A reliable note-taking app for iPad is essential to staying productive on the go. The best iPad note-taking app will sync your notes across all devices and provide a wide range of useful features.
If you are looking for the best note-taking software for iPad Pro or iPad Pro, then keep reading to learn more about your options.
1. GoodNotes
GoodNotes is an excellent place to start if you prefer to use handwriting to take notes. It is the most popular note-taking app with an Apple Pencil.
There are many benefits to using a stylus to make notes on your iPad, especially for certain types. A keyboard can be frustrating if you have to write complicated equations and formulas.
GoodNotes includes the ability for annotating PDFs, the possibility to convert handwritten material into text, as well as note syncing to major cloud storage providers. The app allows you to edit, create, and import documents from your Mac.
2. Apple Notes
Sometimes the easiest solution is actually the best. Apple Notes is an example of that.
The app is preinstalled on iPadOS devices. It’s completely free to download. It received a redesign in time for the release of iOS 11 in the latter part of 2017.
Apple Notes comes with an impressive range of tools that will work with your Apple Pencil. It supports iCloud for seamless sync between all of your Apple devices. Even editing your Apple Notes entries can be done on Windows.
3. Notability
Notability is the best iPad app for note-taking if you want to be able to annotate PDFs. Notability allows you to create beautiful bullet journal spreads by using the Apple Pencil and a stylus.
Among the best features of the app are:
- You can convert handwritten notes to text
- Multi-note Support allows you to use two notes simultaneously
- Annotation in PDF
- A search function that can scan text and handwritten notes.
- This powerful sketching tool allows you to draw shapes and use custom colors.
- Drag and drop support for files, text and photos, GIFs, and web pages
Like all the apps listed here, Notability works with iCloud. This allows you to sync your data across all your iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
Notability can also support audio files. The app syncs your notes with the recorded audio, so you can listen to what was said at that time. This is a great feature for lecturers and presentations.
4. Notepad+ Pro
Notepad+ Professional is the most expensive of these apps, costing $20. This app is the best for those who prefer the traditional pen-and-paper feel to their iPad Pro or iPad Pro. You can find a variety of ink pens and highlighters that mimic the traditional paper method of note-taking.
This app is intended for users who have an Apple Pencil, or another iOS-compatible stylus. However, keyboard input is supported.
This app is great if you want to annotate files in different formats. The app allows you to add notes to both PDF files and files in Excel, Keynote, or Numbers formats.
The app also has a blur tool, which is one of its coolest features. It is possible to hide sensitive data from documents by simply tapping once before sharing them with others.
5. Evernote
Evernote is an iPad note-taking application worth looking into. This app is well-known and widely used.
Evernote has a free tier. You can use Evernote to take notes, organize them as you wish, record audio and create to-do lists. However, a subscription is required for more advanced features like version history, PDF annotation, and integration with cloud providers. The two-device limit for the free tier is also limited.
There are two options for paid subscriptions. Premium is $10 per month, and Business is $15 per month.
6. Simplenote
You don’t have to use the most complicated note-taking app on your iPad Pro or iPad Mini. Sometimes simplicity is better.
Simplenote is a great example of simplicity. Simplenote isn’t a complicated app that you won’t use very often. It is focused on helping you take great notes in an easy and intuitive way. Additionally, you will find a few useful features that will enhance your note-taking experience.
The app doesn’t support styluses, PDF annotation or other power-user functions found in other apps.
Simplenote also supports note searching, which allows you to quickly find the notes that you have written. It supports tags, sharing via internet links, and passcode lock for sensitive content.
7. Bear
Bear is an app that will make you think about how important it is to have a beautiful design. Bear is an iPad Pro and iPad Mini app that allows you to take beautiful notes.
Bear isn’t an app with no substance. The app’s best features include the use of hashtags to find related content, support for Apple Watch (which allows you to dictate audio notes on the go), and the ability to take notes and draw with an Apple Pencil.
It’s amazing to see that Bear is compatible with Siri. With just your voice, any Siri-enabled device can make notes. Bear provides a wide range of export formats such as HTML, PDF, DOCX and MD.
Bear can be downloaded and used for free. However, to sync your notes between different devices, you’ll need to purchase a subscription. A plan costs $1.50/month or $15/year.
Stay productive with an iPad
It’s only half of the battle to use one of the top note-taking apps on your iPad Pro or iPad Pro. To stay productive on your iOS device you will need many other apps.
You should also think about productivity-focused iPad peripherals. Power adaptors, USB Hubs, and even wireless earbuds are all worth looking at.
