kitio.aiNotability vs Just The Gist
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Just The Gist is completely free, while Notability is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Live audio transcription
- AI note summaries
- Chat with your notes
- Quizzes and flashcards
- YouTube link-to-note
- PDF annotation
- On-device Whisper transcription
- Local AI summaries
- YouTube link support
- Clickable timestamps
- Optional cloud models
| Feature | Notability | Just The Gist |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Handwriting and audio note app with AI summaries and study tools | Free Mac app that transcribes and summarizes videos on-device |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $14.99/yr | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Ginger Labs | Just The Gist |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Just The Gist is completely free, while Notability is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Starter
Free
- 5 free notes
- All editing tools
- 7-day version history
Lite
$14.99/yr
- Unlimited notes
- Third-party backups on iOS
Plus
$19.99/yr
- Limited AI quizzes and flashcards
- Limited audio transcription
- 30-day version history
Business
$60/yr
- Per user
- Shared note libraries
- Admin controls
Pro
$99.99/yr
- Unlimited transcription
- Unlimited AI summaries
- Unlimited quizzes and flashcards
Business Pro
$180/yr
- Per user
- Chat with your notes
- Audit log and Intune MAM
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Notability
- Excellent handwriting experience
- Audio synced with notes
- Low yearly prices
- Free plan holds only 5 notes
- Unlimited AI only on the Pro tier
- Chat with notes is a Business Pro feature
Just The Gist
- Free with no account
- Audio stays on your Mac
- Works offline by default
- Mac only, Apple Silicon required
- Needs macOS 14 or later
- Local model downloads are large
Which one should you choose?
Choose Notability if you want:
- Excellent handwriting experience
- Audio synced with notes
- Low yearly prices
Watch out: free plan holds only 5 notes.
Choose Just The Gist if you want:
- Free with no account
- Audio stays on your Mac
- Works offline by default
Watch out: mac only, apple silicon required.
Notability vs Just The Gist FAQ
What is the difference between Notability and Just The Gist?
Notability: Handwriting and audio note app with AI summaries and study tools. Just The Gist: Free Mac app that transcribes and summarizes videos on-device. Both are productivity tools.
Is Notability or Just The Gist cheaper?
Just The Gist is completely free, while Notability is freemium.
Do Notability and Just The Gist have free plans?
Notability: Yes. Just The Gist: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Notability?
Notability is made by Ginger Labs, based in United States.
Who makes Just The Gist?
Just The Gist is made by Just The Gist.
Which should I choose, Notability or Just The Gist?
Choose Notability if you value excellent handwriting experience and audio synced with notes. Choose Just The Gist if you value free with no account and audio stays on your mac.