Must-Have Digital Planner Apps for Android, iOS, and Web

Digital Planner Apps for Android, iOS, Web

Planning apps released for all platforms. Today there are a huge number of digital planners, but one thing is for sure — the larger the screen, the easier it is to work with the planner. However, forgetting about the ability to view tasks and edit them from a mobile device is also not worth it, so cross-platform is one of the main features of the best digital planners. We have selected several popular apps, which we will talk about further.

We can recommend these Apps for using with iPad or iPhone:

• GoodNotes
• Notability
• Noteshelf

For Android:

• Noteshelf
• Xodo
• Samsung Notes

Here you can read more about these apps and how to use them.

GoodNotes

A popular application for annotating PDF. Works with planner templates downloaded from the Internet. Supports adding stickers, covers, and various graphic elements, but they will have to be purchased separately and imported into the program base. It is almost as easy to work in it as in Digital Planner, but here you do not create your own planner, but the first search and buy a suitable template on the Internet and then open it in Goodnotes and start filling out.

One of the main benefits of the app is its advanced functions for working with text. Handwriting with Apple Pencil looks pretty well. In addition, there is a search on your handwritten text, which works well but not always correctly. GoodNotes is the go-to app for thousands of users, but the app has a couple of major drawbacks. For example, it only works on the iPad and you cannot view and edit your planner from your home computer or laptop.

Also, you can use any template from this collection as separated pages for digital planning without hyperlinks.

Pros

• Highlighting mistakes in the text;
• A detailed tutorial for beginners;
• Convenient handwriting search function;
• Fast file systematization, many filters;
• Easily switching between portrait and landscape orientation.

Cons

• No audio notes;
• The program does not sync with the calendar.

  Product details

Notability

Notability generally works the same way as Goodnotes. The app has similar disadvantages but is also available for macOS, and it’s capable of attaching audio recordings to your file. So fans of voice messages will be able to appreciate the possibilities of Notability. Pay attention to the function of working with two files simultaneously on one screen, which is really convenient to use on iPad Pro or Mac. The rest of the functionality is similar to Goodnotes.

The program received an elegant minimalistic design. You can master the controls in a matter of minutes. The interface is not cluttered with unnecessary icons, all the necessary interactive tools are located on the panel at the top of the desktop. You can quickly add typed or handwritten text, use the cut, erase, copy and insert text fragments.

Also, you can use any template from this collection as separated pages for digital planning without hyperlinks.

Pros

• Handwriting search tool;
• Comfortable navigation using a stylus;
• PDF content can be quickly annotated;
• Working with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Onedrive;
• Adding multimedia content, including images from the gallery.

Cons

• No stickers and covers;
• Inconvenient navigation through voice memos.

  Product details

Noteshelf

Noteshelf, unlike Goodnotes and Notability, also supports Android devices. For example, if you use an iPad with an Apple Pencil for planning, tasks can always be quickly viewed and slightly corrected using your android smartphone. The application has collected many useful functions from analogs, such as working with two notes on one screen, adding photos and audio to your planner, searching by handwriting input, etc.

Serious disadvantages are the lack of sync with calendars, inconvenient sync between devices via cloud storage, and the inability to create subfolders. But in general, the program is good and very interesting, taking a worthy place with the competitor-apps.

Also, you can use any template from this collection as separated pages for digital planning without hyperlinks.

Pros

• Lots of sketching tools;
• Allows you to add tags and background images;
• Viewing materials in the form of a journal spreads;
• Convenient to use on iPhone and Android smartphones;
• You can customize the cover and template for the inner page.

Cons

• Drag and drop is not supported;
• Not the most text zoom function.

  Product details

Xodo

Absolutely free PDF viewer and annotator for iOS and Android. You can easily navigate through the pages, mark text, add your handwriting and text using Xodo. App supports other formats of office files like .doc, .xls, .ppt, etc. Also you can use premium version of Xodo. It allows PDF editing, but you don’t need it, because planners in PDF works fine only with annotating mode.

If you have any questions about working with Xodo please look at Official FAQ.

