Markmap
Focus: mind map, markdown and visual notes. Shares open source with Rnote. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
Desktop App
Rnote
A handwriting and sketching app for notes, diagrams and PDF annotation.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Rnote?
Rnote is a free, open-source, vector-based app for handwritten notes and sketches, built for pens and drawing tablets. Write on fixed pages or an infinite canvas with pressure-sensitive strokes and shape tools, import PDFs and images to annotate, work in tabs, and export to PDF, SVG or Xournal++ files.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros
- Pressure-sensitive pen input
- Annotate PDFs and images
- Free and open source
Cons
- Best with a stylus or drawing tablet
- File format can still change between versions
Who should use Rnote
Students and tablet owners who take handwritten notes or mark up lecture slides and PDFs.
Who may not need it
People who only type their notes.
Rnote alternatives
Similar resources to Rnote, picked from the directory.
SiYuan
Focus: second brain, block editor and backlinks. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
Open Knowledge
Focus: markdown editor, ai notes and wiki. Shares open source and github with Rnote. Rated 4.4 (Rnote: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeCross-Platform
4.4Visit
AFFiNE
Focus: whiteboard, docs and local-first. Shares open source with Rnote. A web app, not a desktop app. Freemium (Rnote: Free). Adds Web, iOS and Android. Rated 4.3 (Rnote: 4.6).
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.3Visit
Memos
Focus: quick notes, markdown and self-hosted. Shares open source and github with Rnote. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (Rnote: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.7Visit
Diagram Design
Focus: diagrams, agent skills and claude code. Shares open source and github with Rnote. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Same 4.6 rating.
AI ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.6Visit
Free alternatives to Rnote
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Open Notebook
Focus: notebooklm alternative, research and ai chat. Shares open source and github with Rnote. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
AI ToolFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
Alexandrie
Focus: markdown, knowledge base and latex. Shares open source and github with Rnote. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
How to Train Your GPT
Focus: llm, deep learning and tutorial. Shares open source and github with Rnote. A course, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
CourseFreeCross-Platform, Web
4.5Visit
reladraw
Focus: diagrams, diagram as code and svg. Shares open source and github with Rnote. A framework, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Rnote: 4.6).
FrameworkFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
Awesome Jev Projects
Focus: awesome list, discovery and curated. Shares open source and github with Rnote. A website, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.4 (Rnote: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.4Visit
Claude Code: Everything You Need to Know
Focus: claude code, ai coding and course. Shares open source and github with Rnote. A course, not a desktop app. Rated 4.4 (Rnote: 4.6).
CourseFreeCross-Platform
4.4Visit
Are you the maker of Rnote?Get a free Featured badge for your site, a share image and ready-to-paste posts. No sign-up.
Free Notion database
1,100+ ways people are making money online
Real online businesses, creators and projects, broken down by how they make money: apps, online stores, AI tools and more. Free on Gumroad.
Get the free databaseFree Notion database
399+ ways to make money online
Hundreds of online income methods in one place, so you can compare options and pick one to try. Free on Gumroad.
Get the free listFor research and ideas only. Results vary and nothing here is a promise of income. See our Disclaimer.
Weekly newsletter
New tools and visual guides, every Monday.
One short email a week with the best new tools and websites, plus my latest visual guides. Free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Join the newsletterYou sign up on Gumroad, which stores your email to send the newsletter. See our Privacy Policy.