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 wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom. 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:
- • You want highly flexible input methods cater to diverse note-taking styles
- • You want powerful AI features significantly enhance productivity and understanding
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (GoodNotes requires payment)
- • You want free with Apple devices
- • You want good for quick notes
| At a Glance | GoodNotes | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose GoodNotes or Apple Notes?
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
Choose Apple Notes if
Free note-taking for Apple users
- You want a fully free tool (GoodNotes requires payment)
- You want free with Apple devices
- You want good for quick notes
| Feature | GoodNotes | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 263 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.
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
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
- +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: 4.4/5 (263 reviews). Apple Notes: 4.1/5 (14 reviews).
Go with: GoodNotes
Value user reviews?
GoodNotes: 263 reviews (4.4/5). 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: 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
GoodNotes
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (263 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Apple Notes wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom.
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.