export to PDF
    7.  Handwriting

    Squid VS Microsoft Journal

     
  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.

    279 Soysauce Lab Noto alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Soysauce Lab Noto screenshot 1

    Soysauce Lab Noto Features

    1.  File Organizer
    2.  Text editing
    3.  Sync with iCloud
    4.  Notebook

    Soysauce Lab Noto VS Microsoft Journal

     
12 of 37 Microsoft Journal alternatives