Xournal++: Your Go-To Annotation Tool for PDFs

Xournal++ offers a versatile platform for note-taking, PDF annotation, and sketching, making it an essential tool for students and professionals alike.
Users can choose from a selection of brush sizes, colors, and opacity levels to customize their writing experience. The software also offers features like ruler and shape tools to aid in precise sketching and drawing.
In addition to its notetaking capabilities, Xournal++ allows users to import and annotate existing PDF documents with ease. Users can highlight, underline, or strikeout text in the PDF or add comments and drawings to the margins.
Xournal++ also offers a range of export options such as saving notes as PDF or image files, making it easy to share notes with others. Xournal++ is a versatile and user-friendly tool for digital notetaking and PDF annotation.
Overview
Xournal++ is a Open Source software in the category Desktop developed by The Xournal++ Team.
The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked Xournal++ for updates 94 times during the last month.
The latest version of Xournal++ is 1.1.3, released on 06/10/2024. It was initially added to our database on 03/23/2022.
Xournal++ runs on the following operating systems: Windows. The download file has a size of 57.8MB.
Xournal++ has not been rated by our users yet.
Pros
- Free and open-source software
- Supports annotation and sketching on PDF files
- Offers a wide range of tools for writing and drawing
- Cross-platform compatibility (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux)
Cons
- User interface may be overwhelming for beginners
- Limited advanced features compared to some premium applications
FAQ
What is Xournal++?
Xournal++ is an open-source handwriting notetaking software with PDF annotation support, developed by The Xournal++ Team.
What operating systems does Xournal++ support?
Xournal++ is primarily developed for Linux-based systems but also has experimental builds for Windows and macOS.
Can I annotate PDF files in Xournal++?
Yes, Xournal++ allows you to annotate and markup PDF files by digitally writing or drawing on them.
Can I use a stylus or drawing tablet with Xournal++?
Yes, Xournal++ supports stylus and drawing tablet input, providing a natural handwriting experience.
Does Xournal++ have handwriting recognition features?
No, Xournal++ does not include built-in handwriting recognition. It focuses on providing a digital notetaking and annotation platform.
Can I export my notes in Xournal++ to other formats?
Yes, Xournal++ allows you to export your notes and annotations in various formats such as PDF, SVG, or LaTeX.
Is Xournal++ free to use?
Yes, Xournal++ is free and open-source software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Where can I find documentation or tutorials for using Xournal++?
You can find documentation and tutorials on the official Xournal++ website or community forums.
Is it possible to customize the user interface of Xournal++?
Yes, Xournal++ provides various customization options, including themes and user interface layouts.
Can I contribute to the development of Xournal++?
Yes, Xournal++ is an open-source project, and contributions from the community are welcome. You can find information on how to contribute on the official website.

David Fischer
I am a technology writer for UpdateStar, covering software, security, and privacy as well as research and innovation in information security. I worked as an editor for German computer magazines for more than a decade before joining the UpdateStar team. With over a decade of editorial experience in the tech industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my current role at UpdateStar. At UpdateStar, I focus on the critical areas of software, security, and privacy, ensuring our readers stay informed about the latest developments and best practices.
Latest Reviews by David Fischer
Installations
Latest Reviews
Caneco BT 2017 Country Pack FR
Caneco BT 2017 Country Pack FR Review: Tailored Power Solutions |
|
![]() |
Caneco BT Application files
Streamline Your Electrical Design Process with Caneco BT |
Visioneer Acuity Assets
Streamline Your Document Management with Visioneer Acuity Assets |
|
Visioneer OCR FineReader Module
Transform Your Scanning with Visioneer's OCR FineReader Module |
|
![]() |
JC-WebClient
Streamline Your Web Interactions with JC-WebClient |
Dying Light Stay Human
Survive the Night in an Unforgiving World |
![]() |
UpdateStar Premium Edition
Keeping Your Software Updated Has Never Been Easier with UpdateStar Premium Edition! |
![]() |
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package
Boost your system performance with Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package! |
![]() |
Microsoft Edge
A New Standard in Web Browsing |
![]() |
Google Chrome
Fast and Versatile Web Browser |
![]() |
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable
Essential Component for Running Visual C++ Applications |
![]() |
Microsoft Update Health Tools
Microsoft Update Health Tools: Ensure Your System is Always Up-to-Date! |