iPads have basically turned into productivity machines at this point. With the M1 and M2 chips, these things can handle way more than people give them credit for, and note-taking is one of those areas where iPad truly shines.
The combination of a good stylus (like the Apple Pencil) plus a tablet just feels right for writing, sketching, and organizing ideas in ways that laptops can't match.
If you're a student looking for tools that actually help with studying and not just digitizing messy handwriting, you'll want to check out our student-specific list. But for general iPad note-taking in 2026, this list covers the best apps whether you're annotating PDFs, journaling, planning projects, or creating a second brain.
Some of these apps are free, some cost a bit upfront, and others use subscriptions. We've tested them all on iPad to see which ones are actually worth the storage space and which ones you can skip.
1. Goodnotes
Best for Apple Pencil: Goodnotes
Goodnotes is the gold standard for iPad note-taking, and honestly, it's earned that reputation. If you ask anyone what note app to get for iPad, half of them will say Goodnotes without even thinking about it. The app recently got a major upgrade with AI features that help with studying, summarizing notes, and even answering questions based on what you've written.
The free version gives you three notebooks to test it out, which is honestly pretty generous. Once you hit that limit though, you'll need to subscribe to unlock unlimited notebooks. Trust me, you'll hit three notebooks faster than you think if you're organizing notes by subject, project, or purpose.
The notebook organization is stupidly good. You can create separate notebooks for work, personal journals, recipe collections, meeting notes, whatever you need. Each notebook can have its own cover, paper style, and organization system. It feels like carrying around a bag full of Moleskines, but without the weight.
Apple Pencil support is where Goodnotes really shines. The handwriting experience is smooth, responsive, and feels natural. You can write in cursive, print, or terrible doctor handwriting and the app still manages to recognize it for search. Yeah, you can literally search your handwritten notes like they're typed text. Game changer.
The spelling correction as you write is one of those features that sounds minor but saves so much time. It'll underline misspelled words in your handwriting (yes, really) so you can fix them before your notes turn into indecipherable nonsense.
PDF annotation is another huge win. Import textbooks, articles, forms, contracts, whatever, and mark them up with highlights, notes, drawings, and signatures. If you're a student dealing with lecture slides or someone who reviews documents regularly, this feature alone justifies the subscription.
You also get a full toolkit for creative work: different pen styles, highlighters, shape tools, color palettes, and an eraser that actually works the way you'd expect. Some apps make erasing a pain, but Goodnotes nailed it.
2. Noteshelf
Solid GoodNotes Alternative
Noteshelf is basically Goodnotes' slightly cheaper cousin who honestly does a lot of the same stuff just as well. Some people actually prefer the handwriting feel in Noteshelf, saying it's smoother and more responsive. I've used both and yeah, there's a subtle difference in how the pen glides across the screen.
Notebook customization is a big deal here. You can choose covers, paper styles, and organize everything by subject, project, or however your brain works. The search function is pretty clever too. You can search through handwritten notes, typed text, or even photos you've embedded in your notes. Finding that one recipe you scribbled down three months ago? Takes like five seconds.
The pen selection is where things get fun. You've got fountain pens, ballpoints, brush pens, and a bunch of customization options for thickness and color. If you're into digital art or hand lettering, Noteshelf gives you enough tools to make it worth your time.
Handwriting-to-text conversion works well enough for most use cases. It's not perfect (what is?), but it'll turn your notes into typed text when you need to share them with someone or copy text into another app. The toolbar is packed with helpful stuff: shape tools for diagrams, highlighters that actually look like highlighters, sticky notes for quick annotations, and more.
AI features recently got added, which is a nice touch for students. You can ask the AI to translate text, generate study notes, summarize long sections, or answer questions based on your content. It's not going to write your essays for you, but it's useful for reviewing material.
Other random features worth mentioning: you can doodle directly on imported images, switch to dark mode for late-night note sessions, and use focus mode to hide distractions when you need to concentrate. Overall, if Goodnotes feels too expensive or you just want to try something different, Noteshelf is a solid pick.
