Breef vs Notability
Notability is a notebook for handwriting and annotating, with lecture recording built in. Breef records the lecture too, then writes it up into a study note, links it to the rest of the course and brings it back for review.
Breef and Notability, side by side
| Feature | Breef | Notability |
|---|---|---|
| How you write | In partTyped notes that format as you go, with formulas, images and files | YesHandwriting, typing and PDF annotation |
| Lecture recording | YesRecords a lecture and writes it up into sections and key points | YesRecords lectures while you take notes |
| Transcription | YesIncluded: 2 hours a month on Free, 30 with Pro | In partLimited on Plus, unlimited on Pro |
| Spaced review | YesEvery note comes back after 1, 3, 7, 21, 60 and 120 days | In partAI quizzes and flashcards, limited on Plus |
| Links between notes | YesLinks both ways, and a map of every note and link | NoNot built in |
| Ask your notes | Yes10 questions a month free, as many as you like with Pro | In partChat with your notes on Pro |
| Apps | In partIn the browser on any computer or phone, and installable as an app | YesiPad, iPhone, Mac, Windows and Android |
| Price | YesUp to 2,000 notes free; Pro is €6 a month or €48 a year | In part5 notes free; Lite, Plus and Pro are paid |
What’s said here about other apps comes from their own websites, as of October 2026, and may have changed since.
Which one is for you
Choose Notability if
- You take notes by hand, with a stylus.
- You annotate slides and PDFs by hand during class.
- You want the recording kept, to play back later.
Choose Breef if
- You want the lecture written up for you, not just recorded.
- You want notes that come back for review before the exam.
- You want thousands of notes free, on any device with a browser.
Moving from Notability
Export your Notability notes as PDFs and drop them into Breef: it writes each one up as linked notes you can review, as long as the PDF has text in it (handwriting alone has none to read). From then on, record lectures straight into a Breef note.
Questions
Does Breef support handwriting?
No. Breef is for typed notes, with formulas, images and files. If you write by hand, Notability is the better fit.
Does Breef keep the recording?
No. The audio is transcribed as you record and never stored: the written-up note and the transcript stay.
How long can a recording be?
Up to 90 minutes in one go. The free plan includes 2 hours of voice notes a month, Pro 30.
Is Breef free?
Yes: up to 2,000 notes, with links, reviews and exam dates. Pro is €6 a month or €48 a year.
More comparisons
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