Alternatives to Rnote
An open-source vector drawing app for handwritten notes, sketches and annotating PDFs and pictures. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Rnote
An open-source vector drawing app for handwritten notes, sketches and annotating PDFs and pictures.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Rnote.
Saber
An open-source, cross-platform note-taking app built for handwriting with a stylus.
Saber is an open-source handwriting app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS with encrypted sync between devices, rather than Rnote's Linux focus.
Stylus Labs Write
A word processor for handwriting that treats pen-written lines as editable, reflowing text.
Stylus Labs Write treats handwritten lines as reflowing text on desktop and mobile, though its license is not stated on the homepage.
GoodNotes
Handwriting-first notes app for iPad with Apple Pencil support and OCR search.
GoodNotes is a handwriting app for iPad and Mac with OCR search and PDF annotation, closed source with the full feature set behind payment.
Notability
A note app combining handwriting, audio recording and transcription with AI summaries, quizzes and flashcards.
Notability combines handwriting with audio recording, transcription and AI summaries on iOS, Android and web, closed source with many features behind paid plans.
MyScript Notes
A handwriting note-taking app, formerly Nebo, that converts pen input into editable typed text.
MyScript Notes converts pen input into editable typed text on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, but it is proprietary with some features in paid plans.
Noteshelf
A handwriting notebook app for iPad, iPhone and Mac with PDF annotation and audio recording.
Noteshelf offers handwriting with many paper templates, PDF annotation and audio recording on Apple devices, closed source with a freemium model.
Flexcil
A study app that combines PDF reading, annotation and handwritten notes on tablets and the web.
Flexcil pairs PDF reading and stylus annotation with handwritten notes on Android and iOS tablets and the web, closed source and freemium.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Rnote as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Concepts
Infinite-canvas sketching app where every stroke is an editable vector, for iOS, Android and Windows.
Rnote is a free, open-source vector drawing app with an infinite canvas and PDF annotation for macOS and Linux, though its native file format is unstable between versions.
Drawboard PDF
A pen-friendly PDF markup app with live-synced annotations across desktop, mobile and web.
Rnote is free and open source on Linux and macOS with pressure-sensitive stylus input and an infinite canvas, without live sync.
Xournal++
Handwritten notes and PDF annotation with a stylus, including on top of lecture slides and scanned papers.
Rnote is an open-source vector drawing app with an infinite canvas and PDF annotation for Linux and macOS, but its native file format changes between versions.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Allume
A canvas app for thinking with nested boards of text, ink, images and PDFs, formerly Muse.
LiquidText
An active-reading app for annotating PDFs and pulling excerpts into a flexible workspace.
Highlights
A PDF reader for Mac, iPad and iPhone that turns annotations into exportable notes.
MarginNote
A study app for Mac and iPad that links PDF highlights, mind maps and flashcards.
Heptabase
Visual note-taking app that organizes research as cards on whiteboards.
Xmind
A mind mapping and brainstorming app for web, desktop and mobile with AI and Gantt planning.
