So you’ve heard about the increasingly popular trend of digital planners and you’re wondering if they really work?
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, staying organized can feel like a challenge. For many, myself included, traditional paper planners have been a go-to method for managing schedules, to-do lists, and setting up yearly goals.
However, digital planners are quickly emerging as the superior choice for a multitude of reasons.
To answer your question in short… YES! Digital planners really work and work so much better than traditional planners at that!
In this blog post, I’m sharing my top 10 game-changing reasons why I switched to using a digital planner (and why you should too!):
- Receiving your Digital Planners is incredibly simple and quick.
- Digital planners are easier to carry with you and share with others.
- Digital planners are searchable and paper planners are not.
- Digital planning can save you money.
- Digital planning offers advanced features.
- Digital planning has endless additions: digital stickers, inserts and covers.
- Digital planning is environmentally friendly.
- Digital planners are endlessly customizable and editable.
- Digital planning is a fun and creative outlet.
- Digital planning easily incorporates your personal photos.
But first…
What are Digital Planners?
There are many different versions of digital planners out there, but the majority of them are used through simple note-taking apps.
A digital planner is literally a digital version of a traditional paper planner that you use on your devices, the most popular being a tablet or iPad.
Digital Planners usually are PDF documents containing interactive hyperlinks. Yes, links work in PDF’s, who knew?! The PDF file is then used in a note-taking app like Goodnotes, Notability or XODO. This allows you to write, draw, and type directly on the planner.
Once imported, you can easily click the links in the planner to take you to specific pages or swipe from page to page.
Because digital planners are used on an app, your planner will automatically update with any changes you make on all of your devices. Simply access your note-taking app of choice and your planner will be updated and ready for use.
Using an apple pencil or stylus to write is fun too and mimics writing in a traditional planner. Or you always have the option to type.
Where do you Buy a Digital Planner?
Digital planners can be purchased from various online platforms and stores, catering to different preferences and needs.
Popular options include online marketplaces like Etsy, where independent creators sell customizable and unique digital planner designs. We personally get all of our digital planners on Etsy. It supports small businesses and often times the creativity behind the designs are unparalleled.
E-commerce platforms such as Amazon offer a wide range of pre-designed digital planners and specialized websites like Zinnia, Planners Collective, and Digital Planner Hub also provide extensive collections, often with bundles, templates, or subscription options.
Additionally, social media platforms and creator websites are also great places to find digital planners directly from designers who offer personalized services.
And now for the real reason you are here. The 10 most compelling reasons to switch to a Digital Planner:
01 | Receiving your Digital Planners is incredibly simple and quick.
When I used traditional paper planners, I always found myself in a mad scramble to purchase one in time before the new year came and my current planner was completed. It was never top of mind for me… hello, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a plethora of holiday plans… Planners were NOT top of mind.
Before I knew it I was filtering out planners I would have bought because the shipping would put me starting in mid-January. Not ideal.
Digital Planners are great because you get them instantly. It depends on where you’re buying your digital planner, but you will typically get an email with a link to a direct instant download. Sites like Etsy have automatic emails with the digital file or link to the download sent directly after purchase and also have the instant download added to your “My Purchases” section of your Etsy Account.
Once you’ve downloaded your file, all you need to do for setup is importing your file into the note-taking App of your choice (Goodnotes, Notability, XODO, etc).
Your digital planner will forever be saved in the app and is instantly ready for you to start using. No waiting on two-week shipping!
02 | Digital planners are easier to carry with you and share with others.
One of my favorite things about digital planners is their enhanced portability.
With digital planners, everything you need is stored on a device you likely already carry: your smartphone, iPad, or laptop. This eliminates the need to lug around a bulky planner while ensuring your schedule is always accessible, even on the go.
Additionally, you can share access to your planner or to specific pages of your planner with friends, spouses, or co-workers. If you need to share schedules with your husband, you simply grant him access to viewing and/or editing your planner (or specific pages) by sharing a unique link that your note-taking app will provide you with.
This means you’ll never forget your planner at home and be without for the day! AND, if by chance you do, you can always use another computer or device, log into your note-taking app, and access your planner.
