University of Kwazulu-Natal

These Handwriting Apps Are Worth Buying For 2025

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
these handwriting apps are worth buying for 2025

For a good user experience, you need more than just how an app looks. Sure a modern-looking app is great, but more important than that is how intuitive it is. How everything is put together, and how easily you can switch between the different tools that you need. In some cases, it’s even a question of availability. Our team has examined 20 handwriting apps and come up with 8 apps that stand out for the best user interface and experience. We’ll start with the two worst and then spend more time on the best apps.

All, except one, of the apps on our list are not as minimalist as we’d like them. They all have a separate homepage and workspace, and Nebo is no exception. The only difference is that Nebo has a lot of different work spaces for the different types of notes you can take in the app. But, the developers have kept the user interface consistent. No matter the mode you use. That, and the modern simple look in the app are the only points that Nebo scored in our test.

It makes you wonder what other apps have, to out-perform such a beautiful-looking app. The other app scoring in the red zone (that means really low on our scale) is OneNote. Microsoft finally improved the look in the app. We have modern icons, less of the bold and old purple look. But it scores only two points more than Nebo because it is the only app on this list that has a single screen for the homepage and workspace. This is the best setup for a handwriting note-taking app.

Your notes are at your fingertips and you can quickly switch between notebooks without losing track of what you’re working on. It’s brilliant because when you no longer need it, you can tuck it away just as easily. Sadly, though, nothing stands out after that. None of the apps scored in the green zone for user interface. But three apps came close: Freenotes, Noteful, and Notes+. For second place we have Notability.

And in third place, we have another tie, scoring only 9 out of a potential 17 points: Goodnotes and ZoomNotes. We love that Goodnotes has fixed toolbars anchored to the edge of the app, and that the toolbar is very customisable. It’s sort of becoming a standard for handwriting note-taking apps, really. A customisable toolbar is not to be under estimated. It allows users to personalise their experiences, and all the handwriting apps on this list get that. Only have the tools you actually use and hide everything else.

You're not hurting for choices these days. I remember when I first started writing as a kid. I'd sit on my bedroom floor with a pen and that wide-format, green-lined, continuous computer paper and jot down my stories. As I got older and computers in the home became mainstream—yeah, I'm dating myself here—I began saving them in simple word-processing programs, then more complex software. Fast forward to today, and writers, including myself, are definitely no longer wanting for options. The choices could even be overwhelming, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for.

The last thing you want to do is pay for 10 different subscriptions (guilty!) when one or two will do. PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Although we'd love to tell you there is one best writing app to rule them all, it simply isn't true. The best writing app is the one that helps you with the unique challenges of whatever you're writing. Do you need an app that has scene cards for mapping out a screenplay, one that reduces distractions, or one that can publish directly to a website?

We've been reviewing writing apps for over a decade, so you can trust that we can help you get words down on the page. Final Draft (for script writing), Scrivener (for structured writing), and Ulysses (for distraction-free writing) are our current Editors' Choice winners, but one of the other apps on our list might speak to you better. Check out our in-depth reviews of each pick below, along with what you need to know to choose the best one for your needs. Apps for writers tend to be less expensive than other kinds of software. Many sell for a one-time fee, although a few require a subscription. In addition to the cost of the desktop app, you should factor in a potential fee for a service's mobile app, which often costs extra.

We include three types of writing software here: Low-cost, lightweight apps that cost around $30 (you can find cheaper ones, but they tend not to be very good). Once upon a time, writers had only two tools: a pen that always ran out of ink at the worst possible moment, and a typewriter that turned every typo into a permanent scar. Fast forward to 2025, and the world of writing looks a little different. Today, we have writing apps that don’t just keep up with our creativity, they actively help us organize, edit, brainstorm, and sometimes even cheer us on when we hit the dreaded writer’s block. But here’s the thing: not all writing apps are created equal.

Some are perfect for novelists who need to juggle timelines, characters, and subplots without losing their sanity. Others are better for essayists, bloggers, or professionals who simply need a clean, distraction-free space to get words on a page. And let’s not forget the free writing apps that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to start writing your masterpiece. Writing in 2025 has never been easier, or more fun. From free apps that help you jot down a quick idea to powerhouse tools built for novelists, there’s something out there for every kind of writer. Whether you’re drafting your first book, taking notes on your iPad, or just trying to string together something better than “Lorem Ipsum,” the right app can give your creativity (and productivity) a serious boost.

Let’s be honest: nobody wakes up in the morning and says, “I wish my writing process were more complicated.” Yet without the right tools, writing can feel exactly like that—chaotic, messy, and about as... That’s where writing apps step in. In 2025, these apps aren’t just digital notebooks. They’re productivity powerhouses, armed with features that keep your ideas organized, your drafts tidy, and your creative energy flowing. Many now integrate AI-powered proofreading, real-time collaboration, and even distraction blockers (because the internet will always find a way to tempt you with cat videos).

People Also Search

For A Good User Experience, You Need More Than Just

For a good user experience, you need more than just how an app looks. Sure a modern-looking app is great, but more important than that is how intuitive it is. How everything is put together, and how easily you can switch between the different tools that you need. In some cases, it’s even a question of availability. Our team has examined 20 handwriting apps and come up with 8 apps that stand out fo...

All, Except One, Of The Apps On Our List Are

All, except one, of the apps on our list are not as minimalist as we’d like them. They all have a separate homepage and workspace, and Nebo is no exception. The only difference is that Nebo has a lot of different work spaces for the different types of notes you can take in the app. But, the developers have kept the user interface consistent. No matter the mode you use. That, and the modern simple ...

It Makes You Wonder What Other Apps Have, To Out-perform

It makes you wonder what other apps have, to out-perform such a beautiful-looking app. The other app scoring in the red zone (that means really low on our scale) is OneNote. Microsoft finally improved the look in the app. We have modern icons, less of the bold and old purple look. But it scores only two points more than Nebo because it is the only app on this list that has a single screen for the ...

Your Notes Are At Your Fingertips And You Can Quickly

Your notes are at your fingertips and you can quickly switch between notebooks without losing track of what you’re working on. It’s brilliant because when you no longer need it, you can tuck it away just as easily. Sadly, though, nothing stands out after that. None of the apps scored in the green zone for user interface. But three apps came close: Freenotes, Noteful, and Notes+. For second place w...

And In Third Place, We Have Another Tie, Scoring Only

And in third place, we have another tie, scoring only 9 out of a potential 17 points: Goodnotes and ZoomNotes. We love that Goodnotes has fixed toolbars anchored to the edge of the app, and that the toolbar is very customisable. It’s sort of becoming a standard for handwriting note-taking apps, really. A customisable toolbar is not to be under estimated. It allows users to personalise their experi...