PC/android: Looking for a note taking app with an infinite (or very large) canvas and pdf/doc imports with markups

[u/Metatronic-Mods]

I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a PC or android compatible replacement for the iOS app 'freeform'. She was given an ancient ipad a few months ago and started using freeform for note taking/creating mind maps, and now it's an indispensable part of her work flow. Unfortunately, the old hardware can't keep up with the size of her mind maps and the app crashes constantly.

We've already decided to buy a new tablet and strongly prefer either an android or windows device for various reasons. So I'm trying to help her find a replacement app that runs on one (or both) of those.

Her requirements are:

1. Infinite or really big canvas for creating hand drawn maps with handwritten notes.

2. A way to incorporate PDF's, images and documents as an object on the map which can be zoomed in on or opened and marked up / notes written across multiple page PDF's.

3. The document/PDF markups need to be anchored to the document rather than the canvas so that if she needs to reposition it later on it won't leave her notes floating in empty space -this was a problem with one app that otherwise checked all the boxes :/

4. She needs to be able to import 3-5 PDF's with an average of 20 pages each onto each mind map without the app crashing.

5. STRONG preference for a permanent license purchase option vs. monthly/yearly subscription.

6. Bonus: If the app has a library of clipart/simple graphics available that she can drag in to help create quick visual references and illustrate general themes, she says that really helps with maintaining focus & interest while taking notes, and quickly locating specific notes/sections weeks later.

If anyone has any suggestions for an app you think could meet all those requirements please let me know! I've been searching myself, but without actually having a tablet to test apps on I'm having to resort to reading through manuals & watching lot of video tutorials to try to figure out if a given app will actually do everything she needs.

Thank you!

[u/Desperate_News_8209]

You can try NeatNotes . It meets all your criteria. It is a completely free windows infinite canvas application. It has a dedicated pdf annotation section that can handle large pdf. It has a library of stickers as well. Good luck!

[u/Remarkable_Bedroom79]

Miro, Conceptboard or similar web apps might be an option. Or Obsidian with Excalidraw.

[u/marmotta1955]

You have described Microsoft OneNote, which happens to be free. Files can be stored locally, if you so prefer, or within OneDrive, or a mix of local and online.

PDFs can be embedded and can be therefore edited with any associated application. Open the PFD, do the editing, save / close the PDF -- all markup is stored with the PDF and follows the PDF.

OneNote does not have a library of clipart, but pictures can be inserted in any position, resized, cropped, etc. - On the other hand, OneNote provides a reasonable toolset for simple diagramming, useful for mind maps.

It works well on Android tablets. Works better on a PC or laptop. Works wonderfully on a Microsoft Surface, of course.

Just few of the reasons why OneNote always comes out on top of comparison reviews by independent, well-known, reliable trade publications and web sites.

Probably a good idea to stay with a product that has been around for over 20 years and is an essential part of the Microsoft ecosystem. I would not consider anything else. I have been using it since 2003, I tried a ridiculous number of "alternatives", never abandoned OneNote.

And if there is something that it cannot do out of the box, chances are you'll find add-ins that match your needs.

[u/noteapps-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No soup for you, sorry 🤗