OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup

OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup

Handwriting, PDFs, no account

25 ratings
5 reviews
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • May 21, 2026
  • October 3, 2026

Features

OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot #1 for iPhone
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot #2 for iPhone
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot #3 for iPhone
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot #4 for iPhone
OpenNotes: Notes & PDF Markup screenshot #5 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
🖼️Get Icon
Icons↘︎

About

Create handwritten notes, import and annotate PDFs, and organize your thoughts with folders. This free, open-source app prioritizes privacy by keeping all your data local and on your device.

✓Handwritten notes with Apple Pencil
✓PDF import and annotation
✓Folder-based organization
✓Add images and text
✓Local-first data storage
✓Export and share notes
Show original description

What's New in OpenNotes

1.3.3

October 3, 2026

Fixed imported PDFs disappearing from notes after an app update. Fixed crashes when deleting a selection after Undo and when exporting long notebooks to PDF. If OpenNotes ever closes unexpectedly, you can now share the error details to help us fix it.

More

User reviews

Clean app

Clean app

I was thrilled to find this…then disappointed. Good start…

I pulled this down and really liked what I saw. How ever, it doesn’t seem to print photos embedded into the page, the pages are 3 pages long, but I loved the font and smooth letters.

Any hope for updates or progress?

Response from developer

We can fix this immediately, thanks for telling us!

Love the idea, but…

Love the idea of a free open-source notes app, but this one is slow and frequently crashes. I’ll probably default to another app until the crashing is fixed.

Response from developer

Hi, sorry for the crashes and thanks for letting us know. We will work on fixing this.

Free

This is the only fully free notes app I found and that alone gives the app five stars. It’s a basic notes app, I’ve had no problems. It’s very compatible with an Apple Pencil. HIGHLY recommend.

Response from developer

Thank you very much!

Needs work

I love the idea of open notes, and I don’t even hate the txt boxes you use instead of just a standard notation feel, but when I type, eventually, the words begin to be blocked by the keyboard and it doesn’t let me scroll down so I can see what I’m actually typing. This could be fixed by either having a bar that showed your current line on the keyboard or near it, or by allowing the user to scroll down. I’m not really sure what this is meant for, but typing is not viable. Maybe drawing? But who draws on a phone? I just want a note app that Google doesn’t own.
Show more

Response from developer

Hello, I am sorry about that, and will definitely fix it. Yes, it is primarily designed for drawing on iPads, but can certainly make it better on phones.

Developer apps

FAQ

Does OpenNotes have ads?

No, OpenNotes is ad-free. It is a free and open-source application, meaning it does not contain advertisements.

What devices does OpenNotes support?

OpenNotes is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed to work seamlessly across these Apple devices.

How does OpenNotes handle user privacy?

OpenNotes is built with a strong focus on privacy. It is local-first, meaning all your notes and data remain on your device and are not synced to any cloud services.

Can I use OpenNotes with Apple Pencil?

Yes, OpenNotes is optimized for handwriting and supports Apple Pencil. You can create fluid handwritten notes and sketches within the app.

What is the age rating for OpenNotes?

OpenNotes has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for users of all ages, with no mature content.

How often is OpenNotes updated?

The latest version of OpenNotes, 1.0.1, was released on August 23, 2026. Updates are provided to ensure the app remains functional and secure.

Can I export my notes from OpenNotes?

Yes, you can export your notes when needed. This allows you to share your work or back it up to other locations outside the app.

What makes OpenNotes open-source?

Being open-source means the app's source code is publicly available. This allows for transparency and community contributions to its development.