Best Planner Apps for iPad 2026

Ultimate Planner
(4.9 out of 5 stars)
(4.9 out of 5 stars)
GoodNotes
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
Notability
(4.4 out of 5 stars)
(4.4 out of 5 stars)
Noteshelf
(4.2 out of 5 stars)
(4.2 out of 5 stars)
Pencil Planner
(4.0 out of 5 stars)
(4.0 out of 5 stars)
Fantastical 2
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
Any.Do
(4.3 out of 5 stars)
(4.3 out of 5 stars)
Trello
(4.0 out of 5 stars)
(4.0 out of 5 stars)
Todoist
(3.8 out of 5 stars)
(3.8 out of 5 stars)
Xodo
(3.7 out of 5 stars)
(3.7 out of 5 stars)

Introduction

Planning on iPad combines handwriting, scheduling, and digital organization in a way that traditional paper planners cannot match. With Apple Pencil support, users can build a handwritten calendar & digital agenda, manage tasks, and design personalized workflows for work, study, or daily life.

There are two main approaches to digital planning on iPad: daily planner apps and structured digital planner templates. Planner apps provide handwriting, note-taking, and productivity features such as project management, time management, habit tracking, and Pomodoro timers. Digital planner templates, on the other hand, run inside these apps and provide a structured system with pre-designed layouts, calendars, trackers, and linked navigation.

For many users, combining digital planning apps with a template like a Paperlike-style planner or Ultimate Planner creates the most flexible and powerful system. Apps provide the tools, while templates provide the structure, turning your iPad into a complete routine planner and productivity hub without requiring a monthly subscription.

Ultimate Planner GoodNotes Notability Noteshelf Pencil Planner Fantastical 2 Any.Do Trello Todoist Xodo
Overall rating:
Rating 4.9 4.5 4.4 4.2 4.0 4.5 4.3 4.0 3.8 3.7
Reviews 589 475 392 370 321 364 377 224 182 211
Content:
Templates included 300+ 22 38 25 3 1 1 1
Stickers included 2000+ 80+ 25+ 20+
Covers included 40+ 30 10+
Platforms Support:
Windows
Android
Web App
MacOS
IOS
Interface:
Dark mode, themes
Planner rotation
Notifications
Custom fonts
Highlighting
Bookmark pages
Special features:
Draw shapes
Handwriting to text
Search by note
To-do lists
Drag & drop
Add photos
Add links
Synchronize:
Apple Calendar sync
Google Calendar sync
Microsoft Calendar sync
Cloud backup
Export to PDF

How We Tested?

To create this guide, we tested popular iPad planning solutions across real-world use cases, including handwriting planning, calendar scheduling, task management, and long-term goal tracking. We evaluated both apps and structured templates to understand how they work individually and together.

Our testing criteria included:

  • Handwriting experience: Apple Pencil responsiveness, PDF annotation, and note organization

  • Planning structure: support for daily, weekly, and yearly planning layouts

  • Time management tools: calendars, reminders, Pomodoro focus sessions, and scheduling workflows

  • Habit tracking: built-in trackers, streak systems, and routine planning features

  • AI features: automation, smart suggestions, and intelligent task prioritization where available

  • Project management capabilities: boards, lists, and collaboration tools

  • Customization: templates, themes, dashboards, and modular planning systems

  • Subscription model: free vs paid apps, one-time purchases, and template-based systems

We also tested how well planner templates integrate with handwriting apps, comparing Paperlike-style planners and structured digital planning systems to understand which setups work best for different productivity styles.

Ultimate Planner

Ultimate Planner

(4.9 out of 5 stars)

Excellent software for owners of iPad tablets, contributing to the effective planning of daily tasks. Provides all the features you need to help you plan your day in detail, prioritize, schedule appointments, and keep track of your to-do list.

A beautiful and user-friendly interface with clickable hyperlinks, buttons, and tabs deserves special attention. The user will be able to download and upload an abundance of different templates. Available are many stickers and covers and a wide variety of fonts.

Together with this application, digital planning will turn into a fun process. You will become a well-organized and well-motivated person, which will allow you to successfully cope with tasks of any complexity and achieve the desired goals in any endeavor.

