How to Choose a Digital Planner: The Complete Guide
~With so many digital planners available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. The perfect planner for you depends on your planning style, goals, and the app you'll be using. Let's break down what to look for so you can find your ideal match!
What is a Digital Planner?
A digital planner is a PDF or app-based planner designed for tablets and note-taking apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or Noteshelf. They offer the satisfaction of handwriting with the convenience of digital organization.
Benefits of Going Digital
- Infinite pages – Never run out of space
- Easy corrections – Erase and move things without mess
- Customization – Add stickers and washi tape
- Hyperlinks – Jump between sections with a tap
- Searchable – Find notes with handwriting recognition
- Backup – Never lose your planner to coffee spills!
Types of Digital Planners
Dated vs. Undated
Dated planners come with specific dates pre-filled—perfect if you start on January 1st and follow a consistent schedule.
Undated planners let you fill in dates yourself—ideal if you take breaks from planning or want to start mid-year.
Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Focus
- Daily layouts – Best for busy schedules with lots of appointments
- Weekly layouts – Great balance for most people
- Monthly layouts – Good for big-picture planning and habit tracking
Many planners include all three views with hyperlinks to jump between them!
Specialty Planners
- Academic planners – Designed around school semesters
- Fitness planners – Track workouts, meals, and progress
- Budget planners – Manage finances and savings goals
- Content creator planners – Schedule posts and track analytics
What to Look For
Hyperlink Navigation
Good digital planners have clickable tabs that let you jump to any section instantly. This is what makes digital planning so much faster than flipping through physical pages!
Aesthetic That Motivates You
You'll use your planner more if you love looking at it! Choose a style that fits your vibe—minimalist, colorful, cute, or professional. Our digital stationery collection can help customize any planner to your taste.
Compatible with Your App
Most digital planners work with GoodNotes, Notability, and similar apps, but always check compatibility before purchasing. Look for PDF format with hyperlinks intact.
Right Amount of Structure
Some planners have detailed hourly schedules, while others are more open-ended. Consider how structured you want your days to be:
- Highly structured – Time blocks, to-do lists, meal planning
- Flexible – Open space to write freely
- Bullet journal style – Minimal structure, maximum creativity
How to Try Before You Buy
Many planner creators offer:
- Free sample pages – Test how it feels in your app
- Mini planners – Shorter versions at a lower price
- Free planners – Basic versions to try the format
Check out our free digital downloads to try digital planning without commitment!
Making Your Planner Your Own
The real magic of digital planning is customization. Once you have your planner, personalize it with:
- Digital stickers for decoration and function
- Washi tape as headers and dividers
- Custom color schemes using your app's tools
- Imported photos and inspiration images
Ready to Start Digital Planning?
The best digital planner is the one you'll actually use. Start simple, customize as you go, and don't be afraid to try different layouts until you find what works for your brain!
Browse our digital stationery collection for planners, stickers, and washi tape designed for apps like GoodNotes and Notability!
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