Notability app icon

Notability

Handwritten notes, PDF markup and recorded lectures

MaciPhoneiPad4.8459K ratingsFree to start

The verdict

Record a lecture while you handwrite, and the audio stays synced to the moment you wrote each part of the note. That is why so many students run Notability on an iPad, and it also marks up PDFs and mixes typing with ink on one page. The free plan stops at 5 notes and audio recording starts on the $15.99-a-year Plus plan; the $49.99 Classic purchase is the way to avoid a subscription.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Get it if

You handwrite notes with an Apple Pencil in lectures or meetings and want the audio tied to them.

Skip it if

You mostly type your notes; Apple Notes handles typing, checklists and quick sketches free.

Screenshots 4

What it helps you do

  • Handwrite notes and annotate PDFs on iPad
  • Record a lecture synced to your notes
  • Search through your own handwriting
  • Turn your notes into quizzes and flashcards

Plans and prices

  • Starter

    Free

    Free, 5 notes with all editing tools, PDF import and 20,000+ templates

  • Lite

    $11.99

    $11.99 a year on the web ($14.99 list price), unlimited notes

  • Plus

    $15.99

    $15.99 a year on the web ($19.99 list price), adds audio recording and transcription, handwriting search and AI quizzes and flashcards

  • Pro

    $79.99

    $79.99 a year on the web ($99.99 list price), adds unlimited live transcription, AI summaries and chat with your notes

  • Classic

    $49.99

    $49.99 once in the App Store, no subscription

What changed

  1. Version 16.13.3

    Introducing Graphs: write a function by hand and see it plotted in your note. · Chat supports images again and keeps your conversation when you return. · Turn on Narrow Margins in Note Editor settings for smaller text margins in new notes. · Connected Services in Settings shows your most recent cloud sync. Thanks for using Notability.

  2. Added to The Useful Apps

Pick something else if

All 8 Notability alternatives

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The details

Runs on
Mac, iPhone, iPad
Requires
macOS 18.0 or later
Version
16.13.3
Size
435 MB
Made by
Ginger Labs
Rating
4.8 from 459K ratings on the App Store
iCloud sync
Syncs across your devices
Family Sharing
1 purchase for the family

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