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Notability vs Milanote

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Notability logo

Notability

Productivity & Notes

Try Notability
VS
Milanote logo

Milanote

Productivity & Notes

Try Milanote

A
About Notability

Notability is a note-taking app primarily designed for Apple devices that combines handwriting, typing, audio recording, and PDF annotation into a single workspace. It's particularly popular among students and educators who use iPads with Apple Pencil, as its ink engine provides a smooth and responsive writing experience. The app syncs notes across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud, and its standout feature is the ability to sync audio recordings with handwritten notes, so users can tap on any word to hear what was being said at that moment. It also supports importing and annotating PDFs, making it useful for reviewing documents and lecture slides.

B
About Milanote

Milanote is a visual workspace designed for creative professionals who need to organize their ideas, research, and projects in a freeform canvas. It combines notes, images, links, and files in a drag-and-drop interface that feels like working on a physical pinboard. The tool is particularly well-suited for designers, writers, marketers, and agencies who think visually and need to build mood boards, creative briefs, and project plans. Unlike traditional note-taking apps that rely on linear documents, Milanote embraces spatial organization, making it easier to see connections between ideas. It also supports real-time collaboration, so teams can brainstorm and refine concepts together.

Pricing Comparison

Tool
Notability
Milanote
Price
Free — From $8.99 one-time purchase
Free — From $9.99/user/mo
Category
Productivity & Notes
Productivity & Notes
Rating
3.6 (47)
4.3 (11)
Free Plan
No
Yes
Integrations
7+ apps
8+ apps
Founded
2010
2017

Feature Comparison

Feature
Notability
Milanote
Handwriting recognition for notes
Audio recording synchronized with notes
PDF annotation and markup tools
Multi-device sync for seamless access
Customizable note templates and layouts
Image and GIF insertion into notes
Drag-and-drop interface for organization
Customizable boards for project management
Visual note-taking with images and links
Collaboration tools for team brainstorming
Templates for various creative projects
Integration with third-party apps
Offline access for uninterrupted work

Choose Notability

Notability is a powerful note-taking app designed for students and professionals.

Try Notability Free

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Choose Milanote

Milanote is a visual workspace for creative projects that helps you organize ideas and notes effectively.

Try Milanote Free

Read full review

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Score Comparison

Ease of Use
8.0
8.0
Features
9.0
7.0
Pricing
8.0
7.0
Support
7.0
6.0
Integrations
8.0
7.0
Overall
8.0
7.0
NotabilityMilanote

Our Verdict

NotabilityWinner

You're a student or professional who needs advanced note-taking features in a one-time purchase format.

More affordable
More features
Better support
Milanote

Working on creative projects in a team, needing a visual workspace to organize ideas and notes.

Notability vs Milanote: The Bottom Line

Both Notability and Milanote are strong productivity & notes tools, but they serve different needs. Milanote has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 3.6). On pricing, Milanote is more affordable starting at $0/mo.

Still unsure? Check the full reviews for Notability and Milanote, explore Notability alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Notability or Milanote better?

It depends on your needs. Notability (3.6★) is from $12/mo, while Milanote (4.3★) is free to start. Milanote has a higher user rating.

Can I switch from Notability to Milanote?

Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Milanote has a migration guide or import tool specifically for Notability users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.

Which is cheaper, Notability or Milanote?

Milanote starts at $0/mo, which is cheaper than Notability at $12/mo. Milanote also offers a free plan.

What are the main differences between Notability and Milanote?

Notability focuses on handwriting recognition for notes and audio recording synchronized with notes, while Milanote emphasizes drag-and-drop interface for organization and customizable boards for project management. Both are in the Productivity & Notes category but serve slightly different use cases.