Pros
  • Large collection of templates;
  • Stickers and covers included;
  • Export layouts to PDF;
  • Customizable appearance;
  • Handwriting recognition;
  • Instant reminders and notifications;
  • Synchronization with popular calendars;
  • Compatible with mobile and computer OS;
  • Creation of an unlimited number of tasks.
Cons
  • Limited cooperation functionality.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
299+ 2000+ 40+ Windows / Android / Web / Mac / IOS Google / Apple / Microsoft Evopaper LLC. Digital Planner
GoodNotes

GoodNotes

(4.5 out of 5 stars)

Easily take notes in GoodNotes using the convenient toolbar. Import PDF documents, open them, insert your annotations, delete unnecessary elements, and much more. Download new templates quickly when you need a yearly, monthly, weekly, or daily planner. The software provides comfortable work in both landscape and portrait orientations, which is especially useful for iPad Pro users. In 2026 the most popular version of GoodNotes is GoodNotes 6, because according to Reddit users posts GoodNotes 7 is so laggy.  

Pros
  • The ability to create folders;
  • High-quality text search system;
  • Systematization of files in one click;
  • Each bookmark can be assigned a name;
  • Many paper styles for different sizes.
Cons
  • Doesn't support hyperlinks.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
22 80+ 30 Mac / IOS - Time Base Technology Limited Note-taking PDF Reader
Notability

Notability

(4.4 out of 5 stars)

Contains many tools for taking notes and annotating documents of different formats. One of the clear advantages is the built-in tooltips for novice users. Allows sign forms and sends them by email.

In PDF files, you can draw, outline elements, highlight the desired places with a marker, erase text fragments, format the desired symbols, etc. Playback of audio notes at different speeds is supported. The app integrates with cloud storage iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box.

Pros
  • Scaling option;
  • Cataloging notes;
  • Creation of to-do lists;
  • Password protection of information;
  • Files and folders can be marked with colored tags.
Cons
  • For Mac, you need to buy a separate version, independent of the one purchased for iPhone or iPad.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
388 - - Mac / IOS - Ginger Labs Note-taking PDF Reader
Noteshelf

Noteshelf

(4.2 out of 5 stars)

A handy note manager with many helpful features. The interface is similar to Apple's standard iBooks. Handwriting tools include a pen, marker, and calligraphic pencils. You can enter the text from the keyboard, insert images or camera snapshots. Protection against accidental touches is provided, which avoids false positives and unnecessary blots on virtual paper.

Pros
  • Adding tags to a notebook;
  • Color selection for the virtual pen;
  • Export files to Evernote and Dropbox;
  • A quick search for the notes you need;
  • Sending an electronic document as printable.
Cons
  • Problems with landscape mode;
  • The diameter of the marker cannot be changed.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
25 25+ 10+ Android / Mac OS / IOS - Fluid Touch PTE LTD. Note-taking PDF Reader
Pencil Planner

Pencil Planner

(4.0 out of 5 stars)

Offers functionality for short or long-term planning. Together with the app, you will not forget about upcoming tasks, appointments, and other events. Connection to iCal, Google, Outlook calendars is possible. Data can be easily synced between multiple iOS smartphones and tablets.

Various grid templates are available for the day, week, or month. There is a special mode that divides the desktop into two screens which is convenient for working with other applications. The design is simple and clear, there is a light and dark mode.

 

Pros
  • Instant notifications via a widget;
  • Adding a dated or undated calendar layout;
  • Check out events in a daily or weekly format;
  • Fast movement through the list of tasks in a couple of taps;
  • Indication of deadlines for the execution of specific assignments.
Cons
  • No emoji stickers;
  • It is not very convenient to operate via the touchpad or keyboard.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
1 - - IOS Google / Apple / Microsoft Westdesign Digital Planner
Fantastical 2

Fantastical 2

(4.5 out of 5 stars)

Fantastical 2 will provide easy calendar management, including entering and viewing information. Supports voice creation of events, automatically scans your spoken speech, and extracts important details from it, such as the date, time, and place of the meeting, the name of the person with whom you need to meet, and so on.

It is worth noting the user-friendly interface, divided into two parts. The lower half shows events for a specific day, taking into account time intervals. The upper half is responsible for displaying the immediate calendar itself. The software can work with Apple Watch.

 

Pros
  • Search by keyword;
  • Upgraded system of reminders;
  • Enable to schedule appointments with location;
  • Taking screenshots and sending them to social media;
  • Improved the Notification Center icon for the monthly to-do list.
Cons
  • Few features in the free version.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
+ - - IOS / Mac Google / Apple Flexibits Inc. Calendar
Any.Do

Any.Do

(4.3 out of 5 stars)

A multi-platform program that allows you to organize your to-do list and focus on completing them sequentially, based on the priority of each task. Work in a collective mode is available with the assignment of duties for other users and the ability to view their activity. Knows how to convert voice to text. Sync with various cloud services.

