University of Kwazulu-Natal

11 Best Note Taking Apps For Ipads 2025 Astropad

Bonisiwe Shabane
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11 best note taking apps for ipads 2025 astropad

If you’re familiar with the world of note-taking, you will know it’s a serious business. Notes are not just for students, although they do make up a large proportion of the user base. Professors, journalists, and avid writers all use their iPads to jot down lesson outlines, story ideas, and to-do lists. To make the most of your notes, you need to consider a few factors. Some apps are better than others, and things like fonts, space, and graphics can transform a bland page into a stylish study session aid. Then there’s the user interface, collaboration features, and visual appeal.

Let’s explore our 11 best note-taking apps for iPads. Best note-taking app for iPads for: a realistic notebook experience Pricing: Free to download and use, but the cross-platform subscription costs $9.99 per year or a one-and-done purchase of $29.99 If you’re a serious notetaker, you know that just having an iPad and an Apple Pencil isn’t enough. The app you use for notetaking can have a huge impact on the quality of your notes. But there are hundreds of apps to choose from, and not all apps are created equal.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look at 13 of the best notetaking apps in the App Store. While there’s no “correct” way to write your notes, one of the things you’ll have to decide early on is whether you should handwrite or type them. 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and...

Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Summer is here, but it's always the right season to find the tool that makes your life easier. That's why we urge you to imagine your iPad as a powerful digital notebook. It can be the ideal tool for organizing your personal life, taking notes in class, and transcribing important meeting notes.

Today's note-taking apps come with flexible features designed to match any workflow, whether that's improving your handwriting or recording audio. The best note-taking apps for iPad are highly functional and easy to use. Whether you're in a meeting or solo brainstorming, you take notes—and immediately forget they exist. There's a better way: taking notes on your iPad to access them anytime, anywhere. iPad note-taking apps do more than replace the iconic duo of paper and pen. These apps store and organize your notes, import links and media files, record meetings, mark up PDFs, foster team collaboration, help with studying, and much more.

It's like carrying around one magical notebook instead of 463 dog-eared, coffee-stained hot messes. But which top iPad note-taking app is right for you? I tested them all so you don't have to. .css-19a5n3-Link{all:unset;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;outline-offset:1px;-webkit-text-fill-color:currentColor;outline:1px solid transparent;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']{color:var(--zds-text-link, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']:hover{outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #2b2358);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']:focus{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']:hover{color:var(--zds-gray-warm-5, #a8a5a0);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']:focus{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);outline-color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']{color:var(--zds-text-link, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']:hover{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #2b2358);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']:focus{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']:hover{color:var(--zds-gray-warm-5, #a8a5a0);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']:focus{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);outline-color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-weight='inherit']{font-weight:inherit;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-weight='normal']{font-weight:400;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-weight='bold']{font-weight:700;}Goodnotes for the best iPad note-taking app overall .css-19a5n3-Link{all:unset;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;outline-offset:1px;-webkit-text-fill-color:currentColor;outline:1px solid transparent;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']{color:var(--zds-text-link, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']:hover{outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #2b2358);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']:focus{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']:hover{color:var(--zds-gray-warm-5, #a8a5a0);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']:focus{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);outline-color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']{color:var(--zds-text-link, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']:hover{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #2b2358);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']:focus{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']:hover{color:var(--zds-gray-warm-5, #a8a5a0);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']:focus{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);outline-color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-weight='inherit']{font-weight:inherit;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-weight='normal']{font-weight:400;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-weight='bold']{font-weight:700;}Apple Notes for text-based notes for Apple users Get ready to revolutionize the way you take notes!

With the latest advancements in technology, your iPad is more than just a tablet—it's your new best friend in productivity. Dive into the world of note-taking apps and discover how they can transform your learning and organizational skills! When it comes to note-taking on the iPad, Notability is a powerhouse that stands out from the crowd. This versatile app is celebrated for its user-friendly interface and a stunning suite of features that cater to all your note-taking needs. Whether you're jotting down quick ideas, sketching diagrams, or annotating PDFs, Notability makes the process seamless and enjoyable. While Notability shines bright, it's not the only star in the sky!

