In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying organized is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Gone are the days of bulky paper planners and cluttered notebooks. Enter the world of digital planners 🗂️—sleek, customizable, and always at your fingertips.

You might be a productivity junkie. You could be a student managing assignments. Perhaps you are a business owner juggling projects. In any case, creating your own digital planner can be a game-changer. But here’s the big question: What is the best software for creating digital planners? 🤔

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the top software tools. These tools will help you design your digital planner like a pro. You can also customize and publish it. Ready to level up your productivity? Let’s dive in! 🚀

🧠 Why Create Your Own Digital Planner?

Before jumping into the tools, let’s understand why creating a digital planner makes sense:

• ✅ Customization: Tailor layouts, fonts, and templates to your style.
• 📱 Cross-device compatibility: Use your planner across tablets, phones, and desktops.
• ♻️ Eco-friendly: Say goodbye to paper waste.
• 🔄 Reusable & Editable: Make changes anytime with ease.
• 🎨 Creative Control: Add stickers, hyperlinks, and sections for goals, wellness, budgeting, and more!

Now, let’s explore the best digital planner software that combines functionality, design freedom, and ease of use. 🧩

🥇 1. GoodNotes – Best for iPad Digital Planners ✍️📱

Focus Keyword: GoodNotes digital planner

Why GoodNotes Rocks:

If you’re an iPad user with an Apple Pencil, GoodNotes is a dream come true for digital planning. While not a design tool per se, it’s the best platform to use and test the digital planners you create.

Key Features:

• ✒️ Handwriting support with Apple Pencil
• 🔗 Hyperlink support for seamless navigation
• 📥 Import PDFs or custom-designed planners
• 📂 Folder organization for multiple planners

Best For: Using and annotating pre-made or custom-designed planners on iPad.

🖌️ 2. Canva – Best for Beginner Planner Creators 🎨💡

Focus Keyword: Canva planner design

Why Canva Is Perfect:

Canva offers a user-friendly interface with thousands of templates, fonts, and design elements. Even beginners can start designing aesthetic digital planners from scratch or using drag-and-drop templates.

Features That Shine:

• 🖼️ Custom dimensions for planner pages (like 8.5×11” or A4)
• 🎨 Thousands of design elements and stickers
• 🔗 Ability to create hyperlinked PDFs for navigation
• 🌐 Cloud-based access on any device

Best For: Designing beginner-friendly planners with great visuals.

🖥️ 3. Adobe InDesign – Best for Professional Planner Designers 🧑‍🎨📘

Focus Keyword: Adobe InDesign for digital planner creation

Why InDesign Is Top-Tier:

If you’re aiming for high-quality, professional-grade planners to sell or distribute, Adobe InDesign provides unmatched control over layout. It also offers expertise in typography and interactive PDF features.

Standout Features:

• 📏 Precision layout tools
• 🔗 Master pages and hyperlinked navigation
• 💼 Professional publishing options
• 🎯 Export to high-res PDFs with interactive elements

Best For: Selling planners on Etsy, your website, or as brand downloads.

💡 4. Keynote (Mac) / PowerPoint (Windows) – Best for Slide-Based Planning 🖼️🔗

Focus Keyword: Keynote planner, PowerPoint planner

Why Presentation Software Works:

This might surprise you—but Keynote and PowerPoint are popular among planner creators. Their support for slides = planner pages, hyperlinking, and easy export to PDF makes them desirable tools.

Why You’ll Love It:

• 🔗 Add hyperlinks between slides easily
• 👨‍💻 Familiar interface
• 🧾 Easily convert slides into a hyperlinked PDF

Best For: Quick creation of planners with clickable sections.

📱 5. Notability – Best for Annotating and Daily Use 📝🗓️

Focus Keyword: Notability planner app

Why Notability Stands Out:

Notability, like GoodNotes, is great for daily use once your planner is designed. You can write, annotate, and even record audio notes within your planner pages.

Top Features:

• 🖋️ Smooth handwriting support
• 🎙️ Voice memo integration
• ⏱️ Time-stamped notes
• 📁 Import your planner in PDF form

Best For: Personal daily planner usage with audio and handwriting.

🧑‍💻 6. Affinity Publisher – Best One-Time Purchase Alternative 💵🔧

Focus Keyword: Affinity Publisher for planners

Why Affinity Is a Hidden Gem:

Don’t want to commit to Adobe’s monthly fees? Affinity Publisher is a powerful layout tool that rivals InDesign—but with a one-time cost. Perfect for long-term creators.

Features You’ll Appreciate:

• 📖 Page-by-page planner design
• 🧷 Linked content and master pages
• 🌟 High-res export to interactive PDFs

Best For: Serious creators who want professional results without subscriptions.

📲 7. Xodo or PDF Expert – Best PDF Tools for Final Touches 🛠️📑

Focus Keyword: PDF annotation tools for digital planners

Why You Might Need These:

Once you’ve created your planner, apps like Xodo (Android/Windows) or PDF Expert (iOS) help in:

• ✅ Adding annotations
• ✅ Testing hyperlinks
• ✅ Finalizing edits

These tools are NOT for design but are crucial for finishing and interacting with your planner.

Best For: Reviewing and testing planner navigation.

🔄 8. Zinnia Journal – Best for Drag-and-Drop Planning Enthusiasts 🧩🖐️

Focus Keyword: Zinnia digital planner

Why Zinnia Is Unique:

Zinnia combines the beauty of bullet journaling with the flexibility of digital apps. It offers a true drag-and-drop experience for those who want to build planners interactively.

