Xournal++ is a free open-source PDF annotation tool for people who like writing, sketching and marking up documents by hand. It combines handwritten notes with drawing tools and PDF markup in a desktop application.5 For students, teachers and anyone reviewing personal paperwork, its appeal is a workflow built around files you choose where to keep.
Last checked October 28, 2026.
At a glance
- What it is: A digital notebook for handwriting and annotating PDFs.
- Works on: Windows, macOS and Linux.1
- Price: Free.5
- Licence: GNU GPL version 2.3
- Best for: Handwritten study notes, teaching materials and personal document markup.
- Official site: xournalpp.github.io
What Xournal++ does and how it protects your privacy
Xournal++ treats a PDF as the background of a notebook, with your additions placed above it.6 Think of laying a sheet of tracing paper over a printed page. You can mark the document while keeping a separate working notebook.
The documentation lets you choose where to store your notebook files on your computer.8 That gives you a practical starting point for privacy: choose a folder deliberately, decide who can access it and decide whether to include it in any cloud backup. Keep private paperwork separate from folders shared with classmates or colleagues.
The latest stable release is Xournal++ 1.3.8, released September 26, 2026.4 Choose the desktop application discussed here when following the instructions below.
Xournal++ key features
- Pressure-sensitive pen support lets compatible styluses vary the weight of your handwriting.1
- Layers let you separate parts of a notebook, such as questions and worked answers.1
- A text tool adds typed comments with adjustable fonts, sizes and colours.5
- Shape tools help you draw arrows, circles and rectangles around important details.5
- Export options include PDF, PNG and SVG for sharing pages outside the notebook.5
- Audio recording can accompany handwritten notes.1
Xournal++ pros and cons
Pros
- A useful fit for thinking on paper: try it for diagrams, revision sheets or handwritten explanations.
- File-based organisation makes it easy to plan your own folder and backup routine.
- Combining handwritten marks with typed comments suits mixed working styles.
- The free desktop download makes a small trial project an easy starting point.
Cons
- Some pen and keyboard combinations need input settings adjusted before they behave correctly.7
- The working notebook and its background PDF are separate files, so moving them needs care.6
- PDF exports do not retain the original PDF’s built-in pop-up notes and forms.6
- The separate mobile project has stalled, so it is not a dependable basis for choosing a phone workflow.2
Is Xournal++ safe and private?
Flathub identifies the publisher as Xournalpp Developers.5 The official release notes describe ongoing fixes and improvements from the community.4 This is an actively maintained desktop project. Open development is useful, but it should not be treated as a promise that every document or download is harmless.
The project describes the notebook format, .xopp, as compressed XML: structured text packed into a smaller file.2 Compression is not a secrecy measure. For confidential material, protect the computer account, use device encryption and think carefully about backup access. Do not assume that a notebook is password-protected because it uses an unfamiliar file extension. Linux users planning encrypted storage can also read the Academy guide to gocryptfs.
Saved notebooks have autosave copies beside them, while unsaved documents are autosaved in the application’s cache.8 Include those extra copies when planning how to protect sensitive work. A folder that a cloud service synchronises deserves the same care as a file you upload manually. Before sharing a notebook, check its contents and the background document together.
Use recording thoughtfully: ask before recording a class or meeting, and keep unnecessary personal details out of notes. For private paperwork, practise with a harmless sample first. Focus your decision on the storage and sharing controls you can manage, rather than assuming that open-source software provides automatic confidentiality.
How to get started with Xournal++
- Download a stable desktop build from the official repository’s Releases link.2 Follow the installation instructions for your operating system; Linux users can also use the Flathub listing.
- Create a blank journal with File > New and try the Pen tool using a mouse or stylus.7 Write a few lines before importing anything personal.
- If the pen is detected incorrectly, open Edit > Preferences and check Input System.7 Test writing, erasing and scrolling until the controls feel comfortable.
- Choose File > Annotate PDF to open a sample document as your notebook background.6 Add a short comment or mark a passage.
- Save your working notebook in .xopp format.7 Keep its original PDF alongside it, and reopen the notebook to check your filing arrangement.
- Export a PDF from the File menu when you want a sharing copy.7 Open that copy in a reader, inspect every page and keep the editable notebook for later changes.
Who should use Xournal++ and who might prefer something else?
Choose Xournal++ when your main task is working through a document with a pen: lecture slides, a practice worksheet or a draft you want to explain visually. It is particularly appealing if you prefer arranging documents in folders yourself. Start with one real task and decide whether handwriting makes it easier than typing.
If your main job is reading rather than marking pages, consider the Academy guide to Sioyek. For combining or rearranging documents, look at PDF Arranger. Choose around the task you repeat most often; a notebook does not need to do every job in your document workflow.
Frequently asked questions about Xournal++
Is Xournal++ free?
Yes. The desktop application is available free, and its licence is listed above. For ordinary note-taking, start with the official download rather than a third-party download service.
Does Xournal++ work on iPad or iPhone?
The repository says the separate iOS app has not been published in Apple’s App Store.2 Plan around the Windows, macOS or Linux desktop application rather than expecting the same notebook experience on an iPad.
Can other people edit my exported Xournal++ PDF?
The documentation says exported PDF annotations cannot be revised as Xournal++ notebook objects.6 Keep the .xopp working notebook if you expect to revise your own marks. Always inspect the exported copy before sending it.
Can I use Xournal++ without a drawing tablet?
Yes. The beginner instructions above also work with a mouse. Try typed comments and simple marks before buying extra hardware; a short trial is the best way to judge whether the workflow suits you.
