In this article, we’re doing something a bit different. Rather than our typical content that is normally written by a sole author (Seaver), we’ve invited our colleagues Rebekah and Louise to help us test out and give their thoughts on a variety of notetaking apps across a variety of devices.
Each of us will review three apps, and then we will give our opinions on what works, what doesn’t, where each app shines, and where each app struggles. We will be reviewing OneNote, Granola, Notability, Goodnotes, CollaNote, Mindgrasp, Genio (formerly Glean), Otter.ai, and Coconote. To test these apps, we will be using a wide variety of devices and tools, including laptops, iPads, iPhones, Microsoft Edge, and the Logitech pencil.
Seaver
Devices/Tools Used: Windows 11 laptop, Microsoft Edge, iPhone
OneNote (new window)
Ease of use – High
OneNote is easy to use and very intuitive, especially for users who are familiar with other Microsoft 365 apps such as Microsoft Word. The app also features a built-in search function, making it especially easy to find specific tools and features.
Accessibility – Medium
OneNote offers built-in accessibility features such as high contrast text selection and Tooltip persistence, as well as supporting accessibility features built-in to Windows/Edge. It also comes with a built-in accessibility checker for checking the accessibility of documents.
Organization – Medium
OneNote is built to support good organizational habits mostly by virtue of how the app itself is built. Because it is built on a hierarchical system that uses Notebooks > Sections > Pages as its foundation, it is easy to stay organized without having to put much thought into it.
Collaboration – High
Microsoft OneNote allows for easy collaboration and sharing, allowing users to share their notebooks and have other users add to their documents. Users can also manage external users’ access to their documents with ease.
Cost – Free
Best for: General notetaking, planning, and organization.
Limitations: Does not offer study tools
Granola (new window)
Ease of use – Low
The set-up was a little bit difficult at first, and the app will ask to have access to your work calendar, which may be a policy issue for some users. Granola also uses a lot of confusing terminology such as “spaces” or “recipes”, which definitely adds to the confusion factor.
Accessibility – Low
The app doesn’t allow users to choose from any app specific accessibility features. However, the app does support built-in Windows/Edge accessibility features.
Organization – Medium
At first glance it doesn’t appear like there is much in terms of organization, and a lot of that is due to the very nature of this app and its focus on meeting notes. With that said, there was obviously some thought put into folder management, as users can name, describe, and choose the icon for each folder they create.
Collaboration – Low
This app doesn’t give users much in terms of collaboration options, but that is partly due to the app being focused very specifically on transcribing meetings and conversations. That being said, sharing notes or transcriptions is still possible.
Cost – Free to $30 per month USD
Best for: Recording and transcribing meetings
Limitations: Layout and tools are somewhat confusing, organization tools are limited, and the app is narrowly focused on meetings.
Notability (new window)
Ease of use – High
The app is very straightforward and easy to use, and the tools you need are out in the open and easy to find. It also has some especially useful study tools built in such as audio recording/playback, highlighting options, and a built-in study panel that generates quizzes based off the content you have written. The quizzes ask appropriate questions, and there is even a built-in explanation tool that will further explain the questions being asked.
Accessibility – Medium
The app doesn’t allow users to choose from any app specific accessibility features. However, the app does support built-in Windows/Edge accessibility features, and lots of helpful tools such as highlighting and markup.
Organization – Medium
Notability doesn’t have an incredible deep organizational structure, but it also doesn’t really need one. The app allows users to create and rename folders, as well as move notes around between them, and that’s about it. Again, there is nothing wrong with this structural system, because it works just fine within the context of the app.
Collaboration – High
Just like with OneNote, Notability allows for easy collaboration and sharing, allowing users to share their notebooks and have other users add to their documents. Users can also manage external users’ access to their documents with ease.
Cost – $19.99 to $99.99 Yearly USD
Best for: Studying and summarizing information
Limitations: Tool variety is low, and accessibility options are limited.
Louise
Devices/Tools used: Windows 11 laptop, Microsoft Edge
Genio (formerly Glean) (new window)
Ease of use – Medium
Genio can feel confusing at first. It is mainly made to record audio and sync your notes and slides with what is being said. Once you get used to it, it is easy to add notes while recording. You can also create tasks and see all your tasks in one place.
