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Microsoft Word VS Notability

Compare Microsoft Word VS Notability and see what are their differences

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Contents:
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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Microsoft Word logo Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a commercial word document processor for Windows.

Notability logo Notability

Combine handwriting, photos and typing in a single note to bring your projects to life. Use a wide range of note-taking and sketching tools to capture every detail. You can even add and annotate PDFs in Notability.
  • Microsoft Word Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-18
  • Notability Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-02

Microsoft Word features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Microsoft Word offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users of all skill levels to navigate and use the various features and tools.
  • Versatile Formatting Tools
    The software comes with comprehensive formatting tools, allowing users to customize their documents with various fonts, styles, and layouts.
  • Collaboration Features
    With real-time co-authoring and commenting capabilities, Microsoft Word facilitates seamless collaboration among multiple users.
  • Cloud Integration
    Integration with Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint allows for automatic saving and access to documents from any device with internet connectivity.
  • Extensive Template Library
    Microsoft Word provides a wide range of pre-designed templates, helping users quickly create professional-looking documents.
  • Compatibility
    Word is compatible with other Microsoft Office applications and various file types, making it easier to integrate with other workflow tools.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Word

  • Cost
    Microsoft Word requires a subscription to Microsoft 365, which might be expensive for some users compared to other free alternatives.
  • Resource-Intensive
    The application can be heavy on system resources, potentially slowing down performance on older or less powerful machines.
  • Complexity
    While feature-rich, the abundance of tools and options can be overwhelming for new users who may only need basic functionality.
  • Periodic Updates
    Frequent updates may disrupt workflow, requiring downtime to install new features and security patches.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Cloud integration raises concerns about data privacy and security, especially for sensitive or confidential documents.
  • Limited Customization with Templates
    Although there are many templates available, customization options may be limited, potentially restricting users' creativity and specific requirements.

Notability features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Notability provides an intuitive and straightforward user interface, making it easy for users of all ages and technical abilities to navigate and use the app.
  • Multi-Platform Availability
    The app is available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, allowing users to access their notes across multiple Apple devices seamlessly.
  • Versatile Note-Taking
    Notability supports a wide range of note-taking formats, such as handwritten notes, text notes, audio recordings, and even web clips, enabling users to capture information in various forms.
  • Robust Annotation Tools
    Users can annotate PDFs and other documents easily with a variety of tools, including highlighters, pens, and shapes, enhancing the document review process.
  • Cloud Syncing and Backup
    Notability offers cloud syncing with services like iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox, ensuring that users' notes are backed up and accessible from anywhere.
  • Audio Recording Synchronization
    The app offers a unique feature that allows users to record audio while taking notes, with the ability to sync playback to match the timing of handwritten or typed notes.
  • Customizable Organization
    Users can organize their notes using dividers and subjects, allowing for a high degree of customization in how their notes are categorized.

Possible disadvantages of Notability

  • Platform Limitation
    Notability is only available on Apple devices, which excludes users who are on Android or Windows platforms.
  • Cost
    Although Notability offers a free version, many of the more advanced features are behind a premium subscription, which may be viewed as costly compared to one-time purchase apps.
  • Limited Export Options
    While the app supports exporting notes in formats like PDF, there are fewer options for exporting notes in other common formats like Word or Excel.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Some users may find the more advanced tools and functionalities a bit complex, requiring additional time to learn and master.
  • Occasional Syncing Issues
    At times, users have reported experiencing delays or problems with the app's ability to sync notes across devices seamlessly.
  • Storage Consumption
    Given that Notability allows users to save audio recordings and high-resolution images within notes, the app can consume a significant amount of device storage space over time.

Analysis of Notability

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Notability is considered a good software option for those in need of a comprehensive note-taking solution. Its combination of features, ease of use, and cross-platform availability makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of users.

