Best GoodNotes alternatives in 2026
8 direct alternatives to GoodNotes, compared on pricing, features, and best-for use cases. Pick the right replacement without the marketing fluff.
Curated by Louis Corneloup · Updated Why people consider alternatives to GoodNotes
Goodnotes is a versatile note-taking application designed to help users capture thoughts, organize information, and collaborate effectively across various platforms. Teams most often switch away when one of these starts to bite:
- •Pricing at scale as usage or premium tiers add up.
- •Missing integrations with the rest of your stack.
- •Performance or scale limits as your needs grow.
- •A specific feature gap you have hit in note-taking.
The 8 alternatives below cover the same core job (note-taking) with different trade-offs. Ranked by real-signal score: G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editor review. No paid placement.
8 alternatives to GoodNotes
Ranked by real-signal composite (rankingScore + community + reviews) and direct relevance to GoodNotes.
- 1
Evernote
FreemiumHigher rated by usersThe original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Direct alternative4.4(10,278)Compare GoodNotes vs Evernote → - 2
Microsoft OneNote
FreeFree alternativeDigital notebook for organizing everything
Direct alternative4.6(3,799)Compare GoodNotes vs Microsoft OneNote → - 3
Notability
FreemiumHigher rated by usersTransform your notes into knowledge with AI-powered summaries, quizzes, and flashcards.
Direct alternative4.6(90)Compare GoodNotes vs Notability → - 4
Apple Notes
FreeFree alternativeFree note-taking for Apple users
Direct alternative4.1(14)Compare GoodNotes vs Apple Notes → - 5
Google Drive
FreemiumHigher rated by usersCloud storage and collaboration with 15GB free
Direct alternative4.8(28,494)Compare GoodNotes vs Google Drive → - 6
Google Workspace
PaidHigher rated by usersAll-in-one business productivity suite with real-time collaboration
Direct alternative4.6(64,912)Compare GoodNotes vs Google Workspace → - 7
ChatGPT
FreemiumHigher rated by usersOpenAI's conversational AI that started the generative AI revolution
Direct alternative4.6(2,204)Compare GoodNotes vs ChatGPT → - 8
Google Forms
FreeFree alternativeEffortless surveys and quizzes that sync with Google Sheets
Direct alternative4.7(11,277)Compare GoodNotes vs Google Forms →
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to GoodNotes?
Based on real-signal scoring (G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editorial review), the top alternatives to GoodNotes are Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Notability. Each solves the same core job with different trade-offs on pricing, features, and integrations.
Is there a free alternative to GoodNotes?
Yes. Evernote is one of the freemium alternatives to GoodNotes listed here (The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years). Other freemium options are flagged in the list below.
Why do people look for GoodNotes alternatives?
Common reasons teams switch away from GoodNotes: pricing that scales aggressively, missing integrations with the rest of their stack, performance or scale limits, or a specific feature gap in note-taking. The alternatives on this page solve the same core problem with different trade-offs.
Side-by-side comparisons
In-depth comparison pages for GoodNotes versus each alternative.
Still considering GoodNotes?
See the full review, pricing breakdown, and community feedback before you decide.