3. Notability
Great for Students
Notability is the app that got a lot of people into iPad note-taking in the first place. It's free to start, which is huge if you're not ready to commit money to an app you haven't tried yet. Once you're hooked (and you probably will be), the premium subscription unlocks the really good stuff.
The versatility is what stands out here. You can create digital art, write detailed handwritten notes, sketch diagrams, record audio while you write, whatever you need. Notability says it works for everyone, and honestly, that's pretty accurate. Students use it for lecture notes, designers use it for sketching, parents use it to keep kids entertained with doodling tools.
Handwriting recognition is locked behind the premium tier, but it's worth it if you need clean, typed versions of your handwritten notes. The conversion is solid, definitely better than trying to retype everything yourself. Math conversion is the real standout feature for students. Write out equations by hand and Notability will convert them into formatted math diagrams. If you're taking calculus or physics notes, this feature alone pays for the subscription.
Audio recording is another killer feature that doesn't get talked about enough. You can record lectures or meetings while you take notes, and the app syncs the audio to your writing. Tap on a word you wrote and the audio jumps to that exact moment. Super helpful for reviewing material later.
The free version is generous enough to actually be useful, not just a teaser. You get core note-taking features, drawing tools, and organization options. Premium adds unlimited editing, math conversion, and handwriting-to-text. If you're a student on a budget, start with free and upgrade when you need those extra features.
4. Nebo
Popular for Sketching
Nebo is one of those apps that feels like it was built by someone who got frustrated with every other note app and decided to just make their own. It's packed with features, sometimes almost too many, but if you're the type who wants maximum flexibility, this is your app.
The infinite canvas is probably Nebo's most distinctive feature. It works like a digital whiteboard where you can zoom in, zoom out, and spread your notes across as much space as you need. No more feeling constrained by page limits. You can map out entire projects, mind maps, research trees, whatever sprawling mess your brain comes up with.
Handwriting-to-text conversion is surprisingly good here. You can write by hand, then convert it to typed text with a tap. The recognition accuracy is solid, even with messy handwriting. You can also mix handwriting and typed text in the same document, which is weirdly satisfying.
Documents can be exported as professional-looking PDFs, Word files, or shared via web links. If you're using Nebo to draft presentations, write reports, or submit assignments, the export options give you exactly what you need without reformatting everything.
Multi-level lists, interactive diagrams, and PDF annotation are all built in. The diagrams feature is actually pretty cool for flowcharts or technical drawings. You can sketch something rough and Nebo will clean it up into proper shapes and connectors.
The learning curve is steeper than Goodnotes or Notability. Nebo doesn't hold your hand much, so expect to spend some time figuring out where everything is. But once you get the hang of it, the power is there. If you want a jam-packed tool that can handle basically any note-taking scenario, Nebo delivers.
5. Obsidian
PKM and Second Brain
Obsidian is not your typical note-taking app. If Goodnotes is like a notebook and Nebo is like a whiteboard, Obsidian is like building your own personal Wikipedia. It's free for personal use, which is wild considering how powerful it is, but there are paid sync options if you want your notes across devices without manually managing files.
This app is all about connected thinking. Every note can link to other notes using backlinks, tags, and references. Over time, you build this web of interconnected ideas that you can visualize in a graph view. Seeing how your thoughts connect is honestly kind of mind-blowing, especially if you're working on long-term projects or research.
The interface looks plain at first, almost like a text editor, but that simplicity hides a ton of depth. Obsidian uses markdown for formatting, which means your notes are just plain text files stored locally on your device. You own your data completely. No cloud lock-in, no proprietary formats, just files you can open anywhere.
Obsidian Canvas is the visual brainstorming tool that makes the iPad version really shine. You can drag notes, images, web links, PDFs, whatever into a big canvas and arrange them spatially. It's great for planning projects, organizing research, or just letting ideas flow without worrying about structure.
