Note-Taking Apps
Note-taking apps with a one-time purchase
46 of the 147 note-taking apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.
31 of them are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoodnotesHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant | Free plan · from $11.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| NotabilityHandwritten notes with synced audio, transcripts and AI study tools | Free plan · from $14.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| UpNoteCross-platform notes app with a lifetime purchase option | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| DEVONthinkDocument and information manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad | Free trial · from $99 one-time | Trial only | Web, macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| NoteshelfHandwritten note-taking and PDF annotation for stylus devices | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| MyScript NotesHandwriting notes app that converts pen strokes to typed text | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| CollaNoteHandwriting and PDF markup notes for iPad, iPhone and Mac | Free plan · from $13.90 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| MarginNoteStudy reader that turns highlights into mind maps and cards | Free trial · from $12.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| LiquidTextDocument review workspace that links excerpts to notes | Free plan · from $8.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| OmniOutlinerOutliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro | Free trial · from $24.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| TinderboxMac tool for mapping, analyzing and sharing notes | Free trial · from $289 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Bike OutlinerFast outliner and structured writing app for Mac | Free plan · from $29.99 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| Keep ItNotebook and document organizer for Mac, iPhone and iPad | Free trial · from $2.99 | Trial only | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| EagleFilerDocument organizer and mail archiver for Mac | Free trial · from $69.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| CurioFreeform Mac notebook with mind maps, lists and Kanban | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | macOS |
| FSNotesOpen-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| The ArchivePlain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| NotebooksWriting, documents and tasks organized in nested books | Free trial · from $17.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| TotSeven-note text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch | Free plan · from $19.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| SideNotesScreen-edge notes panel for Mac, with a separate iPhone app | Free trial · from $9.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| AntinoteMac scratchpad for temporary notes, quick math and checklists | Free trial · from $5 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| OctarineLocal Markdown notes app with daily notes, views and optional AI | Free plan · from $79 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, Browser extension |
| NotefulHandwritten notes and PDF markup for iPad, with tags and layers | Free plan · from $6.99 one-time | Yes | iOS |
| NotewiseHandwriting canvas and AI notes for iPhone, iPad and Android | Free plan · from $2.42/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
| PenbookHandwriting notebooks and live planners for iPad and iPhone | Free plan · from $4.99 | Yes | iOS |
| ZoomNotesHandwriting, sketching and PDF notes with a near-unlimited zoom range | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Notes WriterHandwriting, PDF annotation and document editing in one Apple app | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| GitJournalMobile Markdown notes app that syncs through any Git repository | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | iOS, Android |
| NotePlusNative Markdown notes app with kanban boards and AI chat | Free plan · from $29 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| MiaoYanNative Mac Markdown notes app with a split editor and preview | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| NoteeyOffline infinite-canvas app for visual notes, PDFs and video | Free plan · from $90/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows |
| NotezillaDesktop sticky notes for Windows with phone and web access | Free plan · from $19.95/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| AllMyNotes OrganizerWindows notes organizer that keeps everything in one local file | Free plan · from $34.00 one-time | Yes | Windows |
| MyInfoOffline note-taking and personal information manager for Windows | Free trial · from $99 one-time | Trial only | Windows, Browser extension |
| RightNoteWindows note organizer with pages, trees and several note types | Free plan · from $29.95 one-time | Yes | Windows |
| NoteCase ProCross-platform outliner and note manager with Lua scripting | Free plan · from $5 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| BraintossOne-tap capture app that sends notes to your email inbox | From $2.79 one-time | No | iOS, Android |
| SnipNotesNotebook and clipboard app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| GravitySingle-stream notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android | From $9.99 one-time | No | macOS, iOS, Android |
| Quick NoteMenu bar sticky notes that float above other Mac windows | Free trial · from $12.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| NotchkinLocal notes panel that drops down from the MacBook notch | From $4.99 one-time | No | macOS |
| NotickySticky notes for Mac that stay on top, even in fullscreen | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| InkflowHandwriting notebook for iPad and iPhone with movable vector ink | Free plan · from $12.99 one-time | Yes | iOS |
| BebopCapture-first plain-text notes app for iPhone | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | iOS |
| UnderstoryMac notes app for outlining and drafting essays, papers and books | Free plan · from $24.99 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| StickierSticky notes for Mac with iCloud sync and an iPhone companion app | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
Common questions
Which note-taking apps can be bought once instead of by subscription?
46 of the 147 note-taking apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase. They are Goodnotes, Notability, UpNote, DEVONthink, Noteshelf, MyScript Notes, CollaNote, MarginNote, LiquidText, OmniOutliner, Tinderbox, Bike Outliner, Keep It, EagleFiler, Curio and 31 more.
Which of these note-taking apps are free?
Goodnotes, Notability, UpNote, Noteshelf, MyScript Notes, CollaNote, LiquidText, Bike Outliner, Curio, FSNotes, Tot, Octarine, Noteful, Notewise, Penbook and 16 more are free or have a free plan.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and each listing names the pages it was read from.