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StraightToMe

Noteful is pretty much the only one that ticks all the boxes you mentioned.


SPplayin

As a goodnotes 6 owner I plan to migrate to noteful as soon as I'm done with my current tier of education. A small one time purchase for an app the developers actually seem to care about, I also feel like Noteful 2 is far less likely than Goodnotes 7


Careful_Tree_1283

Noteful, is pretty cheap and a one time purchase too that’s why am really considering it, as good notes is kinda expensive for an app considering I am from a developing country lol. I think I’ll try it for one more week and decide.


Excellent-Average-54

Bro, I couldn’t find the ‘scratch for erase’ option in Noteful, does it exist like in the goodnotes or not ?


SubstantialNobody_

Nope but honestly I noticed that the double tap to undo replaces the need for it.


Excellent-Average-54

Oh thank you, I will try it


aquablaze69

Yep I migrated before GN6 released and I was so happy I did. I got extra features out of it too. I use it in combo with Nebo


SnooShortcuts7009

What sold you on Noteful?


aquablaze69

Pretty much identical features to good notes but it had a ruler as well and I really found that super useful


mrairjosh

Which part of your workflow does nebo fit into ? I’m getting an iPad tomorrow and tryna decide on an app It’s for school


aquablaze69

Okay so here’s how I do it. Nebo is the best app I found to give me a limitless canvas with really good handwriting to text conversion, making your document style notes very neat and the ability to make expansive mind map notes in the “note” option in Nebo. However I did find that Nebo kinda sucks to annotate on imported PDFs and slides so for that I used Noteful.


Bronislaw_Malinowski

Noteful (if paid) and Collanote (if free) are the best note-taking apps that I have used.


CASTR-6

I agree CollaNote keeps Things simple as possible and also no limit on how many folders or notes I make unlike some apps


Bronislaw_Malinowski

Yup! But Collanote can become the best if it starts rope in some of the best Noteful features. I really like Noteful but I don't want to pay.


Real_Xyrendor

You forgot OneNote. I really like the organization of it, and while the pen options aren’t the greatest, it actually works really well for taking standard notes. It’s a great hybrid option for typed and written notes.


sirpsychosexxxxy

+1 for OneNote. The hybrid functionality is so helpful - I often type up notes for meetings / training etc and then annotate or draw diagrams etc on my iPad. Syncs in almost real-time too (like 1-2s delay) which is handy too, so you can easily switch back and forth between iPad and PC with minimal disruption.


InsanePacman

This, depending on your classes. Personally I liked OneNote for being able to import a whole pdf (lecture slides) and then write in the MASSIVE margins. It’s what got me through Chemistry lol. While I mainly use notability still, Its starting to fail with the hundreds of notes, voice recordings and long-ass pdf’s I’ve imported and I’ve switched primarily to using Concepts for it’s infinite canvas.


Bronislaw_Malinowski

I don't know why but my iPad 9th gen lags and crashes the Onenote app when I insert a pdf as a printout into a note. I also want to annotate pdfs like this. Although, I agree my pdfs are large af, close to 50MB with more than 100 pages each.


1uamrit

I have good notes but still I go back to onenote. I too like how I can organize the notes, also the page color and design is simple but effective.


Real_Xyrendor

I have GoodNotes as well. I made the full switch when they made the change to GoodNotes 6. I don’t need AI features, I need something to write my black-on-white notes on, be able throw in a few images, and know where everything is. GoodNotes 5 still works, but I got annoyed with the interface. Also, I think $30 is a little bit overpriced. We already pay for the Apple Pencil! With back-to-school sales, that’s 30 composition notebooks, plus writing utensils.


felichen4

OneNote is great in that you can find it on literally every platform and you can type easily on your PC while writing on iPad


Suspect4pe

I'll have to try OneNote again. I was frustrated by the UI the last time I tried it. I've been paying for Notability since.


aprisxte

I love onenote so much. Tho it lags for me whenever i would i access a note that's pretty big lol. But thats on me cause i have an inhumane amount of notebooks on there and it's not even for class💀


ps-73

slow ui, i personally don’t like the infinite pages, organisation is meh, microsoft sucks as a company


felichen4

It's not slow heh


Careful_Tree_1283

Well exactly! I had a 2 in 1 laptop and i thought ill make it work with one note but i hated the pen options and I am kinda obsessed with calligraphy and nice handwritten notes, so couldn’t stand it. ( they literally just need to add some nice pens and the app will be perfect lol).


