Top 3 Note-Taking Apps for Digital Planning

by Skuljam - 5 min read

 

In the world of digital planning, having the right tools can make all the difference in staying organized, productive, and efficient. Whether you’re juggling work projects, managing personal goals, or just trying to stay on top of daily tasks, a solid note-taking app is an essential part of your digital toolkit. These apps have revolutionized the way we approach planning, offering flexibility and convenience that traditional paper planners just can’t match.

But what exactly is a note-taking app, and why is it so powerful for digital planning?

What Is a Note-Taking App?

A note-taking app is a digital platform designed to capture, organize, and store your thoughts, ideas, and tasks. Unlike physical notebooks or planners, these apps come with a bunch of advanced features that can totally change how you plan and manage your life. Here’s what note-taking apps let you do: 

- Create Digital Notes: You can quickly type or handwrite notes, ideas, or tasks and organize them into different sections, folders, or notebooks.

- Integrate Media: Add images, audio recordings, PDFs, and links to make your notes more engaging and useful.

- Sync Across Devices: Most apps sync across all your devices, so your notes are always at your fingertips, whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or desktop.

- Search Functionality: Easily search through all your notes, even the handwritten ones, to find exactly what you need—something a traditional paper planner just can’t do.

- Collaboration: Share notes or planners with others, making it super easy to work together on projects or keep everyone on the same page with tasks.

In digital planning, note-taking apps are your go-to for both planning and note-taking! They let you create customizable systems to organize your daily tasks, long-term goals, and even those creative ideas that pop into your head. Plus, some apps come with pre-made templates for digital planners, which makes it super easy to track habits, set goals, and manage your time effectively.

Now that you know what note-taking apps are and why they’re so powerful, let’s dive into the top 3 apps that can help you elevate your digital planning experience!

Top 3 Note-Taking Apps for Digital Planning

Now that we’ve talked about what a note-taking app is and how it can boost your digital planning, let’s jump into the top 3 apps that really shine for their versatility, user-friendly features, and smooth integration with digital planners. These apps are perfect for transforming your workflow and keeping you on track with your goals.

 

GoodNotes 6

GoodNotes 6 is one of the most popular note-taking apps, especially loved by those who enjoy handwriting their notes and planners. With its clean interface and robust features, GoodNotes is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to streamline their planning digitally.

Key Features:

• Handwriting Recognition: GoodNotes turns your handwritten notes into searchable text, making it super easy to find information later.
• Digital Planner Support: You can import and customize digital planners for daily, weekly, and monthly planning.
• Organization System: GoodNotes lets you create separate notebooks for different projects or topics, helping you keep everything organized.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Sync your notes and planners across iOS devices, so you can access your plans wherever you are.
• Collaboration: Share notes and planners with others for collaborative projects or task management.
• Offline Functionality: Keep planning even when you’re offline, making it perfect for on-the-go productivity.

Pricing:

• Free version with limited notebooks.
• One-Time Purchase: $9.99 (No subscription needed).

Why It’s Great for Digital Planning: GoodNotes is perfect for users who want the traditional feel of handwriting their plans but with the added benefits of digital tools like search and organization. Its ability to integrate custom planners makes it a standout for those serious about digital planning.

Notability

Notability is a versatile app that offers more than just note-taking—it’s great for planning, especially for those who want to mix multimedia into their notes. Whether you’re typing, handwriting, or recording audio, Notability provides a complete toolkit for your digital planning needs.

Key Features:

• Audio Recording: Record meetings, lectures, or personal notes directly into your planner, syncing with your written notes.
• Handwriting and Typing: Switch between handwriting or typing your notes seamlessly.
• Multi-Note Functionality: View two notes or planners side by side, making it easier to reference other documents while planning.
• Planner Templates: Import and customize digital planners for more structured planning.
• PDF Support: Notability allows you to annotate PDFs, which is perfect for digital planners in PDF format.
• Cross-Device Sync: Sync across iOS and macOS, ensuring all your plans are up-to-date across devices.

Pricing:

• Subscription Model: $14.99/year (includes additional premium features and content).
• One-Time Purchase: Previously available for $8.99, but now it follows a subscription model.

Why It’s Great for Digital Planning: Notability is ideal for users who want to add an extra layer of functionality, like recording audio notes or multitasking with multiple planners open. It’s great for integrating multimedia into your planning process.

Noteshelf

Noteshelf is known for its elegant interface and balance between simplicity and powerful features. It’s a fantastic option for users who want both handwriting and typing support while using an easy-to-navigate digital planning system.

Key Features:

• Handwriting Recognition: Search your handwritten notes just like typed ones, making it easy to locate information.
• Planner Templates: Import a variety of digital planner templates and customize them to fit your goals.
• Multimedia Support: Add images, audio, and other media to enrich your planning experience.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Available on iOS, Android, and Mac, with seamless syncing across devices.
• Offline Mode: Plan on the go, even without an internet connection.
• Customizable Covers and Layouts: Personalize your notebooks and planners with various covers and layouts to match your style.

Pricing:

• One-Time Purchase: $9.99 for iOS and macOS.
• Subscription (Android): $4.99/month or $29.99/year.

Why It’s Great for Digital Planning: Noteshelf is a favorite for users who want flexibility in their planning system and cross-platform compatibility. Its simplicity combined with powerful features makes it easy to get started while still offering plenty of customization for advanced users.

Choosing the right note-taking app for digital planning can really change how you approach organization and productivity. GoodNotes 6, Notability, and Noteshelf are three top-tier apps that cater to different styles and preferences, from handwriting enthusiasts to multimedia planners. Each app brings something unique to the table, whether it’s customizable planners, multimedia support, or cross-device syncing, ensuring you can create a personalized system that works for your life.

No matter which app you choose, pairing it with a powerful digital planner, like the Skuljam Planner, will help you stay organized, maximize productivity, and achieve your goals more efficiently.

Ready to take your digital planning to the next level? Check out these apps and see which one fits your needs!