Plugins and community themes give you basically unlimited customization. Want a minimal writing environment? There's a theme for that. Want to turn Obsidian into a task manager? There's a plugin for that. The community around Obsidian is massive and constantly building new stuff.
This app is overkill if you just need to jot down grocery lists or meeting notes. But if you're building a personal knowledge management system, researching a book, managing a PhD thesis, or trying to create a second brain for long-term thinking, Obsidian is the best tool for the job.
6. Bear Notes
Lightweight Notes App
Bear Notes is for people who don't want to deal with handwriting or infinite canvases. It's just a clean, markdown-based text editor that happens to be really good at organizing your thoughts. If typing is more your speed than scribbling with a stylus, Bear is worth checking out.
Markdown support means you can format notes without touching a mouse or lifting your fingers from the keyboard. Add headings, bold text, highlights, code blocks, whatever you need using simple syntax. Once you get the hang of markdown, it's way faster than clicking formatting buttons.
Images, tables, and to-do lists are all supported. You can build pretty complex documents without leaving the app. The to-do list feature is especially handy for mixing task management with note-taking, like planning a project and tracking action items in the same document.
Tag-based organization is how Bear handles structure. Instead of folders, you tag notes with keywords. Want to find all your recipe notes? Click the breakfast tag. All your work meeting notes? Click the meetings tag. It feels chaotic at first, but once you get used to it, it's actually faster than digging through nested folders.
Bear isn't just for quick notes either. People use it to write books, create personal wikis, plan content calendars, draft blog posts, whatever long-form writing you need. The interface stays clean and minimal no matter how much content you throw at it.
Pricing is reasonable, especially compared to some of the handwriting-focused apps. The free version is usable, and the paid tier unlocks sync across devices and additional themes. If you're tired of drawing with a stylus and just want a solid typing experience on iPad, Bear delivers.
Bear Notes is a minimal, markdown note-taking application perfect for iOS and Mac.
7. Moleskine Flow
Aesthetic Notes App
Moleskine Flow is hands down the prettiest note-taking app on this list. If you're someone who cares about aesthetics and wants your digital notes to feel as satisfying as a physical Moleskine notebook, this app nails that vibe. It's clearly designed by people who love the brand and wanted to recreate that premium paper experience digitally.
The Apple Pencil experience here is top-tier. Moleskine claims it feels as responsive as real paper, and while that's a bold statement, the writing does feel smooth and natural. You can choose different paper textures and pen types to match your mood or project, which sounds gimmicky but actually adds to the experience.
Collaboration is built in, which is rare for a handwriting-focused app. You can share notes via a link and work together in real time. Not as feature-rich as Google Docs for collaboration, but good enough for sharing meeting notes or brainstorming with a small team.
Split-screen multitasking on iPad works well with Moleskine Flow. You can have your notes open alongside Moleskine Timepage (their calendar app) or any other app, which is perfect for taking notes during meetings or referencing information while you write.
The artistic tools are where Moleskine Flow really shines. Different pen styles, the ability to draw over images, customizable toolkits, it's clear they want you to get creative. If you're into journaling, sketching, or visual note-taking, the tools give you plenty to work with.
Organization uses collections and color coding, which keeps things tidy without feeling overly structured. You can group related notes together and use colors to visually distinguish between projects, subjects, or whatever system works for you. Overall, if aesthetics matter to you and you want note-taking to feel like an experience rather than just a utility, Moleskine Flow is worth the premium.
8. Apple Freeform
Apple's Sharing Whiteboard
Apple Freeform is free, built into your iPad, and honestly better than it has any right to be for a bundled app. It's not trying to be Goodnotes or Notability. Instead, it's focused on visual brainstorming and collaboration, and it does that job really well.
The standout feature is FaceTime integration. You can literally video call your team while working on the same canvas together. Everyone sees what everyone else is drawing or adding in real time, and you can talk through ideas while you map them out. It's like a digital whiteboard session without needing to be in the same room.
