Notability for Mac - Download

The good stuff

It’s actually pretty smooth when you’re working on a touch screen or using a stylus. The handwriting recognition works well enough - I scribbled some math problems and it converted them into clean text without much fuss. That’s a small win. Also, syncing across devices is reliable. I made a quick sketch on my iPad, opened the same note on my Mac, and it showed up instantly. No lag, no errors. That part just works. And since it’s free, the price is definitely right if you’re already deep in the Notability ecosystem.

The not-so-good

But here’s the thing - the Mac version feels like an afterthought. The interface is basic, even bland. There’s no dark mode, no real customization, and the layout is cramped. Compared to GoodNotes 5, which has a whole design language built around elegance and usability, this feels like a placeholder. I missed features like folders, tags, or even decent search. Typing a note? Fine. But trying to find it later? You’re scrolling through a list of generic names. And don’t get me started on the lack of mind maps or PDF export options - those are big gaps if you’re doing real work. Plus, the user rating is low for a reason. Two votes at 3 out of 10? That’s not a sign of something great.

Bottom line

If you’re already using Notability on iPhone or iPad and want to keep things consistent, sure, go ahead and download Notability for Mac - Download for Mac. But if you’re starting fresh, skip it. There are way better free tools out there that do more, look better, and feel more polished. This app doesn’t stand out, and it doesn’t need to be free to be underwhelming. Stick with GoodNotes 5 or try other options - they’ll save you time and frustration.