Rnote

Felix Zwettler · Open source · Office

Rnote is an open-source program for handwritten notes and sketching. Its pressure-sensitive vector drawing, infinite canvas and PDF annotation make it comfortable to use, especially on devices with a stylus.

Download for Windows

github.com · Official website

✓ Official source (winget)
✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
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Version: 0.14.2
Release date: May 1, 2026
License: GPL-3.0
Installer type: inno

Install from the command line

How do I use this?

Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.

winget install --id flxzt.rnote -e

SHA256 (file verification)

fc91a686a7cd1f85040b0d7b06343386bbda0101bcf6bec15a22bc8c31fd26cd

Platform pages: Windows · macOS · Linux · Android

Rnote 0.14.2: what's new?

Official release notes →

Highlights

Pressure-sensitive vector drawing
Infinite canvas or page-based layout
Import PDFs and images and annotate them
Shape recognition and alignment tools
Export to SVG, PDF and PNG

Who is it for?

For students taking lecture notes on a tablet PC or graphics tablet, teachers explaining lessons and people who sketch.

Good to know before installing

Files are saved in its own format; you export them to open elsewhere.
It is built for handwriting and drawing, not for typed notes.

How to install

Windows

Click the official download button on this page.
Run the installer and follow the steps.
Open Rnote and choose your pen settings.

Alternatives

All Rnote alternatives →

Frequently asked questions

Is Rnote free?

Yes. It is open source and free.

Do I need a stylus?

No, it also works with a mouse. It is most useful, though, on devices that detect pen pressure.

Can I annotate PDFs?

Yes. Import a PDF, write on its pages and export the result as PDF.