Xournal++ icon
Xournal++ icon

Xournal++

 174 likes

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.

Xournal++ screenshot 1

License model

  • Free • Open Source

Application types

Platforms

  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Android
Xournal++ screenshot 1
Xournal++ screenshot 2
+1
Xournal++ screenshot 3
Xournal++ alternatives  
4.8 / 5 Avg rating (34)
174likes
29comments
51alternatives
0news articles

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Privacy focused
  2.  Lightweight

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
  13.  Highlighter
  14.  Audio with notes
  15.  Audio Recording
  16.  Auto-saving
  17. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
  18.  No registration required
  19.  Photo Import
  20.  Portable
  21.  LaTeX Equations
  22.  Insert images
  23.  Dark Mode
  24.  Voice Notes
  25.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
  26.  Audio playback
  27.  Spell Checking
  28.  No Tracking
  29.  WYSIWYG Support
  30.  Support for MarkDown
  31.  Visual Organization
  32.  Free hand drawing
  33.  Handwriting recognition
  34.  Data export/import

Xournal++ News & Activities

Highlights All activities

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Recent activities

  • xylopire and drdrnda liked Xournal++
    4 days ago
  • App icon
    younmin123 added Xournal++ as alternative to Halzy
    7 days ago
  • bekemax updated Xournal++
    10 days ago
  • vqs5477t79 and Zatra liked Xournal++
    19 days ago
  • POX updated Xournal++
    about 2 months ago
  • fundutzi reviewed Xournal++  
    ★
    ★
    ★
    ★
    ★
    about 2 months ago

    This is a secret weapon that few know exist.

  • fundutzi liked Xournal++
    about 2 months ago
  • dudo thinks PDF annotation is a important feature of Xournal++
    2 months ago
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Xournal++ information

  • Developed by

    Unknown

  • Licensing

    Open Source (GPL-2.0) and Free product.

  • Written in

  • Rating

    Average rating of 4.8 (34 ratings)

  • Alternatives

    51 alternatives listed

  • Supported Languages

    • English

AlternativeTo Categories

Office & Productivity, Photos & Graphics, Audio & Music

GitHub repository

  •  12,823 Stars
  •  898 Forks
  •  1124 Open Issues
  •   Updated Jun 16, 2025 
View on GitHub

Popular alternatives

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Our users have written 29 comments and reviews about Xournal++, and it has gotten 174 likes

Xournal++ was added to AlternativeTo by TerrifiedTyphlosion on Feb 23, 2019 and this page was last updated Jun 11, 2025.

Comments and Reviews

   
 Post comment/review
Comment summary: Xournal++ is praised for its versatility in note-taking and PDF annotation, particularly with Wacom tablets and active pen support. Users appreciate its open-source nature, active development, and cross-platform compatibility. While many commend its simplicity and ease of use, one comment notes potential CPU and battery strain. It is highly regarded for handwritten notes, mathematics, LaTeX input, and stylus support, making it a valuable tool for educators and students alike.
Top Positive Comment
Queuecumbr
★
★
★
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★
Mar 10, 2020
6

Great program for annotating PDFs or just taking notes. Works great with Wacom tablets and makes using handwriting on digital documents a breeze.

Fnalternativeto Lnalternativeto
★
★
★
★
★
May 1, 2025
0

This is a secret weapon that few know exist.

mech23132
★
★
★
★
★
Jul 26, 2024
0

Simple and productive

TBayAreaPat
★
★
★
★
★
May 17, 2024
0

Does nice job of scrolling through undivided long pdfs.. nicer than using Windows Paint. Many types of tools to edit the pdfs. Under tools menu, there are ways to mark the pdfs.

astrarrow
★
★
★
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★
Jan 3, 2024
0

it's a simple pdf reader that actually works.

costanza6221
★
★
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Oct 11, 2022
0

Saved my online class days. Stylus support, PDF annotation, care free save options. Even supports linux made me safe in every environment. Quick bars that can be customizable are easy to use.

Guest
★
★
★
★
★
Jun 15, 2022
0

Best note-taking app.

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7 of 29 comments

What is Xournal++?

Xournal++ (a fork of Xournal) is a handwriting Notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with platform independent GTK, supporting Linux, e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Suse, macOS and Windows 10. Supports Pen input like Wacom Tablets.

Xournal++ is a hand note taking software written in C++ with the target of flexibility, functionality and speed. Stroke recognizer and other parts are based on Xournal Code, which you can find at SourceForge.

Xournal++ features:

Support for Pen pressure, e.g. Wacom Tablet Support for annotating PDFs Fill shape functionality PDF Export (with and without paper style) PNG Export (with and without transparent background) Allow to map different tools / colors etc. to stylus buttons / mouse buttons Sidebar with Page Previews with advanced page sorting, PDF Bookmarks and Layers (can be individually hidden, editing layer can be selected) enhanced support for image insertion Eraser with multiple configurations Significantly reduced memory usage and code to detect memory leaks compared to Xournal LaTeX support (requires a working LaTeX install) bug reporting, autosave, and auto backup tools Customizable toolbar, with multiple configurations, e.g. to optimize toolbar for portrait / landscape Page Template definitions Shape drawing (line, arrow, circle, rect) Shape resizing and rotation Rotation snapping every 45 degrees Rect snapping to grid Audio recording and playback alongside with handwritten notes Multi Language Support, Like English, German (Deutsch), Italian (Italiano)...

Official Links

AppStores & Other Links

Download from Google Play Store