We’ve tested 21 handwriting apps on the iPad, across 26 different features — from user interface quirks to exporting and sharing your notes. But today, we’re stripping things back to the basics: creating new notebooks.
Why? Because no matter how advanced a handwriting app gets, it all starts with a notebook. And if the process feels clunky or uninspired, you’ll feel it every single time you open it. That is why we’re spotlighting five apps that deliver the best experience for creating notebooks, judged against industry standards, and current trends.
And yes, before you ask — all of them support both portrait and landscape orientations. That’s the bare minimum, right?
Creating new notebooks in Goodnotes 7
Goodnotes 7 is a household name, but when it comes to templates, it’s… underwhelming. The library isn’t terrible, but it’s not exciting either. Strangely enough, the covers are more fun than the actual page templates, which says a lot.
Now, you can customise background and line colours, which unlocks unique page templates. But here’s the catch: the setup is decentralised. Every template you want has to be built individually, and that quickly becomes a chore. It’s not intuitive, and it’s certainly not fun.
Page sizes, on the other hand, are impressive. You’re not stuck with fixed options — you can create almost any size within the app’s generous range. Covers are also playful, with cute designs that add personality.
But line spacing? That’s where Goodnotes drops the ball.
It’s the only app on this list without a scale to adjust spacing. Where you line spacing is fixed to each template. And custom templates are limited to the first page of your PDFs, which feels restrictive. The marketplace does offer decent stationery, and subscribers get a lot of it free. That’s a nice perk — though I haven’t been able to access it since they added GIFs.
Anyone else having that issue? That’s why Goodnotes lands at number five: capable, but frustrating. Learn how to create notebooks in Goodnotes 7 here.
What’s it like in Freenotes
Freenotes offers even fewer free templates than Goodnotes. No planners, no rare templates — it’s barebones. But here’s where it edges ahead: centralised control.
Unlike Goodnotes, where every template has to be customised separately, Freenotes lets you change page colours globally. Backgrounds and line colours can be anything you like, and those changes apply across all your basic templates. It’s simple, efficient, and far less painful.
Line spacing is also excellent, with up to ten levels. But page sizes are limited, and custom templates are just as disappointing as Goodnotes — again, only the first page of your PDFs. The stationery collection is weak, and most of the good stuff is locked behind purchases.
So yes, Freenotes is similar to Goodnotes in many ways, but the centralised colour control makes the experience slightly better. Learn how you can create new notebooks in Freenotes here.
How does Noteful improve on this?
Switching to Noteful feels refreshing. Coming from Goodnotes and Freenotes, you’ll appreciate its templates even though they’re basic. The storyboard templates are a standout — perfect for presentations. Page sizes are still limited, but you get unique options like 16:9 and 4:3, which instantly make the app feel more versatile.
Noteful was one of the first apps to introduce line colours, and like Freenotes, changes apply globally. You also get ten line spacing levels, though the presentation could be clearer. What’s impressive is that these adjustments aren’t restricted to basic templates — they apply across the board. Every template in the app!
Another unique feature is line thickness. Options are limited, but even having two is better than nothing.
My favourite part? You can build your own templates library inside Noteful, complete with labelled sections. It’s brilliant for planners and digital notebooks, and it makes organisation effortless. I’ve built a solid collection myself, and honestly, I miss using this app. Here’s how to create new notebooks in Noteful.
ZoomNotes is impressive, but…
ZoomNotes is in a league of its own. Honestly, it almost feels unfair to include it because it crushes every benchmark in the handwriting world. Because this app lets you create everything from scratch. Lined, squared, dotted, music sheets, isometric grids, even graph paper. It’s the only handwriting app we know that offers graph paper.
Page sizes? Unlimited. We once created a 700‑meter page just to test the limits. Line spacing? Adjustable to 0.01 precision. If you’re obsessed with accuracy, this is paradise.
You can also add complete PDFs as templates, and even build your own planners that sync with Apple Reminders and Calendar. For serious notebook creators, nothing comes close.
The downsides? Covers are plain and boring, and the process is technical. ZoomNotes doesn’t give you a “feel‑good” experience — it gives you a “get‑it‑done” experience. You’ll frown from frustration or concentration, but you’ll get results. That’s why it sits at number two.
Noteshelf has the best experience
Noteshelf 3 takes the crown. Why? Because it delivers joy. Creating new notebooks in Noteshelf 3 is simply amazing!
The app offers a huge collection of beautiful, free templates for both covers and pages. While other apps are busy selling stationery, Noteshelf keeps it free. And surprisingly, the designs aren’t boring — they’re genuinely some of the best on the market.
Yes, the basics are limited: page sizes, line spacing, and page colours only apply to backgrounds. Covers don’t have colour options, but you can create custom ones using your own photos or Unsplash. Noteshelf is one of only two apps that let you do this.
And if you don’t like the free templates, you can import full planners or notebooks into your library. Few apps allow that level of flexibility.
The real magic is in the experience. Noteshelf makes you smile. The bright colours, the beautiful designs — they’re therapeutic. Creating new notebooks here isn’t just functional, it’s joyful. And that’s why Noteshelf 3 earns the number one spot.
Conclusion
I’m a “smile‑all‑the‑way” kind of user. I don’t want to slog through dull processes just to get things done. That is why, for me, Noteshelf 3 wins every time. But, when it comes to creating new notebooks, these five apps all offer the best experiences and most control. Which one are you leaning toward?