What makes a great stylus note app?
Writing with a stylus brings back the tactile experience of pen and paper while keeping everything digital. Whether you're sketching diagrams in a meeting, annotating PDFs with markup, or just prefer handwriting over typing, the right app transforms your tablet into a genuine notebook.
The market's flooded with note apps that claim stylus support, but most treat it as an afterthought. The apps we've listed below were built with stylus users in mind. They understand palm rejection, pressure sensitivity, and the fact that handwritten notes need different organization than typed text.
We tested dozens of stylus note apps on iPad, Android tablets, and Windows devices. Our criteria focused on handwriting quality, PDF annotation capabilities, AI text conversion accuracy, cross-device sync reliability, and whether the pricing model makes sense for individual users versus teams.
This guide covers the best stylus note-taking apps in 2026, from the polished iPad-first options to the platform-agnostic tools that work across any device with a touchscreen.
How We Chose These Stylus Note Apps
Our Selection Process
Picking a stylus app isn't like choosing a regular note-taking tool. The writing experience matters more than feature lists. An app with incredible AI features means nothing if the ink feels laggy or palm rejection fails constantly.
We evaluated each app against these criteria:
Writing feel matters most. Latency between stylus and screen ruins the experience. We tested on multiple devices to see which apps kept up with fast handwriting without lag or jitter.
Palm rejection has to be rock solid. Nothing kills your flow faster than accidental touch inputs while your hand rests on the screen. The best apps let you write naturally without worrying about where your palm lands.
PDF annotation capabilities separate casual apps from serious tools. If you're marking up contracts, editing design docs, or grading papers, you need precise markup tools that export cleanly.
Handwriting recognition quality varies wildly. Some apps nail conversion from messy handwriting to searchable text. Others struggle with anything beyond print letters. We tested with different handwriting styles to see which AI engines actually work.
Organization for handwritten content requires different thinking. Tagged pages, visual previews, and quick search through handwritten text matter more than folder hierarchies.
Cross-platform availability became crucial as people switch between iPad, Android tablets, and Windows devices. Apps that lock you into one ecosystem lost points unless they excelled everywhere else.
1. GoodNotes
Best All-Rounder for iPad: GoodNotes
GoodNotes spent years as the iPad-only gold standard before finally expanding to Windows and Android in late 2023. Honestly? It shows. The iPad version feels refined and polished, while other platforms are catching up.
What sets GoodNotes apart is the combination of excellent writing feel and seriously good handwriting recognition. The AI can convert your messy scribbles into typed text while keeping the original handwriting intact. This means you get searchability without losing the visual context of your notes.
The folder system works well for people who like structure. Create notebooks, organize them into folders, and GoodNotes handles the rest. The visual grid of notebook covers makes finding the right one faster than scrolling through text lists.
Key features that people love:
Handwriting-to-text conversion happens in real-time and actually works with messy handwriting. Type 'meeting notes' in the search and it finds your scribbled version from three weeks ago.
PDF annotation tools include highlighting, markup, text boxes, and shape recognition. Sketch a wonky circle and GoodNotes straightens it into a perfect shape.
Multiple pen types and customizable paper templates give you control over the writing surface. From graph paper to music staffs, there's a template for most use cases.
ICloud sync keeps everything updated across devices, assuming you stay in the Apple ecosystem. Windows and Android versions use their own sync system.
The main limitation is the learning curve for organization. Some people find the folder structure too rigid compared to more freeform apps. Also, collaboration features are basic compared to apps built for teams.
Pricing changed to a subscription model at $9.99 per year after a free trial. The one-time purchase option disappeared, which annoyed longtime users but makes sense given the cross-platform development costs.
Best for: iPad users who want polished handwriting recognition, students taking lecture notes, and anyone who regularly annotates PDFs for work.
2. Noteshelf
Best for Android & AI Features: Noteshelf
Noteshelf built its reputation on Android tablets before expanding everywhere else. If you're using a Samsung Galaxy Tab or any non-Apple device, this is your best bet.
The app focuses on making handwriting feel natural. The ink engine responds fast enough that you forget you're writing on glass. Palm rejection works reliably across different Android devices, which matters when manufacturers implement touchscreens differently.
Noteshelf recently added AI features that rival GoodNotes. The handwriting recognition converts your notes to text, and the AI can generate content based on prompts. Type 'summarize this page' and it pulls key points from your handwritten notes.
Key features include:
AI-powered note assistance goes beyond basic text conversion. Ask it to create flashcards from your notes, generate study questions, or expand on concepts you've written about.
Audio recording syncs with your handwritten notes. Record a lecture while taking notes, then tap any word to jump to that moment in the audio. Game changer for students.
Customizable paper types and pen options let you recreate your favorite paper notebooks digitally. The texture options actually affect how the stylus feels, which is a nice touch.
Real-time collaboration allows multiple people to work on the same notebook. Useful for group projects or shared meeting notes.
The downside is the Android-first focus means iPad users get a slightly less polished experience. Nothing broken, just not quite as refined as apps that started on iOS.
Pricing is refreshingly simple: $9.99 one-time purchase. You get the AI features with monthly credit limits that reset. For most people, the free credits cover normal usage without needing to pay extra.
