Noteshelf
Handwriting, document annotation, diaries, and journals are among the features of Noteshelf note-taking app.
About Noteshelf
Noteshelf is a note-taking app for iPad, iPhone and Mac. It supports handwriting with realistic pen styles, typing, and conversion of handwriting to text, along with PDF annotation, audio recording, writing on images, shape drawing, dark mode, and handwriting search. Organizational tools include focus mode, a customizable toolbar, and smart note sorting, and the app provides more than 200 paper templates for journals, planners, to-do lists, and meeting notes.
Additional features include saving web clips, stickers and emojis, headers, stock images from Unsplash and Pixabay, and digital diaries. Noteshelf AI is described as an assistant for working with handwritten notes, and notes sync across macOS and iOS devices. Schools and businesses can obtain Noteshelf 3 at reduced prices through Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager. The homepage does not state pricing, and features that draw on external services, such as Unsplash and Pixabay, or that sync between devices, involve data handled outside the device.
Key features
- Handwrite, type, or convert handwriting to text in notebooks
- Annotate PDFs with highlights, underlines, written notes and sticky notes
- Record lectures, meetings or discussions, and record audio from Apple Watch
- Handwriting search, smart note sorting, focus mode, customizable toolbar
- Over 200 templates for journals, planners, to-do lists and meeting notes
- Noteshelf AI assistant, web clips, stickers, headers and stock images
Best for: Students, educators and professionals on iPad, iPhone or Mac who want handwriting-first note-taking, PDF annotation and journaling in one app.
Good for
- Described on the homepage as an award-winning note-taking app with note-taking essentials in one place
- Homepage states the app works with several types of styluses and feels similar to writing in a real notebook
- Reduced pricing for schools and businesses through Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager
Watch out for
- Pricing is not stated on the homepage
- Sync is described for macOS and iOS devices; other platform support is not detailed on the page
- Noteshelf AI and the extent of assistant capabilities are described only in general terms
Noteshelf at a glance
- Website
- noteshelf.net
- Category
- Productivity › Notes & Knowledge Management
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- iOS, Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Notes & Knowledge Management
Noteshelf alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Obsidian supports private note-taking, with sync, publishing, plugins, and web clipping listed among its options.
Linwood Butterfly provides an endless workspace for handwriting, sketching, annotating, taking notes, and organizing ideas.
Xournal++ supports handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation on Linux, macOS, and Windows, including pen input from devices such as Wacom tablets.
Open source
24 alternativesNotesnook provides open-source note-taking with zero-knowledge encryption, a free tier, and paid plans for added storage and features.
Joplin provides open-source note-taking, with plugins, help resources, and a cloud service listed on its site.
Mochi supports spaced-repetition flashcards and note-taking, according to its product page.
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Noteshelf FAQ
Can I search my handwritten notes?
Yes. Handwriting search is listed among the app's features.
Can I record audio while taking notes?
Yes. The app can record lectures, meetings or discussions for replay, and recording on Apple Watch is also listed.
Are there options for schools or businesses?
Noteshelf 3 is offered to schools and businesses at reduced prices through Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager.
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