What is the Best Notetaking Tool to Use in 2025?
Created on March 18, 2025
With so many notetaking tools out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Do you need an AI assistant? Custom plug-ins? A minimalist interface? The right tool can supercharge your workflow, but the wrong one can slow you down.
For college students, this choice is even more critical. In fast-paced lectures, messy or inefficient notes can leave you scrambling to keep up, making studying harder than it needs to be. A good notetaking tool should help you capture key ideas quickly, stay organized, and make reviewing a breeze.
High school students can also face similar challenges, especially for students new to serious notetaking. Picking a tool that's too complex can add unnecessary frustration, turning a simple task into a struggle. The right choice should make learning easier, not more confusing.
To help you navigate the options, we've researched the most popular notetaking tools and broken them down here. So what's the best notetaking tool out there? Let's find out.
1. Pen and paper
Pen and paper is a classic notetaking method, used by students for generations. It's simple, reliable, and doesn't require batteries, Wi-Fi, or expensive devices—just a notebook and a pen. This makes it accessible to everyone, whether you're in a lecture hall, a coffee shop, or on the go.
However, while it's low-tech and distraction-free, it does come with limitations, like organization challenges and the inability to easily edit or share notes. Here are the pros and cons of using pen and paper:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Easy to lose or damage notes |
| Easy to use | Hard to share notes with others |
| Limited to writing; no typing or searchability | |
| Difficult to organize efficiently |
2. Word Doc
Since its creation in 1983, Word Docs have become a popular notetaking method. They offer a simple way to create and format text, with tools for headers, lists, and italics, and more. Plus, sharing is easier than with pen and paper. You can download or print your notes with just a few clicks.
However, its simplicity comes with limitations. Plus, many students have moved away from Word Docs to avoid the cost of Microsoft 365, opting for free alternatives instead. Here are a few key pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works both online and offline | Often requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription |
| Text formatting tools | Limited to basic text |
| Easy to organize documents | Requires a separate application (unless using the online version) |
| Limited sharing options unless using the online version | |
| Can feel outdated compared to modern notetaking apps |
3. Google Docs
The modern alternative to Word Docs is Google Docs, a web-based platform that doesn't require downloading additional software. Unlike Word, which often requires a paid subscription, Google Docs is free to use. Its cloud-based nature means your work is automatically saved, reducing the risk of lost files. Plus, it's designed for seamless collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit and comment in real time, something that can be a hassle with traditional Word documents.
Despite these advantages, Google Docs shares many of Word's limitations. It mainly supports basic text formatting and organization, still lacking advanced notetaking features found in specialized apps.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free | Limited to basic text |
| Text formatting tools | No built-in structure |
| Easy sharing and collaboration | Limited multimedia support |
4. Goodnotes
GoodNotes is a popular digital notetaking app designed for handwritten notes. It's perfect for students who enjoy the feel of writing by hand but want the added benefits of digital organization. Goodnotes offers a paper-like experience while providing additional tools, like annotating PDFs and images.
While GoodNotes excels in handwritten notetaking, it does have its limitations. It is primarily designed for those who prefer writing with a stylus, so its text-based notetaking features are still pretty basic. While the app performs generally well on Apple devices, it isn't as well suited for Android devices, presenting a barrier to students who cannot afford expensive iPads.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Typed notes and drawing | Free version has very limited features |
| Easy to organize and search documents | Requires a separate application |
| Syncs across multiple devices | Limited to basic text/typing |
| Collaboration capability | No specialized features |
5. Notion
Notion is a digital workspace for organizing notes, tasks, projects, and more. First released in 2016, it was originally intended to be a flexible productivity tool. Over time, it has evolved into a platform that combines note-taking, task management, and database functionality. Notion allows users to structure their work in a way that best suits their needs, whether for personal planning, professional collaboration, or creative projects.
While Notion's versatility is a major strength, it can also be a bit overwhelming for new users. The learning curve can be steep, especially when you start exploring its many advanced features, like databases and integrations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Structured and highly customizable typed notes | Steep learning curve for new users |
| Collaboration capability | Performance lags with larger documents |
| Can sync across devices | Lacks specialized features for other academic subjects |
| Mainly built as a productivity tool |
6. Stempad
Stempad was released in 2024 as a new tool designed for scientific note-taking and writing. Powered by software such as Mathquill, Desmos, and Excalidraw, Stempad allows students to take notes across almost every STEM discipline.
Unlike other notetaking tools, Stempad integrates features that many others lack, making it a strong choice for students who need more than just a text editor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Newer platform, so fewer community-made resources/templates |
| Can type math equations and symbols | Not as widely adopted yet, so fewer tutorials and user guides |
| Structured and customizable typed notes | |
| Collaboration capability | |
| Specialized tools for chemistry, coding, electrical engineering, and more |
Although the platform is newer and doesn't have as many community resources available, it is actively growing, with ongoing updates and an expanding user base that will likely lead to more tutorials, templates, and integrations in the near future.
Conclusion
Each notetaking tool has its strengths, but if you're looking for the most versatile option, Stempad stands out. Unlike other tools that specialize in either typed or handwritten notes, Stempad offers a complete solution for students across multiple disciplines. Whether you need to write structured text, type math equations, draw diagrams, or annotate notes, it consolidates all these features into one platform.
Instead of juggling multiple apps, Stempad lets you do everything in a single place—all while keeping your notes organized and easily shareable. Plus, since it works on one device, you don't have to carry around notebooks or download extra software. If you want a powerful, all-in-one notetaking tool that can keep up with your academic needs, Stempad is the best choice.