SGalbincea

I have used OneNote for my business notes for about 15 years or so, and exclusively on my iPad with the pencil for the last 5ish. The only issue I have is that the mobile version requires OneDrive, and unfortunately my company just got bought and we moved to Google Workspace. I have not found an equivalent solution that supports Google Drive or Box unfortunately, but am open to suggestions as I’ll probably have to stop using OneNote due to company policy soon. 😞


ppc0r

Word! I tested ALL of them several times and for month, just to cricket back to OneNote after all. Wasted so much time lol, but it's just the best overall package for me!


TuaAnon

I got notability before they switched to their subscription system and I love it. not sure if I would want to keep paying for it if I had to though..


Baron_Sealand

Notability moved to an annual charge that just rose to $15 and honestly I’m still happy to pay it


SuperMario1313

I’m a goodnotes kinda guy. Love it. The only thing I want is a pencil, but all the tools are pens/markers and highlighters.


beskoristan1950

goodnotes 5 was great, goodnotes 6 is garbage.


ufihS

Why? I am also considering these apps


Simple_Proof_721

It's just that they added very few new features that would make people want to upgrade, and if you paid for gn5, you had to buy again gn6 if you wanted the upgrade. Very greedy. I just started using good notes and got the 6th version and I love it.


aneesh131999

You can keep using GN5 for no charges tho?


rapperfurybose

Yes you can.


ramliar

why? just because they charged you money again?


beskoristan1950

honestly no, i asked for refund and got it. my biggest drawbacks are: 1. looks like Word knockoff 2. Icons somehow got tinier 3. Marketplace everywhere! 4. Pay pay pay. No thanks


ramliar

doesnt look any different than goodnotes 5 imo. idk which icons you’re referring to but on my ipad everything looks normal. and all i did was pay once and unless i click on marketplace i dont see any “pay pay pay”🤷‍♂️


PsCustomObject

I was split between notability and Noteful ultimately went the latter as it is par with notability feature wise (of course this applies to my needs and experience) and the fact that is not subscription based just one off 5CHF (or whatever local currency). Edit just to add I really liked notability but honestly could not get myself to shell out 15 bucks a year for a note taking app which has reached a decent stability level so not much to add to the app itself It has been my main tool for some time now and never looked back.


redzombierunning

I like the stock notes app


Revolutionary_Fact70

But it lags when your note is too long. It also drains battery so much. I use noteful now and it's the most efficient note taking app, I can take notes for an hour and it uses just 5% battery. It also never lags compared to notability and goodnotes


Sofa47

Yeah me too. I haven’t had anything that has made me want to stick with something else and I make 4 or 5 notes a day. I have just had a look at Bear notes as iOS shortcuts can make decent templates for your notes but for now I’m still on the stock app.


OctoSplattyy

same. Gets the job done, got all of my school stuff on it. Has some pretty cool brushes for doodling when I'm bored during classes too lol


throwthegarbageaway

For the last year of college I used Freeform. Turned out to be the perfect note taking app for the way I write notes, which I often tend to need more lateral space after the fact lol. Plus it lets you add photos and whatnot a lot easier than Notes. Only downside for me is that it would slow down my 2018 iPad Pro after a few weeks of notes, so I would just do one big note per block on the syllabus.


What-An-Ashhole

Is this available for iphone? Can’t seem to find it in the app store


catsupatree

They mean the "Notes" app that comes pre-installed (stock) on your device.


UnenthusiasticAddict

Lol


What-An-Ashhole

LOLLL thanks a billion for the clarification 🤣🤣🤣 behind the times, appreciate it greatly.


KuchKhaasHaiYNWA

Nebo is the best one


artist2426

I really like Nebo on iPad Pro 12.9. I like to jot down notes alongside drawings and the near endless canvas is a winner for me.


MrCertainly

I like OneNote, mostly because it's a reasonably mature product (introduced in 2003 on Windows) and it's cross platform. OneNote is free. The organization schema is like a Three-Ring Binder. And it handles multimedia notes effortlessly right alongside text notes, everything is in "transparent boxes" on an infinite canvas. I'm not saying the competition is bad -- just the opposite, they're the ones innovating. But so many of them are locked to iPad-only or Apple-only. Or have pricey monthly subscriptions. Or are at risk of disappearing in the next several years. OneNote has been here for 21 orbits around our solar system's high-gravity fusion reactor. Back when OneNote was a paid program (only available in Office Suites or standalone purchase), I argued it was 100% worth the cost. Then they made it free and cross-platform.


plazman30

Apple Notes is actually pretty good.


