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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Xournal++ alternatives

Xournal++ compared with 5 alternatives: Rnote, Saber, Stylus Labs Write, Linwood Butterfly and Microsoft OneNote.

Xournal++ is free to use. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

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

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Xournal++This toolFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
RnoteFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
SaberFree plan · from $5/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Stylus Labs WriteFree plan · from $8.99 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Linwood ButterflyFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
Microsoft OneNoteFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension

How each one differs from Xournal++

  1. Rnote

    Open-source app for sketching and handwritten notes with a stylus

    • Rnote is free. Xournal++ is free.

    Suits: Students and teachers who write by hand with a stylus or drawing tablet

    Rnote vs Xournal++Rnote pricing and details

  2. Saber

    Open-source handwritten notes app for phones, tablets and PCs

    • Saber starts at Any amount per month for 10 GB of sync storage; $5 per month for 50 GB. Xournal++ is free.
    • Only Saber lists Android and iOS apps.
    • Saber is self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: Students and others who take notes by hand on a tablet

    Saber vs Xournal++Saber pricing and details

  3. Stylus Labs Write

    Open-source handwriting word processor for desktop and mobile

    • Stylus Labs Write starts at $8.99 one-time for the full iOS version; free on desktop and Android. Xournal++ is free.
    • Only Stylus Labs Write lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Stylus Labs Write also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: People who take handwritten notes on both a tablet and a desktop computer

    Stylus Labs Write vs Xournal++Stylus Labs Write pricing and details

  4. Linwood Butterfly

    Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas

    • Linwood Butterfly is free. Xournal++ is free.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists a web app.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists an Android app.
    • Linwood Butterfly is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Linwood Butterfly also covers whiteboard and templates.

    Suits: Handwritten lecture notes and PDF markup with a stylus

    Linwood Butterfly vs Xournal++Linwood Butterfly pricing and details

  5. 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). Xournal++ is free.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Only Xournal++ lists a Linux app.

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

    Microsoft OneNote vs Xournal++Microsoft OneNote pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Xournal++

  • Desktop only: the project says development of the separate Android and iOS app has stalled and the web app is no longer available.
  • A journal is stored separately from its background PDF, so moving either file breaks the link unless attach mode is used.
  • The macOS release will not open until two terminal commands are run to clear and re-sign the app.
  • Annotations exported to PDF cannot be edited afterward, and the export drops annotations built into the source PDF.
Xournal++ pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Xournal++?

The alternatives to Xournal++ in this directory are Rnote, Saber, Stylus Labs Write, Linwood Butterfly and Microsoft OneNote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Xournal++.

Is there a free alternative to Xournal++?

Yes. Rnote and Linwood Butterfly are free to use. Saber, Stylus Labs Write and Microsoft OneNote have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Xournal++ alternatives work on Android?

The Xournal++ listing does not include an Android app. Saber, Stylus Labs Write, Linwood Butterfly and Microsoft OneNote list one.

Which Xournal++ alternatives work on iOS?

The Xournal++ listing does not include an iOS app. Saber, Stylus Labs Write and Microsoft OneNote list 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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