Best Notability Alternatives for Windows, Android & Apple Devices

Have you been trying to use Notability, but it's a bit pricey or unavailable on your device? Don't worry! Today, we talk about the best Notability alternatives. So, if you use Windows or Android, there’s something from our Notability competitors. And yes, iPad and Mac users aren’t left out!

If you need a Notability substitute, this post is for you! We’ll look at some great options, and we're sure you'll find a Notability replacement that’s just perfect for your needs.

Top 10 Notability competitors with similar products

Here are the apps like Notability for Windows, Android, (and of course Apple devices) that we think are the best Notability alternatives. Although they are all fairly similar, some Notability competitors will be better suited to your circumstances than others. So, read more about the Notability competition below!

If you’ve been in search of an alternative to Notability, you likely fall into any of these categories: 

• you’ve used Notability for note taking tasks, 

• you’re satisfied but curious about another notebook option, 

• you have used Notability before but aren’t fully satisfied and in search of another alternative to notability, 

• you have not used Notability before because it's not available on Android, and your Android tablet really needs a note-taking app similar to Notability.

You are in the right place! These alternatives to notability have one or two things that make them suitable alternatives. If you’re searching for the best note taking app for Mac, you'll find suitable options here. 

And if what you need is a freemium offer, there’s something here for you as well. Likewise, if you’re looking for a note-taking option with proper collaboration tools for team tasks, you'll find something here for you. If what interests you is a cross-platform private notes app, or something with more task management features, there are Notability alternatives for you here. 

Let's take a look at our top 10 Notability alternatives table first.
 

Here’s our full list of the best Notability alternatives 2024:

Now that you’ve seen our list above, we will give more details on our best Notability alternatives available to you. Some of these apps are free, and some are even better for you than Notability. These apps are similar to Notability and definitely some of the top note-taking apps around!

We won't be going into any details on Notability as we’ve got an in-depth Notability review to help you get more information on the app. What we are sure of, is that if you’re looking for a worthy alternative to Notability to help you with your to-do list and note taking in general, you'll be pleased with our selections for you.

Here are 13 good alternatives to Notability: 
 

1. Microsoft OneNote (best Notability alternative overall)

Many people consider OneNote better than Notability, and there are good reasons for this, including its valuable ecosystem and the number of features available on its free version. While it’s arguable if OneNote is the best alternative to Notability, it’s, however, undoubtedly one of the best note taking apps you’ll find on the market.

Microsoft OneNote is packed with many features, including collaboration, cloud storage, audio and video recording, digital ink for more convincing handwritten notes, and advanced search, amongst other features. It’s also available across multiple devices, including Android Tablet, iPad, Mac, and Windows. 

OneNote is also compatible with some stylus for more realistic handwritten notes and PDF annotation. Likewise, if you have an account across various devices, you can easily sync your data and continue your notes without losing any data.

Microsoft OneNote is best for:

• Individuals

• Students

• Professionals

• Teams 

• Small businesses

Features

• Cross-platform compatibility

• Freeform note-taking with various media

• Integration with Microsoft Office suite

• Cloud synchronization with OneDrive

• Collaboration and sharing features

Pricing

• Free for up to 5GB of notes

• $6.99/month for 100GB

Microsoft Onenote Review

Visit Microsft Onenote website 
 

2. Google Keep (best free Notability alternative)

There are a lot of free Notability alternatives, but Google Keep offers more value than most for a completely free app. For those looking for free apps like Notability, Google Keep is an option to look out for. 

Google Keep is an excellent note-taking tool for individuals who value simplicity and usability. Its straightforward user interface and robust features make it ideal for anybody searching for a quick and simple solution to keep organized and on top of their activities.

Google Keep is an app that lets you do practically everything that any other note-taking program can accomplish. You may create reminders and alarms, color-code your notes to make them easier to find and identify, and more. Its collaboration capabilities are also top notch as you can collaborate on documents with team members together in real-time. 

Its Google ecosystem allows it to interface with many helpful apps seamlessly to improve productivity and give you more options with your notebook. Google Keep features iOS, Android, Chromebook, and Windows applications, a Chrome extension, and an online version that you can view on any device whenever you want without downloading any app. What’s more? You can easily sync your digital notebook across devices without stress!

Google Keep is best for:

• Individuals

• Students

• Professionals

Features

• Simple and intuitive interface

• Color-coded notes and labels

• Integration with Google services

• Location-based reminders

• Collaborative features for real-time sharing

Pricing

Completely Free

Google Keep Review

Visit Google Keep website
 

3. GoodNotes (most similar to Notability)

If you’re actively in search of a note taking app that’s similar to Notability then your search might be about to come to an end.