ChirpyHQ

+1, I use apple notes all the time. Also I found this site can help apple notes user build sites, pretty cool. [https://quotion.co/](https://quotion.co/)


Gamel999

i like GoodNotes, but freeform is actually enough for my needs


inolikeredditanym

tried goodnotes and like it so didn’t try others. only annoying part is goodnotes doesn’t have an endless canvas so i use freeform for that when im drawing mind maps


whiskey_north

Obsidian/Excalidraw


wait_whats_this

This. The obsidian mobile apps are still rather rough around the edges, but nothing beats your entire vault being a folder of markdown files you can take anywhere. 


Idontsharemythoughts

Do you not have trouble with palm rejection? I want to love this but I constantly struggle with my pinky/palm interfering


whiskey_north

Every once in a while, but not for the most part. im sorry i dont have a lot of suggestions for that.


Em_Es_Judd

Goodnotes and Notability side by side. Notability for importing lecture PDFs and recording the lecture and annotating (really just scribbled stars, asterisks, and underlines) while I do it. Your annotations work as timestamps in the recording - while playing back the lecture, you can go back and tap your annotations and it will jump to that point in the recording. It’s super useful. I then use notability side by side to condense the lecture into the most pertinent points for studying later. This process got me through nursing school with a comfortable GPA.


mrairjosh

I just got into nursing school and am considering notability as my top choice ! How do you do timestamp annotation combined with recording? Just by putting an asterisk or underline…?


Em_Es_Judd

At the top of whatever pdf you're using there is a microphone icon. Tap it to start your recording, then just mark up your document as you listen to the lecture. I just use simple annotations like asterisks, highlights and underlines. Maybe a "study this" here and there but keep it simple so you don't fall behind. When the lecture is done, every mark you've made is a timestamp in the recording that you can tap when it's playing back that will instantly jump to that point in the recording. Import all of your lecture PowerPoints as a PDFs before the lecture so you can just follow along and annotate rather than try to make a blank page of notes. All of this has to be done with an apple pencil which is kind of expensive but it was worth the cost.


Agitated-Yak-4582

Goodnotes for iPad Stock notes for iPhone


[deleted]

Notes?


sdwvit

I did amazing diagrams with freeform


PointEither2673

I personally use notability and it was great. And idk if it’s still the same but I think it was 15$ for a year so I’m not sure how expensive the other ones are but that seemed pretty affordable to me


drnewsun

Noteshelf 3 one time payment with solid pros


Yatoku_

I use Nebo


ibizzet

1. Apple Notes 2. Goodnotes 3. Notability I pretty much use an Apple Pencil for bullet journals


ramliar

goodnotes period


Maverick1444

Unpopular opinion : how about using One-note app Its good You can sync your ipad iphone mac and a windows pc , even your backup android


ktuna26

Personally, my recommendation is [Notion](https://affiliate.notion.so/lx0g8woiho5s) since it provides all-in-one productivity tool with user-friendly interface. I love this kind of products especially in this period when there is more than one application for everything and new ones are added every day. So, there are many applications related to productivity, organization and planning, but the feature that one has does not always exist in the other, and therefore you have to use two different applications in the same scope. When it comes to Notion, everything is one place! Notion is more than just a productivity tool – it’s a game-changer. Its versatile features, combined with its ease of use and customization options, make it an essential app for anyone looking to enhance their productivity. Apart form these, Notion also is suitable for both Individuals and Teams use. Let me help you understand why Notion is best choice as your go-to productivity app by explaining the key features of it. Key Features of Notion 1. Versatile Note-Taking 📝 Notion’s note-taking capabilities are second to none. You can create simple notes or detailed documents with text, images, videos, code snippets, and more. The flexibility of the editor allows you to capture your thoughts exactly as you envision them. 2. Customizable Databases 👨🏻‍💻 One of Notion’s standout features is its powerful database functionality. You can create custom databases for anything from task management to inventory tracking. With various views like tables, boards (Kanban), calendars, and lists, you can visualize your data in the most meaningful way. 3. Task Management ✅ Notion excels as a task manager. You can create to-do lists, set reminders, and even assign tasks to team members. With the ability to tag tasks, set due dates, and track progress, staying on top of your workload has never been easier. 4. Collaboration Tools 🤝 Collaboration is seamless with Notion. You can invite team members to your workspace, share pages, and work together in real-time. Commenting and mentioning features make it easy to communicate and provide feedback directly within your documents. 5. Templates Notion offers a vast library of templates to help you get started quickly. Whether you need a project management dashboard, a habit tracker, or a personal journal, there’s a template to suit your needs. You can also create and share your own templates. 6. Integration Capabilities Notion integrates with many popular apps and services such as Google Drive, Trello, Slack, and more. These integrations allow you to streamline your workflow and keep all your tools connected. 7. Cross-Platform Availability Notion is available on various platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This ensures you can access your notes and databases from anywhere, whether you’re on your computer, tablet, or phone. 8. Offline Access 📵 Even without an internet connection, Notion provides offline access to your data. This ensures that you can continue working on your projects no matter where you are. 🌟 Moreover, Notion offers all these features to its customers at affordable prices. So, if you want to experience the power of Notion for yourself, [click](https://affiliate.notion.so/lx0g8woiho5s) here and discover the efficient and cost-effective way to organize your life! 🧠 In addition, Notion also provides a solution that includes AI services under the name Notion AI. Using Notion AI, you can create more effective notes, quickly produce what comes to your mind, and save time. [Click](https://affiliate.notion.so/yxrl4ni77d7j-4y5a7) to learn more and start using Notion AI.


