Apple Notes vs GoodNotes: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Apple Notes and GoodNotes side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (GoodNotes requires payment)
GoodNotes
Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles
| At a Glance | Apple Notes | GoodNotes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $0.99/mo, billed monthly iCloud+ 50GB plan | Free plan, paid from $0.99/mo, billed yearly Essential plan |
Category | Productivity Note-Taking | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.1/5 SourceForge 4.1 14 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · Trustpilot 4.0 263 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | iCloud storage needed for large attachments | AI Pass+ is a significant monthly add-on. |
Choose Apple Notes or GoodNotes?
Choose Apple Notes if
- You want a fully free tool (GoodNotes requires payment)
- You want free with Apple devices
- You want good for quick notes
- You work in productivity, not note-taking
Choose GoodNotes if
- You want highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles
- You want powerful AI features significantly enhance productivity and understanding
- You work in note-taking, not productivity
In-Depth Analysis
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Apple Notes itself is entirely free and incredibly generous, offering full functionality without any locked features.
Watch out
iCloud storage needed for large attachments
Strengths
- Pro: Free with Apple devices
- Pro: Good for quick notes
- Pro: Decent scanning
- Pro: Collaboration works
- Pro: Fast sync
Weaknesses
- Con: Apple only
- Con: Limited organization
- Con: No Markdown
- Con: Basic formatting
- Con: Export options limited
Key features
GoodNotes
Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
GoodNotes offers a generous Free tier, but the Essential ($11.99/year) and Pro ($35.99/year) tiers are quite affordable for the features provided.
Watch out
AI Pass+ is a significant monthly add-on.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles.
- Pro: Powerful AI features significantly enhance productivity and understanding.
- Pro: Seamless real-time collaboration makes it great for teams and education.
- Pro: Comprehensive search functionality, including handwritten content.
- Pro: Available across multiple operating systems.
Weaknesses
- Con: Some advanced AI features and cross-platform sync are limited or in beta.
- Con: Certain features like audio transcription and presentation mode are currently iOS-only.
- Con: Free plan has significant limitations on file count and AI usage.
Key features
Plans and prices: Apple Notes vs GoodNotes
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Notes |
| apple.com/notes read Oct 7, 2026 |
| GoodNotes |
| goodnotes.com/pricing read Sep 27, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Apple Notes pricing and GoodNotes pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Choose if you want free note-taking for Apple users
GoodNotes
- Choose if you want capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 14 reviews for Apple Notes, 4.4/5 from 263 reviews for GoodNotes; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Apple Notes $0.99/mo, billed monthly; GoodNotes $0.99/mo, billed yearly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apple Notes and GoodNotes compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 14 reviews for Apple Notes, 4.4/5 from 263 reviews for GoodNotes; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Apple Notes $0.99/mo, billed monthly; GoodNotes $0.99/mo, billed yearly. Both have a free plan.
What are Apple Notes and GoodNotes used for?
Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users. GoodNotes: Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
What does Apple Notes cost vs GoodNotes?
Apple Notes's cheapest paid plan is iCloud+ 50GB at $0.99/mo, billed monthly. GoodNotes's cheapest paid plan is Essential at $0.99/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Apple Notes and GoodNotes?
Apple Notes's main strength: free with Apple devices. GoodNotes's main strength: highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles.