The Best Note-Taking Apps for iPad: Top Choices for 2025

Best Note-Taking Apps for iPad

With the rise of digital note-taking, the iPad has become one of the most powerful tools for students, professionals, and creatives alike. Whether you’re taking notes during a meeting, sketching ideas for your next project, or organizing your thoughts for an upcoming presentation, a good note-taking app can make all the difference. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one for your needs?

In this article, we will explore the best note-taking apps for iPad, covering their features, functionality, and overall performance. Whether you’re looking for simplicity or advanced features, these apps are designed to boost your productivity and make your note-taking experience seamless.

Why Use a Note-Taking App on an iPad?

Before we dive into the best apps, it’s important to understand why using a note-taking app on an iPad is advantageous. The iPad’s large, high-resolution screen and support for Apple Pencil make it an ideal device for jotting down notes. Whether you’re a visual learner, someone who prefers handwriting, or someone who needs to store information digitally, an iPad note-taking app combines the best of both worlds.

Some benefits of using a note-taking app on an iPad include:

• Portability: Carry all your notes in one device instead of multiple notebooks.
• Syncing Across Devices: Access your notes from any device, whether it’s your iPhone, Mac, or other tablet.
• Searchability: Easily search through your notes with keywords, saving time compared to flipping through paper pages.
• Multimedia Integration: Add images, audio recordings, and even video clips to your notes for richer content.

Now, let’s look at the best note-taking apps for iPad, each designed to meet different needs.

Tech

1. Notability

Notability is one of the most popular and feature-rich note-taking apps for iPad. It allows users to create notes with a combination of typing, handwriting, and drawing. The app supports Apple Pencil, making it ideal for users who prefer to write by hand. You can also record audio while taking notes, which is perfect for lectures or meetings.

Key Features:

• Handwriting and Typing: Switch between writing and typing effortlessly.
• Audio Recording: Capture audio alongside your notes, synced to the written content.
• PDF Annotation: Import and annotate PDF documents, a great feature for professionals and students alike.
• Multi-Device Sync: Sync your notes across iPhone, iPad, and Mac for access anytime, anywhere.

Why It’s Great: Notability’s ability to combine handwriting, typing, and audio recordings makes it one of the most versatile note-taking apps for iPad. The intuitive design and organization options allow for quick access to notes, making it an excellent choice for students and professionals.

2. GoodNotes 5

GoodNotes 5 is a powerful, digital note-taking app that focuses heavily on handwriting. It’s a great choice for users who enjoy taking notes with the Apple Pencil, as the app offers an exceptional writing experience. It’s designed to be easy to use, and its digital notebooks mimic the feel of paper.

Key Features:

• Exceptional Handwriting Recognition: Converts handwritten notes to text, making it easier to search and organize.
• Customizable Notebooks: Choose from various paper types, such as lined, grid, and blank, to suit your needs.
• PDF Annotation: Like Notability, GoodNotes also lets you import and annotate PDFs.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Sync your notes seamlessly between iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

Why It’s Great: GoodNotes 5 offers a rich and authentic handwriting experience, paired with powerful tools like handwriting recognition and organization options. It’s perfect for anyone who prefers to write by hand, from students to creatives.

3. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a free, cross-platform note-taking app that integrates well with other Microsoft Office tools. OneNote is ideal for users who need to create collaborative notes or want to keep all their notes organized in notebooks.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform: Available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible no matter what device you’re using.
• Collaboration: Share notebooks with others and work together on notes in real-time.
• Text, Audio, and Image Support: Take notes in various formats, from text and audio to images and links.
• Tagging and Search: Easily tag your notes and search for specific content, making it perfect for organizing large volumes of information.

Why It’s Great: OneNote is a fantastic choice for those who need a flexible, multi-device solution. Its free offering, combined with collaboration features, makes it ideal for team projects and group discussions.

4. Apple Notes

Apple Notes is the default note-taking app on the iPad, and while it’s often overlooked in favor of third-party apps, it has many features that make it a solid choice for basic note-taking. It integrates perfectly with other Apple devices, making it easy to sync and access your notes across all your Apple products.

Key Features:

• Sync Across Devices: Notes are automatically synced across all Apple devices via iCloud.
• Handwriting and Sketching: You can use the Apple Pencil to take handwritten notes and create sketches.
• Document Scanning: Apple Notes includes a built-in document scanner, making it easy to scan physical documents and add them to your notes.
• Folders and Organization: Organize notes into folders and subfolders for easy access.

Why It’s Great: For basic note-taking, Apple Notes is free and offers seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. If you don’t need advanced features and want something simple, it’s a reliable and easy option.

5. Evernote

Evernote is another well-known note-taking app that’s been around for years. It’s designed for users who need to keep a lot of information organized, from meeting notes and research to images, PDFs, and web clippings.

Key Features:

• Web Clipper: Save web pages directly to your Evernote account for later reference.
• Multi-Device Sync: Access your notes on iPad, iPhone, Mac, and other devices.
• Text, Handwriting, and Audio: Supports various formats, from typed text to handwritten notes and audio recordings.
• Searchable Notes: Evernote’s search functionality is powerful, allowing you to search through both typed and handwritten notes.

Why It’s Great: Evernote’s ability to handle a variety of content types (text, audio, images) and its powerful search options make it perfect for users who need to store and organize large amounts of information.

6. Notion

Notion is a highly customizable productivity app that combines note-taking, task management, and databases. It allows users to create a personalized workspace for managing projects, tasks, and notes all in one place. While it’s more than just a note-taking app, Notion’s flexibility makes it a great option for anyone who wants to take notes in a structured, organized way.

Key Features:

• Customizable Pages: Create pages for notes, projects, tasks, and more. Organize them as you see fit.
• Collaboration: Share pages with team members and collaborate in real-time.
• Templates: Choose from a wide variety of templates to help organize your work.
• Multimedia Integration: Add videos, images, and files to your notes to create rich content.

Why It’s Great: Notion’s flexibility and customization options make it ideal for users who want to combine note-taking with project management. It’s perfect for students, professionals, and anyone who likes to work in a highly organized and structured environment.

Conclusion

Choosing the best note-taking app for your iPad depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for an app that excels in handwriting, GoodNotes 5 or Notability might be the right choice. For those who need cross-device syncing and collaboration, OneNote or Evernote may be the best options. Meanwhile, Apple Notes is perfect for those who need something simple and integrated with the Apple ecosystem.

Ultimately, the best app for you will depend on how you plan to use it—whether you need advanced features, a seamless handwriting experience, or an all-in-one productivity tool. By understanding the unique features of each app, you can make an informed decision and take full advantage of your iPad for note-taking.