How We Picked These Extensions
We selected these tools based on key features that matter most for students and online learners:
- Cross-platform support: Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web to ensure you can study anywhere.
- Reliable syncing and offline access: So you can keep learning even in lecture halls or places with spotty Wi-Fi.
- Handwriting and stylus support: Because doing math or drawing diagrams on a keyboard just isn’t the same.
- Powerful organization tools: Features like search, tagging, and backlinking to make revision easier and less like searching for hidden gems.
- Student-friendly pricing: Fair costs or generous free plans to make sure learning stays affordable.
1. Notion
Notion has evolved from a clever wiki into a full-fledged study operating system. The May 2025 update introduced AI Meeting Notes that automatically summarize lectures recorded with the Notion Calendar, plus a powerful unified search that dives into PDFs as well as your workspace. While advanced features like databases may feel hidden at first, the default templates make setting up a class dashboard quick and easy.
Perfect for: Project-based courses, group work, research logs
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android
Price: Generous free plan; student discount available on Plus tier
2. Microsoft OneNote
OneNote remains the most flexible free-form notebook out there. You can drop text, audio, equations, and doodles anywhere on its infinite canvas—and it just works. Unlike many freemium rivals, all core features are free and cross-platform. Stylus support is excellent, and automatic OCR means your handwritten notes become searchable.
Perfect for: STEM diagrams, mixed-media lecture notes
Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
Price: Free (extra OneDrive storage included with Microsoft 365)
3. GoodNotes 6
GoodNotes has finally expanded beyond the Apple ecosystem and now works on Windows, Android, and the web. The handwriting experience feels natural, the math notebook templates save loads of time, and cross-platform syncing lets you start scribbling on an iPad and pick up on a Surface. At just £5.99 a year, the Windows version is cheaper than a pack of printer paper.
Perfect for: Handwritten math, digital planners, PDF annotation
Platform: iPad/iPhone, macOS, Windows, Android, Web
Price: Free trial, then annual subscription
4. Obsidian
Obsidian stores your notes as local Markdown files and visually maps connections between them with an interactive graph. Its built-in Canvas feature offers an infinite whiteboard for mind maps and research plans. If you’re tackling sprawling essay topics across multiple modules, its bidirectional linking system can be a lifesaver.
Perfect for: Literature reviews, personal knowledge management
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Price: Free for personal use; optional sync and publishing add-ons
5. Google Keep
Google Keep might look simple, but its sticky-note grid is perfect for quick lists, lab results, or parking a voice memo while cycling to class. It syncs seamlessly with Google Workspace, sharing notes with classmates is just a couple of taps away, and location-based reminders help you remember library book returns.
Perfect for: To-do lists, voice memos, collaborative shopping lists
Platform: Web, Android, iOS, Chrome extension
Price: Free
6. Apple Notes
If you use an iPad or Mac, Apple Notes is likely your go-to app already. The 2024 update brought Quick Note pop-ups and improved Apple Pencil handwriting. Shared folders make group revision easy, and iCloud sync means you can scan a handout on your iPhone and have it instantly on your MacBook.
Perfect for: Apple-only workflows, audio-backed lecture notes
Platform: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Web (via iCloud.com)
Price: Free; storage counts against iCloud quota
7. Joplin
Privacy-focused students love Joplin because it stores notes as open-source Markdown files with end-to-end encryption. The 2025 updates improved accessibility and scrollbar options, but its core strengths remain unlimited notebooks, strong tagging, and the ability to host your own sync server.
Perfect for: Privacy-conscious note takers, self-hosters
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Price: Free; optional Joplin Cloud from €1.99/month
8. Evernote (Legacy) and Modern Alternatives
Evernote still boasts some of the best web clipping tools, but its free plan limits you to two devices and nudges users toward pricey subscriptions. Many students are switching to Notion or Joplin, but if you’ve already invested years in Evernote notebooks, its revamped Home dashboard and tasks view might convince you to stay.
Perfect for: Heavy web clippers who live in browsers
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android
Price: Limited free plan; Personal tier around £10/month
9. Simplenote
Simplenote is like a digital ruled pocket notebook—minimal and fast. It supports plain text and Markdown with instant syncing across all your devices. This simplicity is great for quick revision cards or logging research without distractions.
Perfect for: Distraction-free writing, coding snippets
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Price: Free
10. Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook feels like a digital Moleskine, with color-coded covers and drag-and-drop multimedia cards. The April 2025 update added custom sorting, and the affordable Pro Lite plan offers 100 GB of storage—perfect for lecture recordings and multimedia projects.
Perfect for: Multimedia projects, team collaboration without Google
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, watchOS
Price: Free plan; Pro Lite from £1.79/month
Choosing the Right App
The best app depends on how you learn. If your course leans heavily on equations, diagrams, or handwritten notes, start with GoodNotes or OneNote, and consider adding Notion as your second brain. If you’re a liberal arts student balancing dense readings and research, Obsidian’s backlinks or Notion’s databases can help you make sense of it all.
Need something fast and accessible on any device? Google Keep or Simplenote will get the job done with minimal fuss.
At the end of the day, your goal is simple: capture ideas quickly so you can get back to thinking. Pick one app, use it for a week, and see if it gets out of your way. The best note-taking tool is the one you’ll actually open.
Happy studying! 😊