Xournal++

Overview

Xournal++ is a rewrite and continuation of the earlier Xournal note-taking app, reimplemented in C++ with GTK3 to add PDF background support, better performance, and pressure-sensitive pen input. Rather than starting as a PDF viewer that added annotation, it started as a handwritten notes application that layers ink over PDF pages as a background, making PDF markup one of its core use cases rather than an add-on.

Xournal++ is developed under the GPL-2.0 license, with source and releases hosted on GitHub, and ships native builds for Linux, macOS, and Windows plus a distribution-independent Linux AppImage. It supports pressure-sensitive input from tablets like Wacom devices, which makes it a common choice for annotating PDFs by hand rather than typing text boxes over them.

Key Features

• PDF background annotation — Load a PDF as a page background and write, highlight, or draw directly on top of it
• Pressure-sensitive pen input — Smooth, low-latency ink with support for Wacom and other pen/tablet hardware
• Shape and drawing tools — Pen, highlighter, shapes (line, arrow, circle, rectangle, spline), set-square and compass tools, and grid snapping
• LaTeX equations — Insert rendered LaTeX directly into notes
• Audio recording sync — Record audio alongside handwritten notes, synced to what was written at that moment
• Lua plugin support — Extend the app with custom scripts

Use Cases

• Marking up PDFs by hand — Reviewing or annotating documents with a stylus rather than typed comments
• Handwritten note-taking — Lecture or meeting notes on a tablet or touchscreen laptop
• Math and technical notes — LaTeX equation support for STEM coursework or documentation
• Recorded lecture notes — Audio-synced notes for reviewing what was said at a given point later

Who It’s For

Xournal++ is aimed at people who annotate or take notes with a pen or stylus, particularly on a tablet or 2-in-1 device, rather than typing. It’s a weaker fit for someone who just wants to quickly view or type-annotate a PDF without pen input, since its interface and feature set center on freehand writing and drawing rather than a typing-first workflow.