Alternatives · Note-Taking
Notein alternatives
Notein compared with 6 alternatives: Samsung Notes, Noteshelf, Squid, Notewise, Flexcil and 1 more.
Notein has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown. All 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| NoteinThis tool | Free plan · from $5.99 | Yes | Android |
| Samsung Notes | Free | Free | Windows, Android |
| Noteshelf | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Squid | Free plan · from $1.00 | Yes | Android |
| Notewise | Free plan · from $2.42/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Flexcil | Free plan · from $8.99 | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Kilonotes | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Notein
- Free
Samsung Notes
Samsung's free note app for Galaxy phones, tablets and Galaxy Book
- Samsung Notes is free. Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown.
- Only Samsung Notes lists a Windows app.
- Notein also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
Suits: Galaxy phone and tablet owners, especially those with an S Pen
- Free plan · from $7.99 one-time
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. Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown.
- Only Noteshelf lists iOS, macOS and Windows apps.
- Noteshelf can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Notein also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
Suits: Students and teachers taking handwritten notes with a stylus
- Free plan · from $1.00
Squid
Handwritten notes and PDF markup for Android and Chromebooks
- Squid starts at $1.00 - $14.99 per in-app item on Google Play; billing basis not shown. Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown.
- Notein also covers linked notes and templates.
Suits: Students and teachers writing by hand on Android tablets or Chromebooks
- Free plan · from $2.42/mo
Notewise
Handwriting canvas and AI notes for iPhone, iPad and Android
- Notewise starts at $2.42 per month, billed yearly ($28.99); Classic Unlimited is $16.99 one-time. Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown.
- Only Notewise lists an iOS app.
- Notewise can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Notewise also covers meeting notes and transcription.
- Notein also covers linked notes and templates.
Suits: Students and professionals who mix handwriting, PDFs and recordings
- Free plan · from $8.99
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. Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown.
- Only Flexcil lists an iOS app.
- Notein also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
Suits: Students who study from PDF textbooks and lecture slides
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
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). Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown.
- Only Kilonotes lists an iOS app.
- Kilonotes also covers transcription.
- Notein also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
Suits: Students taking handwritten lecture notes on an iPad or Android tablet
Limits worth knowing in Notein
- The free tier stops at 3 notebooks; unlimited notebooks, AI features and cloud sync need VIP.
- Android only, and not listed on the US Play Store: US users are sent to a separate app, Orion Notes, and must export and re-import their notes.
- No price list is published. Billing runs through Google Play, and the US Orion Notes listing shows $5.99 per item without a billing period.
- The Play listing says the AI features are available in select regions only.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Notein?
The alternatives to Notein in this directory are Samsung Notes, Noteshelf, Squid, Notewise, Flexcil and Kilonotes. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Notein.
Is there a free alternative to Notein?
Yes. Samsung Notes is free to use. Noteshelf, Squid, Notewise, Flexcil and Kilonotes have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Notein alternatives work on Windows?
The Notein listing does not include a Windows app. Samsung Notes and Noteshelf list one.
Which Notein alternatives work on macOS?
The Notein listing does not include a macOS app. Noteshelf lists one.
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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