Handwritten Note App Mac
- Handwritten Note App Surface Pro
- Handwriting Note App Mac
- Handwritten Notes To Text App
- Handwritten Note App Mac Free
Do you love the tactile experience of taking notes on paper but prefer the organization features of digital note-taking apps? We do, too.
- Text Fairy (OCR Text Scanner) If you’re looking for an app to scan your documents and share it with your contacts, then give this a try. The app does not claim to scan handwritten notes, but from my experience, if your notes are not in cursive, the scanner may be able to, at least partially, recognize the content. You can then make the edits.
- Best handwriting text recognizer and optical character recognizer app. It is absolutely free for you. You can handwritten text notes, list or any form of text from paper to editable text in your device in just one click. FEATURES: - Supports Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, a.
- Besides, the app can be set up with Dropbox to sync data across the devices. Price: $13.99 Download. That’s pretty much it! So, this sums up our roundup of the top note apps for Mac. What’s your favorite? Now that you have known our favorite note apps, tell us about the ones that can walk into your personal roundup.
- Many of the Bear app's features are available for free on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Using the free version you can create notes, add tags and attachments, and export to a variety of formats.
And until recently, the best compromise we’d found was taking notes on paper and then scanning them into an app like Evernote.
Take beautiful, searchable handwritten notes with the note-taking app that turns your iPad into digital paper Always find what you wrote Thanks to handwriting recognition and OCR technology, your entire library of digital notes is searchable.
While this approach worked, it wasn’t as seamless as we wanted. So for a while now, we’ve been experimenting with ways of taking handwritten notes with an iPad. And we’re excited to share that we’ve finally found a method that combines the best parts of writing by hand with the best parts of digital note-taking.
The key is to use a quality stylus, a screen protector that mimics paper, and, most importantly, the right note-taking app.
In this post, we’ll show you six of the best note-taking apps for the iPad. With a bit of practice, these apps will give you all the benefits of writing by hand without sacrificing the convenience of digital organization.
Note: All of the apps below work for both the iPad Pro and Classic, though the Pro’s larger screen size makes note-taking easier.
1. Notability
If we had to recommend just one iPad note-taking app, it would be Notability. The app offers a delightful writing experience, yet it also makes it easy to embed images, annotate PDFs, and even record voice memos.
Sketching and drawing in Notability is easy and downright delightful. Being able to doodle and quickly sketch out illustrations is one of our favorite things about taking notes on paper. Notability does an excellent job of emulating this experience, while also allowing you to do things you can’t do on paper such as resizing and moving your drawings.
In addition, Notability includes a variety of flexible layout options. This allows you to, for instance, have a slide or reference material open on one side of the page while you take notes on the other.
And beyond the layout of individual pages, you can also organize your notes using digital “Dividers” (which is perfect if you’re used to taking notes in a physical binder).
Finally, Notability gives you plenty of options for exporting and sharing your notes, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and AirDrop.
Price: $8.99
Check out the video below to see Notability in action:
2. Noteshelf
Noteshelf was our favorite note-taking app for the iPad before we discovered Notability, and it’s still a superb option.
It has many of the features we love in Notability, including the option to annotate PDFs and multitask with the iPad’s split screen. You can also record voice notes to go along with your handwritten notes, which is perfect for recapping a lecture or meeting at a later date.
If you speak/write multiple languages, you’ll also be pleased to know that Noteshelf can recognize handwriting in 65 different languages. This makes it a powerful tool whether you’re taking a language class or learning a language on your own.
Finally, Noteshelf lets you export your notes to iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Evernote. The option to export to Evernote is noticeably missing from Notability, making Noteshelf our top pick for serious Evernote users.
Apple Watch users will also benefit from the app’s ability to record voice notes using the Noteshelf Apple Watch app.
Price: $9.99
3. GoodNotes 5
Up next, we have GoodNotes 5. This app has everything you want for taking notes, including the ability to switch between typing and writing. Plus, you can choose from several built-in note layouts and templates, as well as import your own.
Notably, GoodNotes 5 lets you adjust the sensitivity and palm recognition of the pen to match your writing style. This is perfect if you’re like me and tend to press very hard when writing.
Finally, GoodNotes 5 includes a “Presentation Mode” that lets you turn your iPad into a digital whiteboard. Using either AirPlay or an HDMI cable, you can project what you’re writing onto a larger screen while still being able to see the GoodNotes interface on your iPad. This is handy whether you’re giving a class presentation or pitching a business idea.
Price: $7.99
Want to learn how to take better notes? Check out our guide to the best note-taking systems.
4. Apple Notes
We couldn’t discuss iPad note-taking apps without mentioning Apple Notes. The app comes free with macOS/iOS devices, and it does a great job of letting you type or take notes by hand. The app’s drawing features are also solid, making it easy to add sketches and illustrations to your notes.
