Best Note-Taking App for iPad for College Students (2024)
Note-taking is unique to every individual, so we'll cover the best note-taking app for iPad for college students based on various criteria.
- Student Tips
✨ 5-second summary
Overall, the best note-taking app for iPad for college students is:
- Best overall: Microsoft OneNote (rich features, multi-platform sync, and seamless integration with MS Office)
- Simplest to use: Apple Notes (free option with solid, basic note-taking features and excellent sync across Apple devices)
- Best paid app: Notability (comprehensive feature set, includes excellent audio-written sync option which is great for students)
With a ton of note taking apps available, choosing the right one can drastically enhance you learning experience and productivity. This article will cover the best note-taking app for iPad for college students.
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Discover programs →Best overall: Microsoft OneNote
| 🟢 Pros | 🟥 Cons |
| Feature-rich | Clunky navigation |
| Multi-platform (syncs with Windows OS) | Designed around typed notes |
| MS Office integration | Limited pen support |
| Infinite canvas |
Our pick for the best note-taking app for iPad for college students is Microsoft OneNote.
Why it's great
Seamless productivity within MS Office
OneNote is an excellent choice for students who are already working with Microsoft Office. It allows you to embed your notes into PowerPoint, Excel and even Outlook - which makes preparing presentations, sharing notes and studying a lot more convenient than having to manually copy your existing notes.
Free cross-platform sync
Cross-platform sync means that your notes will be synced regardless of the platform or operating system you're using. So, for example, if you own an iPad but you have a Windows or ChromeOS laptop, or an Android phone, the notes will be auto-synced and you'll be able to access them easily from any of those devices.
This is usually a paid feature in most note-taking apps, but OneNote just comes with it out-of-the-box. The only thing you need is a Microsoft account, which can be made for free (and you may already have it with your university email).
Simplest to use: Apple Notes
| 🟢 Pros | 🟥 Cons |
| All basics covered | No advanced features |
| Seamless sync with Apple devices | Limited paper width |
| Real-time collaboration | Apple devices only |
| Satisfying "ink" |
Our pick for the best note-taking app for iPad for college students who are looking for a simple, free option is Apple Notes.
Why it's great
Solid, free, out-of-the-box solution
Apple Notes offers a decent set of features that cover most of your note-taking needs. These include, but are not limited to:
- Rich text editing (headings, bold, italics, lists, fonts...)
- PDF Markup
- Folders
- Document scanning/PDF creator
- Private (locked) notes
- Formatting options like tables, to-do lists, grids
Smooth integration and sync with Apple devices
Apple Notes have the benefit of being a first-party app, which means they're hyper-optimized for other Apple devices, and that your notes will automatically sync across any gadget you use.
Another bonus is that you can create shortcuts or integrate your Notes with any other first-party and third-party apps.
Best paid option: Notability
Price: $14.99 per year or $4.99 per month
| 🟢 Pros | 🟥 Cons |
| Excellent audio-written sync feature | Paid yearly subscription |
| Feature-rich | Lack of real-time collaboration options |
| Simple, intuitive UI | Apple devices only |
| Great templates |
Our pick for the best note-taking app for iPad for college students who are looking for a feature-rich option is Notability.
Why it's great
Covers all your note-taking needs
Notability is a staple in the industry, and if you're okay with spending $14.99 per year on your iPad note-taking app, you'll be fully covered.
The app includes all basic features like multiple pens, highlighters, lasso and pointer tools, but it also offers dozens of excellent page templates to help you speed up your writing process.
What's more, Notability is great for PDF markup - which makes it an excellent choice if you like to write over presentation slides, textbooks or even
Audio recording - writing sync
One of Notability's best features is the syncronized audio and writing, which lets you record audio while taking your notes. This is great for two reasons:
- You can click on any part of your notes to hear what the professor was saying when you were writing it - this is helpful because you can get additional clarification on a topic, as well as improve your notes.
- You can replay the audio recording as much as you need to in order to learn the material better.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect note-taking app for your iPad can significantly impact your college experience, enhancing both learning and productivity.
Whether you prioritize feature-rich applications like Microsoft OneNote, prefer the simplicity and seamless sync of Apple Notes, or are willing to invest in the comprehensive capabilities of Notability, there is an app tailored to meet every student's needs.
With these top picks, college students can navigate their academic journey more efficiently, ensuring that their note-taking process is as effective and integrated as possible.
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Keystone Team
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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.
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