Feb 19, 2025
The iPad has redefined the way people take notes, offering a seamless blend of portability, power, and precision. Whether you’re a student jotting down lecture notes, professional organizing meeting minutes, or creative brainstorming ideas, the right note-taking app can make all the difference.
But with so many options available, choosing the perfect one can be difficult.
Some apps focus on handwriting with Apple Pencil support, while others excel in organization, collaboration, or multimedia integration. The best choice depends on your workflow and how you prefer to capture and structure information.
To simplify your search, we’ve compiled a list of the best free note-taking apps for iPad in 2025. Let’s get started!
7 Best Apps for Taking Notes on iPad in 2025
Let’s look at some of the best free note-taking apps for iPad:
1. AudioNotes
For those who rely on voice notes and audio recordings, AudioNotes is a game-changer. It is designed to automate note-taking by using AI-powered transcription, making it perfect for professionals, students, and anyone who prefers speaking over typing. From capturing meeting discussions and recording lectures to simply dictating ideas, AudioNotes converts voice memos into text instantly with remarkable accuracy.
Unlike traditional note-taking apps, AudioNotes eliminates the need for manual transcription, allowing you to focus on conversations rather than frantically jotting things down. If you’re looking for an efficient and hands-free way to take notes on your iPad, this app is an excellent option.
Key Features:
Record, Upload, or Write: Capture voice notes, upload audio files, or type text to generate structured notes effortlessly.
AI-Powered Transcription: Convert recordings into clear, high-quality transcripts with automatic speaker identification.
Summarization: Generate AI-powered summaries in multiple formats—key points, action items, or detailed explanations.
Image & Video Notes: Extract text and generate notes from uploaded images and YouTube video links.
Multilingual Support: Transcribe and summarize in 30+ languages, making it ideal for international users.
Chat with Your Notes: Ask questions and interact with your notes using AI-powered search and summarization.
Easy Sharing & Publishing: Publish and share notes with others instantly, making collaboration seamless.
Why Choose AudioNotes?
AudioNotes is perfect for those who prefer speaking to typing. Its voice-first approach captures your thoughts and ideas in real-time, making note-taking effortless. You can create notes from various sources, like images and YouTube videos, and enjoy a seamless experience with smart AI-powered features.
From summarizing content and interacting with your notes to turning them into quizzes, mind maps, or flashcards, it’s designed to help you organize and understand your ideas better. It’s the all-in-one tool that enhances your note-taking experience, giving you more time to focus on what matters.
AudioNotes provides a free trial, with paid plans starting at $9.99/month for unlimited transcription and premium features. The Pro Plan at $19.99/month offers advanced tools and additional functionality. You can get started by downloading the AudioNotes iOS app or using the web version.
2. Apple Notes
For those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Notes is a free note-taking app for iPad that delivers a clean, intuitive experience. Since it’s built directly into iPadOS, it offers seamless integration with iCloud, ensuring that your notes are instantly accessible across your iPhone, Mac, and even via a web browser.
One standout feature is Quick Note, which lets you capture notes instantly from any app with a simple swipe or Apple Pencil tap. Whether you're browsing Safari, reading an email, or reviewing a document, you can quickly jot down thoughts without switching apps. These notes are automatically saved and can be accessed later in the Notes app.
Key Features:
Handwriting & Apple Pencil Support: Easily jot down handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, and sketch diagrams.
Rich Media Integration: Add images, scanned documents, checklists, and audio recordings directly into your notes.
Tagging & Organization: Use folders, tags, and smart search to categorize and locate notes quickly.
Collaboration & Sharing: Share notes with others for real-time editing via iCloud.
Lock & Secure Notes: Protect sensitive information with a Face ID, Touch ID, or a password.
Flexible Input Options: Combine handwriting and typed text seamlessly on the same page, whether using Apple Pencil, an external keyboard, or even your fingers.
Seamless iCloud Sync: Automatically update notes across all Apple devices, ensuring instant access on iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Why Choose Apple Notes?
Apple Notes is a great choice for those who value simplicity, reliability, and deep Apple integration. It’s completely free, with no hidden costs, and provides all the essential features needed for effective note-taking.
Pricing
Free with up to 5GB of iCloud storage. Upgrade starts at $0.99/month for 50GB of additional storage.
3. Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a versatile and feature-rich note-taking app that offers a freeform approach to capturing ideas, organizing thoughts, and managing tasks. Designed for students, professionals, and creatives alike, OneNote mimics the experience of a digital notebook. It allows users to jot down notes anywhere on a page, embed multimedia, and structure content according to their needs.
