Pens and paper have become a thing of the past. In today’s world, notebooks have been phased out and replaced by expensive tablets. For many, the best tablets on the market for taking notes are the Apple iPad range.
This is because of their large screens, vast app store with a host of note-taking apps, and their responsive (albeit expensive) Apple Pencil. This article highlights six note-taking applications available on the Apple App Store, making note-taking on the iPad fun and easy. It will also look into the benefits of using an app to take notes vs a pen and paper and give you practical guidelines on what to be aware of before committing to an application.
What are the benefits of using a note-taking app?
There are four main benefits that one could associate with using a note-taking app:
Practicality
Using an app to take notes is a far more accessible and more practical way of taking notes when compared to using a pen and paper. When I was in college, I would always write my notes and rewrite them because my writing was not nice, or the page ripped, or the pen ran out of ink. When using a note-taking application, you need only type up your notes once and then they are done.
Organization
The last thing you need is a cabinet full of loose papers or old copybooks full of notes. Using an application on the iPad will sync all of your notes to a cloud storage system that will make accessing your older notes quick and easy. Most apps even can create different folders for different subjects, making access to your notes faster than ever.
Portability
You may not think it now but carrying folders and notebooks full of notes around can be a real pain, literally and figuratively. Not only is it annoying to be carrying extra weight around, but it can also do damage to your back and shoulders over time. With a note-taking app on the iPad, you can have a million notes, and it would weigh the same as if you have five notes.
Futureproofing
Note-taking on an electronic device in the future. Not only is it a more convenient way of keeping information through cloud services, but you can share your notes with friends, edit notes as needed and add pictures or videos to make the learning experience even more enjoyable.
What to look for in a good note-taking app?
There are three things that you need to keep an eye on before committing to an app for note-taking on your iPad
Does the app have what you need?
This is an important point for obvious reasons. If you need an app that can scan or convert PDF files into notes, it is a waste of time if an app cannot do that. If you have an Apple Pencil that you would like to use, check to see if the app has support for it. Otherwise, you’ll have paid for an app that has little value.
Aesthetics and Organization
One of the most critical questions that I ask myself when looking for a new app is, “does it look good?”. For example, a note-taking app with a poor user interface will not be attractive to anyone looking to commit to a note-taking service. Similarly, watch or read online reviews about how the app allows you to keep your notes organized. The organization is key, and if an app does not let you organize your notes properly into folders or files, it is not worth buying.
Price/Free Trial
I would always recommend utilizing a free trial because it offers a taste of what the app can do and its features. Then, if you like the app, it is probably wise to check the price and compare it to other note-taking apps. While some of the best apps are free, others do charge a monthly or yearly fee. Yearly subscriptions are usually discounted but be sure to do your research and check the prices of different apps before you make a final decision.
Best Note-taking Apps for iPad
1. Evernote
I am sure that Evernote is one of the few apps that you expected to see on the list. With over 20,000+ positive reviews on the app store and a wealth of features, Evernote is one of the most downloaded note-taking apps for the iPad and all smart devices. Launching as an app in 2008, they have grown exponentially over the last decade, introducing tiered price plans for individuals or even larger teams and businesses, with various integrations with MS Teams or Slack available.
You can type your notes through the platform, draw, or sketch your notes, attach media, and web page clippings, and add voice notes. The fact that you can then save them and access your work via other platforms like PC or even Android means that you are not limited to just iPad use and, in my view, speeds up workflow greatly.
You can create folders and even search for them in the toolbar, giving you quick and painless access to even the oldest of notes if needed. There is a free version available, but the scope through which you can collaborate or create notes is limited. Premium costs $8 per month, or $70 for the yearly subscription.
2. Notability
Perhaps the king of all note-taking apps, Notability has everything you need in one place. Its cloud storage is one of the best that I have seen, and I have used many note-taking apps. Its multiple awards are a testament to the scale at which you can take notes and make your learning experience more accessible.
With PDF support, input combination allows for different media and writing forms to be combined in the same note with ease and comprehensive note-sharing service that works with email, Google Drive and Dropbox. The $9 that you will have to pay may well be worth it. In saying that, new users can avail themselves of a $4 month for their first month and this is a great deal that is worth consideration.
One final thing that draws me to Notability is the layout options. The app supports multi-tab functionality, meaning that you can have your notes on one half of the iPad screen, and a webpage on the other half, allowing for a dynamic and easy note-taking experience.
3. OneNote
If you are a user of MS Office Premium, then chances are, you can use OneNote on your iPad or smart device! This makes One Note one of the value plays on the list because it is already included with a suite of other Microsoft programs. With One Note, you can write or type notes on blank or lined paper and have the ability to include any media type. Not only that but all of your notes are organized in binders that are easily set up and saved to your One Drive cloud.
4. GoodNotes 5
There is a lot to like about GoodNotes. Its interface and ability to help you organize your work into separate notebooks is the first big win for this app. When selecting a new notebook, you can also choose a custom cover design too. It may only be a small feature, but it is a lovely touch in my view and makes each notebook a little more personal.
You can import documents from Word, PowerPoint, or PDF and can personalize them in any way you wish, adding them to your notebooks if needed. Another great feature is converting your handwriting to text, a feature that allows the user to take notes quickly, without the need to rewrite them.
5. Apple Notes
With all of this talk about paying $5-10 per month, perhaps we should scale things back a little because the most obvious options are often overlooked. Apple notes are one of the more popular note-taking apps on the iPad with its simple interface and easy-to-use note-taking features. It is also free and included with the stock set of apps that come with all Apple products.
But, of course, with the free price tag comes limited features and functionality. It does sync to iCloud, but its integration is not exceptional, and the use of other media types can be clunky and limited. It is nothing special, but it is free and easy to access. If you want simple note-taking capabilities, then this is the app for you.
6. Noted
The last app on the list is an app that I used for a few years in college. It is an integrated audio and written note-taking app that makes learning more straightforward than ever. Perfect for those in college who want to record lectures and take notes later, a brilliant timestamp feature syncs your written notes to your recording and makes it easy to find a specific part of a recording.
There is a dictation feature that writes for you as you speak, and the ability to add pictures and videos only increases the level of integration. Set up specific tags to highlight the most important points and even set up face or touch ID to lock specific notepads.
For the small price of $15 per year, this is one of the best apps in terms of value on the list. It is a little different from others, but in my opinion, its unique features are what make it so attractive.
