Notability //free\\ Free Vs Paid May 2026

For years, Notability was the gold standard of paid note-taking apps on the iPad. You paid once ($8.99–$14.99), and it was yours. But in 2021, the developer, Ginger Labs, made a controversial pivot: it switched to a free-to-download model with a subscription (Notability Plus). Here is the breakdown of what you get for free versus what you pay for. The Free Version (The "Test Drive") You can download Notability for free right now. It is surprisingly functional, but it comes with intentional limitations designed to encourage an upgrade.

Do you want to rent your notes app forever? If yes, Notability Plus is excellent. If you hate subscriptions, look at Goodnotes 6 (one-time purchase option) or Apple Notes (completely free and increasingly powerful).