A leading note-taking app, GoodNotes is distinguished by its special handwriting function. With an interface that simulates writing on paper, it’s especially helpful for annotating straight onto PDFs. 

GoodNotes might share many features with Notability but it stands out in a couple of ways. Besides being a capable note-taking app, GoodNotes cannot replicate the audio recording feature, which makes Notability stand out.

On the plus side, you can enjoy the tabular document feature if you are working with structured data, such as tables or spreadsheets. You also have access to a unique flashcard feature which is effective as a learning tool but is missing on Notability. 

GoodNotes is only fully available on Apple and iOS devices. While it has released a beta version for Android devices, its Android version is not yet fully available for all Android devices. 

GoodNotes is best for:

• Creatives

• Designers 

• Students

• Professionals

Features

• Handwritten note-taking with Apple Pencil support

• Variety of digital paper templates

• Highlighting, text search, and shape recognition

• Document annotation and markup

• iCloud synchronization

Pricing

• Free for up to 3 notebooks

• One-time fee of $29.99

GoodNotes review

Visit GoodNotes website
 

4. Notion (good Notability alternative if you need better team notes organization)

Are you looking for a good Notability alternative to improve collaboration and organization? The Notion is a trustworthy option for you!  Notion does more than just simple note-taking; you can go as far as making complex notebooks and also doubles as a competent task management app.

Notion has a clean sidebar and a range of tools that simplify note-taking. It also has a variety of capabilities, including rich text editing, adjustable page layouts, and a versatile database system. 

You can easily make pages with various content blocks, such as text, graphics, videos, and more. Notion also enables collaboration, allowing you to share pages and real-time collaboration with others.

This all-in-one workspace lets you take notes, manage tasks, and organize projects all in one place. Notion is ideal for customers seeking a feature-rich and configurable note-taking tool capable of handling complicated processes.

Regarding third-party integrations, Notion supports connections with Google Calendar, Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom. Notion is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. 

Notion is best for:

• Individuals

• Students

• Teams

• Companies

Features

• All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, databases, and wikis

• Customizable templates and layouts

• Collaborative features with real-time editing

• Powerful databases and relational linking

• Integrations with third-party apps

Pricing

• Personal, free to use

• Personal Pro, $4/month, billed annually 

• Team, $8/user/month, billed annually 

• Enterprise, custom quote

Notion Review

Visit Notion Website
 

5. Zoho Notebook (cheaper alternative to Notability if you’re on a budget)

Zoho Notebook is an eye-catching comprehensive note-taking tool available for Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac.

Users may create and manage individual notes, checklists, and audio recordings using the app's card-based interface. Zoho Notebook also allows handwritten notes, making it an excellent Notability replacement for individuals who prefer to write by hand. The best part? Cost-wise, many consider Zoho Notebook a cheap alternative to Notability. 

Not only that, Zoho offers top-notch security for your notebooks using passcodes and Touch ID, there is also a level of collaboration allowed, although it isn't as extensive as some other options on this list. Zoho Notebook also offers you access to integration options within the Zoho ecosystem, which is a huge plus as you can connect with Zia, the AI-powered assistant for Zoho Projects. 

Zoho notebook is best for:

• Individuals

• Professionals

• Teams

Features

• Notebook metaphor for organizing notes

• Rich media support (images, audio, sketches)

• Tags and color-coded labels for organization

• Cross-device synchronization

• Secure encryption and privacy features

Pricing

Free plan

Pro $1.99 per month

Visit Zoho Notebook Website
 

6. Notesnook (Great Notability alternative for Windows)

Notesnook is a good app like Notability for Windows, although it is cross-platform, being available across Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac, it is worthy of being noted as a good substitute for Notability on Windows. 

One of Notesnook’s standout features is its default end-to-end encryption for all notes. With Notesnook, you can make notes without worrying about any security breaches or spies on your document. This level of security allows you to keep more confidential notes or a private journal without losing any information to breaches or memory loss. 

Its feature-rich premium version makes it easy for you to enjoy comprehensive editing, to-do list creation, and sync across devices among other features. It has a free and paid plan, but with its freemium version, you have access to all its security features. 

Notesnook is best for:

• Individuals

• Writers 

• Students 

• Developers

Features

• Markdown support for formatting

• Hierarchical note organization

• End-to-end encryption for all notes by default

• Cross-platform accessibility

• Quick search and tagging

Pricing

• Free plan; 

• Paid plan starts at $49.99/year

Visit Notesnook Website
 

7. Squid (Top Notability Android alternative)

If you’ve been searching for apps like Notability for Android, Squid is one option you can trust. Squid distinguishes itself from other note-taking apps by prioritizing natural handwriting with an active pen, passive stylus, or your finger. 