OneNote offers a diverse Ink Color Selector, allowing users to choose from various solid and specialty colors for a more personalized note-taking experience. It also includes a Math Assistant for solving equations, audio recording for capturing lectures or meetings, and a web clipper to save online content.
Key Features:
Notebook-Style Organization: Arrange notes into notebooks, sections, and pages, making it easy to categorize and retrieve information.
Freeform Canvas: Click anywhere to type, draw, or insert images, audio, and handwritten notes—perfect for brainstorming sessions.
Handwriting & Drawing Support: Ideal for stylus users, OneNote supports handwritten notes, sketches, and PDF annotations.
Cloud Sync & Accessibility: Available on Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, and Android, with seamless syncing via OneDrive.
AI-Powered Assistance: Microsoft’s AI, Copilot, helps summarize, edit, and organize notes efficiently (available for enterprise users).
Why Choose OneNote?
OneNote offers more advanced organization and flexibility compared to other apps. Its notebook-style structure makes it easier to manage large amounts of information, while the freeform note-taking style allows users to mix text, drawings, and multimedia seamlessly. Additionally, its integration with Microsoft Office makes it a strong choice for professionals who rely on tools like Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Pricing
OneNote is free to use, but storage relies on OneDrive, which includes 5GB for free. Additional storage starts at $1.99/month for 100GB, and Microsoft 365 subscriptions (starting at $6.99/month) provide more features and storage options.
4. Nebo
Nebo is a note-taking app designed for those who prefer handwritten notes while still having the flexibility of digital organization. It converts handwriting into searchable, editable text, making it useful for students, professionals, and creatives who use a stylus. Users can mix handwriting, typed text, sketches, and diagrams on the same page while keeping everything structured.
All document pages in Nebo have a lined layout, allowing for a more natural writing experience. Users can take notes with an Apple Pencil or type using a keyboard, offering flexibility depending on their preference.
A key feature of Nebo is its handwriting recognition, which supports multiple languages and adapts to different writing styles. This makes it helpful for taking lecture notes, brainstorming ideas, or drafting reports.
Key Features:
Handwriting-to-Text Conversion: Instantly transform handwritten notes into typed text with high accuracy.
Smart Formatting: Use gestures to edit, structure, and format notes without switching tools.
Math & Diagram Support: Create and solve equations or draw diagrams that remain interactive and editable.
Multi-Device Syncing: Access notes across iPad, Windows, and Android devices with cloud sync.
PDF & Word Export: Easily share notes as PDFs, Word documents, or text files.
Why Choose Nebo?
Nebo is well-suited for those who prefer a structured, handwriting-focused note-taking experience. Its gesture-based editing and lined pages help users keep their notes organized while allowing for easy conversion into digital text.
Pricing
Nebo provides a free version with basic features, while advanced tools are available through paid add-ons. Users can purchase the Essentials Pack, Connect Pack, or PDF Pack individually for $4.99 each or get the full bundle for $8.99.
5. Obsidian
Obsidian is a note-taking app designed for users who prefer a more interconnected and structured approach to organizing their thoughts. Unlike traditional note apps, it focuses on linking notes together, creating a personal knowledge base that evolves over time. It’s particularly popular among researchers, writers, and professionals who need a powerful tool for managing complex ideas.
Obsidian operates on a local storage model, meaning all notes are saved directly on your device rather than the cloud by default. This ensures full control over data and enhances privacy. Users can also extend its functionality with a variety of community plugins and themes.
Key Features:
Markdown-Based Notes: Write in a lightweight, distraction-free format that supports formatting with simple syntax.
Graph View: Visualize connections between notes, helping with idea mapping and knowledge organization.
Backlinking & Bi-Directional Links: Easily create and track relationships between different notes.
Offline Access & Local Storage: Work without needing an internet connection, keeping data private.
Customization & Plugins: Choose from a wide range of plugins to enhance functionality, from task management to publishing.
Why Choose Obsidian?
Obsidian is ideal for users who need more than just a place to jot down notes—it’s a tool for building a structured, interlinked knowledge base. Its local-first approach also makes it a great choice for those concerned about privacy.
Pricing
Obsidian is free for personal use, offering all core features at no charge. For additional functionality, the Sync Plan costs $8/month for encrypted cloud syncing, while businesses can opt for a Commercial License at $50/year per user.
6. Joplin
Joplin is an open-source note-taking app designed for users who need a secure and flexible way to manage their notes. It supports end-to-end encryption, making it a great choice for those who prioritize privacy. Users can create notebooks, organize notes with tags, and sync data across multiple devices using cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, or WebDAV.