03 | Digital planners are searchable and paper planners are not.
Now this part was a game-changer for me.
Digital planners make it easy to find specific tasks, notes, or events. Most platforms include a search function, allowing you to locate information in seconds.
No more flipping through pages trying to remember where you wrote something down.
04 | Digital planning can save you money.
Digital Planning can be incredibly cost-effective. Because there isn’t a physical product, the cost to create a digital planner is significantly lower than a traditional paper planner. There isn’t the cost to the creator of binding, paper, ink, or a cover.
The only cost to make a digital planner is the cost of time and any programs they use to design which means the creator can offer a significantly lower price while still making the same amount of profit as they would for a paper planner.
This also means you have the option to get a planner with bright beautiful colors as the cost of ink is not an issue. Many traditional planners are only black and white as colored ink is incredibly expensive.
Also, if you buy your traditional planner online, you’ll probably have to pay for shipping as well. Digital Planners are instant downloads thus, NO shipping costs!
One thing to note though is that price ranges vary significantly for digital planners and is really dependent on the sellers, brand, and how extensive the planner is. Don’t choose your planner simply on price as that really doesn’t indicate it’s quality. Make sure you know what is included in the digital planner before you buy.
For me, I love Her Life Planner because it’s only $28 and often times onsale before the new year for under $10 (right now it’s 65% off for $9.80!!!). It’s super inexpensive but offers one of the most comprehensive template bundles out there, including meal planners, fitness trackers, goal setting templates, 30-day challenges, gorgeous monthly vision boards and so much more. Plus, the imagery and bright colors are stunning!
Click Here to check it out! $9.80 is literally what you’d be paying in shipping costs if you bought a paper planner, am I right?! Extra 15% off code at the bottom of this post.
05 | Digital planning offers advanced features.
Digital planners integrate seamlessly with apps and tools that can enhance your productivity.
Set reminders, sync with your calendar, or attach files and links directly to your tasks.
I especially love adding Pinterest links of recipes I’m planning on making for the week in my planner’s Meal Planner. This makes it super easy to open my planner, plan out my meals for the week and have instant access to each recipe all in one place.
Many digital planners also support handwriting with styluses, giving you the tactile experience of writing without sacrificing digital convenience.
Depending on the note-taking app you choose, you’ll be bombarded with countless features from the app. Lasso tools are great for digital planners as you can easily circle any text or imagery with the lasso tool and then move it to another part of the page. No erasing and re-writing necessary!
06 | Digital planning has endless additions: digital stickers, inserts, and covers
Many people love decorating their digital planner or digital journal with Digital Stickers. Digital stickers can be fun and artsy or practical and functional. Holiday stickers are a huge trend and can make planning the holiday season just that much more special.
Digital Stickers are simple images that are designed and saved as a PNG file. You simply import them into your planner and can use, reuse, resize and even edit them as many times as you’d like!
You can buy Digitial Stickers on marketplaces like Etsy or even create your own with programs like Canva.
Additionally, many people love changing their planner cover throughout the year. The planner cover is the first page of your planner PDF file and can easily be updated at any time by importing a new PNG file. Brands design and sell cover page bundles or you can easily create your own!
07 | Digital planning is environmentally friendly.
This one is pretty obvious but oh so important.
Switching to a digital planner significantly reduces paper waste. Traditional planners often end up in landfills after a year of use, contributing to environmental strain.
By choosing digital, you’re taking a step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. We love that!
08 | Digital planners are endlessly customizable and editable.
Another thing I LOVE about Digital Planners is that you can easily add inserts, duplicate any page, or re-arrange pages all within your note-taking app.
You can easily rearrange tasks, reschedule events, and customize your layouts. Need to add more pages or adjust your planning style? With digital planners, it’s as simple as a few taps or clicks—no need to scribble out entries or start over.
Digital planners truly offer unparalleled flexibility compared to their paper counterparts.
09 | Digital planning is a fun and creative outlet.
I love love LOVE my digital planner. It’s not just a schedule keeper for me, but a way for me to unwind and relax after a long day.