Squid has a variety of capabilities, such as limitless scrolling for smooth note-taking, the ability to import and mark up PDF files, and a selection tool for quick note-organization. Compared to Notability, this option allows you to fill out forms, sign papers, merge PDFs, build virtual whiteboards, and screen-cast your notes to secondary screens.

You may also design your own paper layouts and categorize your notes into notebooks. For a pleasant writing experience, Squid allows palm rejection, and the app's pressure sensitivity function offers a smooth writing sensation.

Squid is not accessible for iOS, Mac, or Windows users, but it is a great solution for Android and Chrome OS users. 

Squid is best for:

• Individuals

• Students

• Creatives 

Features

• Natural handwriting experience

• Various pen and brush options

• PDF annotation and import/export

• Notebook covers and organization

• Sync with cloud storage services

Pricing

• Free plan

• Paid plan starts at $1/month

Visit Squid Website
 

8. Bamboo Paper (Great Alternative to Notability for Surface Pro)

Bamboo Paper by Wacom is a good Notability Surface Pro substitute as Notability does not have an Android tablet-friendly app. Like most apps on this list, it has its limitations, but as a note-taking application, it does a wonderful job. With intuitive swiping and scrolling actions, the app's user-friendly design mimics the familiarity of actual paper. 

The pen and ink tools in the app offer a remarkably realistic writing experience. Bamboo Paper's responsive ink engine produces clean lines and a variety of pen kinds, simulating the experience of writing on actual paper, whether you're using a stylus or your finger. 

The pressure sensitivity function ensures that the thickness of your strokes varies, giving your digital writing more realism. You can easily make quick sketches to visualize your projects and continue working on them later.  

Want to keep your notes organized? Bamboo Paper does a fantastic job at this! It allows you to create several categories for your notebooks to help you organize your material more effectively. You can also easily move between your computer, tablet, and smartphone thanks to cloud synchronization between devices, making sure that your notes are always available wherever you are.

Bamboo Paper is best for:

• Designers

• Artists

• Creatives

Features

• Realistic digital paper and ink experience

• Variety of brushes and colors

• PDF annotation and sharing

• Cross-device synchronization

• Integration with Wacom devices

Pricing

Free plan

Visit Bamboo Paper Website 
 

9. Saber (Top alternative to Notability if you prioritize minimalism)

Saber, a top contender for those who seek a seamless and minimalist note-taking experience, encapsulates simplicity at its finest. Stripping away the excess, Saber embraces an uncluttered canvas for your thoughts. Its intuitive interface offers a smooth writing experience free from distraction from too many features.

You have access to a responsive pen tool with different stroke thicknesses, and a highlighter for making relevant information stand out. You can annotate PDFs and images, and draw shapes with the tools provided. 

Saber provides a simple yet structured hierarchy for organizing your notes, while also providing a decent level of security for your data. 

Saber is best for:

• Individuals 

• Writers 

• Programmers 

Features

• Markdown-based note-taking

• Focus mode for distraction-free writing

• Extensive keyboard shortcuts

• Quick access to recent notes

• Export to various formats (PDF, HTML, etc.)

Pricing

Free plan

Visit Saber Website 
 

10. Evernote (Good cross-platform Notability alternative)

Several best note-taking app rankings include Evernote as a Notability substitute. This application allows you to record thoughts, photos, and voice notes. Moreover, this note-taking device is very helpful for making brief notes and preserving them for later use. It may be accessed via the web, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems.

Evernote's extensive feature set is what makes it among the greatest note-taking programs. You may save articles, web pages, and screenshots directly to Evernote using the Web Clipper feature. You can also edit tables, adjust sketch patterns, change notes background color, and more. 

Evernote allows you to search for your notes within the app, provides you with an exporting feature, and allows you to export your notes in various file formats. And while it offers a free version with a couple of features, more advanced features like more storage and handwriting recognition are locked behind its premium plans.

Evernote is best for:

• Professionals

• Individuals 

• Students 

Features

• Robust note organization and tagging

• Web clipping and content saving

• Cross-device synchronization

• Document scanning and OCR

• Integration with third-party apps

Pricing

• Evernote Free

• Evernote Personal, $8/month

• Evernote Professional, $10/month

• Evernote Teams, $14/user/month 

Evernote Review

Visit Evernote Website
 

11. Noteledge (Great Alternative to Notability)

Noteledge is a great alternative to Notability for users who are interested in embedding more multimedia options into their notes. In a sense, its capabilities go beyond just providing a space for taking notes, rather, it creates an environment for holistic media communication.

