Alternatives · Note-Taking
Noteshelf alternatives
Noteshelf compared with 12 alternatives: Goodnotes, Notability, Samsung Notes, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote and 7 more.
Noteshelf has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android. 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
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| NoteshelfThis tool | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Goodnotes | Free plan · from $11.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Notability | Free plan · from $14.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Samsung Notes | Free | Free | Windows, Android |
| CollaNote | Free plan · from $13.90 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Microsoft OneNote | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Flexcil | Free plan · from $8.99 | Yes | iOS, Android |
| MyScript Notes | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Noteful | Free plan · from $6.99 one-time | Yes | iOS |
| Notein | Free plan · from $5.99 | Yes | Android |
| Notes Writer | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Notewise | Free plan · from $2.42/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Penbook | Free plan · from $4.99 | Yes | iOS |
How each one differs from Noteshelf
- Free plan · from $11.99/yr
Goodnotes
Handwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant
- Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential). Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
- Goodnotes also covers transcription and whiteboard.
- Noteshelf also covers templates.
Suits: Handwritten notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil
- Free plan · from $14.99/yr
Notability
Handwritten notes with synced audio, transcripts and AI study tools
- Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite). Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Notability also covers transcription.
Suits: Students recording lectures alongside handwritten notes
- Free
Samsung Notes
Samsung's free note app for Galaxy phones, tablets and Galaxy Book
- Samsung Notes is free. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists iOS and macOS apps.
- Noteshelf can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Galaxy phone and tablet owners, especially those with an S Pen
- Free plan · from $13.90 one-time
CollaNote
Handwriting and PDF markup notes for iPad, iPhone and Mac
- CollaNote starts at $13.90 one-time (Lifetime Premium). Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists Android and Windows apps.
- CollaNote also covers transcription.
Suits: Students handwriting notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
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). Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
- Noteshelf can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Microsoft OneNote also covers transcription, dictation and web clipper.
Suits: People who already have a Microsoft account or a Microsoft 365 subscription
- 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. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Noteshelf can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Students who study from PDF textbooks and lecture slides
- Free plan · from $1.99
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. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- MyScript Notes also covers whiteboard and diagrams.
- Noteshelf also covers templates.
Suits: Stylus users who want handwriting turned into typed text
- Free plan · from $6.99 one-time
Noteful
Handwritten notes and PDF markup for iPad, with tags and layers
- Noteful starts at $6.99 one-time purchase (Noteful Pro, Lifetime). Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists macOS, Android and Windows apps.
- Noteshelf also covers templates.
Suits: iPad users who write with Apple Pencil and prefer to pay once
- Free plan · from $5.99
Notein
Handwriting notes, PDF markup and linked notes for Android tablets
- Notein starts at $5.99 per in-app item on the US listing (Orion Notes); billing basis not shown. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- 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: Android tablet and stylus users who want handwritten notes
- Free plan · from $1.99
Notes Writer
Handwriting, PDF annotation and document editing in one Apple app
- Notes Writer starts at $1.99 per week; Lifetime Pro Full Unlock is $14.99 one-time. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists Android and Windows apps.
- Notes Writer also covers Markdown, whiteboard, documents and long-form writing.
- Noteshelf also covers templates.
Suits: Students who record lectures and annotate course PDFs on an iPad
- 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. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Notewise also covers meeting notes, transcription and whiteboard.
- Noteshelf also covers templates.
Suits: Students and professionals who mix handwriting, PDFs and recordings
- Free plan · from $4.99
Penbook
Handwriting notebooks and live planners for iPad and iPhone
- Penbook starts at $4.99 - $39.99 per in-app item (basis not shown); $49.99 lifetime. Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android.
- Only Noteshelf lists macOS, Android and Windows apps.
- Penbook also covers daily notes.
Suits: People who keep planners, journals or bullet journals on an iPad
Limits worth knowing in Noteshelf
- The Free tier is limited to 3 notebooks, and handwriting recognition and search require Premium.
- Pricing differs by platform: $7.99 on the Microsoft Store, a $9.99 one-time upgrade on Android, and subscriptions or a lifetime purchase on the App Store.
- The App Store shows several yearly Premium prices between $19.99 and $49.99, so the price offered inside the app may vary.
- Sync uses iCloud on Apple devices and Google Drive on Android; the listings do not describe syncing between the two.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Noteshelf?
The alternatives to Noteshelf in this directory are Goodnotes, Notability, Samsung Notes, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Flexcil, MyScript Notes, Noteful, Notein, Notes Writer, Notewise and Penbook. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Noteshelf.
Is there a free alternative to Noteshelf?
Yes. Samsung Notes is free to use. Goodnotes, Notability, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Flexcil, MyScript Notes, Noteful, Notein, Notes Writer, Notewise and Penbook 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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