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What is Xournal++?
Xournal++ is a free, open-source note-taking app built around handwriting, especially with a stylus or pen tablet. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and its core purpose is to let you write, sketch and annotate on a digital page rather than type into a text box. The project describes itself as a tool for everything from solving a physics problem to keeping travel diaries, which captures its range: it is useful both for quick working-out and for more personal, long-form notebooks.
Its most distinctive strength is combining handwriting with PDFs. You can open a PDF and write directly on top of it, which makes it practical for marking up lecture slides, reviewing drafts or filling in forms. Alongside the pen and highlighter tools, it includes an eraser, selection and snapping tools, geometry tools, and a LaTeX tool for inserting mathematical expressions. Notes are kept organized in a notebook structure, and plugins can extend what the app does.
Who it suits
- Students and researchers who work through equations, diagrams or annotated readings by hand.
- Anyone who prefers a stylus to a keyboard for thinking on screen.
- Linux users in particular, since native handwriting apps with PDF annotation are less common there.
- People who want an open-source alternative they can inspect, modify or build on.
Practical trade-offs
- It is handwriting-first, so it is not the right tool if you mainly want typed documents, databases or cloud collaboration.
- The interface and feature set are closer to a workshop than a polished consumer app; expect configuration options rather than a guided experience.
- Because it is cross-platform and open source, you can move between operating systems, but you manage your own files and syncing rather than relying on a built-in cloud service.
If you are deciding whether to try it, a useful test is to take one real task you already do on paper — a problem set, a marked-up PDF or a sketch-heavy plan — and see whether Xournal++ handles it end to end. The project's own documentation, including its overview and "Whirlwind Tour" pages, is the fastest way to judge that fit. You can find it at Xournal++.
How does Xournal++ compare to other note-taking apps like OneNote or Notability?
Xournal++ sits in a different category from OneNote and Notability: it is a free, open-source, cross-platform handwriting and PDF-annotation tool, not a cloud-syncing notebook service. Its own framing is broad — "from solving a physics problem to making travel diaries" — and it runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. OneNote and Notability, by contrast, are commercial products tied to Microsoft and Apple ecosystems respectively.
The practical split comes down to what you do with a page.
Where Xournal++ fits best
- PDF-first workflows. If your day is marking up lecture slides, annotating drafts, or filling in forms, Xournal++ treats PDFs as a first-class citizen rather than an attachment. This is the strongest reason to choose it.
- Handwriting with precision tools. Pen and highlighter tools, an eraser, selection and snapping tools, and geometry tools are all built around ink. A LaTeX tool lets you insert typeset math into handwritten pages — genuinely useful for physics, engineering and maths students.
- Ownership and portability. Open source, no account required, runs on Linux. If you object to your notes living in someone's cloud, this matters more than any single feature.
- Extensibility. A plugin system exists, with a set of notable plugins, so you can adapt behaviour rather than wait for a vendor.
Where OneNote and Notability win
- Syncing across devices. OneNote and Notability handle multi-device notebooks, sharing and collaboration natively. Xournal++ is fundamentally a local file editor.
- Capture anywhere. Web clippings, email-to-notebook, audio recording tied to notes, and mobile apps are OneNote and Notability territory. Xournal++ has no comparable mobile story.
- Structure for large notebooks. OneNote's section-and-page hierarchy scales better for sprawling, years-long collections.
Quick comparison
| Xournal++ | OneNote | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Free, open source | Free with a Microsoft account | Commercial, Apple-only |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | Broad, including mobile and web | Apple devices |
| PDF annotation | Core strength | Supported, less central | Strong |
| Handwriting + LaTeX | Yes, both | Handwriting yes, LaTeX limited | Handwriting yes, LaTeX limited |
| Cloud sync | Not the model | Built in | Built in |
| Best for | PDF markup, technical coursework, Linux users | Cross-device notes and capture | iPad-centric note-taking |
How to decide
Pick Xournal++ if you work primarily on a laptop or desktop, your notes are PDFs you mark up by hand, you need LaTeX in your ink, or you want a free tool that runs on Linux. Pick OneNote if you need notes everywhere and collaboration. Pick Notability if you live on an iPad and want a polished touch experience.
A concrete test: take one real lecture PDF and one page of handwritten maths, then try annotating both in each app for fifteen minutes. Xournal++ will likely feel fastest on the PDF and the maths; OneNote or Notability will feel faster the moment you try to open the same notes on your phone. If you want to see the full feature set first, start at Xournal++ and read the whirlwind tour before installing.
Can I annotate or fill out PDF forms in Xournal++?
Yes. Xournal++ is built around working with PDFs, so you can open a PDF, write or draw on top of it, and save the annotated result. The site lists a dedicated "PDF tools" section and a "Working With PDF Files" guide, which confirms PDF annotation is a first-class part of the app rather than an add-on.
What this looks like in practice
- Open a PDF, then use the pen, highlighter, eraser, and selection tools to mark it up.
- Add typed text and use the LaTeX tool for formulas or symbols.
- Reorder or manage pages as part of the same document workflow.
- Save or export back to PDF so others can view your marks.
