For a seamless user experience, it's not just about aesthetics - intuitive design and functionality are crucial too. Our team has examined 20 handwriting apps to identify the top performers in terms of user interface and experience. In this article, we'll dive into the best apps that have mastered the art of usability, starting with the ones that fell short and moving on to the leaders.
Nebo: A Consistent Interface
Nebo is one of the apps that didn't quite make it to the top, scoring only a few points for its user experience. While it has a modern look, its separate homepage and workspace are somewhat limited in terms of customisation. However, the developers have kept the interface consistent across different modes, which is a plus.
OneNote: A Single Screen Wonder
OneNote fares slightly better than Nebo, with only two points separating them. The app's single screen for both the homepage and workspace is a game-changer, allowing users to quickly switch between notebooks without losing their train of thought. While it doesn't have much else going for it, this feature alone makes it stand out.
The Top Performers
None of the apps scored in the green zone for user interface, but three came close: Freenotes, Noteful, and Notes+. In second place, we have Notability, with its customisable toolbar and ability to view notebooks without leaving the app's workspace. Coming in third is a tie between Goodnotes and ZoomNotes, both of which score 9 out of a potential 17 points.
Goodnotes: A Customizable Toolbar
Goodnotes scores high marks for its fixed toolbars that are anchored to the edge of the app, making it easy to personalise the experience. The only drawback is that the mobility of the toolbar isn't great, and it can only be moved to the top or bottom. Additionally, Goodnotes lacks full-screen mode and theme colours.
ZoomNotes: A Robust Customization Option
ZoomNotes is another strong contender, with its robust customisation options for icons, toolbars, and app colours. The only drawback is that the old icons look a bit dated, but once you get past that, the app offers some of the best user interface customisation available.
Notability: A Well-Rounded Experience
Notability takes the fourth spot with its 10 points, offering a well-rounded experience with limitations. While it doesn't have a separate homepage, users can at least view their notebooks without leaving the workspace. The app's floating toolbar is also fully customisable and can be placed anywhere.
Noteful: A Unique Tab Management
Noteful scores 11 out of a potential 17 points for its unique tab management system, where tabs can be moved independently. The app also has a separate homepage and a mobile toolbar that can be placed anywhere. While it lacks theme colours, the customisation options are still impressive.
Notes+: A Notebook Library and Theme Colours
Notes+ rounds out our top performers with its notebook library accessible from within the workspace, theme colours for the user interface, and partially customisable toolbar. The only drawback is that the pen personalisation is limited to a few options. Overall, this app offers a solid user experience.
In conclusion, these handwriting apps have raised the bar when it comes to user experience. Whether you're looking for a consistent interface or robust customisation options, there's something on this list for everyone.