Do you like the physical feel of taking notes on paper on a blank page, but find the organizing features of digital note-taking applications more convenient? We feel the same way. With some app purchases, you can achieve convenience and the best compromise to take better notes and do lists of your favorite things with a powerful tool.
And, until recently, the greatest compromise we’d discovered consisted in writing notes on paper and scanning them into an app like Evernote converting them to PDFs when they were completed. While this technique was effective, it was not as smooth as we would have liked.
So we’ve been experimenting with different methods of capturing handwritten notes with an iPad for quite some time. As a result, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve finally discovered an approach that combines the greatest aspects of writing by hand with the finest aspects of digital note-taking. Utilizing a high-quality pen as well as a screen protector that simulates paper, as well as the appropriate note-taking application, is essential.
Our goal with this article is to demonstrate six of the greatest note-taking applications for the iPad. With a little effort, these applications will provide you with all the advantages of writing by hand while also providing you with the ease of digital organizational tools. It is easier as you finish you can save your work from ginger labs for example to google drive or iCloud on Apple devices, right away. Also, if you choose to use Microsoft Office apart from the iPad apps, you may also do that.
All the applications listed here are compatible with both the iPad Pro and the iPad Classic, while the Pro’s bigger screen makes taking notes simpler.
For students (graduate student or any student) and professional use all around the globe, the iPad note has proven to be a paradise for notetaking when it comes to taking notes. Because of its wide range of formatting options and its annotation on IOS devices, Ipads are so loved.
The combination of the gorgeous Retina display and the use of an Apple Pencil allows users to record text on everything from the smallest of their etchings to essays that span many pages. In case you’re a fellow notetaker, you’re probably also on the search for the best notetaking app out there.
Despite the fact that Apple’s native Notes app is very capable, it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of overall versatility. On this page, we’ve compiled a list of the top notetaking applications available on the App Store, each of which offers the ideal balance of fluidity, functionality, and pricing. Take a look at these.
GoodNotes 5
One of our personal favorites, GoodNotes 5 provides a seamless experience and feel of writing on actual paper. The paid app on iPad is very easy to set up and go.
The aesthetics around GoodNotes have been designed to be more comforting and quite simple to use. The app’s home screen neatly divides your creations based on single documents or notebooks (if you’ve created any).
There are multiple notebook templates to choose from with papers ranging from blank and squared paper to specialized music paper and guitar score. GoodNotes 4 users can also import their previous documents to work on.
Simple note-taking functions are provided by the app. When taking notes, there is no lag at all, and the whole experience is seamless and seamless. It also has a variety of tools, including the basic pencil, eraser, pen and highlighter, as well sliders for fine-tuning specific characteristics such as tip sharpness and even pressure sensitivity, which many users search for in their note-taking software.
Shapes may be added, handwriting can be converted to text, and PDF documents can be marked up and exported in a short amount of time.
Despite the fact that GoodNotes enables users to share documents with others through links, the app does not allow users to access shared notes outside of the app. Thanks to its easy aesthetics, extensive notebooks, and bespoke features, GoodNotes 5 is the ideal software for students who are overflowing with ideas and want to write down their thoughts in a convenient and organized manner.
Pros:
- Rich Paperlike writing experience
- Adjustment options and a variety of tools
Cons:
- No Specialized Feature
- Link Sharing is Limited
Notability
Notability, which is sometimes referred to as GoodNotes’ direct rival, is another excellent notetaking software for the iPad that does comparable tasks in a slightly different manner.
For starters, Notability’s design is more practical in nature, displaying your folders on the left sidebar and the notes associated with them on the right side of the screen. While this strategy may seem simple to some, others who like a no-nonsense approach may prefer it.
You may accomplish the same thing with document management, in which you can establish a topic and then gather all of your pertinent notes under that subject. The classification choices in GoodNotes could be a little more robust.
When it comes to templates, although GoodNotes 5 provides a variety of paper possibilities, Notability provides a greater degree of flexibility via the use of notebook covers and other styles. Also available on the iPhone as well. With plenty of options and a variety of formats in different languages, the Notability app is a real kicker.
