Squid AlternativesNote-taking Tools and other similar apps like Squid

Squid is described as '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' and is a Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Squid for a variety of platforms, including Android, Android Tablet, iPad, iPhone and Mac apps. The best Squid alternative is Linwood Butterfly, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Squid are Saber: Handwritten Notes, GoodNotes, Notability and Noteshelf.

Squid iconSquid
  19
  • ...

Take handwritten notes naturally on your Android tablet, phone, or Chromebook supporting Android apps! With Squid you can...

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Squid alternatives page was last updated Mar 28, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Linwood Butterfly icon

    Linwood Butterfly

     29 likes
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    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.

    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.  Distraction-free
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Customizable

    Features

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

    Linwood Butterfly VS Squid

     

    • Linwood Butterfly is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Squid.

    • Linwood Butterfly is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Squid.

    • Linwood Butterfly is Free and Open SourceSquid is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Linwood Butterfly is Privacy focused and LightweightSquid is not according to our users
  2. Saber: Handwritten Notes icon

    Saber: Handwritten Notes

     21 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 Squid

     

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

    • Saber: Handwritten Notes is Free and Open SourceSquid is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Saber: Handwritten Notes is Privacy focused and LightweightSquid is not according to our users
  4. GoodNotes icon

    GoodNotes

     76 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 Squid

     
  5. 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 Squid

     
  6. 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 Squid

     
    Comments about Noteshelf as an Alternative to Squid
    Sheepmind
    Positive •Mar 2, 2021
    0

    I was a long time user of Squid because I had trouble finding another decent alternative on android. But Noteshelf has changed the game on android handwritten notes apps. Try it. It's a one time payment if you tried it and you want to go back to squid you can ask for a refund. But I promise you, you will not want to go back to Squid.

    Squid Icon
    Noteshelf icon

    • Noteshelf is the most popular commercial alternative to Squid.

    • Noteshelf is Paid and ProprietarySquid is Freemium and Proprietary
  7. 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 Squid

     
  9. DrawNote icon

    DrawNote

     2 likes
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    DrawNote is a feature-rich all-in-one notebook & notepad that integrates note-taking, mind mapping, to-do list, handwriting, sketching, drawing and painting.

    6 DrawNote alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    DrawNote screenshot 1
    DrawNote screenshot 2
    DrawNote screenshot 3

    DrawNote Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Calendar Integration
    4.  Reminders
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Handwritten Notes
    7.  Encrypted Backup
    8.  File Tagging

    DrawNote VS Squid

     
  10. Notedrafts icon

    Notedrafts

     3 likes
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    Notedrafts is a powerful note-taking app that lets you write, draw, and organize your thoughts across different types of documents. Whether you're marking up a PDF, writing on a large canvas, or taking notes in a long vertical layout, Notedrafts adapts to your workflow.

    56 Notedrafts alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Notedrafts screenshot 1
    Notedrafts screenshot 2
    Notedrafts screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Note organization
    6.  Customizable templates
    7.  Content Templates
    8.  Import PDF
    9.  Notebook
    10.  Document templates
    11.  Freeform notes

    Notedrafts VS Squid

     
  11. Stylus Labs Write icon

    Stylus Labs Write

     33 likes
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    Write is a word processor for handwriting, designed primarily for tablets with an active stylus. Write has the functionality of a vector drawing application, plus a unique set of tools which ease the editing of handwritten text.

    35 Stylus Labs Write alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPad
    Stylus Labs Write screenshot 1
    Stylus Labs Write screenshot 2
    Stylus Labs Write screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Minimalistic

    Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Drawing Tablet Support
    3.  Handwriting
    4.  Shared links
    5.  Support for styluses
    6.  Functioning Erasor Tools
    7.  Undo/Redo wheel of memory
    8.  Export to PDF

    Stylus Labs Write VS Squid

     
  12. Notein icon

    Notein

     3 likes
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    Notein is a Handwritten note-taking app designed for Android users with a diverse range of features and tools for PDF-editing.

    14 Notein alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Notein screenshot 1

    Notein Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Combine PDF
    3.  Split PDF files
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  PDF annotation
    6.  Pressure Sensitivity
    7.  Sign PDF files
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Support for styluses
    10.  Sync with Google Drive

    Notein VS Squid

     
  13. Flexcil icon

    Flexcil

     11 likes
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    PDF annotation, reading and management.

    22 Flexcil alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Flexcil screenshot 1

    Top Flexcil Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Support for Gestures
    3.  PDF annotation
    4.  Combine PDF
    5.  Drag and Drop
    6.  Hyperlinks
    7.  Folders
    8.  Import PDF
    9.  Handwriting
    10.  Edit PDF
    11.  Digital Laser Pointer
    12.  Bookmarks

    Flexcil VS Squid

     
  14. Samsung Notes icon

    Samsung Notes

     7 likes
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    With Samsung Notes you can create notes containing texts, images with footnotes, voice recordings, and music. Moreover, you can share your notes easily to SNS.

    23 Samsung Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • KR flagSouth Korea

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Samsung Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Handwritten Notes
    3.  Pressure sensitive
    4.  Export to PDF
    5.  PDF annotation
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Pressure Sensitivity
    10.  Web Clipper
    11.  Zoom box
    12.  Notebook

    Samsung Notes VS Squid

     
12 of 23 Squid alternatives