The SMART Notebook Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about SMART Notebook in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
SMART Notebook
The Insider’s Guide
Lesson-building software for SMART Board classroom displays
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from SMART Notebook’s own pages.
Made by SMART Technologies · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from SMART Notebook’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on SMART Notebook’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.8
GPA, above 2 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
SMART Notebook is desktop software from SMART Technologies for creating and delivering lessons on a SMART Board. The company says it is free with a SMART Board and needs no subscription. It runs on Windows and macOS and can import PDF and PowerPoint files.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about SMART Notebook, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The pages read give no price for it on its own, it only runs on Windows and macOS, and student-device work is a separate product.
- 1
Best for lessons on a SMART Board
SMART Notebook is desktop software for building lessons on a SMART Board, and the vendor says it's free with one.
- 2
It is free
SMART Notebook has no paid plan at all. Described by the vendor as free with a SMART Board, with no subscription required.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and macOS.
- 4
Lesson creation
Teachers build and deliver lessons on a SMART Board from desktop software.
- 5
Object awareness
The software is designed so a teacher can pick up a pen or eraser and start writing without changing a tool on screen.
- 6
Content import
PDF and PPT files and other curriculum content can be imported into lessons.
- 7
A 1.8 GPA, above 2 of 61
That is against the other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
SMART Notebook is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
SMART Notebook at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows
- Made by
- SMART Technologies
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 1.8 GPA, weak
The report card
Best for lessons on a SMART Board
SMART Notebook is desktop software for building lessons on a SMART Board, and the vendor says it's free with one. The pages read give no price for it on its own, it only runs on Windows and macOS, and student-device work is a separate product. Skip it if you don't own the board.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | The vendor says it's free with a SMART Board and needs no subscription, but gives no price for the software alone. The board is the real cost. |
| Free plan and trial | D | No standalone free plan or trial is stated. The software is free only as part of a SMART Board purchase. |
| Features | C | Lesson building, PDF and PowerPoint import and a document camera link. Student-device collaboration is a separate product, Lumio. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record, and it's lesson-building software tied to a board, which takes some getting used to. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows and macOS desktop only. No web or tablet version is listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who SMART Notebook is for
- Fits if your classroom already has a SMART Board
- Works for teachers moving PDF and PowerPoint lessons onto an interactive board
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you don't own a SMART Board, as the pages frame it as free with one
- Not for you if you want a web or tablet version, since only Windows and macOS are named
- Too light for live work on student devices, which is the separate Lumio product
- Watch out: no price is given for the software on its own
Good to know
Good for
- Schools that already own SMART Board displays
- Teachers moving existing PDF and PowerPoint lessons onto an interactive board
Worth knowing
- The vendor frames it as free with a SMART Board; the pages read do not give a price for the software on its own.
- Desktop only: Windows and macOS are the platforms named, with no web or tablet version listed.
- Collaboration across student devices is a separate product, Lumio.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
SMART Notebook is free to use.
The vendor says it's free with a SMART Board and needs no subscription, but gives no price for the software alone.
With a SMART Board
$0
Free with the purchase of a SMART Board; the vendor states no subscription is required.
The free plan
Described by the vendor as free with a SMART Board, with no subscription required.
Read from smarttech.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and Windows
Lesson-building software for SMART Board classroom displays. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: whiteboard, presentations.
Lesson building, PDF and PowerPoint import and a document camera link.
- Lesson creation
- Teachers build and deliver lessons on a SMART Board from desktop software.
- Object awareness
- The software is designed so a teacher can pick up a pen or eraser and start writing without changing a tool on screen.
- Content import
- PDF and PPT files and other curriculum content can be imported into lessons.
- Document camera link
- A SMART Document Camera can be connected to bring physical material into a lesson.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
What it works with
- SMART Document Camera
- PowerPoint
SMART Notebook is made by SMART Technologies.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
2/61
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
SMART Notebook's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 2 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on value for money (C, above 7 of 61) and worst on free plan and trial (D, above 1).
SMART Notebook has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. SMART Notebook’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 7 of 61
- DFree plan and trialAbove 1 of 61
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 61
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 61
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 61
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. SMART Notebook is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
SMART Notebook is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 58 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools grade higher.
What you could not
- An endless canvas that stays smooth with hundreds of things on it.
- A slide editor.
- A real app for macOS and Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. SMART Notebook’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
OpenBoard, Explain Everything, Microsoft Whiteboard, Ziteboard and Limnu
The 5 tools SMART Notebook is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
OpenBoard
Free
Free open-source interactive whiteboard software for classrooms.
- Only OpenBoard lists a Linux app.
- OpenBoard is open source, according to its own site.
- SMART Notebook also covers presentations.
- 2.2GPA
Explain Everything
Free plan · from $7.49/mo
Teaching whiteboard with slides, video recording and collaboration.
- Only SMART Notebook lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Only Explain Everything lists a web app.
- Only Explain Everything lists iOS and Android apps.
- 3.4GPA
Microsoft Whiteboard
Free
Free collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams.
- Only SMART Notebook lists a macOS app.
- Only Microsoft Whiteboard lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft Whiteboard lists iOS and Android apps.
- 2.2GPA
Ziteboard
Free plan · from $9/mo
Lightweight online whiteboard for tutoring and live teamwork.
- Only SMART Notebook lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Only Ziteboard lists a web app.
- Only Ziteboard lists iOS and Android apps.
- 2.6GPA
Limnu
Free plan · from $5/mo
Freehand online whiteboard for quick sketching with others.
- Only SMART Notebook lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Only Limnu lists a web app.
- Only Limnu lists an iOS app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is SMART Notebook free?
Yes. SMART Notebook is free to use.
How much does SMART Notebook cost?
SMART Notebook lists one plan. With a SMART Board: $0.
What platforms does SMART Notebook work on?
SMART Notebook is available on Windows and macOS.
Does SMART Notebook have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. SMART Notebook is listed for Windows and macOS.
Does SMART Notebook have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. SMART Notebook is listed for Windows and macOS.
Is SMART Notebook open source?
SMART Notebook is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
What does SMART Notebook integrate with?
SMART Notebook's listing names SMART Document Camera and PowerPoint. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes SMART Notebook?
SMART Notebook is made by SMART Technologies.
What are the alternatives to SMART Notebook?
The closest alternatives to SMART Notebook in our directory are OpenBoard, Explain Everything, Microsoft Whiteboard, Ziteboard and Limnu.
How does SMART Notebook compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
SMART Notebook's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 2 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 1.
Is SMART Notebook good value for money?
ToolGPA grades SMART Notebook C for value for money. SMART Notebook has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of SMART Notebook?
SMART Notebook is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from SMART Notebook’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from SMART Technologies's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by SMART Technologies. Prices change, so check smarttech.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- SMART Notebook, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/smart-notebook
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "SMART Notebook: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/smart-notebook
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/smart-notebook/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after SMART Notebook, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft Whiteboard Insider's GuideFree collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams3.4 GPA
- draw.io Insider's GuideFree diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose3.2 GPA
- tldraw Insider's GuideFree online whiteboard with a local desktop app3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what SMART Notebook’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. SMART Notebook is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by SMART Technologies. Prices and plans change: check smarttech.com before you buy.