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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Notability alternatives

Notability compared with 12 alternatives: Goodnotes, Noteshelf, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes and 7 more.

Notability has a free plan. Paid plans start at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite). All 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
NotabilityThis toolFree plan · from $14.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
GoodnotesFree plan · from $11.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NoteshelfFree plan · from $7.99 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
CollaNoteFree plan · from $13.90 one-timeYesmacOS, iOS
Microsoft OneNoteFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Apple NotesFreeFreeWeb, macOS, iOS
FlexcilFree plan · from $8.99YesiOS, Android
FreenotesFree plan · from $1.99YesiOS, Android
InkflowFree plan · from $12.99 one-timeYesiOS
KilonotesFree plan · from $1.99/moYesiOS, Android
LiquidTextFree plan · from $8.99/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS
MyScript NotesFree plan · from $1.99YesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NotefulFree plan · from $6.99 one-timeYesiOS

How each one differs from Notability

  1. Goodnotes

    Handwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant

    • Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.
    • Notability also covers templates.

    Suits: Handwritten notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil

    Goodnotes vs NotabilityGoodnotes pricing and details

  2. Noteshelf

    Handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation for stylus devices

    • Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Notability also covers transcription.

    Suits: Students and teachers taking handwritten notes with a stylus

    Noteshelf vs NotabilityNoteshelf pricing and details

  3. CollaNote

    Handwriting and PDF markup notes for iPad, iPhone and Mac

    • CollaNote starts at $13.90 one-time (Lifetime Premium). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.

    Suits: Students handwriting notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil

    CollaNote vs NotabilityCollaNote pricing and details

  4. Microsoft OneNote

    Microsoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes

    • Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation and web clipper.
    • Notability also covers templates.

    Suits: People who already have a Microsoft account or a Microsoft 365 subscription

    Microsoft OneNote vs NotabilityMicrosoft OneNote pricing and details

  5. Apple Notes

    Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web

    • Apple Notes is free. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.
    • Notability also covers templates.

    Suits: People who use only Apple devices

    Apple Notes vs NotabilityApple Notes pricing and details

  6. Flexcil

    PDF reader and handwriting notebook built around pen gestures

    • Flexcil starts at $8.99 (Premium) or $9.99 (Flexcil Standard) on the US App Store; basis not shown. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Notability also covers transcription.

    Suits: Students who study from PDF textbooks and lecture slides

    Flexcil vs NotabilityFlexcil pricing and details

  7. Freenotes

    Handwriting and PDF annotation app with AI study tools

    • Freenotes starts at $1.99 per week (Weekly Plus Member), or $9.99 per year. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Freenotes also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: Students annotating lecture slides and revising with flashcards

    Freenotes vs NotabilityFreenotes pricing and details

  8. Inkflow

    Handwriting notebook for iPad and iPhone with movable vector ink

    • Inkflow starts at $12.99 one-time in-app upgrade. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists macOS, Windows and Android apps.
    • Notability also covers transcription and templates.

    Suits: Brainstorming and planning by hand on an iPad

    Inkflow vs NotabilityInkflow pricing and details

  9. Kilonotes

    Handwriting notes app with AI study tools for iPad and Android

    • Kilonotes starts at $1.99 per month (Monthly Subscription on the US App Store). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Students taking handwritten lecture notes on an iPad or Android tablet

    Kilonotes vs NotabilityKilonotes pricing and details

  10. LiquidText

    Document review workspace that links excerpts to notes

    • LiquidText starts at $8.99 per month, paid annually (LIVE). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists an Android app.
    • LiquidText also covers research, mind mapping and highlights.
    • Notability also covers transcription and templates.

    Suits: Lawyers and analysts reviewing long documents

    LiquidText vs NotabilityLiquidText pricing and details

  11. MyScript Notes

    Handwriting notes app that converts pen strokes to typed text

    • MyScript Notes starts at $1.99 on the US App Store; billing period not labeled. Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • MyScript Notes also covers whiteboard and diagrams.
    • Notability also covers transcription and templates.

    Suits: Stylus users who want handwriting turned into typed text

    MyScript Notes vs NotabilityMyScript Notes pricing and details

  12. Noteful

    Handwritten notes and PDF markup for iPad, with tags and layers

    • Noteful starts at $6.99 one-time purchase (Noteful Pro, Lifetime). Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite).
    • Only Notability lists a web app.
    • Only Notability lists macOS, Windows and Android apps.
    • Notability also covers transcription and templates.

    Suits: iPad users who write with Apple Pencil and prefer to pay once

    Noteful vs NotabilityNoteful pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Notability

  • The free Starter plan is limited to 5 notes.
  • Audio transcription and the AI quiz and flashcard tools start at Plus; real-time summaries, note chat and unlimited transcription are listed under Pro.
  • Third-party backups are iOS only, and YouTube link-to-note conversion works on the web only.
  • The plan comparison marks handwriting recognition, math conversion and audio playback sync as iOS and Android only.
Notability pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Notability?

The alternatives to Notability in this directory are Goodnotes, Noteshelf, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, Flexcil, Freenotes, Inkflow, Kilonotes, LiquidText, MyScript Notes and Noteful. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Notability.

Is there a free alternative to Notability?

Yes. Apple Notes is free to use. Goodnotes, Noteshelf, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Flexcil, Freenotes, Inkflow, Kilonotes, LiquidText, MyScript Notes and Noteful have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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