Spring is a great time to refresh your workflow and upgrade from pen and paper to digital note-taking tools. The right iPad note-taking app can make a world of difference, whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who jots down everything.
Also: The best iPad stylus for your iPad
Apple’s built-in Notes app is a solid piece of software, but third-party apps bring an entirely new level of features, customization, and handwriting tools to make the switch from paper easier. We’ve tested and reviewed the top iPad note-taking apps of 2025, and we’ve come up with a list of our favorites.
But with hundreds of notebook-style apps on the market, it’s hard to know which are worth your time or fit your needs. No one wants to waste time testing different apps and jumping ship until finding what works best. That’s why we went hands-on with over a dozen note-taking apps for the iPad, keeping in mind cost, functionality, practicality, and design while focusing on apps that level up the hand-written note-taking experience.
Still, there is massive consumer choice and if Notability isn’t quite what you are looking for, check out our other recommendations for studying, tool variability, and more.