Aside from being free, the biggest advantage of Apple Notes is its deep integration with iOS. If you use iCloud and other Apple devices, you can effortlessly switch between taking notes on your iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
Plus, everything you create is automatically backed up to iCloud, and you can even create voice notes using Siri while you’re on the go.
Price: Free
5. Penultimate
Developed by Evernote, Penultimate is designed to be the go-to note-taking app for Evernote users. It has all the standard note-taking features you want, including a variety of layouts and the ability to search your handwritten notes with optical character recognition.
If you already use Evernote, then you can seamlessly add Penultimate to your workflow. Once you sign into the app with your Evernote account, all your notes will automatically sync to the Evernote notebook of your choice.
While the additional writing features of Noteshelf still make it our preferred note-taking app to use with Evernote, Penultimate remains a solid choice (especially if you’re looking for a free app).
Price: Free
6. Microsoft OneNote
Odds are, you’ve used (or at least have access to) Microsoft OneNote at work or school. But did you know that the OneNote iPad app allows you to take handwritten notes?
OneNote lets you write notes either on a blank page or a layout that emulates a sheet of lined paper. The general setup of the app mimics a physical binder, allowing you to organize your notes by topic.
OneNote for iPad also offers a variety of multimedia features. You can type text, insert graphics, and even include voice recordings. You can also search notes for specific words and view your notes across devices. And everything you create in OneNote is automatically backed up to OneDrive.
If you’re already a serious Microsoft app user, then OneNote will integrate seamlessly into your workflow.
Price: Free (with a Microsoft Account)
Start Taking Notes With Your iPad Today
I hope this article has shown you the exciting options you have for taking notes with your iPad. It’s now easier than ever to get the benefits of writing on paper without sacrificing the organization features of digital apps.
Of course, to benefit from taking notes, you need to make it a habit. If you’re looking to build the habit of taking notes (or another productive habit), you’ll love our latest course.
Click the button below to learn how you can take it (and thousands of other classes) for free:
Take my free class on mastering habits
Building habits isn’t just about discipline; there are real-world steps you can take to set yourself up for success! In this course, you'll learn how to set realistic goals, handle failure without giving up, and get going on the habits you want in your life.
Taking notes on Android devices will not only help you keep your notes organized but will also help you save a small bit of the planet Earth. But the problem is that the small keypad on an Android device can make it a challenge for you to keep notes. The fact that Android will automatically correct lots of words only makes things worse as all those notes you are quickly taking on your device become jumbled up.
Read: Take a Picture of Handwriting And Convert to Text – Android Apps
That’s where a handwriting apps for Android can come in handy. With the best handwriting app for Android needs, you can quickly take notes without worrying about annoy auto-correct issues. Besides, it might be faster and easier for you to take notes by hand with your Android.
This listing includes a number of attractive handwriting apps that will work wonders for your needs. Each application will give you the help you need for getting all your notes taken.
Note: Many of these apps are available for free, but some have features that require you to order a premium version.
Best Handwriting Apps For Android
1. Google Lens
The first app on the list is Google lens. After the recent update, Google lens can now copy and paste handwritten notes to your computer. However, to get this working you will require both your smartphone as well a computer with Google Chrome installed. As of now, it doesn’t work as a standalone app.
To get started, install the Google lens app on your Android or Google app for iPhone. Also, logged in to the same Google account on your computer running Google Chrome. Once done, open the Google lens app on your smartphone and capture the handwritten text, highlight it on-screen, and select copy. Next, head over to your computer, open Chrome browser, and then go to any document in Google Docs, click Edit, and then Paste. You will see the handwritten text appear magically. And that’s it.
Source: Google
I tested it with a doctor’s prescription, and it wasn’t accurate, partly because you know Doctor’s handwriting. Next, I tested with my own handwriting, and I’ve to say, I was quite impressed.
Pros: Works on both Android and iOS, The accuracy is around 90% since the handwriting recognization seems to happen on Google server.
Cons: Requires active internet connection and a use of a computer.
Install Google lens (Android)
2. Handwriting Memo “A Paper”
t, Handwriting Memo is a simple note-taking app that lets you input using your fingers or a stylus. The interesting feature of this app is the boundless drawing area, you can simply scroll through the app whenever you run out of writing space and the app creates more space right away.
The app is easy to use and offers a natural writing experience with three different pen types. You can also draw shapes like lines, rectangles, and circles to highlight during note-taking. The size of the tip can be adjusted by tapping the pen and adjusting the slider. You can save the notes in the app or share it with other social media as an image.