Real-time collaboration works smoothly. You'll see cursors labeled with people's names, so you know who's drawing what. It's great for team brainstorming, remote workshops, or just working on a project with friends.
You can throw basically anything onto the canvas: images, drawings, shapes, arrows, sticky notes, graphs, tables, web links, whatever helps visualize your ideas. The interface is simple enough that you're not hunting for tools, you're just creating.
This isn't the app for organized, searchable notes. There's no handwriting recognition, no folder system, no fancy PDF annotation. Freeform is messy on purpose. It's for getting ideas out of your head and onto a shared space where they can evolve.
Best use cases are brainstorming sessions, project planning, mood boards, mind mapping, or collaborative sketching. If you need structure and organization, use Apple Notes or Goodnotes. If you need to visually explode your ideas across a canvas with your team watching, Freeform is perfect.
Apple Freeform is a collaborative whiteboard app for your team/friends with FaceTime.
9. Apple Notes
Apple's Basic Notes App
Apple Notes is the app that's already on your iPad, costs nothing, and honestly does more than most people realize. If you've been using it on your iPhone, the iPad version is basically the same but with more screen space and Apple Pencil support.
Simplicity is the whole point here. No subscriptions, no complicated features to learn, no overwhelming toolbars. You open it, you write or draw, you're done. For a lot of people, that's exactly what they need from a note-taking app.
Apple Pencil support is solid. You can draw, sketch, handwrite notes, annotate screenshots, whatever. It's not as feature-rich as Goodnotes, but it covers the basics without any extra cost. The handwriting recognition isn't built in, but you can still scribble notes and they'll sync across your devices.
Document scanning is built right into the app. Point your camera at a receipt, contract, or article, and Apple Notes will scan it, straighten it, and save it as a PDF. You can then annotate the scanned document with the Apple Pencil if you need to sign something or add notes.
Organization options include folders, tags, and smart folders. Smart folders automatically group notes based on criteria you set, like all notes with specific tags or notes created in the last week. It's basic compared to apps like Obsidian, but it's enough to keep things organized.
iCloud sync means your notes are available on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac instantly. No third-party services, no separate accounts, it just works if you're in the Apple ecosystem.
Apple Notes is perfect if you don't want to think about your note-taking app. It's there, it's free, it works well enough for most use cases. If you need advanced features, look elsewhere. If you just need notes to work without drama, this is it.
Apple Notes is a note-taking that comes with all iOS and macOS devices for notes.
10. Microsoft OneNote
Structured Notes & Sketching
Microsoft OneNote is the obvious choice if you're already using Microsoft 365 for work or school. It integrates with Word, Excel, Teams, and everything else in the Microsoft universe, so if you're locked into that ecosystem, OneNote just makes sense.
The notebook structure is really well thought out. You create notebooks, then sections within those notebooks, then pages within those sections. It sounds complicated but it actually mirrors how people naturally organize information. One notebook for work, sections for different projects, pages for specific topics or meetings.
Apple Pencil support is solid. You can handwrite notes, annotate imported documents, draw diagrams, sketch ideas, whatever you need. The handwriting experience isn't quite as refined as Goodnotes or Notability, but it's good enough for most people and the trade-off is you get all the Microsoft integration.
Collaboration is where OneNote really shines. You can share entire notebooks with your team and everyone can edit in real time. Changes sync instantly, and you can see who added what. If you're working on group projects or sharing meeting notes with coworkers, this feature is clutch.
Search is powerful because it works across all your notebooks. Looking for that one note you took six months ago about a specific project? Search finds it in seconds, even if it's handwritten (the OCR is surprisingly good).
The iPad app works well, but it's clear OneNote was designed with desktop in mind first. Some features feel better on a laptop with a mouse, but the core note-taking experience on iPad is totally usable.
Free to use with a Microsoft account, which is a huge win if you're already paying for Microsoft 365 anyway. For Microsoft users who want solid note-taking on iPad without adding another subscription, OneNote delivers.
Note-taking and organising app perfect for students, academics and general notes.