Alternatives · Note-Taking
ZoomNotes alternatives
ZoomNotes compared with 5 alternatives: Goodnotes, Notability, Noteshelf, Notes Writer and Inkflow.
ZoomNotes has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $6.99 one-time for Mac. 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
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZoomNotesThis tool | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| 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 |
| Noteshelf | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Notes Writer | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Inkflow | Free plan · from $12.99 one-time | Yes | iOS |
How each one differs from ZoomNotes
- 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). ZoomNotes starts at $7.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $6.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
- Only Goodnotes lists Android and Windows apps.
- Goodnotes also covers transcription.
- ZoomNotes 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). ZoomNotes starts at $7.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $6.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only Notability lists a web app.
- Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
- Notability also covers transcription.
- ZoomNotes also covers whiteboard.
Suits: Students recording lectures alongside handwritten notes
- 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. ZoomNotes starts at $7.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $6.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only Noteshelf lists Android and Windows apps.
- ZoomNotes also covers whiteboard.
Suits: Students and teachers taking handwritten notes with a stylus
- 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. ZoomNotes starts at $7.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $6.99 one-time for Mac.
- Notes Writer also covers Markdown, documents and long-form writing.
- ZoomNotes also covers templates.
Suits: Students who record lectures and annotate course PDFs on an iPad
- Free plan · from $12.99 one-time
Inkflow
Handwriting notebook for iPad and iPhone with movable vector ink
- Inkflow starts at $12.99 one-time in-app upgrade. ZoomNotes starts at $7.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $6.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only ZoomNotes lists a macOS app.
- ZoomNotes also covers whiteboard and templates.
Suits: Brainstorming and planning by hand on an iPad
Limits worth knowing in ZoomNotes
- The iPhone and iPad app and the Mac app are separate purchases, at $7.99 and $6.99 on the US stores.
- ZoomNotes Lite has a single pen type; extra pens, sub-pages, images, sound, bookmarks and handwriting recognition are in-app purchases.
- It is offered for iPad, iPhone and Mac only; no Android, Windows or web version is listed.
- iCloud sync is elective: each document has to be set to share individually in its properties.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to ZoomNotes?
The alternatives to ZoomNotes in this directory are Goodnotes, Notability, Noteshelf, Notes Writer and Inkflow. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with ZoomNotes.
Is there a free alternative to ZoomNotes?
Yes. Goodnotes, Notability, Noteshelf, Notes Writer and Inkflow have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which ZoomNotes alternatives work on Windows?
The ZoomNotes listing does not include a Windows app. Goodnotes, Notability and Noteshelf list one.
Which ZoomNotes alternatives work on Android?
The ZoomNotes listing does not include an Android app. Goodnotes, Notability and Noteshelf 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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