Best for: Android tablet users, students who record lectures, and anyone who wants solid AI features without subscription fatigue.
3. OneNote
Best Free Option: OneNote
OneNote doesn't get enough credit in stylus app discussions. Yeah, it's a Microsoft product that's been around forever, but the Surface team clearly uses it because the stylus support is excellent.
The freeform canvas approach lets you write anywhere on the page. No lines, no structure, just start writing wherever makes sense. This feels chaotic at first but works brilliantly for brainstorming sessions and meeting notes where ideas don't follow a linear path.
Integration with Microsoft 365 means your notes live alongside Teams, Outlook, and Word. If you're already in that ecosystem, OneNote becomes the obvious choice. Share a notebook with your team and everyone sees updates in real-time.
Key features worth noting:
Infinite canvas space means you never run out of room. Keep expanding your notes in any direction without worrying about page breaks or new sections.
Excellent PDF annotation tools match dedicated PDF apps. Import documents, mark them up with stylus input, and export clean copies.
Co-Pilot AI integration brings Microsoft's AI assistant into your notes. Ask it to summarize pages, generate action items, or explain concepts you've written about.
Cross-platform sync works everywhere: iPad, Android, Windows, Mac, and web. Your notes follow you to any device without platform lock-in.
The limitations are mostly about organization. The notebook/section/page hierarchy makes sense in theory but gets messy with hundreds of pages. Search helps, but finding old notes takes more effort than visual apps like GoodNotes.
Pricing is simple: it's free. Completely free. Storage limits tie to your Microsoft account (5GB free, more with Microsoft 365 subscription), but the app itself costs nothing.
Best for: Windows and Surface device users, teams already using Microsoft 365, and anyone who wants a free option with solid stylus support.
Note-taking and organising app perfect for students, academics and general notes.
4. Evernote
Best for Mixed Note Types: Evernote
Evernote started as a typed-notes app but evolved solid stylus support over time. It won't beat dedicated handwriting apps, but if you mix typed and handwritten notes, Evernote handles both well.
The PDF annotation capabilities stand out. Import a document, grab your stylus, and mark it up with highlights, arrows, sketches, and text boxes. The tools feel precise enough for detailed markup work.
Evernote's strength remains its organization and search. Tag your handwritten notes, search through them (the OCR works on handwriting), and find what you need across thousands of notes. This matters more as your note collection grows.
Key features include:
Handwriting recognition with OCR makes your stylus notes searchable. It's not as sophisticated as GoodNotes or Noteshelf, but it works for legible handwriting.
Sketch and diagram tools let you create quick visuals alongside your text. Nothing fancy, but good enough for flowcharts and simple drawings.
Document scanning with markup combines well with stylus input. Scan a paper document, then annotate it with your stylus all in one workflow.
AI features (on paid plans) can summarize your notes, generate content, and help organize your notebook. It's playing catch-up to newer AI-first apps but getting better.
The main issue is that Evernote tries to do everything. The interface feels cluttered compared to focused stylus apps. If you primarily take handwritten notes, dedicated apps serve you better. If you need one tool for all note types, Evernote makes sense.
Pricing starts free but limits you to 50 notes and basic features. Personal plan at $10.83/month (billed annually) unlocks unlimited notes and offline access. Professional at $14.17/month adds AI features and better collaboration.
Best for: People who mix typed and handwritten notes, anyone already invested in Evernote's ecosystem, and users who need powerful search across mixed content types.
5. Notability
Best for Students & Math: Notability
Notability has been around since 2010 and built a loyal following among students. The audio recording feature that syncs with handwritten notes remains its killer feature.
The writing experience feels smooth and responsive. Apple Pencil support is excellent, with pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition working exactly as expected. The variety of pen types and colors gives you flexibility without overwhelming the interface.
What sets Notability apart is the math support. Using MyScript technology, you can write equations and mathematical expressions that get automatically converted to clean, typeset formulas. If you're in STEM fields, this saves massive amounts of time.
Key features that matter:
Audio recording synced to notes creates a timeline of your handwriting. Tap any word and hear what was being said when you wrote it. Perfect for lectures or interviews.
Math conversion turns handwritten equations into properly formatted mathematical expressions. Write calculus problems by hand and watch them transform into textbook-quality formatting.
Multimodal notes combine handwriting, typing, audio, images, and PDFs on the same page. Switch between input methods as needed without switching apps.
iCloud sync keeps your notes updated across Apple devices. No Windows or Android support, so you're locked into Apple's ecosystem.
The weakness is the lack of advanced AI features compared to newer apps. No AI summarization, no content generation, no smart search beyond basic text recognition. For some users, this simplicity is a feature, not a bug.
Notability Plus subscription costs $11.99/year and adds unlimited notes, iCloud sync, and the ability to edit PDFs. Without the subscription, you can still create notes but lose advanced features.
Best for: Students recording lectures, anyone working with mathematical notation, and Apple ecosystem users who want reliable sync without complexity.