Accessibility – Good
Genio has good colour contrast. You can change the theme and use dark mode. The layout is clear, and you can hide sections you do not use. You can group your recordings into Collections. There is a Focus tool with a timer to help you study. The Quiz Me button creates quizzes from your notes.
Edge Read Aloud does not always work in normal view, but it works when using Reading View. All recordings can be transcribed but live captions is not available on individual plans.
Organization – Good
You can organize recordings into Collections and manage all tasks from one place.
Collaboration – Medium
You cannot work live with other Genio users. You can share your notes by email, print them, or export them, but not edit together in real time.
Cost – It is a yearly subscription, but you can choose to purchase for up to 4 years. This is helpful for the students who are receiving a student loan or bursary and are only allowed to make one purchase. You can try it free for 30-days. There are packages for institutions and individual plans for students. For students: 1 year ($204), 2 years ($364), 3 years ($508), 4 years ($636), or monthly: $18/month.
Best for: Students who want to review lectures later, especially those with ADHD, learning disabilities, or processing challenges.
Limitations: The app takes time to learn, it’s not made for live-typing notes, and the screen reader support is inconsistent.
Otter.ai (new window)
Ease of use – Medium
Otter.ai is made mainly to record and transcribe audio automatically. It is harder to take notes while recording. After the recording, you can highlight text and add comments. You can also ask questions using the AI chat during or after the recording.
Accessibility – Good
Otter.ai is very popular with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students because of its automatic transcription. Some screen‑reader users find the web version difficult, but the mobile app works better.
Organization – Medium
You can create folders, but notes are usually listed by date. It is less structured than Genio for class‑based organization.
Collaboration – Medium
Otter.ai works well for meetings and group work. You can connect it to Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet so it acts as a meeting notetaker. Transcripts can be shared with others.
Cost – You can use Otter.ai for free for 300 minute /month. Paid plans allow longer recordings and more features
Best for: Students who need live transcription, group meetings, interviews, or accessibility support for hearing loss.
Limitations: Editing with screen readers is difficult, and it’s less useful for structured studying or task tracking.
Coconote (new window)
Ease of use – Medium
Coconote is an AI notetaker. It automatically creates summaries, quizzes, flashcards, podcasts, and study games from recordings or uploaded content. There is very little setup, but you also have less control over manual note‑taking.
Accessibility – Good
The app is easy to navigate. Buttons are clear and use icons. It works well for students with ADHD or memory challenges. Notes can be translated into other languages.
Organization – Good
Notes can be divided into folders.
Collaboration – Medium
You cannot edit notes together in real time. You can export notes, quizzes, and flashcards as PDFs to share with others. They seem to have good customer service.
Cost – $119/year. 3 day free trial.
Best for: Students who want automatic study tools like quizzes and flashcards and prefer AI‑generated notes instead of typing their own ,and students with ADHD or memory challenges
Limitations: AI quality depends heavily on audio clarity, and it’s less suitable for note building during lectures
Rebekah
Devices/Tools used: 10th generation iPad, Logitech pencil, Good Notes
Goodnotes (new window)
Ease of Use – Good
Appealing, easy-to-navigate user interface, with colourful cover designs and many page layouts including Cornell Notes, weekly planners. Toolbar is easy to use. Adding photos, recordings, drawings and text was easy. Getting Started document is a great training tool. At first, my finger drawing would not work, and it was because the app thought I had pencil connected, even though I didn’t. I opened pen settings within the app and tapped disconnect pencil.
Accessibility – Good
You can make as many audio recordings as you want in the notebook. You can playback recordings while adding to your notes. The recordings do not synchronize with notes so you cannot tap your notes to advance or move around in the recording playback. However, the playback tool bar lets you switch between audio clips, rewind or fast-forward. Transcription of audio is available – on device for newer devices, or in the Cloud if you have a Pro subscription.
