Best Note Taking Apps: Android, iPhone & Handwritten Notes

Ultimate Planner stands out as the best digital planner app in 2026, combining deep customization with powerful note-taking and task features. Enjoy 40+ ready-made thematic planners with hyperlinks, full control over templates, colors, fonts, stickers, and sections. Handwriting support with Apple Pencil, PDF annotation, interactive checklists, habit tracking, and calendar sync across devices make it a true all-in-one solution.

Available anywhere on iOS, Android with seamless cloud sync and offline mode. The freemium model offers generous free access, while premium unlocks everything for just $39.99 over two years: unbeatable value compared to most competitors. If you're looking for a beautiful, responsive, and highly customizable planner that feels personal and inspiring, Ultimate Planner is the top choice for productivity.

Free version: what you get

• Access to core note and planning templates
• Multi-device sync across supported platforms
• Basic organization and visual planning tools

Microsoft OneNote is widely regarded as the best free note taking apps overall, offering unlimited notebooks, handwriting with stylus support, PDF annotation, audio recording, searchable handwriting (OCR), math conversion, and infinite canvas. Templates, tags, and real-time collaboration shine. Sync via OneDrive (5GB+ free), works anywhere on Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Web. Perfect for students and professionals needing powerful free tools.

Free version: what you get

• Unlimited notes and notebooks
• Sync across devices with Microsoft account
• Typing and handwriting support

Apple Notes is the best note-taking app for students free on iOS and macOS, with built-in handwriting via Apple Pencil, PDF markup, searchable handwriting (OCR), checklists, and seamless iCloud sync. Add attachments, scan docs, collaborate in real-time, and use Smart Script for cleaner writing. Fully free with no limits, responsive across Apple devices and Web. Great for quick setups and everyday notes, but lacks advanced audio, math tools, or cross-platform Android/Windows support.

Free version: what you get

• Unlimited notes and folders
• Sync across Apple devices via iCloud
• Support for handwriting and Apple Pencil

GoodNotes is a favorite handwriting-focused note taking app, perfect for students and creatives who love aesthetic digital notebooks. It offers infinite canvas, precise Apple Pencil support, advanced PDF annotation, handwriting-to-text conversion (OCR), audio recording synced to notes, and powerful search in handwritten text. Custom templates, brushes, stickers, shapes, and lasso tool make organization effortless.

Cloud sync via iCloud/Dropbox ensures access anywhere, with seamless export to PDF. While the free version is limited, premium (~$29.99/year) unlocks unlimited notebooks and AI features like summaries and math recognition. Great for lecture notes and study setups, but lacks deep task/habit integration. For a more all-in-one experience with thematic planners and habits, Ultimate Planner often feels more versatile and affordable long-term.

Free version: what you get

• Limited number of notebooks
• Handwriting and stylus support
• Local storage with optional iCloud sync

Notability excels as a powerful note-taking app with audio recording and handwriting-to-text conversion, ideal for lectures and meetings. Enjoy Apple Pencil precision, PDF annotation, infinite canvas, searchable handwriting (OCR), math conversion, and AI-powered summaries/quizzes. Custom templates, shapes, stickers, and lasso editing make it responsive and intuitive.

Cloud sync (iCloud/Dropbox) works seamlessly, with export options everywhere. Free Starter plan is available, but Standard (~$14.99/year) unlocks full features and AI. Excellent for students needing audio-synced notes, but collaboration is basic and no native habit tracking.

Free version: what you get

• Basic note creation and handwriting
• Limited editing features
• Sync available with restrictions

Obsidian is a favorite local-first note-taking app for power users, built on Markdown with plugins for endless customization. Features include linking notes, canvas for visual maps, PDF annotation, snippets, themes, and community plugins (tasks, calendar, OCR via add-ons). Fully free core, offline by default, sync via iCloud/Dropbox/any cloud. No native handwriting, but great for structured knowledge. Ideal for long-term setups.

Free version: what you get

• Unlimited local notes
• Full offline access
• No built-in cloud sync (manual or third-party)

Google Keep serves as a lightweight free note taking app for quick capture anywhere. Features include simple checklists, labels, color-coding, image/voice notes, reminders, and real-time collaboration via Google account. Syncs seamlessly across Web, Android, iOS, with offline access. Perfect for snippets and everyday ideas, but handwriting support is limited and no PDF annotation or advanced search. Ideal for Android users wanting zero-cost simplicity.

Free version: what you get

• Unlimited notes and checklists
• Sync across devices with Google account
• Basic reminders and labels

oplin is a top open-source free note taking app with Markdown, offline access, end-to-end encryption, and cloud sync (Dropbox/OneDrive). Supports checklists, attachments, PDF export, and basic search. Plugins add extras. Fully free, no limits, multi-platform (Windows/Android/iOS/Mac). Ideal for privacy-focused users who want simple, reliable notes. Lacks handwriting and advanced canvas.

Free version: what you get

• Unlimited notes stored locally
• Full offline access
• Manual sync via cloud services (optional)

vernote remains a classic note organizer with powerful search (including OCR in handwriting/PDF), templates, tags, web clipper, and task integration. Handwriting support, audio recording, and cloud sync (Dropbox/Google) make it reliable. Free tier is limited (60 MB/month, 1 device), premium unlocks offline and more. Great for docs and snippets, but subscription fatigue is real.

Free version: what you get

• Limited number of notes
• Sync on up to two devices
• Basic search and organization

Notion is an all-in-one workspace that doubles as a flexible note-taking app with databases, pages, templates, and seamless collaboration. Add checklists, embeds, AI summaries, and responsive design for docs anywhere. Free for personal use, with cloud sync. Handwriting is limited, but great for organized notes and projects.

Free version: what you get

• Unlimited pages and notes for personal use
• Sync across devices
• Basic templates and databases

Noteshelf delivers a customizable handwriting experience with a flexible toolbar, making it a strong contender for digital note takers. Features include Apple Pencil support, PDF annotation, handwriting-to-text OCR, audio recording, infinite canvas, custom brushes, stickers, and searchable notes. Templates, shapes, and lasso tool help with quick setup.

Sync via cloud (iCloud/Dropbox) ensures access on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. Freemium model with premium unlocking full features. Great for cross-platform users who want responsive handwriting without heavy subscriptions. However, it lacks advanced task integration or thematic planners.

Free version: what you get

• Handwritten and typed notes
• Limited number of notebooks
• Basic stylus and annotation tools