You can create interactive notes with Noteledge, which makes the content easier to comprehend and engaging. You can also take handwritten notes, clip web content, and embellish your notes with multimedia with NoteLedge. 

You can make beautiful sketches with the variety of brush tools available for design-oriented users. Noteledge allows users to create written notes, and you can record audio notes if that option suits you better.

Additionally, the tool provides seamless device synchronizing, so it does not matter if you were working on your PC; you can easily pick up your Android tablet and jump straight back to taking notes.

Furthermore, NoteLedge provides sophisticated note organization tools like tagging, folders, and a hierarchical structure.

Noteledge is best for:

• Students

• Professionals

• Creatives who want a multimedia-rich note-taking and presentation tool.

Features

• Handwriting, typing, and multimedia notes

• Audio recording and playback

• Integrated web browser for research

• Interactive presentations and annotations

• Cloud synchronization

Pricing

• Free Plan

• NoteLedge Pro iOS at $2.49/month

• Creativity 365 for Individuals at $4.99/month

Visit Noteledge Website 
 

12. Wreeto (Best for structured hierarchy)

Wreeto is quite similar to a simple workspace that allows you to create notebooks in a cluttered-free environment. You can note things down in markdown format, and easily search out notes, too, assisted with a preview and full-screen option.

Wreeto is open source and excels when it comes to organization. With its intuitive and friendly user interface, you can organize your notes into folders and subfolders. This arrangement structure can be easily adjusted to fit your needs and preferences. 

One unique feature of the Wreeto app is that it allows you to create private links that you can share with other people, but you retain more control over the link, being able to revert it to private whenever you need to. You can easily write a post, save it, organize it into existing posts, and create an easy sequence of use and structure.

Wreeto is best for:

• Individuals

• Developers 

• Writers who prefer hierarchical organization 

Features

• Hierarchical note organization

• Markdown support for formatting

• File attachments within notes

• Dark mode for reduced eye strain

• Portable standalone version

Pricing

• Free plan; 

• Paid plan starts at $3.99/month

Visit Wreeto Website
 

13. Joplin (Top open source note)

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking program with a variety of features to support your productivity and organization. It’s a well-liked option among individuals and teams alike because of its customizable note-taking experience and emphasis on privacy and security.

You may encrypt your notes with its encryption function to keep them safe. Only you can access your notes, since it encrypts them using the client-side encryption method AES-256.

You may create notebooks in Joplin and add tags to your notes to make them more searchable. You may add tables, interactive checklists, and various formatting choices, including photos, doodles, and handwriting, to your notes.

Its interface is intuitive and easy to navigate; what can be considered a downside is the limited space on its free version. This is apparently a theme for many freemium options with premium plans

Joplin is best for:

• Tech-savvy individuals

• Developers

• Privacy-conscious users

Features

• Open-source and cross-platform

• Markdown note-taking with sync capabilities

• End-to-end encryption support

• Web clipper for saving online content

• Plugins and customization options

Pricing

• Free plan

• Basic plan starts at $1.62/month

• Pro plan at $5:20/month

• Teams plan at $7.26/month

Visit Joplin Website

Which of the alternatives to Notability is a good choice for you?

If you still feel unsure about your choices or are a bit overwhelmed in picking what would work best for your business, here are some of our key takeaways for you to make more informed decisions.

Check if the app you want offers a free option; that way, you can test out some of its features before completely committing to its usage. 

While you might like Notability, don’t be scared of trying out something different. If you’re a lover of all things creative, and you need an option that helps you capture inspiration at the moment, go with any option that allows you to move from sketches to visualize and present without much hassle.

If your target is productivity, there are great options, as you have seen above, that allow you to create to-do lists, record meeting notes, provide folders for organization, and offer security for your data. 

In all, you have a varied array of choices not limited to our list to pick from; the choice ultimately is yours. 

FAQs

Can you get Notability on Android?

The simple answer is no. You can’t get Notability in Android. You’ll have to go for a Notability alternative for Android. Luckily, there are a lot of great options in this regard, including GoodNotes, Microsoft One Note, Evernote, Noteledge, and Google Keep. All these are a great replacement for Notability.

Can you get Notability on Surface Pro?

No, Notability is primarily designed for iOS and macOS platforms. However, it's not available natively on Windows or Surface Pro devices. If you're looking for similar note-taking apps for your Surface Pro, you might consider Microsoft OneNote or other alternatives available on the Microsoft Store.

Can you get Notability on Windows?

There’s no Notability version for Windows, you will have to go with a Notability Windows alternative if you want to use a note-taking application on your Windows devices. Some great options include Microsoft OneNote, Google Keep, Notion, Zoho Notebook, and Evernote. All these apps can be used for free.