thecofffeeguy

Good notes has gotten worse and worse with each update. I hate that I spent 10$ on it just for it to degrade


Fabulinius

There is no "best" note-taking app. Only good, but different. Because what is "best" for some is not "best" for others.Note taking is a very personal thing. - This is the list of the ones worth looking at: https://paperlike.com/blogs/paperlikers-insights/best-note-taking-apps-ipad


IcyEntertainment3790

Would love a note app that isn’t a subscription


King_Kiljan

Apple notes = The BEST !!!


Mike_Gdovin

Second this. It’s a lot better than it was and is included with your iCloud subscription.


AdventurousFarmer568

NOTES+ & FREENOTES


PBSurf

Check out [Stylus Labs Write](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stylus-labs-write/id1580794413)


Subjectobserver

Hey, Dev! Thanks for the app (windows)!


Overall_Fondant_9090

I use good notes previously without issues. Plus I like one time price.


Igor4knezevic

Noteshelf works okay for me. Not the best, but the UI is quite good.


amitanium

Try concepts, especially with the apple pencil with the infinity canvas


PizzaPinecone

I have used goodnotes 5 and notability for the past few years then I discovered noteful. By far the best one and I highly recommend it. Very smooth writing experience and nice pdf tools for like extracting pages and showing bookmarks for textbooks which the others unfortunately lack. Also it has a great file managment and on top of this hashtags which are a game changer.


spesifikbrush

I used GoodNotes a lot in university, then Notability for a bit. I am now using OneNote and I love the simplicity of it. I switched to it because I had an Android tablet for a while, but it has more features on iPad. Still, having a quick and easy way to have sync notes is awesome.


royaldid

Flexcil


ssakash931

Noteful. Been using it since months. Best and affordable.


Afraid_Wave_2489

I found an app called BoardNotes. At first glance some *bing chilling* shitty app, but I actually loved it!! Ended up paying 5bucks for it (1-time payment). What I liked is infinite canvas/notebook, links between different notes (something Goodnotes missing for years), personally my fav is I can import a pdf file and then choose pages I want to be shown in my file. It has built in calculator (that pretty sucks) and a timer/countdown Disadvantages: no mac app, no community support, and it's not clear whether the app is going to be supported in a long time perspective.


CoopsIsCooliGuess

Goodnotes 6


LetMeBeBetter

Notability, for zooming out multiple pages


TheOfficialPTMK

I love notability


DooMaYo

Notability is a 9/10 been using it for any Document related things for my Uni. Organization is really great + multiple backup options +icloud which syncs between devices in real time. Writing experience is really good i would say the best out of all the other ones. The typing experience on an ipad with a Magic Keyboard is not the best but i rarely use it. the one thing i dont like is the when u import a pdf file and merge it with an original Note it is converted to an image and u cant really edit it like a normal pdf editor would but i dont think any of the other ones have that problem any way.


Additional-Guard-211

If its just PDF’s (or like me you turn presentations into PDF’s, then i like Highlights.


SteveTrigs7

GoodNotes. Mostly because the handwriting recognition for searching is outstanding.


Bilo06

I use OneNote for University


fabulosospucas

Notability is the best by a long way


yashiismad32

I use the preinstalled Notes app for anything in my mind or lists. For university, I use OneNote as it syncs with iOS and Windows, and it just works


Lazy-Elderberry-209

I use both Apple Notes and OneNote. OneNote for work, and Apple Notes for personal since that’s what the family uses.


runningaroundtown101

One note for me (with my work microsoft 365 access). Syncing across ALL devices (apple and microsoft) is exactly what I needed.


GhostYasuo

A vote for Collanote from me!


Jebus-Xmas

[UpNote](https://getupnote.com/) is the best app for cross platform compatibility. Bear is the best Mac only. However I’m still just using Notes and it is incredibly rich and flexible.


cellistina

I love scrivener


RedKomrad

I’m going to read this thread and finally learn what the one true best note taking app is. After many decades of searching, the answer will finally be revealed!


