GoodNotes vs Apple Notes: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between GoodNotes and Apple Notes 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: Apple Notes is our overall pick for note-taking workflows. Pick GoodNotes if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
GoodNotes
Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
Best for you if:
- • Capture notes using handwriting, typing, drawing, or audio with AI assistance.
- • Collaborate in real-time on digital notebooks, whiteboards, and text documents.
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Cross-device syncing
- • Simple note-taking
| At a Glance |  GoodNotes |  Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
Choose GoodNotes or Apple Notes?
Choose GoodNotes if
Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
- 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.
Choose Apple Notes if
Free note-taking for Apple users
- Free with Apple devices
- Good for quick notes
- Decent scanning
- You want a fully free tool (GoodNotes requires payment)
| Feature | GoodNotes | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 267 reviews | ★4.1/5 14 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
GoodNotes
Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.
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
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Strengths
- +Free with Apple devices
- +Good for quick notes
- +Decent scanning
- +Collaboration works
- +Fast sync
Weaknesses
- -Apple only
- -Limited organization
- -No Markdown
- -Basic formatting
- -Export options limited
Key features
Pricing: GoodNotes vs Apple Notes
| Plan | GoodNotes | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $11.99/year Essential | 0.99 iCloud+ 50GB |
| Tier 3 | $9.99/month AI Pass+ | 2.99 iCloud+ 200GB |
| Tier 4 | $35.99/year Pro | N/A |
| Tier 5 | $35.99 one-time Special Edition | N/A |
| Tier 6 | $10/month per user (billed annually) Teams | N/A |
| Tier 7 | Contact us Enterprise | N/A |
| Tier 8 | Free Education | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on GoodNotes pricing and Apple Notes pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Apple Notes is free. GoodNotes is freemium.
Go with: Apple Notes
Want the highest-rated option?
GoodNotes: 4.2/5 (267 reviews). Apple Notes: 4.1/5 (14 reviews).
Go with: GoodNotes
Value user reviews?
GoodNotes: 267 reviews (4.2/5). Apple Notes: 14 reviews (4.1/5).
Go with: GoodNotes
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
GoodNotes is freemium. Apple Notes is free. Go with Apple Notes if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are note-taking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
GoodNotes is rated higher: 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
GoodNotes
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (267 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Apple Notes is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoodNotes or Apple Notes better?
Apple Notes is rated in our evaluation. GoodNotes is freemium and Apple Notes is free.
What are GoodNotes and Apple Notes used for?
GoodNotes: Capture, organize, and elevate your ideas with AI-powered digital note-taking.. Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users.
What does GoodNotes cost vs Apple Notes?
GoodNotes is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Apple Notes is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.