Notewise is a tool for taking notes on your mobile device and syncing them to the cloud for easier access between devices. You can write your text on a tablet or smartphone keyboard, but you’ll get the best value if you use a stylus like Apple Pencil or any other compatible with your equipment.
With the array of tools it offers, it’s easy to quickly jot down information during classes at school or university and draw shapes or diagrams, but you can also record audio notes or scan and annotate documents or images and highlight different parts.
With Notewise, you create as many notes as you want, and there’s no limit to the number of pages they have, unlike traditional paper notebooks, and you won’t lose any loose papers with essential details. You can then arrange and organize your documents into folders, for example, for each course or subject you’re learning. You can also share your content with others and work on your notes together.
This tool was designed for tablets and phones, and using a stylus makes the Notewise interface even more intuitive than using a touchscreen and keyboard. All tools are nicely placed where you need them, but the UI remains clear with a large workspace so you can focus on what you’re writing down.
Why should I download Notewise?
If you’re looking for a solution that will replace paper notebooks and handwriting everything down, then Notewise was designed with this purpose in mind. Its interface and mechanics are optimized for using a stylus; it is sensitive to the pressure with which you’re writing and can detect the shapes you’re drawing and transform them into even objects. You can also select whole parts of your notes with the lasso tool and then move them to a different place or page. You can also resize or duplicate them, or remove the entire thing.
When you download Notewise and start writing, you’ll see there’s almost no lag in having the letters appear on the screen due to how responsive and smooth the app engine is. If you place your palm on the screen, the app will not consider it a new input point and just ignore your hand so that you won’t get any accidental marks on your file. Because of all of that, the experience of writing with a stylus in Notewise feels natural to you and fluid.
As you open your new notebook, you can select from a variety of tools, such as a pen, ballpoint pen, highlighter, or pencil, and then adjust their stroke, color, or opacity. You can even use rulers and a protractor to draw perfect shapes or angles. Notewise also supports multiple different media, so you can add text boxes, sticky notes, images, or stickers.
You can choose between different paper layouts and have the pages ruled, dotted, blank, or with a grid, depending on what you currently need. You can also reorder the pages in your notebook and organize everything by themes, like the project you’re working on or the current class subject.
If this is not enough, when you download Notewise, you can also use it to import and make notes on PDFs such as textbooks, documents, official forms, or any other type you can think of.
It can also use your camera to scan different papers and add them to your notes. Your changes and comments can then be exported along with the document so that you can share it further.
You don’t need to have a constant internet connection to use Notewise and can select to sync your notes once you’re back online. While you can only download the app on iOS and Android, you can integrate it with different online storage tools and make your files accessible on desktop computers.
Is Notewise free?
Yes, there is a free version of Notewise you can download, and it gives you access to all of these essential tools, so it’s a great way to check out the app and decide if you need more. The only limitations are the number of note you are allowed to create and watermarks on the exported PDF or image.
The paid option adds features such as cloud synchronization between devices, recording audio, a bigger selection of pen styles and colors, and the option to export your notes in high definition.
Note that you can choose between a subscription plan (which allows you to access cloud storage), or a one-time purchase that lets you use all the functionalities with unlimited notes but without cloud storage.
What operating systems are compatible with Notewise?
Created with mobile devices and styluses as the main focus, you can download Notewise on Android 8.0 or later or iOS 13.0 or higher, though it’s best when you use the app on tablets because of the bigger screen. If you have an iPad or a Samsung tablet, you can count on Notewise, as it fully supports both the Apple Pencil and Samsung S Pen.
Even though there is no app for desktop computers, you can still share your files via the cloud service and open them on the desktop, either through the website Notewise Cloud or by exporting them to PDFs.
What are the alternatives to Notewise?
Nebo is a great option if you’re looking to convert your handwritten notes into text in real time. You can download the app on iOS, Android, and Microsoft Surface devices and do much more than just note down what someone is saying. You can draw math equations or diagrams, and Nebo also supports multiple languages, so it can detect the one you’re using. It has a very precise engine for handwriting, and you can get Nebo both in its free version and paid one.
Also, a great alternative for user who seek a handwriting tool is the open source Saber. I was developed specifically so you can write with your stylus. But you can also copy and paste images, highlight multi-line mathematical equations, etc. You can create notes, notes inside folders, subfolders, etc. And it also offers cloud storage. And all of that for free.
Another tool that you may already know is Notion, which offers much more than just software for writing down notes. You can also comprehensively manage projects, track progress on tasks, create databases or even standalone simple websites on a domain Notion offers (or a custom one if you pay). You can also use various collaboration features, but this tool is more geared towards typing on a keyboard than writing with a stylus. Users can download and use Notion on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and it also has a web-based service. There’s a forever-free version on Notion and a paid one that adds more advanced features that are perfect for teams.
Evernote is a solution that’s been around for years and offers an excellent note organization system, but you can also use rich text editing, annotate PDFs, add web clippings to your documents, or scan your documents. This app supports both handwritten notes and those typed on a keyboard, so it’s a true all-in-one solution. You can use this powerful tool either on the free plan or get more advanced functionalities and various integrations on the paid version. You can use Evernote on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and the web.
