Alternatives to Flexcil
A study app that combines PDF reading, annotation and handwritten notes on tablets and the web. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Flexcil
A study app that combines PDF reading, annotation and handwritten notes on tablets and the web.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Flexcil.
Noteshelf
A handwriting notebook app for iPad, iPhone and Mac with PDF annotation and audio recording.
Noteshelf offers handwritten notes and PDF annotation with audio recording, but runs only on Apple devices, dropping Android and web support.
MarginNote
A study app for Mac and iPad that links PDF highlights, mind maps and flashcards.
MarginNote turns PDF highlights into mind maps and flashcards with spaced repetition, but runs only on Mac and iPad and takes time to learn.
LiquidText
An active-reading app for annotating PDFs and pulling excerpts into a flexible workspace.
LiquidText arranges PDF excerpts and notes on a flexible workspace, running on Windows, macOS and iOS rather than Android and web.
Xournal++
Handwritten notes and PDF annotation with a stylus, including on top of lecture slides and scanned papers.
Xournal++ is free, open-source stylus note taking and PDF annotation for Windows, macOS and Linux desktops rather than tablets.
Highlights
A PDF reader for Mac, iPad and iPhone that turns annotations into exportable notes.
Highlights is an Apple-only PDF reader that exports annotations as Markdown notes, with DOI lookup for papers and Apple Pencil support; advanced features need a subscription.
Rnote
An open-source vector drawing app for handwritten notes, sketches and annotating PDFs and pictures.
Rnote is an open-source vector drawing app for handwritten notes and PDF annotation on Linux and macOS, with an infinite canvas but an unstable native format.
Drawboard PDF
A pen-friendly PDF markup app with live-synced annotations across desktop, mobile and web.
Drawboard PDF provides pen-focused PDF markup with live sync across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and web, with team features aimed at design work.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Flexcil as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
GoodNotes
Handwriting-first notes app for iPad with Apple Pencil support and OCR search.
Flexcil focuses on studying from PDFs, with reading and notes side by side, gesture-based annotation on iPad or Android tablets, and a web version for work on a PC.
Kami
A web-based classroom platform for annotating PDFs and other resources and making them interactive.
Flexcil moves PDF annotation onto tablets with stylus gestures and handwritten notes, aimed at individual students rather than teacher dashboards, though it offers a free programme for schools.
MyScript Notes
A handwriting note-taking app, formerly Nebo, that converts pen input into editable typed text.
Flexcil combines PDF reading, gesture-based annotation and handwritten notes on Android and iOS tablets and the web, focused on studying from PDFs.
Notability
A note app combining handwriting, audio recording and transcription with AI summaries, quizzes and flashcards.
Flexcil centres on PDF reading and handwritten notes side by side on Android and iOS tablets, with a web version, and has a free programme for schools.
Saber
An open-source, cross-platform note-taking app built for handwriting with a stylus.
Flexcil combines PDF reading with handwritten notes on Android and iOS tablets plus the web, closed source and focused on studying from PDFs.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Mendeley
A reference manager from Elsevier for collecting, annotating and citing research papers.
ReadCube Papers
A reference manager and PDF reader for organizing, annotating and citing research papers.
Explainpaper
A web tool that explains highlighted passages of uploaded research papers in plain language.
