Fabric vs GoodNotes: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Fabric and GoodNotes comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: GoodNotes wins this matchup. Our overall AI Assistants pick is ChatGPT. Our free AI Assistants pick is Fathom. Pick Fabric if you need AI assistants.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Fabric
Unify your work, search everything with AI
Best for you if:
- • You want unify your work, search everything with AI
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
- • You want powerful AI features significantly enhance productivity and understanding
| At a Glance | Fabric | GoodNotes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | AI Assistants | Note-Taking |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Fabric or GoodNotes?
Choose Fabric if
Unify your work, search everything with AI
- You want unify your work, search everything with AI
- Your work is AI assistants-shaped, not note-taking-shaped
Choose GoodNotes if
Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
- You want highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles
- You want powerful AI features significantly enhance productivity and understanding
- Your work is note-taking-shaped, not AI assistants-shaped
| Feature | Fabric | GoodNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 26 reviews | ★4.4/5 263 reviews |
| Categories | AI AssistantsProductivity | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Fabric
Unify your work, search everything with AI
Fabric's pricing is fair for indie developers and small teams, with a free tier that's genuinely useful for testing and a $12/mo Pro plan that's competitively priced for unlimited projects.
Watch out
Pro plan lacks advanced features like custom roles, which may require Enterprise
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
- +Highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles.
- +Powerful AI features significantly enhance productivity and understanding.
- +Seamless real-time collaboration makes it great for teams and education.
- +Comprehensive search functionality, including handwritten content.
- +Available across multiple operating systems.
Weaknesses
- -Some advanced AI features and cross-platform sync are limited or in beta.
- -Certain features like audio transcription and presentation mode are currently iOS-only.
- -Free plan has significant limitations on file count and AI usage.
Key features
Pricing: Fabric vs GoodNotes
| Plan | Fabric | GoodNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $12/mo Pro | $11.99/year Essential |
| Tier 3 | Contact us Enterprise | $9.99/month AI Pass+ |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $35.99/year Pro |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $35.99 one-time Special Edition |
| Tier 6 | N/A | $10/month per user (billed annually) Teams |
| Tier 7 | N/A | Contact us Enterprise |
| Tier 8 | N/A | Free Education |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Fabric pricing and GoodNotes pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Fabric
Want the highest-rated option?
Fabric: 4.5/5 (26 reviews). GoodNotes: 4.4/5 (263 reviews).
Go with: Fabric
Value user reviews?
Fabric: 26 reviews (4.5/5). GoodNotes: 263 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: GoodNotes
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Fabric is a AI assistants tool. GoodNotes is in note-taking. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Fabric is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
GoodNotes
- Larger review base (263 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Fabric
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Better fit for AI assistants
The Bottom Line
GoodNotes wins this matchup. Our overall AI Assistants pick is ChatGPT. Our free AI Assistants pick is Fathom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fabric or GoodNotes better?
GoodNotes is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Fabric and GoodNotes used for?
Fabric: Unify your work, search everything with AI. GoodNotes: Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking..
What does Fabric cost vs GoodNotes?
Fabric is freemium (free tier + paid plans). GoodNotes is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.