Pros:
- Audio Recording Feature
- Taking a Practical Approach
Cons:
- Limited Organization Options may be considered antiquated by some.
- Can’t change papers mid notebook
Evernote
Get notepad Evernote. One of the oldest players on the market, Evernote is a robust notetaking app for iPad that serves not only individual users but big-scale business teams with its custom-priced plans and custom templates for study notes. You may choose an annual subscription or a monthly if you prefer.
The app also supports both iOS and Android platforms, so users taking notes can easily sync their progress across two devices on the free plan. There are paid trials that let you experience higher upload limits and unlimited synching, along with extended app support.
As with OneNote, writing or typing in Evernote has the appearance of a much more professional event, thanks to the user interface’s slick and basic design. However, in order to keep things light and airy, Evernote’s signature green may be seen here and there.
The home screen of the program acts as the primary command, from which users can view the many ways they may use the software, as well as recent type text notes and any files they have grabbed using the built-in Evernote web clipper.
Users can also access the app’s help section from the home screen. You can write, draw, and type in Evernote, and you can even incorporate custom code blocks into your notes. The selection of instruments is a welcome addition to the package.
Evernote’s approach is more than just capturing handwriting; consumers seeking a comprehensive experience will find it to be quite appealing. Keep in mind, however, that the free tier has its own set of restrictions.
Pros:
- Design by a professional
- There are several tools included in the package
- The inclusion of a document divider and a code block is a wonderful touch
Cons:
- Free Tier is Limited
Liquid Text
While we’re on the subject of unique features, Liquid Text is another notetaking software for the iPad that deserves to be included on this list.
This straightforward program, which was created specifically for students who prefer to peruse files and take notes at the same time, enables users to split the iPad’s screen into two halves. Students may access any PDF files on the left-hand side of the screen, whilst they can take brief notes and extract snippets from the left-hand side of the screen on the right.
Touch and formatting capabilities allow you to choose any text from a PDF and move it over to the editing side without fear of losing your place in the document.
One particularly useful feature is the option to reduce selected pages, which allows you to easily compare what’s above and below the same text. Also included is the ability for pupils to build custom text boxes that may be placed across any of the sides for subsequent notetaking.
While the expensive version offers a plethora of capabilities, students who want to compare notes or papers will find Liquid Text to be quite useful. Take a look at it.
Pros:
- Screen division is a useful feature.
- It’s possible to modify PDFs while taking notes at the same time.
- Extracting text from a PDF.
Cons:
- Some features are locked behind the paid plan
Notion
Notion apps take, the ever-popular notetaking tool. Despite the fact that Notion does not enable sketching with the Apple Pencil, it is a fantastic keyboard notetaking application nevertheless.
If you have a notebook, Notion will elegantly arrange your works into several categories that you may pick from. Text editing in Notion is functional. Keep take mind that there are discount choices accessible.
You have the freedom to edit text in any manner you see fit, including adjusting the font size, style, and color, amongst other features. You may complement your remarks with photographs if you choose to develop your business plan or share ideas with your own notes.
Apart from that, there are several templates available that may assist you in organizing your notes into parts such as reading lists, make lists, thesis preparation, personal customer relationship management systems (CRM), and budgeting to name a few.
Notion, on the other hand, excels when it comes to real-time collaboration. You may include the names of your colleagues in comments inside the notes themselves, and they will be alerted and given the opportunity to make adjustments immediately.
Notion syncs across browsers, Macs, and Windows, ensuring that your notes are always with you, even if you are not using an iPad. Notion is a free app that allows users to take notes on their iPad using a keyboard. Download it and start typing text notes.
Pros:
- A large number of note templates are available
- Effortless organization
- Collaboration tools that are both powerful and rapid
Cons:
- Limited Apple Pencil support
Some honorable mentions: Microsoft OneNote, Nebo, Quick Note, Zoho notebook.
Read more articles in the Technology Category