So many planners offer unique activities or templates for you to fill out throughout the week.
Additionally, I love the array of colors and pen types that are offered in note-taking apps like Goodnotes.
I love keeping my planners neat and tidy and with paper planners they end up looking tired, wrinkles, and full of eraser marks by March.
With digital planning, I can unleash my creativity and if I make a mistake, simply click “undo.” The planner stays fresh and beautiful all year long!
10 | Digital planning easily incorporates your personal photos
Oh how I love this feature. Gone are the days of going to Kinkos or FedEx to print out your camera roll. With Digital Planning you can easily insert your photos straight from your camera roll.
You can easily crop out unwanted items in your image, or pull out a specific person in the shot and add it to straight to your digital planner.
I love adding pictures of my kids throughout my digital planner or a picture of the restaurant I’m getting happy hour at with a friend later in the week.
So What Do You Need to Start Digital Planning?
So at this point, you may be eager to get started, am I right? But what exactly do you need to make sure your digital planning journey is a success?
Here’s the list:
- An iPad or Tablet
- An Apple pencil or stylus (unless you plan to only type)
- A note-taking app or PDF annotation app (Goodnotes, Notability, Noteshelf, XODO, Zoomnotes, etc)
- A Digital Planner of your choice!
Related: Beginner’s Guide to Goodnotes 6 for Digital Planning
Optional add-ons (with links to our favs!):
- iPad or Tablet stand
- iPad Cover
- Paperfeel Screen Protector (makes you feel like you’re writing on paper
- Digital Stickers
Switching to a digital planner might seem daunting at first, especially if you’re used to the tactile experience of pen and paper. Start by exploring digital planning apps and tools to find one that suits your preferences. Many offer free trials, so you can experiment before committing.
Our personal favorites?
Best Note-Taking App: Goodnotes. Free to download and use. You’ll most likely need to pay monthly, however, as the majority of planners will supersede the small storage space the free version gives. But, it’s super inexpensive: only $9.99 for a whole year. And you can use it for so much more than just your planner!
Best Digital Planner: Digital Life Planner
Designed with an elegant layout and easy navigation with over 800 hyperlinked pages, Digital Life Planner is an elevated planning experience that is focused on helping you find life balance, prioritize self-care, and has templates and activities for all aspects of your life.
From meal planning, to fitness tracking, to goal setting, to 30-Day challenges, Digital Life Planner really has it all.
And did we mention it’s absolutely gorgeous?!
If you’re ready to take the leap and transition to a digital planner, I urge you to check out Her Life Planner while it’s on sale for the new year for just $9.80, 65% OFF.
Get an extra 15% off with our code: MOMFROMMERCER15
Her Life Planner: Ultimate Lafe Planner Highlights:
✧2025 Dated Digital Planner for Goodnotes or other note-taking app
✧800+ pages of templates, calendars and workbooks
✧YouTube Video Tutorials for setup and Goodnotes Tips & Tricks
✧Thousands of thoughtful hyperlinks for easy navigation
✧Home Page Dashboard to provide a centralized area for easy access
✧Monthly Dashboards to keep navigation smooth and easy
✧Inspirational Imagery and Gorgeous Layout throughout
✧Imagery and Colors coordinated for each distinct month to refresh and inspire you throughout the year.
✧Two versions of the Planner are included:
-Standard: Includes pre-planned daily checklist items to help you utilize all of the planner’s features (such as meal planning reminders, setting goals, fitness prompts, etc)
-Blank: Planner has a fully blank Daily Checklist and does not include any prompts.
Her Life Planner: Ultimate Lafe Planner Bonuses:
✧1000+ Pre-cropped Digital Stickers
✧50 Planner Covers
Conclusion
Digital planners are more than just a trend—they’re a practical, sustainable, and an efficient solution for managing your busy life. With their endless customization options, advanced features, and eco-friendly benefits, it’s no wonder more people are making the switch. Embrace the future of planning and discover how a digital planner can transform the way you organize your life.
Related: How Digital Planning can Help You Re-Prioritize Yourself (5 Steps to Prioritizing YOU)
Let us know… what other questions do you have about digital planning?
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