Private by default
Every stroke, page, and notebook stays in the app's sandbox on your device. Nothing leaves until you export it.
Serious Notebook
A private, offline-first handwriting notebook for iPhone and iPad. Write with Apple Pencil, import PDFs and scanned pages, and keep every notebook on your device.
No ads
No advertising SDKs or interruptions.
No tracking
No analytics, no telemetry, no third-party SDKs.
No AI training
Your notebooks are never used to train AI.
No account
No login, no cloud sync, no subscription.
Why it exists
A notebook, kept serious.
Serious Notebook is built around a single idea: a digital notebook should feel like a real one — private, focused, and entirely yours.
Made for Apple Pencil
Built on PencilKit, with paper backgrounds, smooth ink, and the option to disable finger drawing so palm rests work naturally.
Bring your old notebooks
Import PDFs, planners, worksheets, or scanned paper notebooks as locked backgrounds, then keep writing on top.
Everything you need to take real notes.
Designed around handwriting first, with the tools you reach for every day — and nothing more.
1
Handwriting and typing
Write with Apple Pencil and add typed text or sticky notes wherever you need them.
2
Import PDFs and scans
Bring in PDFs, planners, worksheets, or scanned paper notebooks as locked page backgrounds.
3
Personal book covers
Pick a cover color or use one of your own photos to make your library feel like yours.
4
Multiple papers
Blank, ruled, grid, or dot grid pages on soft white or soft cream — choose per notebook.
5
Export to PDF
Share a single page or an entire notebook as a clean PDF whenever you need to.
6
iPhone and iPad
A native SwiftUI app with a split-view library on iPad and a focused single-pane on iPhone.
Private by design
Your notebooks live on your device.
Serious Notebook does not run analytics, does not work with ad networks, and does not use your handwriting, drawings, typed text, imported PDFs, or images to train AI — ours or anyone else's.
- No analytics, no telemetry, no third-party SDKs.
- No account, no login, no cloud sync.
- Pages and imports are stored in the app's sandbox, encrypted on disk.
- You can opt out of iCloud Backup for the notebook store from settings.
Designed for iPad and Apple Pencil.
Bring your old paper notebooks, planners, and worksheets in, and keep writing on top — or start a fresh notebook with the paper and cover of your choice.