Pros
  • Diary for notes;
  • Attaching tags to tasks;
  • Scheduling for employees;
  • Can be downloaded to any device.
  • Customizable dashboard with tasks.
Cons
  • You cannot create subtasks;
  • No recurring task function.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
+ - - Windows / Android / Web / IOS / Mac Google / Apple / Microsoft Any.DO inc. Task Manager
Trello

Trello

(4.0 out of 5 stars)

Trello's interface is built based on Kanban boards, which greatly simplifies the organization of tasks. Post to-do lists on boards, sort cards by type, assign performers, and comfortably view progress.

It is possible to create checklists with work stages. To invite a person to the project, it is enough to send him a link to the card. This function will become available after a simple registration. By the way, the app integrates with many popular web services.

Pros
  • Drag and drop support;
  • Viewing all actions of employees;
  • Copying, moving, and archiving lists;
  • Creation of private and public boards;
  • Checking your schedule in a separate window;
  • Installation of a browser extension is available;
  • A quick assessment of progress on all major tasks.
Cons
  • No corporate chat.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
1 20+ - Windows / Android / Web / MacOS / IOS Google / Apple Trello, Ink. Digital Organizer
Todoist

Todoist

(3.8 out of 5 stars)

A popular cross-platform task manager designed to improve the productivity of one user or a whole team of people. Plan and track tasks in a single window, add notes, attach files and tags, comment the actions of employees and analyze what they are doing. 

Be sure that with such an application, you will be able to effectively promote the project and will be aware of every nuance in the course of its development.

Pros
  • Fine customize of remote access;
  • Logging of previously completed tasks;
  • Displaying progress in the form of a graph;
  • Detailed analysis, statistics, and reporting;
  • Available as an extension for Chrome and Firefox.
Cons
  • Lack of smilies;
  • There may be problems when creating subtasks.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
1 - - Windows / Android / Web / MacOS / IOS Apple / Google / Microsoft Doist, LTD. Digital Task Manager
Xodo

Xodo

(3.7 out of 5 stars)

Allows you to view, edit and annotate PDF files. You can draw inside the document, as well as select the desired text, add pointers, and various geometric shapes. The program integrates with Google translator and can quickly translate virtually any information into the language you are interested in.

Pros
  • Does not contain ads;
  • Sending content by email;
  • Online collaborative annotation;
  • Support for different stylus models;
  • Preservation of digital signatures for later use;
  • Scanning documents using the camera of the device.
Cons
  • More features in the full version;
  • The ready-made file cannot be saved to OneDrive.

Product details

No. of templates No. of stickers No. of covers Platforms Calendars Developer Type of app
- - - Android / Web / MacOS / IOS - Xodo Technologies Inc. PDF Reader & Editor

Conclusion

Choosing the right planning setup for iPad on 2026 depends on how you prefer to organize tasks, schedules, and long-term goals. Some users prefer flexible handwriting notebooks, while others benefit from structured planning systems that provide ready-to-use layouts for daily routines.

Apps like TickTick, Trello, and Notion offer strong task management, project planning, and organization features, making them useful for digital productivity workflows. Structured and Zinnia are popular alternatives for users who prefer creative planning layouts, journaling, and customizable design-based planning systems.

For users who want a complete planning system with calendars, trackers, and linked layouts, structured digital planner templates such as Ultimate Planner or Paperlike-style planners provide a powerful framework that works inside handwriting apps. This approach allows you to combine flexibility with structure and avoid recurring subscription costs.

Ultimately, the best 2026 iPad planning solution is the one you use consistently. Whether you choose a daily planner app, a structured digital planner, or a hybrid system, building a clear and repeatable routine is the key to long-term productivity.

F.A.Q.

What is the difference between planner apps and digital planner templates?

Planner apps provide tools like handwriting, notes, and task management. Digital planner templates provide structured layouts and planning systems that run inside these apps.

Are digital planners better than planner apps?

They serve different purposes. Apps provide functionality, while templates provide structure. Many users prefer combining both for a complete planning system.

Do iPad planners require a subscription?

Some apps use subscriptions, but many digital planners and templates are available as one-time purchases.