Built-in spelling correction for typed text was great. iOS built in speak selection of typed text does not work in this app. Typing by dictation is available using built-in iOS dictation. There were plenty of font and formatting controls. Reading Mode which lets you easily switch to a navigation mode so that you don’t accidentally add marks to your notes. Math tools allow you to solve basic calculations that you write out. Built In AI will summarize notes, create an outline or graphic (not available on the free version).
Organization – Good
Has folders for grouping notes. I like the option to give notebooks a cover design.
Collaboration – Great
You can share notes with other GoodNotes users for collaboration and can export to print or PDF. You can purchase an all-platform subscription.
Cost – Free option available to create up to 3 files. Essential version is $15.49 per year for unlimited files, unlimited recordings and limited usage of AI tools. Pro at $46.90 per year gives you additional usage of AI tools and real-time collaboration.
Best For: Users who are comfortable using an iPad for note-taking. Works best with a pencil. The audio recording tool might take time to learn to use.
Limitations: AI Summaries tended to be wordy and complex. I thought it was easier to keep it simple by just re-playing the recording and adding to my notes. IPad battery life needs to be considered if using your iPad for a full day of classes, especially if using high consumption tools like on-device transcription.
CollaNote (new window)
Ease of Use – Good
This app had plenty of decorative layouts for pages, and lots of decorative template choices. The toolbar and folder management menu were easy to use. This app’s limited formatting options for typed text was a disappointment. There are tons of pen colour choices!
The app includes some training tutorials. I like that you can easily switch from note taking mode to scrolling mode with the tap of a button.
Accessibility – OK
Includes an audio recording tool, and this one is synchronized with your handwritten notes.You can move around in the recording by tapping written notes, but not by tapping typed text or photos. There is a playback control that you can use to jump ahead or back. I used the free version, so was limited to making one recording in the note and could not add a second recording. There is no built-in correction of typed text. Speak Selection of typed text does not work in this app. There were plenty of colour tools to help organize notes visually and make them stand out.
Organization – Good
You can create folders of different colours to organize your notes by subject.
Collaboration – I didn’t notice any collaboration options. Notes can be exported to PDF or print.
Cost – Onetime cost of $19.90
Best for: Users who are comfortable taking notes on iPad (again a pencil is best). Great for someone from who needs audio that synchronizes with handwritten notes. I recommend this for users who won’t get distracted by the large amount of pen colour options and decorations on pages.
Limitations: The app doesn’t offer transcription of audio recordings. Consideration needs to be given to battery life if the note-taking app will be used all day.
Mindgrasp (new window)
Ease of Use – Great
This app provides a live transcription of audio which is stored as a note. The built-in AI can turn the recording into a set of notes that you can listen to, or use the AI to create a quiz for you. With limited features, I found it was easy to use.
Accessibility – Good
The app provides a live transcription of recorded audio which can be helpful to support challenges with hearing or challenges with focus. The app does not offer the option to add your own notes to the transcript or to indicate any important parts.
You can also scan a document, and the app will create a summary that you can listen to, or make a quiz to review.
You can listen to an AI generated summary of the recording/ or document. There is no word highlighting to help you follow the reading of text, so I found it challenging to follow the audio. You can slow down the voice speed and choose different voice options for the Read Aloud tool.
The app’s Study Tools converts the information in the recording and creates either a set of study flashcards, or a practice quiz with multiple choice, fill in the blank, or true/false questions. These were text heavy with no graphics, and the app’s read aloud tool did not appear for the Flashcards, nor could you use the iOS Speak Selection on the text within the app.
Organization – Easy
The app offers folder creation for organizing notes with different colours and even icons to help identify the subject visually
Collaboration –None
I did not see any collaboration options for this app.
Cost – 17.99 / month or $129.99 annually. Offers a 3-day trial, payment info required.
Best For: Users who benefit from live transcription and audio replay with word highlighting. This is an app for someone who will not be taking written or typed notes on the iPad, and who would benefit from Study Tools that are made for you with the tap of a button.
Limitations: For auditory learners who can read independently this might be a good option to help with study. But I think the app would be greatly improved if these study tools had read-aloud options. Also, I found the text in AI summaries to be complex and would have been much better if you could choose a lexical level to achieve level-appropriate language.
This post originally appeared on the AT Help Desk (new window) website.