Xournal vs Xournal++: which handwriting and PDF annotation app?
Xournal is the original handwriting notebook for pen tablets, and Xournal++ is its modern successor, rewritten in C++. Both let you take handwritten notes, sketch and annotate PDFs with a stylus. The question is mainly whether you need anything beyond the classic feature set.
The two contenders
-
Open Source
The classic, lightweight handwriting and PDF annotation app; development ended in 2016.
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Free
Xournal++, the actively developed rewrite with layers, LaTeX formulas, audio recording, plugins and more.
At a glance
| Xournal | Xournal++ | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | No longer developed | Actively maintained |
| Platforms | Linux, with older builds for Windows | Windows, macOS and Linux |
| PDF annotation | Yes | Yes |
| Extras | Core pen, highlighter, text and shapes | Layers, LaTeX, audio recording synced to strokes, Lua plugins |
| File format | .xoj | .xopp (and opens .xoj) |
What Xournal++ adds
Xournal++ keeps the simple notebook idea but adds features that matter in lectures and meetings: page layers, LaTeX formulas, recording audio while you write so you can play back what was said at each stroke, better pressure handling and a plugin system. It is developed actively and runs on all three major desktop systems.
Why some people keep Xournal
Original Xournal is small and very fast, and some users simply like its minimal interface. Its last release dates from 2016, though, so it receives no fixes. Xournal++ can open old .xoj files, which makes switching painless.
Getting started with Xournal++
- Install Xournal++ from its download page and connect your pen tablet or use a touchscreen with a stylus.
- To annotate a document, choose File > Annotate PDF and open the PDF. Your strokes are stored in a separate .xopp file, so the original PDF stays untouched.
- Pick the pen, highlighter or text tool from the toolbar; set the stroke width and colour once and they are remembered.
- When you are done, use File > Export as PDF to produce a single PDF with your notes merged in, ready to share or print.
Teachers often use Xournal++ on a projector as a digital whiteboard, adding blank pages between slides. Students use it to fill in worksheets and mark up lecture notes, and the audio recording feature makes it easy to revisit a difficult explanation later.
Our verdict
For almost everyone, Xournal++ is the one to install. Keep Xournal only if you depend on its exact behaviour. For reading rather than annotating, see our PDF and DjVu readers guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can Xournal++ open my old Xournal files?
Yes. Xournal++ opens .xoj files and saves in its own .xopp format.
Do I need a pen tablet?
No, a mouse works, but both apps are designed for styluses and pressure-sensitive pens.
Can I export annotated PDFs?
Yes. Both can export your notes and annotations to PDF.
Is Xournal++ free?
Yes. Xournal++ is free and open source, like the original Xournal.
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