Xournal++
Focus: handwriting, pen input and notes. Shares pdf annotation and open source with Rnote. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Desktop App
Rnote
A handwriting and sketching app for notes, diagrams and PDF annotation.
Rating
4.6 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Linux, Windows, macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Rnote?
Rnote is a free, open-source, vector-based app for handwritten notes and sketches, built for pens and drawing tablets. Write on fixed pages or an infinite canvas with pressure-sensitive strokes and shape tools, import PDFs and images to annotate, work in tabs, and export to PDF, SVG or Xournal++ files.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros: what Rnote does well
- Pressure-sensitive pen input
- Annotate PDFs and images
- Free and open source
Cons: where it falls short
- Best with a stylus or drawing tablet
- File format can still change between versions
Who Rnote is for
Students and tablet owners who take handwritten notes or mark up lecture slides and PDFs.
Who can skip it
People who only type their notes.
Rnote alternatives
Not sold on Rnote? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Koodo Reader
Focus: ebook reader, epub and pdf reader. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Markmap
Focus: mind map, markdown and visual notes. Shares open source with Rnote. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
cheat
Focus: cheatsheet, command line and reference. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Rated 4.4 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.4Visit
Processing
Focus: creative coding, generative art and coding for beginners. Shares open source with Rnote. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Sonic Pi
Focus: live coding, music and coding for beginners. Shares open source with Rnote. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.5Visit
Free alternatives to Rnote
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Freeplane
Focus: mind map, concept map and brainstorming. Shares open source with Rnote. Rated 4.4 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.4Visit
mpv
Focus: video player, media and subtitles. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Adds Offline. Rated 4.7 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
MuseScore Studio
Focus: music notation, sheet music and composition. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Rated 4.7 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
SiYuan
Focus: second brain, block editor and backlinks. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
BeepBox
Focus: music, chiptune and composition. Shares open source with Rnote. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web and Offline. Same 4.6 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Offline
4.6Visit
D2
Focus: diagrams, diagram as code and command line. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Adds Offline. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Are you the maker of Rnote?Get a free Featured badge for your site, a share image and ready-to-paste posts. No sign-up.
Free Notion database
1,100+ ways people are making money online
Real online businesses, creators and projects, broken down by how they make money: apps, online stores, AI tools and more. Free on Gumroad.
Get the free databaseFree Notion database
399+ ways to make money online
Hundreds of online income methods in one place, so you can compare options and pick one to try. Free on Gumroad.
Get the free listFor research and ideas only. Results vary and nothing here is a promise of income. See our Disclaimer.
Weekly newsletter
Everything new, every Monday.
One short email every Monday with everything shipped that week: new free tools and websites, new guides, new free browser tools and what's new in my free Gumroad libraries, plus how the site is growing. Free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Join the newsletterYou sign up on Gumroad, which stores your email to send the newsletter. See our Privacy Policy.