Key Benefits:

• 🌼 Aesthetic, modern layout styles
• 🧩 Digital stickers and widgets
• 📲 Touch-based planner building
• 📌 Pages, tabs, and design elements

Best For: Creatives who want a fun, artsy planning experience.

📊 Quick Comparison Table: Best Software for Creating Digital Planners

🎯 How to Choose the Best Digital Planner Software for YOU

Choosing the right planner software depends on your goals and style. Ask yourself:

✅ Are you designing to sell on Etsy? Go with InDesign or Affinity Publisher.
✅ Want a quick start? Canva is your best friend.
✅ Just want to use a planner? GoodNotes or Notability is ideal.
✅ Need something creative and flexible? Try Zinnia.

🛍️ Pro Tip: Combine tools! Design in Canva, edit hyperlinks in PowerPoint, and use in GoodNotes.

💡 Bonus: Tips for Making a Sellable Digital Planner on Etsy

Focus Keyword: sell digital planner on Etsy

If your goal is monetization, follow these quick tips:

• 📚 Niche down (e.g., ADHD planners, wedding planners, student planners)
• 💻 Use software like InDesign for clickable PDFs
• 🎨 Brand your planners uniquely with themes and colors
• 🔖 Offer printable AND digital versions
• 🌐 Use SEO-rich descriptions when listing on Etsy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Creating Digital Planners ❓

Here are some of the most common questions people have. These concerns arise when choosing the best software for creating digital planners. We also provide detailed answers.

1. What is the easiest software to create a digital planner for beginners?

Answer:
For beginners, Canva is the easiest option because of its drag-and-drop interface and pre-made templates. If you use Apple devices, Keynote is another simple (and free) choice.

2. Can I create a hyperlinked digital planner in Canva?

Answer:
Yes, but with limitations. The free version of Canva only allows basic hyperlinks, while Canva Pro ($12.99/month) supports multi-page PDF hyperlinking, making it better for interactive planners.

3. Do I need an iPad to make a digital planner?

Answer:
No! While GoodNotes, Notability, and Procreate are iPad-only, you can use Canva, Adobe InDesign, or Keynote on a Windows/Mac computer.

4. Which software is best for selling digital planners on Etsy?

Answer:
The best options are:

• Canva (for quick, customizable templates)
• Adobe InDesign (for professional, print-ready designs)
• GoodNotes/Keynote (for Apple-friendly planners)

Most sellers use PDF or GoodNotes formats since they’re widely compatible.

5. Can I use Microsoft PowerPoint to make a digital planner?

Answer:
Yes, but it’s not ideal. PowerPoint lacks advanced hyperlinking and PDF export features compared to Keynote or Canva. If you already use PowerPoint, you can create basic planners, but other tools are more efficient.

6. What’s the best free software for digital planners?

Answer:

• Keynote (for Mac/iPad users)
• Canva Free Plan (limited but functional)
• Google Slides (basic, but works in a pinch)

For advanced features, a paid tool like GoodNotes (one-time purchase) or Canva Pro is worth it.

7. How do I add clickable tabs and hyperlinks to my digital planner?

Answer:

• In Canva/Keynote: Insert hyperlinks manually before exporting as PDF.
• In Adobe InDesign: Use the “Hyperlinks” panel for advanced linking.
• In GoodNotes: Import a pre-linked PDF or use apps like Keynote to design hyperlinked pages first.

8. What’s the difference between a digital planner and a PDF planner?

Answer:

• A digital planner is interactive (hyperlinks, tabs, multimedia).
• A basic PDF planner is just a static document.

Most digital planners are PDFs with hyperlinks, but tools like GoodNotes and Notability add handwriting functionality.

9. Can I use Procreate to make a digital planner?

Answer:
Yes, but only for hand-drawn designs. Since Procreate doesn’t support hyperlinks or text editing well, you’ll need to:

1. Design the planner in Procreate.
2. Import it into Keynote or Canva to add hyperlinks.
3. Export as a PDF.

10. How do I sell my digital planners online?

Answer:
The best platforms are:

• Etsy (most popular for digital downloads)
• Gumroad (easy for beginners)
• Shopify (if you want your own store)

Make sure your planners are in PDF, GoodNotes, or PNG formats for maximum compatibility.

11. Can I use Google Docs or Google Slides to make a digital planner?

Answer:
You can, but they’re not the best tools because:

• Google Docs doesn’t support hyperlinks well.
• Google Slides is basic compared to Keynote/Canva.

If you need a free option, Canva or Keynote are better choices.

12. What’s the best software for an iPad digital planner?

Answer:

• GoodNotes (best for handwriting + PDF annotation)
• Notability (great for typed + handwritten notes)
• Procreate (best for artistic planners)
• Keynote (best for free hyperlinked designs)

Choosing the right software depends on your skill level, budget, and device. Whether you want a simple free tool or a professional design suite, there’s an option for you!

💡 Still unsure? Try Canva (free) or GoodNotes (one-time purchase) to start!

Got more questions? Drop them in the comments! 👇😊

🧾 Final Thoughts: Craft Your Perfect Planner Today! 🎯

The rise of digital planners isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement towards personalized productivity. You might be creating a vision board. You could be managing work tasks or planning your next big launch. The right software can make your planner not just functional—but fabulous. 💥

From professional-grade tools like Adobe InDesign to fun, interactive platforms like Zinnia, there’s truly something for everyone. So pick your tool, get creative, and start designing the digital planner of your dreams today! 🛠️💻📒