Pros: The app is fluid and offers an endless canvas which makes it easier to take notes. You can easily share the notes as an image.
Cons: The app only has a limited number of tools which limits the potential of the app. Also, the gestures to move around the page take a while to get used to.
The app is free on the Play Store and only has a few ads.
Install Handwriting Memo
3. Squid
Squid is an attractive program formerly known as Papyrus that lets you create handwritten notes on many paper templates, but what makes it popular is that you can use Papyrus to fill out forms of all kinds. You can create markups on PDFs on your device as you fill in the blanks on any PDF form you have.
Read: Best PDF Editor Apps For Android
This also uses a press-sensitive setup for handling your handwriting. You can write with your stylus pen and then erase with your finger. The program identifies the pressure from either item and uses it to determine what will happen when you are trying to clear something off of your app. You can also adjust the colors of all the things you use, thus allowing you to distinguish between different items that you are posted on Squid.
Pros: Supports exporting notes into many file formats, lets you crop and edit images as you see fit, allows you to use an HDMI port, Chromecast or other items for presenting your notes on a larger screen (works best for tablets).
Cons: Pressure sensitivity might be too intense, tough to get fine print out in some cases.
The app is Free, although you would have to pay extra for some functions within the app.
Install Squid
4. FiiWrite
FiiWrite is a free program that lets you not only write notes but also paint. You can use the palette tool with your stylus pen to adjust the color or thickness of what you are writing.
This is essentially a lighter version of the much larger FiiNote program. You can organize many items based on subject and date among other factors. Individual files can also be exported into PDFs and other picture formats. Each of these can be edited on your own as well. The thickness of your writing and the colors for what you are adding can be quickly adjusted to feature different styles that fit your requirements.
Pros: Works quickly, light in weight on your phone or tablet, offers many data saving and export options.
Cons: Does not work with a keyboard for tying added notes; you would have to install FiiNote separately to do that.

Install FiiWrite (free)
5. INKredible
Look at INKredible next when looking for a handwriting app. This uses a basic design layout and adds a fine feature for adding both text-based notes but also pictures. You can upload pictures from your phone into INKredible or even take screenshots you just took and edit them with the program.
An automatic palm and wrist rejection feature is also included. This feature identifies the amount of pressure being laid onto a screen and then keeps you from adding unwanted pressure to whatever it is you are trying to write. This is a convenient setup for note-taking that offers a good layout for your use.
Pros: Simple layout, allows you to share files in many formats, lets you zoom in to find specific details or to add content into extremely small spots.
Cons: Design might look too plain for some, tough to go from text to images when adding content.
Install INKredible ( free/ Pro $5)
6. LectureNotes
When looking for a paid app, you can use LectureNotes to get your content handled. This is designed with school usage in mind but it can work anywhere. This program lets you write or type notes quickly and allows you to organize your content into as many individual sections as you see fit. This also includes options for uploading many files from online and getting them added onto LectureNotes. It takes images and PDFs and lets you adjust them with your own markups as you see fit, thus giving you extra control over your notes.
Pros: Does not require an online connection for use, lets you see many pages of notes at the same time on your device, gives you many options for pencils based on thickness.
Cons: Not recommended for use on smartphones, designed with professional needs in mind.
Each of these handwriting apps or your Android use can work well for the demands you have when producing a good document. Take a look at each option you can work with to see what is available and how you can get the most out of your note-taking demands.
Handwritten Note App Surface Pro
Install Lecturenotes ($4.95)

Handwriting Note App Mac
7. OneNote 2016
Ever since the launch of Microsoft’s surface line up, OneNote has dominated the handwriting app market.
Like most handwriting apps, you can your scribbles with your fingers, insert voice/ video recordings, embed clips from the web, etc. But the best part of OneNote is “Ink to text” which can convert the handwritten notes entered directly into OneNote to searchable text. OneNote also supports pressure sensitivity like Squid, however, we recommend to turn it OFF to make writing look better, and saves disk space.
Pros: Convert handwritten notes to standard text.
Cons: OneNote is a heavy app and takes quite some to fully load.
Handwritten Notes To Text App
Cost: OneNote mobile app is free, the desktop version is available only with paid Office 2016 package /usb-receiver-driver-error.html.
Install One Note
Wrapping up: Best Handwriting Apps for Android
I remember using the handwriting feature on the PDA devices in the early 2000s. Handwriting apps are a great way to save and organize all that you have jotted down in one place. Furthermore, I am sure that some people (like myself) have this nasty habit of doodling each and everything and then toss the paper into the bin. In a nutshell, if you are looking for a physical notepad alternative I would suggest you go for the paid version of the handwriting app of your choice.
Handwritten Note App Mac Free
Read: Try These 8 Best Free Evernote Alternatives