6. Noteful
Best for PDF Annotation: Noteful
Noteful flies under the radar compared to GoodNotes and Notability, but it's earned highly-rated reviews from iPad users who discovered it. The focus is squarely on PDF annotation and document markup.
The app treats PDF annotation as a first-class feature, not an afterthought. Import documents and access sophisticated markup tools that rival dedicated PDF editors. Highlights, underlines, stamps, signatures, form filling - it's all there and works smoothly with Apple Pencil.
Tag functionality in Noteful deserves special mention. Unlike folder-based organization, you tag pages and notebooks with multiple keywords. Later, filter by tag to see all related content across different notebooks. This works better than folders when notes span multiple topics.
Key features include:
Powerful PDF markup tools designed for serious document work. If you're reviewing contracts, editing manuscripts, or grading papers, Noteful provides professional-grade annotation.
Flexible tagging system lets you organize without rigid hierarchies. Tag a page with 'client meeting', 'project alpha', and 'urgent' then find it through any of those filters.
Customizable templates and paper types give you control over the writing surface. Import your own PDF templates for specialized forms or repeated layouts.
Apple Pencil hover support (on iPad Pro) shows a preview of where your mark will land before you touch the screen. Makes precise annotation easier.
The tradeoff is aesthetics. Noteful's interface looks functional rather than beautiful. It prioritizes features over polish, which matters if you spend hours daily in the app. Also, it's iPad-only with no plans for other platforms.
Pricing follows a one-time purchase model, though the exact price varies by region. No subscription means you pay once and use it forever, which appeals to people tired of subscription creep.
Best for: iPad users who primarily annotate PDFs, anyone who prefers tag-based organization, and users who want a one-time purchase instead of subscriptions.
Which Stylus Note App Should You Choose?
Quick Decision Guide
Your ideal stylus app depends on your device, use case, and whether you want cutting-edge features or simple reliability.
If you're on iPad and want the most polished overall experience, GoodNotes delivers. The handwriting recognition works reliably, the interface feels refined, and it handles both casual notes and serious PDF work.
If you're using an Android tablet, go with Noteshelf. It was built for Android first and shows in the reliability. The AI features are surprisingly good, and the one-time pricing beats subscription fatigue.
If you're already locked into Microsoft 365 or using a Surface device, OneNote makes the most sense. It's free, it integrates with your existing tools, and the stylus support is better than most people realize.
If you record lectures or interviews while taking notes, Notability's audio sync feature is worth the subscription alone. The math support is a bonus if you're in STEM fields.
If you primarily annotate PDFs and prefer tag-based organization, Noteful offers professional-grade markup tools without subscription costs.
If you need something that works across every platform and you're already using Evernote, stick with it. The stylus support isn't best-in-class, but the ability to mix handwritten and typed notes in one ecosystem has value.
Stylus Note-Taking Apps FAQ
Common Questions About Stylus Apps
What's the best free stylus note-taking app?
OneNote wins for free options. It's completely free with solid stylus support, works across all platforms, and includes unlimited storage tied to your Microsoft account. The only catch is storage limits (5GB free, more with Microsoft 365), but that's generous for most users.
Do these apps work with any stylus or just Apple Pencil?
Most work with any active stylus. GoodNotes, Notability, and Noteful are optimized for Apple Pencil but work with third-party iPad styluses. Noteshelf supports various Android styluses including S Pen on Samsung devices. OneNote and Evernote work with any pressure-sensitive stylus on any platform.
Can I convert handwriting to text in all these apps?
GoodNotes, Noteshelf, and Evernote all include handwriting-to-text conversion. OneNote added it recently but it's less refined. Notability and Noteful focus more on handwriting recognition for search rather than conversion. Quality varies based on handwriting legibility, GoodNotes and Noteshelf handle messy writing best.
Which app is best for annotating PDFs with a stylus?
Noteful and GoodNotes tie for PDF annotation excellence. Noteful offers more specialized markup tools, while GoodNotes provides better overall organization. OneNote also handles PDF annotation well if you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Do I need a subscription or can I buy these apps outright?
Noteshelf and Noteful offer one-time purchases (around $9.99). GoodNotes switched to a subscription at $9.99/year. Notability charges $11.99/year for the Plus plan. OneNote is free. Evernote requires a subscription for advanced features ($10.83-14.17/month).
Can I sync my handwritten notes between iPad and Android?
Tricky. GoodNotes recently added Android support with its own sync system. Noteshelf works across platforms. OneNote syncs everywhere. Evernote syncs everywhere. Notability is Apple-only. If cross-platform sync matters, avoid Notability.
Final Thoughts on Stylus Note Apps
Making Your Choice
The right stylus note app depends more on your device and workflow than features lists. An iPad user gets the best experience from GoodNotes or Notability. Android users should start with Noteshelf. Windows users already have OneNote built in.
Don't overthink the decision. Most of these apps offer free trials or have free versions. Download two or three that match your device, write some test notes, and see which one feels right. The writing experience matters more than feature comparisons.
Avoid apps that feel laggy or have inconsistent palm rejection. These fundamental issues ruin the experience no matter how good the AI features are. Start with the basics and make sure the app gets those right before worrying about advanced capabilities.