The form-filling caveat
There is an important distinction between annotating a PDF and filling in an interactive form. Xournal++ is a handwriting and annotation tool, not a form-field editor. If a PDF has real AcroForm fields (text boxes, checkboxes, dropdowns), Xournal++ does not present a structured field-filling interface in the way a dedicated PDF editor would. You can still place handwriting or text visually over the field areas, and that often works fine for printing or for a reader who just needs to see your answer. But the underlying form data may not be set, so automated systems that read field values could miss your input.
A useful decision rule:
| Your goal | Xournal++ is a good fit | Consider a different tool |
|---|---|---|
| Handwritten notes on a lecture PDF | Yes | — |
| Signing or marking up a scanned document | Yes | — |
| Typed text over a flat PDF | Yes | — |
| Filling fields a system will parse automatically | — | A dedicated PDF form editor |
| Submitting to a portal that validates field values | — | A dedicated PDF form editor |
Next step: install Xournal++ from Xournal++, open the actual form you need to complete, and test whether your marks land where the form expects them. If the recipient only needs a visual copy, you are likely fine; if the form must remain machine-readable, fill it in a PDF editor first and use Xournal++ for any extra notes.
For a concrete scenario: a student annotating a problem set, a traveler sketching into a scanned diary page, or a reviewer marking up a manuscript will find Xournal++ natural. Someone completing a tax or visa form that gets scanned and auto-read should treat annotation as a fallback, not the primary method.
What tools does Xournal++ offer for handwritten math and LaTeX?
Xournal++ is built around freehand ink first, then adds math-specific tools on top. Its LaTeX tool lets you write a LaTeX expression in a small editor and insert the rendered result into the page as an image, so equations sit alongside your handwriting rather than replacing it. The pen and highlighter tools handle the handwritten side, while the geometry tools help you draw cleaner shapes and lines when a diagram needs to look precise.
For handwritten math specifically, the practical workflow is:
- Write the derivation by hand with the pen tool.
- Use the LaTeX tool to typeset the final or complicated expressions.
- Use the PDF tools to annotate a printed problem set or textbook page directly.
- Use the selection and snapping tools to move, resize or align what you have written.
That combination suits students working through physics or math problems, and also people keeping travel diaries or lab notes, since the same ink layer works for words and symbols.
A useful next step is to decide how much of your math must be typeset. If you mainly need to think on the page, handwriting plus occasional LaTeX inserts is enough. If you are producing submission-quality equations, expect to lean on the LaTeX tool more heavily and treat the handwriting as rough work. For a broader comparison of note-taking approaches, Obsidian and Notion handle typed notes and LaTeX differently, while GitHub hosts the Xournal++ project itself.
How do I install Xournal++ on Windows, macOS, or Linux?
Xournal++ is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the official site points you to an OS-specific installation page for each. Start at Xournal++, open Installation, and choose your operating system; that page is the authoritative source for current download links and platform notes.
H3 What to expect per platform
- Windows: Typically distributed as a downloadable installer (and sometimes a portable version). Run the installer, then launch Xournal++ from the Start menu.
- macOS: Usually offered as a
.dmgor app bundle. Open it and drag the app into Applications, then launch it from Launchpad or Applications. - Linux: Often available through your distribution's package manager or as a Flatpak/AppImage-style build, depending on what the official page lists. Package-manager installs tend to update alongside your system; standalone builds give you a newer version but you manage updates yourself.
H3 Practical decision criteria
If you want the least maintenance, prefer your platform's standard channel (installer on Windows/macOS, distro package on Linux). If you need a newer release or your distro's version is old, use the standalone build the official page provides. After installing, check the Guide section on the same site for a quick tour of handwriting, PDF annotation, and organization features so you can confirm the app is working as expected.
What plugins are available for Xournal++ and how can I build my own?
Xournal++ supports plugins, and its documentation lists both a general plugin overview and a page on building your own. The site also highlights notable plugins, so the practical answer is that you can extend the app through existing plugins or write custom ones using its plugin system.
Available plugins
The documentation does not enumerate every plugin on the pages summarized here. What it does provide:
- A Plugins section covering how plugins work
- A Building plugins page for creating your own
- A Notable plugins page listing recommended or widely used ones
For the current list, check the Notable plugins page on Xournal++.
Building your own
The site's "Building plugins" page is the starting point. Xournal++ plugins are typically scripts that interact with the app, so you generally need some programming familiarity rather than a visual plugin builder.
A practical path:
- Read the Plugins overview to understand how plugins are loaded and triggered.
- Read Building plugins for the required structure and interface.
- Study a notable plugin as a working example.
- Test your plugin against the same Xournal++ version you use daily.
Who this suits
If you use Xournal++ mainly for handwritten notes, PDF annotation, or LaTeX work, plugins are worth exploring when a repetitive task slows you down — for example, inserting standard content or automating export steps. If you only take occasional notes, built-in tools may be enough.
Next step
Decide whether you need an existing solution or a custom one. If a notable plugin already covers your task, install and test it first. If not, open the Building plugins page and adapt the simplest example rather than starting from scratch.
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