Notability review

Notability has long been a favorite in lecture halls, and its pricing now spans from a free taster to an AI study plan. Every note can mix handwriting, typing, PDF markup and audio, so a lecture recording sits alongside the notes taken during it. Starter is free for five notes with all editing tools and access to more than 20,000 templates. Lite costs $11.99 per year, against a $14.99 regular price, and unlocks unlimited notes. Plus at $15.99 per year adds limited AI quizzes, flashcards, audio transcription and YouTube link-to-note conversions. Pro at $79.99 per year makes transcription and AI summaries unlimited and real time. Business plans start at $60 per user per year with shared libraries and admin controls. The plan structure is busier than it needs to be, and Goodnotes offers a stronger handwriting engine. For students who rely on recordings, Notability is a strong pick.

Who it is for

Students who record lectures while taking handwritten or typed notes.

Price

Starter free for 5 notes; Lite $11.99 per year (regular price $14.99); Plus $15.99 per year; Pro $79.99 per year.

LITE $11.99 /yr $14.99 For note-takers who want unlimited notes and reliable backups.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 4, 2026.

Key features

• Handwriting, typing and PDF annotation in one note
• Audio recording with transcription
• 20,000+ note-taking templates
• AI quizzes, flashcards and YouTube note conversions on Plus and Pro
• Shared note libraries on Business plans

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Strong for recording and reviewing lectures
• Strength: Cheap Lite plan for unlimited notes
• Strength: Business plans include a 30-day trial
• Weakness: Starter is capped at 5 notes
• Weakness: Real-time AI transcription is limited to Pro at $79.99 per year
• Weakness: Version history is short on lower plans

Key facts

• Free plan: Starter, 5 notes
• Business: $60 per user per year
• Currency: Prices listed in USD

Where it ranks

Notability is No. 7 in our Best Note-Taking Apps verdict.