The Best HandWrite Pro Alternative for Your Note-Taking Needs
HandWrite Pro is a powerful note-taking and vector-based drawing app, celebrated for its smooth "Scribmaster" drawing engine and ability to zoom without pixelation. It's a fantastic tool for lectures and meetings, offering stylus support and PDF export. However, if you're looking for different features, broader platform availability, or a new user experience, exploring a HandWrite Pro alternative is a great idea. This article will guide you through some of the top contenders that can meet and even exceed your expectations.
Top HandWrite Pro Alternatives
Whether you prioritize cloud synchronization, robust security, or a specific set of drawing tools, there's an alternative out there for you. Let's dive into some of the best replacements for HandWrite Pro.
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook application that provides a central hub for gathering notes and information. It's a compelling HandWrite Pro alternative due to its extensive platform availability (Freemium on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Windows S, Windows Phone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android Wear, Kindle Fire) and features like handwritten notes, support for styluses, cloud sync, and OCR, making it highly versatile for various note-taking styles.
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is a simple, private, and secure notes app, serving as an excellent HandWrite Pro alternative for those prioritizing data privacy. Available as Freemium and Open Source on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, iPad, and Self-Hosted, it boasts end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and robust cloud sync, ensuring your notes are always secure and accessible across all your devices.
CherryTree
CherryTree is a hierarchical note-taking application known for its rich text and syntax highlighting capabilities, storing data in a single XML or SQLite file. As a free and Open Source HandWrite Pro alternative for Windows, Linux, and PortableApps.com, it offers hierarchical structure, encryption, Markdown support, and portable functionality, making it ideal for organized and secure note-taking.
NoteLedge
NoteLedge Cloud is a highly versatile multimedia note-taking app that allows you to take notes, sketch, record audio and video, and organize content. This commercial HandWrite Pro alternative (available on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Windows S, Android Tablet, iPad) stands out with features like audio recording, drag-and-drop, Apple Pencil support, and export to PDF, making it perfect for creative and multimedia note-takers.
Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook is a free online notebook application that lets you combine text, images, audio, video, RSS feeds, and documents. Available on Mac, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, and Apple Watch, this HandWrite Pro alternative offers seamless cloud sync, handwriting recognition, and outline organization, making it a great choice for comprehensive and collaborative note-taking.
Notability
Notability is a popular commercial note-taking app for iOS (Mac, iPhone, iPad) that integrates notes with audio recordings. As a strong HandWrite Pro alternative, it offers Apple Pencil support, handwriting recognition, PDF editing, and sketching capabilities, providing a robust and integrated experience for students and professionals alike.
WizNote
WizNote is a commercial and Open Source note software specifically designed for Internet and mobile Internet users, focusing on rapid collection and management of notes. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Windows S, Android Tablet, BSD, Windows Phone, and iPad, this HandWrite Pro alternative includes features like folder hierarchy, Markdown support, and offline web page saving, making it highly flexible for diverse needs.
GoodNotes
GoodNotes offers a natural writing experience for handwritten notes on the go, designed as a smart digital notebook for mobile devices. This commercial HandWrite Pro alternative for iPhone and iPad excels with Apple Pencil support, handwriting recognition, PDF annotation, and OCR, providing a seamless and powerful experience for digital ink users.
notesmartly
Notesmartly is a free app for Mac, iPhone, and iPad that simplifies organizing your notes. While its status is currently not updated for newer iOS versions, its core features like note organization and to-do lists make it a straightforward HandWrite Pro alternative for basic note-taking needs.
Squid
Squid, formerly Papyrus, enables natural handwritten notes on Android tablets, phones, or Chromebooks supporting Android apps. This Freemium HandWrite Pro alternative offers an infinite canvas, PDF import/export, and the ability to combine PDFs, making it a great choice for Android users seeking a fluid and paper-like note-taking experience.
Ultimately, the best HandWrite Pro alternative depends on your individual needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize cross-platform compatibility, advanced security, specific drawing tools, or a simple, distraction-free interface, the options above provide a comprehensive starting point for finding your perfect note-taking companion. Explore their features and platforms to discover which one truly fits your workflow.