Xournal++ (/ˌzɚnl̟ˌplʌsˈplʌs/) is an open-source and cross-platform note-taking software that is fast, flexible, and functional. A modern rewrite and a more feature-rich version of the wonderful Xournal program.
Publisher’s description
What is Xournal++?
Xournal++ by The Xournal++ Team is open-source Windows software in the notes & to-do category. It ranks 14th by popularity among notes & to-do in this catalogue. It is written in C++. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (NSIS) installers for 64-bit and ARM64 Windows. It can be installed for the current user only, without administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.3.8, released on September 26, 2026. The version history goes back to November 27, 2022: 20 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 5.2 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 19,035 times. The source code on GitHub (xournalpp/xournalpp) has 15,553 stars. On Windows it registers 3 file types, including .xoj, .xopp and .xopt. Similar programs include Obsidian, QOwnNotes and Logseq.
Project description on GitHub: “Xournal++ is a handwriting notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with GTK3, supporting Linux (e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, SUSE), macOS and Windows 10. Supports pen input from devices such as Wacom Tablets.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- Documented silent install
- Installs without administrator rights
- Updated in the last two months
- Also runs on Linux
- Large user base
In short: Xournal++ is an open-source notes & to-do tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Key features
- Supports pressure-sensitive styluses and digital pen tables (e.g. Wacom, Huion, XP Pen, etc. tablets)
- Paper backgrounds for note-taking, scratch paper, or whiteboarding
- Annotate on top of PDFs
- Select text from the background PDF, copy, highlight or underline it or strike it through
- Follow links from the background PDF
- Export to a variety of formats including SVG, PNG and PDF, both from the GUI and command line
- Different drawing tools (e.g. pen, highlighter) and stroke styles (e.g. solid, dotted)
- Shape drawing (line, arrow, circle, rectangle, spline)
- Use the set-square and compass tools for measurements or as a guide for drawing straight lines, circular arcs and radii
- Fill shape functionality
- Shape resizing and rotation
- Rotation and grid snapping for precise alignment of objects
- Input stabilization for smoother writing/drawing
- Text tool for adding text in different fonts, colors, and sizes
AppStream · Flathub
Is Xournal++ safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
0524A354A2C2C680E9C4B3817A3FC9284B1E60760BAC1A74C562701A4E355637· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the xournalpp/xournalpp repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- No dangerous workflows10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Code review6
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Pinned dependencies0
- Security policy0
- Fuzzing0
- Signed releases0
- Static code analysis0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 20 versions ›20 versions over 4 years · about 5.2 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3.8Latest | September 26, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.7 | August 9, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.6 | July 14, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.5 | June 8, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.4 | March 29, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.3 | February 28, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.2 | February 3, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.3.1 | December 21, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS)ARM64 EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Xournal++.Xournal++ -echoco install xournalplusplus -yscoop install extras/xournalppxournalpp-1.3.8-windows-setup-AMD64.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
flatpak install flathub com.github.xournalpp.xournalppInformation
- Publisher
- The Xournal++ Team
- Category
- Notes & to-do
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/xournalpp/xournalpp
- Written in
- C++
- Content rating
- All ages
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Other platforms
- Linux
- Version
- 1.3.8
- Released
- September 26, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- January 31, 2023
- Versions listed
- 20
- Updates / year
- 5.2
- Chocolatey downloads
- 19,035
- GitHub stars
- 15,553
- GitHub forks
- 1,153
- Website
- xournalpp.github.io
- winget ID
- Xournal++.Xournal++
- Chocolatey package
- xournalplusplus
- Scoop package
- extras/xournalpp
File types it opens (3)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Xournal++ free?
Yes. Xournal++ is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is Xournal++ safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Xournal++ with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Xournal++ be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Xournal++ run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Xournal++?
The versions page lists all 20 versions with links to their official installer files, back to November 27, 2022.
Can I use Xournal++ without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to Xournal++?
Obsidian, QOwnNotes, Logseq, Evernote and Notesnook. The alternatives page compares them.
