What does Xournal++ replace?

Xournal++ is a free alternative to Goodnotes ($11.99/yr).

Is Xournal++ open source?

Yes. Xournal++ is licensed under GPL-2.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Does Xournal++ run on Linux?

Yes (Arch extra: xournalpp; Flathub: com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp). Install with: sudo pacman -S xournalpp or flatpak install flathub com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp.

Can you self-host Xournal++?

There's nothing to host: Xournal++ is a desktop app that runs on your own machine.

Xournal++

A free, open-source alternative to Goodnotes. Switching saves $11.99/yr at list price.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

Xournal++

Desktop app

Partly replaces it Active Open source · GPL-2.0 Linux Arch/AUR

xournalpp/xournalpp15.5k★last push Oct 16, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

Desktop only (Windows, Mac, Linux): no iPad app, which is where most Goodnotes users write.

Imports your data: annotate PDFs exported from Goodnotes; notebooks don't convert

Install

$ sudo pacman -S xournalpp

$ flatpak install flathub com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp

Xournal++: questions

What does Xournal++ replace?: Xournal++ is a free alternative to Goodnotes ($11.99/yr).
Is Xournal++ open source?: Yes. Xournal++ is licensed under GPL-2.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.
Does Xournal++ run on Linux?: Yes (Arch extra: xournalpp; Flathub: com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp). Install with: sudo pacman -S xournalpp or flatpak install flathub com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp.
Can you self-host Xournal++?: There's nothing to host: Xournal++ is a desktop app that runs on your own machine.

Xournal++ ↗

Xournal++: questions

One cancellation a week.

Xournal++