xournal Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to xournal for Linux and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is Foxit Reader. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Xournal++ or Notesnook. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to xournal and 17 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to xournal are OpenBoard, Butterfly, Rnote and Stylus Labs Write.

xournal alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be PDF Readers or Whiteboards. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of xournal.

xournal

Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool

Xournal is an application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal using a stylus. It is free software (GNU GPL) and...

More about xournal

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Foxit Reader
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Text to Speech Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
ReactOS
115 Foxit Reader alternatives
Foxit Reader is a free and light-weight multi-platform PDF document viewer. Its core function is compatible with PDF Standard 1.7.
- - Foxit Reader is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to xournal.
- - Foxit Reader is the most popular free alternative to xournal.
Suggest and vote on features
Foxit Reader Features
1. PDF annotationFoxit Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Fill PDF FormsFoxit Reader supports forms in PDF files.
3. Sign PDF filesFoxit Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. Text to SpeechFoxit Reader allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
5. LightweightFoxit Reader consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Support for scriptingFoxit Reader supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
7. Spell CheckingFoxit Reader can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
8. PortableFoxit Reader can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Highlighter
Tablet support
Booklet printing
Text Highlighting
Support for Javascript
Multiple languages
Print to PDF
Scan to word
Modify filesystem timestamps
Tabbed interface
Bundleware
The installer tries to install McAfee WebAdvisor and PhantomPDF Business. These can be skipped by clicking Decline on each.
Xournal++
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
42 Xournal++ alternatives
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 the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to xournal.
- - Xournal++ is the most popular Open Source alternative to xournal.
Suggest and vote on features
Xournal++ Features
1. Handwritten NotesXournal++ supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationXournal++ support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. Works OfflineXournal++ can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Pressure SensitivityXournal++ can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
5. Ad-freeXournal++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Support for LaTeXXournal++ supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
7. PortableXournal++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
8. Dark ModeXournal++ supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Spell CheckingXournal++ can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Support for styluses
Handwriting
Export to PDF
LaTeX Math
Pen Support
Multi layer drawing
Audio with notes
Freehand Writing
Highlighter
LaTeX Equations
Comments about Xournal++ as a Alternative to xournal
Almost everyone thinks Xournal++ is a great xournal alternative.
violoncello
Xournal++ is the successor of Xournal
Positive comment •
1

Guest
Direct successor, working in MacOS ;)
Positive comment •
2

DV Yost
It's the new version of it.
Positive comment •
0
Notesnook
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
iPad
Google Chrome
Flathub
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Flatpak
F-Droid
Android Tablet
175 Notesnook alternatives
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.
- - Notesnook is the most popular SaaS alternative to xournal.
Suggest and vote on features
Notesnook Features
1. Works OfflineNotesnook can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. End-to-End EncryptionNotesnook has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedNotesnook is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Dark ModeNotesnook supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Support for MarkDownNotesnook supports MarkDown for document formatting.
6. No TrackingNotesnook will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Ad-freeNotesnook doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Notesnook.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Encrypted Notes
Private notes
Note organization
Reminders
Unlimited storage
Two-factor Authentication
Lightweight
WYSIWYG Support
Distraction-free
Hierarchical Structure
OpenBoard
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Whiteboard
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
63 OpenBoard alternatives
OpenBoard is a cross-platform (Linux / Windows / macOS) interactive whiteboard application. It is currently maintained by the Education Department (DIP) of the Canton of Geneva in Switzerland.
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OpenBoard Features
1. Handwritten NotesOpenBoard supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Pressure SensitivityOpenBoard can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
3. Ad-freeOpenBoard doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeOpenBoard supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in OpenBoard simultaneously.
Interactive Whiteboard
Fullscreen support
Grease Pencil
Shared whiteboard
Freeform notes
Export to PDF
Pencil
Handwriting
Dual screen support
Integrated Web Browser
Butterfly
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Whiteboard
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
33 Butterfly alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Butterfly Features
1. Dark ModeButterfly supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Ad-freeButterfly doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingButterfly will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Handwritten NotesButterfly supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Butterfly without registration.
6. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
7. LightweightButterfly consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. DecentralizedButterfly is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
9. Works OfflineButterfly can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Customizable
Handwriting
End-to-End Encryption
Distraction-free
Privacy focused
Portable
Built-in Note Taker
PDF annotation
Rnote
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
Flatpak
14 Rnote alternatives
Rnote aims to be a simple but functional note taking application for freehand drawing or annotating pictures or documents. It eventually should be able to import / export various media file formats.
Suggest and vote on features
Rnote Features
1. Handwritten NotesRnote supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationRnote support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Rnote without registration.
4. LightweightRnote consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Dark ModeRnote supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Works OfflineRnote can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Pressure SensitivityRnote can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
8. No TrackingRnote will not track you or use your personal data.
Support for styluses
Export to SVG
Infinite canvas
Shape Tools
Support for SVG
Stylus Labs Write
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPad
36 Stylus Labs Write alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Stylus Labs Write Features
1. Handwritten NotesStylus Labs Write supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Drawing Tablet SupportStylus Labs Write supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
Handwriting
Minimalistic
Shared links
Support for styluses
Functioning Erasor Tools
Undo/Redo wheel of memory
Export to PDF
Comments about Stylus Labs Write as a Alternative to xournal
Almost everyone thinks Stylus Labs Write is a great xournal alternative.
Cristóbal Vio
It has a very intuitive UI. It's easy to zoom, pan, erase in various modes. There's the insert space feature, you can move stuff around, etc. Also exports are quite easy and it automatically saves notes in html.
Positive comment •
2

Guest
After a first pratice where it is poor you see that it's minimal but very functional and it become easier to control thing than xournal. Pdf export is great, writing is better than journal, making frame is quite easy better than xournal. But you don't have the option for drawing circle.
Positive comment •
1

Guest
It's like Xournal but with much more functionalities for really good handwriting note taking on the go
Positive comment •
-3
NoteLab
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
19 NoteLab alternatives
NoteLab brings the power of digital note taking to Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and Solaris.
Suggest and vote on features
NoteLab Features
1. Handwritten NotesNoteLab supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
Sketching
Handwriting
MrWriter
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Whiteboard
Mac
Windows
Linux
18 MrWriter alternatives
Notetaking and blackboard replacement application. Inspired by Xournal. Written in C++/Qt for Linux / Windows / Mac.
Suggest and vote on features
MrWriter Features
1. Handwritten NotesMrWriter supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Ad-freeMrWriter doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. PortableMrWriter can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. LightweightMrWriter consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Comments about MrWriter as a Alternative to xournal
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
has a better intuitive UX
Positive comment •
0
Jarnal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
82 Jarnal alternatives
Jarnal is an open-source application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal, making a presentation, annotating a document - including pdf - or collaborating using a stylus, mouse or keyboard. It is similar to Microsoft .
Suggest and vote on features
Jarnal Features
1. Handwritten NotesJarnal supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
Sketching
Handwriting