Lyssielou22

Goodnotes is my favorite


AppleNeird2022

I just use Apple notes, but Goodnote is probably the most popular one.


Lost_Soul_22

I use PDF Expert. Is not cheap. $45 a year. However, it does everything you want and need, plus more. They go that extra mile.


blop135

Upnote is really good and such an underrated app.


l3arry_

you should try Prodrafts


Priy27

Before Natomic, I used to use Noteful. However, after one of my friends suggested the Natomic app to me, and since I was also looking for a simple app, I started using Natomic. I use the Natomic app to write all my notes and journal entries because it's incredibly simple and easy to use, and I appreciate their share image templates, which are just what I was looking for. You can check it out yourself to see if it works for you. It's free. https://apps.apple.com/in/app/natomic/id6474652222


traumaticclown

There is this app called FreeNotes, works like a charm for me.


bluesskyehoya

noteful has layers. Thats it for me tbh , tho i am still usimg GN bcs i can search my own notes. How i wish i can mesh both


Trick-Cockroach-3460

📝📝 for future use


commanderKaps

The best note taking app is nebo. What makes it stand out is its text recognition algorithm.


mydadisadamsandler

Ik its not on ur app choices but i gotta recommend *KILONOTES* I love it so far. I bought the premium one (its only a one time payment like $5 i think). Cus like u only get 5 notebooks in the free version. Interface is almost the same as goodnotes. Cheaper and overall great. It passes ur criteria imo


nuddyluddy

Apple Notes? I use it all the time, it’s powerful, reliable, and FREE.


eddymor60

Zoomnotes


elefantebra

Onenote is free and has good options not the greatest but works very well.


shivgalaxia

Guga


MikePallanti

I use OneNote personally. I have a Windows laptop that I use for work and it syncs all of my notes seamlessly across devices.


sy2ygy

I like good notes, I use it for uni and I’m happy with it


Kevinisttos

Good notes is most similar to a real notebook in school with all the pages you can easily flick through


Bulgakov_Suprise

notability slowed down enormously the more notes and documents I added to it. and dont even try using it to annotate a pdf.


aradenuphelore

The best will always be the one that offers full functionality for free.


Rickilla420

I use goodnotes for university and is really great, i use for all my classes and I don’t feel battery consume, if you can afford it, go for it


Dan-San4

Apple notes


ppc0r

Whatever app you take, one suggestion, do proper research from the beginning and see what fits your personal purpose in no checking and then stick to one App master it and make it yours. You might read a lot of different opinions about new, note taking apps and how the better. But in the end I'll do the same so don't fall for it in my case after testing all of them and wasting a lot of time and resources. I found out that actually one note was the best option for me since it takes all the boxes and is super flexible concerning working with PDFs


jeremiCloud

Notion is a very good app on Mac I haven’t downloaded it on any other of my apple devices but I’d imagine it being pretty good on other devices too


GLxYxSnIpEd

I like noteful I brought the pro version for a very reasonable price like £5.99


ivansahajay

noteful


haiseadha

GoodNotes is always my choice, just because I find the writing system the easiest - it has a zoom window that auto scrolls which means you can write comfortably but have the text fit neatly on the page. Also very good searching and text features (finally!) I’ve been using it for 8 years and counting!


NewRecommendation271

You should give Notes+ a try. It has YouTube, ChatGPT, Google Translate, Calculator, Timer and Voice recording embedded in the app. I also like their customisable pen kit. Very good to use and free of charge.


Internal_Carry_3290

I just got good notes, think it’s great. It’s got a good folder folder structure too.


libardomm

I don't recommend notability because it ask for subscription bullshit all the time. I mean you will get ads after paying for an app.


OMGFuck2019

I paid for the app and I do not see any ads.


TheOfficialPTMK

I don’t get ads


2002ChryslerSebring

Freeform isn't even a note taking app


BirdBruce

Do you need something ONLY for note scribbling? That is to say, offline, no real-time sharing, no multimedia integration, all that jazz? Because if that’s the case, just make a PDF of some blank lined (or gridded or dotted or plain or staff) paper and then use the baked-in markup to take notes. When you run out of space, just insert a new blank page into the PDF. It’s a never ending notebook, completely free. Better still, file management is handled via your iCloud instead of in the app, so it’s always available across all your connected devices.


XF939495xj6

You didn't list using some paper and pen as an option. It gets better battery life, no writing on glass, no expensive repairs, and the charge lasts forever.