Notability AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools and other similar apps like Notability

Notability is described as 'Integrated iOS app linking notes with audio, supporting handwriting, PDF annotation, word processing, and auto backup with customizable themes' and is a popular Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Notability for a variety of platforms, including iPad, iPhone, Android, Android Tablet and Windows apps. The best Notability alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Notability are Notesnook, Microsoft OneNote, Linwood Butterfly and Saber.

filter to find the best alternatives

Notability alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or PDF Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Windows, Open Source, Mac, Linux, Apple Watch and Android + Note-taking. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Notability.
More about Notability
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Notability alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1081 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    163 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

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

    • Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to Notability.

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryNotability is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Obsidian is Lightweight and Privacy focusedNotability is not according to our users
  2. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     171 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    293 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Notesnook as an Alternative to Notability
    themrsecret
    Negative
    0

    Does not allow handwritten notes

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Notability Icon
    Notesnook icon

    • Notesnook is the most popular Web-based & SaaS alternative to Notability.

    • Notesnook is the most popular Open Source alternative to Notability.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceNotability is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focused and LightweightNotability is not according to our users
  4. Microsoft OneNote icon

    Microsoft OneNote

     1138 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    138 Microsoft OneNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 1
     
    |
    8
    55
    Comments about Microsoft OneNote as an Alternative to Notability
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    2

    Same draw and text anywhere functionality. It also supports PDF annotation and sync backup.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    10

    too simple and halfbaked on android

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Onenote is not so intuitive. Its just awkward. And i dont know this yet but would bet you need good internet access to use it. Notability was easy first use if i remember right. Who are those clowns and why dont they have an android version yet???!!!!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 8 comments
    Notability Icon
    Microsoft OneNote icon

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

    • Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryNotability is also Freemium and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    UPDF icon
    UPDF

    Edit, annotate, and convert PDFs with OCR capabilities, AI-assisted tools for summaries and translations. It supports file protection and offers 2GB of cloud storage for secure management.

    https://updf.com
    Learn More
  6. Linwood Butterfly icon

    Linwood Butterfly

     41 likes
    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

    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 Self-Hosted alternative to Notability.

    • Linwood Butterfly is Free and Open SourceNotability is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Linwood Butterfly is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedNotability is not according to our users
  7. Saber icon

    Saber

     30 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.

    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
     
    |
    2
    Comments about Saber as an Alternative to Notability
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I tried it and it was the most similar so far that I have tried with no in-app purchases. I also haven’t seen any ads so far. I’m not sure how many features it has yet, but it is very simple and effective.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    AzureOfTheFlumes
    Positive
    0

    Saber feels very similar; the biggest downsides at the moment are not being able to save custom colors and not recognizing apple pencil gestures like double-tap to switch to eraser. A lot of the other normal Notability features are here though (just not any of the premium stuff like handwriting recognition)

    Notability Icon
    Saber icon
    • Saber is Free and Open SourceNotability is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Saber is Privacy focused and LightweightNotability is not according to our users
  8. Zoho Notebook icon

    Zoho Notebook

     91 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Web-based tool for integrating text, images, audio, and video with syncing across devices, real-time collaboration, handwriting input, AI-powered summaries, checklists, scanning, reminders, search in handwritten notes, and advanced organization.

    317 Zoho Notebook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    Zoho Notebook screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    15
    Comments about Zoho Notebook as an Alternative to Notability
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Notability is very focused on handwritten notes and sketches. Zoho Notebook is way off in this comparison

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Notability Icon
    Zoho Notebook icon

    • Some users think Zoho Notebook is a great Notability alternative, some don't.

    • Zoho Notebook is Freemium and ProprietaryNotability is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zoho Notebook is Privacy focusedNotability is not according to our users
  10. GoodNotes icon

    GoodNotes

     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.

    66 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
     
    |
    2
    13
    Comments about GoodNotes as an Alternative to Notability
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    There is no ability to record. Also, they have discontinued support for previous versions and forced users to upgrade without notice. I bought GoodNotes 4 and it stopped working within 3 months. Notability also has issues, and there is no dependable note taking app at the moment. OneNote seems good, but can't record while taking notes at the same time, unless using separate apps, and it has a clunky interface.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Because you can do almost anything that notibility allows you to do.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Notability Icon
    GoodNotes icon

    • Most users think GoodNotes is a great Notability alternative.

    • GoodNotes is Freemium and ProprietaryNotability is also Freemium and Proprietary
  12. Squid icon

    Squid

     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
    Squid screenshot 1
     
    |
    14
  13. WizNote icon

    WizNote

     82 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    WizNote is a Note software, which is especially designed for Internet users and mobile Internet users. WizNote focuses more on notes of rapid collection, management, reading and sharing. WizNote is smaller, more stable, and more suitable for computers, phones and mobile devices.

    250 WizNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    WizNote screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    17
    Comments about WizNote as an Alternative to Notability
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Notability is all about taking handwritten noted and annotating pdfs by hand - not the closest thing in terms of notability

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Notability Icon
    WizNote icon

    • Most users think WizNote is a great Notability alternative.

    • WizNote is the most popular commercial alternative to Notability.

    • WizNote is Paid and ProprietaryNotability is Freemium and Proprietary
  14. Noteshelf icon

    Noteshelf

     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...

    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
     
    |
    6
  15. Notes icon

    Notes

     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.

    136 Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Notes screenshot 1
     
12 of 53 Notability alternatives