Samsung Notes review

Samsung Notes is the default handwriting app on Galaxy devices, and for many S Pen owners it is all they need. The pen menu offers pens, fountain pens, pencils and highlighters in a range of colors and thicknesses, and the eraser can remove selected content. You can annotate PDFs with the S Pen, add photos and scans, and record voice inside a note. Notes can be locked with a password, shared for collaboration and connected with PDF, Word and PowerPoint files. Older S Note and Memo content imports through Smart Switch or a Samsung account. Google Play lists more than 1 billion downloads. The limits come from its focus. It is built for Samsung hardware, so iPad users cannot use it, and notes are saved in Samsung's own sdocx format. It also lacks the flashcards, AI summaries and template stores of the paid apps above. Because it ships with the device, we treat it as free, but the USD price check is pending.

Who it is for

Galaxy Tab and Galaxy phone owners who write with an S Pen.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending); included with Samsung Galaxy devices.

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Pens, fountain pens, pencils and highlighters in many colors and thicknesses
• PDF annotation with the S Pen
• Voice recordings added inside a note
• Lock individual notes with a password
• Import of older S Note and Memo content through Smart Switch

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Comes with Galaxy devices at no extra cost
• Strength: Works across Galaxy phone, tablet and PC
• Strength: Shared notes with collaborators
• Weakness: Designed for Samsung devices, so it is not an option on iPad
• Weakness: Notes use Samsung's own sdocx format
• Weakness: Fewer study tools, such as flashcards and AI quizzes, than Goodnotes or Notability

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes
• Platforms: Galaxy phones, tablets and PCs
• Downloads on Google Play: 1B+
• File format: sdocx

Where it ranks

Samsung Notes is No. 6 in our Best Handwritten Note-Taking Apps verdict.