Joplin allows both rich text and Markdown formatting, offering flexibility for different writing styles. It also supports web clipping, making it easy to save articles and research materials for later reference.
Key Features:
Open-Source & Free: Joplin’s code is publicly available, ensuring transparency and community-driven improvements.
Markdown Support: Create notes using simple, clean markdown syntax for structured text.
Note Tagging & Organization: Easily tag, categorize, and search your notes to stay organized.
Task Management: Integrate to-do lists and tasks directly into your notes, with reminders and due dates.
Search & Filter Options: Quickly locate specific notes using Joplin's powerful search functionality, with support for keyword search and tag filtering.
Note Versions: Keep track of your notes' history with versioning so you can revert to previous versions if necessary.
Cross-Platform Availability: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, ensuring seamless access to notes.
Why Choose Joplin?
Joplin is ideal for users who want a privacy-focused, open-source solution without vendor lock-in. Its encryption ensures security while self-hosting options provide flexibility for those who prefer not to rely on third-party cloud services.
Pricing
Joplin is completely free to use.
7. GoodNotes 6
GoodNotes 6 is a premium note-taking app designed for iPad users who want a high-quality, versatile experience for handwriting, annotating PDFs, and organizing their notes. With its sleek interface, powerful features, and robust syncing options, GoodNotes is a favorite among students, professionals, and creatives alike.
GoodNotes 6 also offers audio recording features, allowing you to capture lectures or meetings while taking notes. You can easily replay the recordings later or break them into smaller clips for easy reference. With its powerful search function, you can find specific notes even in your handwritten content, making organization effortless.
Handwriting & Apple Pencil Support: Write and draw naturally with the Apple Pencil, using advanced handwriting recognition that converts your notes to text when needed.
PDF Annotation & Markup: Annotate PDFs w, highlight text, add shapes, and draw freehand.
Real-Time Syncing: Sync your notes across all your Apple devices via iCloud, ensuring you have instant access to your notes on your iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
Gesture-Based Navigation: Use gestures to zoom, scroll, and navigate your notes smoothly, improving your workflow and productivity.
Templates & Digital Planners: Access a wide range of pre-made templates for meeting notes, planners, journals, to-do lists, and more.
Infinite Nested Storage: Organize your notes with the ability to create folders within folders, allowing you to build a customized structure that fits your workflow.
Why Choose GoodNotes 6?
GoodNotes 6 is perfect for users who want a polished and feature-filled note-taking app with a focus on handwriting and PDF annotation. Whether you’re a student taking lecture notes, a professional marking up documents, or someone looking to organize ideas with flexibility, GoodNotes offers an intuitive solution.
Pricing:
GoodNotes 6 offers a free version that allows users to create up to three notebooks. To access the full features, you can subscribe for $9.99 per year or pay a one-time fee of $29.99 (available on Apple devices). For Android and Windows users, the subscription is priced at $6.99 per year.
This was our curated list of note-taking apps for iPad. We pass it to you—evaluate these options, consider your workflow, budget, and preferences, and make the choice that best suits you.
What Makes the Best Note-Taking App for iPad?
The best note-taking app for iPad is one that combines ease of use, flexibility, and powerful features. It should allow you to capture ideas quickly, whether by typing or recording audio.
A top-tier app also offers the ability to organize your notes in a way that suits your workflow—whether that’s through folders, tags, or search functionality. Seamless integration with other apps and cloud services ensures you can access your notes anytime, anywhere.
Modern apps also incorporate AI-powered tools to enhance productivity. For example, AudioNotes, a powerful AI note-taking assistant, offers advanced features like custom summarization of notes, multilingual transcription, and smart organization to streamline your note-taking experience. With intelligent search, interactive note-taking, and seamless sharing, it helps you stay organized and get more done with less effort.
Conclusion
Choosing the right note-taking app for your iPad in 2025 comes down to how you like to organize, capture, and access your notes. Some apps cater to quick and simple note-taking, while others provide robust features for organization, collaboration, and creativity. Whether you prefer handwritten notes, voice memos, or structured text, the right tool can enhance productivity and streamline your workflow.
If you’re looking for a solution that goes beyond traditional note-taking, AudioNotes is built for the modern user. It automates note-taking by transcribing voice recordings, summarizing text, and even extracting insights from images and YouTube videos. Unlike conventional apps, AudioNotes is designed for those who think and work differently, whether you have ADHD, prefer voice-first note-taking, or need AI-driven summaries to stay organized.
Why stick to typing when you can capture ideas effortlessly and get structured summaries in seconds? Download AudioNotes today and take your productivity to the next level!