Also, you can use any template from this collection as separated pages for digital planning without hyperlinks.

Pros

• Free application includes enough of functions for digital planning;
• You can use it on Android and iOS;
• It supports other MS Office files formats.

Cons

• No stickers and pre-installed templates;
• Web version is paid.

  Product details

Samsung Notes

This is the best solution for Samsung Smartphones and Tablets. App supports handwriting, navigation with hyperlinks and other thing what you need for easy and success digital planning. Unfortunately, Samsung Notes only available for Samsung devices, so for devices from another vendors you have to use apps like Xodo or Noteshelf.

If you have any questions or troubles with Samsung Notes, please look at official FAQ

Also, you can use any template from this collection as separated pages for digital planning without hyperlinks.

Pros

• Free and optimized for Samsung devices;
• Allows to add images and sounds to notes;
• Supports convenient handwriting with S Pen.

Cons

• Only for Samsung;
• Has technical restrictions for work with links.

  Product details

Any.Do

A good task manager helps you organize your life efficiently and not forget about your daily activities. There are no pretty templates and no room for creativity. By and large, this program is an advanced calendar that allows you to create different types of tasks and checklists. It does not work with PDF, but it is enough for organizing business life.

It works on all popular OS, also synced with calendars. Quickly sends notifications to the user. If you do not need anything other than not being late for an appointment or not forgetting to buy bread at the store, this app will do it 100 percent. But it is impossible to make a beautiful planner like a paper one in it.

Pros

• A simple grouping of tasks;
• A set of widgets of different sizes;
• Putting important tasks on the agenda;
• Creation of short- and long-term plans;
• Maintaining daily, weekly, or monthly to-do lists.

Cons

• Can’t create subtasks;
• Some features are free to try for a limited time.

  Product details

Keynote

Apple’s presentation app is also suitable for hyperlinked PDFs. It will be appreciated by iPad users with Apple Pencil. First, create your presentation and use this instruction to add links:

1. Select the text or shape that you want to convert to clickable hyperlinks;
2. Right-click and select Link;
3. Select a slide;
4. Enter the page number to be referenced;
5. Next, the presentation must be saved as a PDF and used with the program for planning.

Pros

• Remote control;
• Apple Pencil support;
• Compatible with PowerPoint;
• Works quickly and smoothly;
• A large number of templates.

Cons

• Supports only Apple devices;
• Problems may occur when integrating with Gmail.

Microsoft PowePoint

Microsoft’s branded presentation software also allows you to hyperlink phrases or objects within a presentation. You can immediately use a ready-made presentation template similar to a planner. Just change it to suit your requirements.

To insert links:

1. Highlight the text or shape;
2. Right-click and select “Hyperlink”;
3. Select “This Document”;
4. Go to the page you want to link to;
5. Click Ok.

Pros

• Many templates;
• Impressive toolbox;
• Hint Wizard for newbies;
• Wide range of color palettes;
• System of logical grouping slides;
• Library of graphics, clips, and sounds.

Cons

• Not all actions are intuitive;
• A subscription to the program costs 6.99 per month;
• Anti-aliasing is not supported, which makes text and graphics appear less smooth.

Google Slides

The application for creating Google Slides presentations allows you to save them in PDF format. It works in any browser on different operating systems. You will need to create planner pages in the same way you usually create presentations. All that remains is to add hyperlinks.

To add a link, do the following:

1. Highlight a phrase;
2. Click insert – link;
3. Write the title of the slide you are linking to;
4. Save your changes;
5. When the work is completed, you will only have to save it as a PDF;
6. Click file – download – PDF.

Pros

• Works on all OS;
• There are built-in page templates.

Cons

• Can slow down during operation;
• Fewer features than some competitors.

Conclusion:

Whether you prefer the versatility of digital planning or the tactile experience of paper planners, there’s no shortage of options available to help you stay organized and productive. Digital planner apps offer a range of features to suit different preferences and workflows, from advanced annotation tools to seamless synchronization across devices. By exploring the features, pros, and cons of various digital planner apps, you can find the perfect solution to streamline your planning process and achieve your goals with ease.