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GoodNotes

Productivity & Notes

3.8(38 ratings)

GoodNotes is a versatile note-taking app that makes organizing your thoughts easy and intuitive.

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About GoodNotes

Best for iPad users who prefer handwritten digital notes.

GoodNotes is a digital note-taking app that combines the feel of handwriting on paper with the convenience of digital organization. It uses advanced handwriting recognition to make notes searchable, and supports PDF annotation, document scanning, and a wide range of templates. The app is primarily designed for iPad and Apple devices, making it a favorite among students and professionals who prefer stylus-based input. Its notebook-style interface feels intuitive, and the ability to mix handwriting with typed text and images gives it a flexible edge over simpler note apps.

Pros

Excellent handwriting recognition and search functionality
Beautiful, intuitive interface with realistic writing feel
Strong PDF annotation and document markup tools
Syncs seamlessly across Apple devices via iCloud
Wide variety of templates and customizable covers

Cons

Limited to Apple ecosystem, no Android or Windows
Free tier restricts users to three notebooks
Collaboration features are basic compared to competitors
No native web app for browser-based access

Use Cases

Best for students taking handwritten lecture notes on iPad with Apple Pencil

Best for professionals annotating PDFs and documents during meetings

Best for teachers preparing lesson plans and grading assignments digitally

Best for planners and journalers using digital templates for organization

Key Features

6 features

Handwriting recognition and conversion

Customizable digital notebooks

PDF annotation and markup tools

Searchable handwritten notes

Collaboration with shared notebooks

Import and export various file formats

SaasHunter Score

7.4/10

“You prefer a one-time purchase for a versatile note-taking app that offers intuitive organization.”

Ease of Use

8.0

Features

8.0

Pricing

7.0

Support

6.0

Integrations

8.0

Best For

Freelancers 8Agencies 7Small Business 7Startups 6Enterprise 5

Integrations

iCloudDropboxGoogle DriveOneDriveBoxZoomMicrosoft Teams

Productivity Notes Handwritten Notes Handwriting Digital Notes Traditional Note Taking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GoodNotes?

GoodNotes is a digital note-taking app for Apple devices that lets users create handwritten or typed notes, annotate PDFs, and organize documents in a notebook-style interface. It features powerful handwriting recognition that makes all your notes fully searchable.

How much does GoodNotes cost?

GoodNotes offers a free plan limited to three notebooks. The full version is available through a one-time purchase or a yearly subscription plan that unlocks unlimited notebooks, AI features, and additional functionality.

What are the main features of GoodNotes?

Key features include handwriting recognition with search, PDF annotation, document scanning, a variety of pen and highlighter tools, customizable templates, folders and tags for organization, and iCloud sync across Apple devices. It also offers shape recognition and an AI-powered typing assistant.

Who should use GoodNotes?

GoodNotes is ideal for students, educators, and professionals who prefer handwriting notes on an iPad with an Apple Pencil. It's also great for anyone who regularly works with PDFs or wants a structured digital notebook system.

Is there a free plan for GoodNotes?

Yes, GoodNotes offers a free plan that allows you to create up to three notebooks with full access to core features. To unlock unlimited notebooks and premium features, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.