Evernote, Goodnotes, Nebo, and LiquidText each bring unique functionalities to the table, catering to a variety of preferences and needs. Evernote is perfect for those who love to keep everything organized in one place with its robust search and tagging capabilities. Goodnotes is a dream come true for creative minds, offering a canvas that's perfect for handwriting and drawing. Nebo provides a seamless handwriting-to-text conversion, making it ideal for those who prefer writing by hand but want digital convenience. And if you're someone who loves to dive deep into PDFs and complex documents, LiquidText offers an unparalleled experience with its innovative document interaction features. The beauty of these apps lies in their ability to adapt to your personal style.

Thanks to ZDNET's extensive testing, research, and comparison shopping, you can trust that these recommendations are unbiased and accurate. They understand that making an informed buying decision is crucial, and they've done the hard work to ensure you get the best of the best. Picture this: You're sitting in your favorite coffee shop, Apple Pencil in hand, with the entire world of ideas at your fingertips. Your iPad transforms from a simple tablet into your most powerful productivity companion, ready to capture every brilliant thought, meeting note, and creative spark. But here's the million-dollar question: which note-taking app will turn your iPad into the digital notebook of your dreams?

After testing over 30 different note-taking applications (yes, my iPad survived the marathon), I've discovered that choosing the right app is like finding the perfect pen – it needs to feel natural, work reliably,... Whether you're a student cramming for finals, a business professional managing multiple projects, or someone who just loves the feel of digital ink on screen, this comprehensive guide will help you find your perfect... Don't get me wrong – Apple Notes is fine for grocery lists and quick reminders. But using it for serious note-taking is like trying to paint the Mona Lisa with crayons. Apple Notes uses raster ink, which is low-resolution and makes writing appear smudgy. As a result, the writing doesn't look neat or readable, leading to an overall poor note-taking experience.The best iPad note-taking apps offer vector-based ink, superior organization, and features that would make even Leonardo da...

Let's dive into the crème de la crème of digital note-taking. GoodNotes 6 is the AI note-taking app loved by millions around the world.Think of it as the iPhone of note-taking apps – it just works, and it works beautifully. Taking notes on your iPad can transform how you work and study. With the right app, you can capture ideas, organize information, and boost your productivity. The digital format offers flexibility that paper notebooks simply can’t match. For students and professionals alike, finding the best iPad note-taking app depends on your specific needs and workflow preferences.

Some apps excel at handwriting recognition, while others offer powerful organization tools. Whether you prefer typing text or writing with your Apple Pencil, there’s an option designed to help you capture information efficiently and effectively. Notability stands out as a top choice for iPad note-taking. This AI-powered note app offers a perfect balance of functionality and ease of use for students and professionals alike. When you open Notability, you’ll find an intuitive interface that makes organizing your notes straightforward. You can create folders, divide content by subject, and easily search through everything you’ve written.

The app shines with its recording feature. You can capture audio while taking notes, which is perfect for lectures or meetings. Later, you can tap on any part of your notes to hear what was being said when you wrote that section. In the fast-paced digital age, the way we take notes has evolved dramatically. With iPads becoming a staple in both professional and personal settings, it’s no wonder that note-taking apps have become indispensable tools. Whether you’re a student, professional, or creative, having the right app can make all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best note-taking apps for iPad users in 2025, helping you choose the perfect tool to enhance your productivity and creativity. 📱📝 1. Notability: The All-Rounder 2. GoodNotes: Precision and Organization 3. Microsoft OneNote: Seamless Integration 4.

Apple Notes: Built-In Simplicity 5. Evernote: The Classic Choice 6. Simplenote: Minimalism at Its Best 7. Conclusion 8. FAQs If versatility is what you’re looking for, Notability is a top contender.

Known for its intuitive interface, Notability allows users to combine handwritten notes with typed text, images, and even audio recordings. The app’s split-screen feature works seamlessly on the iPad, making multitasking a breeze. Whether you’re attending lectures or brainstorming ideas, Notability has got you covered. Plus, its integration with cloud services ensures your notes are always within reach. 🌐 GoodNotes excels in delivering a paper-like experience.

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When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by ad...

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Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Summer is here, but it's always the right season to find the tool that makes your life easier. That's ...