CollaNote: Notes & PDF Markup 4+

Used to be better

I thought this app was good until a recent update… I loved all the features, but now when I double tap my Apple Pencil it doesn’t automatically switch to my eraser and instead of brings up random features that I might want to switch to, but I don’t. I just want to have the same Apple Pencil functionality as I do in other Apple apps. Also, the update, moved the undo button into a weird little side panel that always disappear disappears, and it’s very inconvenient to have to tap the panel and then open it up and then press undo instead of having the undo button at the top like it used to be. I wish that I could just have the setting where double tap my pencil will allow to switch between eraser and the utensil I was just using. I think this is better than the auto switch feature, that just switches me back to my old utensil after I tap on the eraser. But I would prefer to just be able to switch between pencil and eraser by double tapping my pencil instead. This is a lot more helpful for people who take notes and erase often because it is faster. Other than that, I love the app. I hope the developers will take this into account and make an update where we can choose what double tapping our pencil will do and put the undo button back to where it was before :) this is the only reason I read it four stars, but if these functions are implemented, I think the app will be more user-friendly and I will rate it at five :))

UPDATE: saw that the developers responded :)

Developer Response ,

Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! We're glad to hear that you love many features of CollaNote. We completely understand your preference for quickly switching between the eraser and your current tool with a double-tap
If you prefer the double tap to eraser, you can totally change in back in the setting. Here is how:
Click on the three-line button at the top left, and enter the tag "gesture". You will see there are three options under the Apple Pencil Double Tap section which are "Disable", "Switch Tool" and "Arc Menu". Please choose "Switch Tool" in this case. Have a great day!

Nguyen from CollaNote

Just discovered and I’m in awe!

Update- I’ll be honest, I do love this note taking app but I stopped using for a while because I missed some of the AI features in GoodNotes like scribbling out my handwriting etc.. and I also hated the bugs I came to find that were popping up a lot. Also the fact I use my Apple Pencil for everything and that includes clicking on the tabs(hyperlinks) and if I was using the pen tool then it would make a mark right in the spot where I clicked which I can understand why but I feel like it shouldn’t be an option to click with the pencil if its going to just make abstract marks everywhere but I digress.. the new 3.0 update is like wow all my hopes in one app. One thing I’ve noticed is the scribble to erase takes so long to scribble before it activates and erases if it erases at all. I still love it though and just hope I can figure out a for sure way to scribble out my writing to make sure it works. But super impressed!

-Wow I’m blown away by all the features that are able to be used for free, and unlimited pages, cool tools, brushes.. there’s so much and I’m just beginning to play with it. I even purchased the pro bc it’s not a subscription and I wanted to support them bc they offer a great free version and companies who operate like that are a total win, to me at least! I’ll update as I familiarize myself with it but so far it’s been awesome.

Developer Response ,

Thank you for your amazing feedback! It's fantastic that you chose to support us by purchasing the pro version. We look forward to hearing more from you as you continue to explore and familiarize yourself with the app. Have a great day! Nguyen from CollaNote team 😊

Best note taking experience

I don’t like to leave reviews. But this app truly provides the best features for both handwritten and typed notes so much so that I want to thank the developer with a monetary donation. Not sure where to do that yet, though.

You can really tell that the person who developed this app did so with students in mind—there are so many useful, convenient features that make note-taking and studying very easy, and all of it is FREE, which is one of the biggest factors that makes this app even more underrated. I’m actually surprised it doesn’t have more reviews, but I’m so glad I found it.

I usually take non-digital handwritten notes, but as a masters student, it’s easier to erase, re-write, and upload everything as a PDF. There are a ton of little details that make life as a student easier. You have to take a small amount of time to go through the different features and customize certain things, but that’s part of the reason I love it. Once I set everything up, it’s so quick to change the font, size, color, utensil-type, page background and it soon becomes part of your motor memory. I encourage everyone to utilize this note-taking app, especially if you rely on hand-written notes. Please keep up the good work, man! We really appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into continually improving this app.