Why this product is good

  • Notability is a popular note-taking application known for its versatility and user-friendly interface. It allows users to take handwritten or typed notes, annotate PDFs, and record audio during note-taking sessions. The app is highly favored by students, educators, and professionals for its seamless integration across devices, customizable features, and ability to organize notes efficiently.

Recommended for

  • Students looking for a tool to organize lectures and study materials
  • Professionals needing a reliable app for meetings and annotations
  • Educators who want to create interactive lesson plans and resources
  • Anyone seeking a versatile app for personal or professional note-taking and organization

Microsoft Word videos

+ Add

Microsoft Word 2016 Part 7 Review Tab

More videos:

  • Review - Microsoft Word 2010 - Review (Comment & Track)
  • Tutorial - How to Use Review tab Microsoft Word (Part-7)

Notability videos

+ Add

Notability on the iPad | Walkthrough & Review ✏️

More videos:

  • Review - NOTABILITY VS. GOODNOTES 5 - Best iPad Note-Taking App (2021)
  • Review - The ULTIMATE Notability vs GoodNotes 5 Comparison Video! (2022)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Word and Notability)

Microsoft Word

Notability

Office Suites
100 100%
Office Suites
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
Note Taking
100% 100
PDF Tools
100 100%
PDF Tools
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
Task Management
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft Word and Notability. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microsoft Word and Notability

Microsoft Word Reviews

Best 25 Software Documentation Tools 2023
Microsoft Word is a powerful application that allows users to create, edit, format and print documents for a variety of purposes, such as creating resumes, newsletters and other types of written content.
Source: www.uphint.com

Notability Reviews

15 Best Notability Alternatives 2022
Notability is one of the most popular and reliable apps when it comes to creating handwritten, typed, or visual notes. Despite its notoriety, Notability is not without its shortcomings and may not be the best note-taking app for everyone.
Source: rigorousthemes.com
Which App is Best for Taking Notes?
Notability also offers a unique audio recording option. You won’t find it in Good Notes. When using the app, users can record audio files while taking notes. When playing back audio, Notability will animate when the text was added to the page during the recording so that it’s easy to know what prompted you to write something down.
Source: medium.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Notability seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft Word mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft Word yet. Tracking of Microsoft Word recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Notability mentions (5)

  • Why do they make it so complicated?
    You are using a third party app (https://notability.com) for notes. It’s very likely it has it set to sync with iCloud as a default - in order for you to be able to access said notes from other devices as well. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Anyone else dislikes studying with soft copy notes?
    When I used ipad in sec school I found Notability to do wonders in making/editing notes, bonus if you have an apple pencil to go with it. Editing PDF, adding pics, arranging texts and diagrams, exporting, importing etc. Source: about 2 years ago
  • GoodNotes 5 is Now the Better Option than Notability
    If you were looking for a great writing option in the past, you often would have been recommended Goodnotes 5 or Notability, as often times it simply came down to personal preference. Both offered similar feature and worked great on the iPad with the Apple Pencil, so it was easy to see why both were pretty evenly matched with only a couple features or abilities to seperated them. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Pen down some thoughts in my journal after catching up with a designer friend.
    Oh nice! I think IPads have digital journals you can use so you can still doodle, draw maps, etc. Here’s one I found that’s highly rated: Notability. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What are your most used tools/products for essay writing?
    Notability - allows me to take notes on my iPad during lectures. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft Word and Notability, you can also consider the following products

Google Docs - Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

Evernote - Bring your life's work together in one digital workspace. Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward.

Adobe Acrobat DC - Make your job easier with Adobe Acrobat DC, the trusted PDF creator. Use Acrobat to convert, edit and sign PDF files at your desk or on the go.

OneNote - Get the OneNote app for free on your tablet, phone, and computer, so you can capture your ideas and to-do lists in one place wherever you are. Or try OneNote with Office for free.

Wondershare PDFelement - All-in-one PDF editor

Workflowy - A better way to organize your mind.

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