Full comparability for Mac and iPad customers (2026)

Each GoodNotes and Notability have been battling for the highest spot in Apple’s App Retailer for years. If you happen to’ve researched note-taking apps, you’ve got virtually actually hit this debate: Notability vs GoodNotes — which is best?

The sincere reply is that it is dependent upon how you are taking notes and what you want your notes to do after you are taking them. GoodNotes leans towards creation and group; Notability leans towards comprehension and finding out. This comparability breaks down the significant variations so you may make a transparent alternative, and factors out the place different instruments could serve you higher.

GoodNotes vs Notability: Characteristic and pricing comparability

Earlier than transferring on to an in depth overview of each note-taking apps, I’ve compiled their principal options in a comparability desk. 

Overview of GoodNotes

GoodNotes has advanced from an easy handwriting app into an AI-powered inventive canvas. The core expertise facilities on capturing concepts in no matter kind they arrive, handwritten, typed, drawn, or spoken, and making that content material searchable and collaborative throughout groups.

Again in faculty, what I favored most about GoodNotes was that it supported handwriting with pens and highlighters, typing, drawing, and audio recording all on the identical web page. I might write notes by hand, then add printed information from the trainer, and have structured information. 

Supply: GoodNotes

Now at work, I take advantage of the whiteboard function. It is handy for brainstorming periods, and it is one in every of GoodNotes’ clearest differentiators from Notability, which makes use of commonplace page-based layouts.

Supply: GoodNotes

Audio Notes Report conferences, lectures, or voice memos with automated transcription and AI-powered summaries, conserving audio linked to the notes taken throughout the session.

For $9.99/month, you will get the AI Go add-on, which unlocks options corresponding to producing templates and content material drafts, extracting key insights from brainstorm periods, refining writing, and creating structured outputs like timelines or tables from freeform content material.

“I’ve used Goodnotes for years. By no means had an issue and what I really like is that my handwriting is searchable and the recording function coupled with writing notes. Only a rather well designed app all the way in which round”, shares a Reddit neighborhood member.

Finest options:

• Limitless canvas whiteboard for visible brainstorming
• Handwriting search throughout all paperwork, PDFs, and pictures
• Multi-modal enter: write, sort, draw, and document in a single place
• AI-powered content material technology, templates, and summaries (with AI Go)
• Actual-time collaboration throughout any system
• Cross-platform: iPad, iPhone, Mac, Home windows, Net, Android

Pricing:

• Free
• Paid: From $11.99/yr + $9.99/month for AI Go

Overview of Notability 

Notability’s headline function converts notes, PDFs, and recordings into Good Notes — structured summaries that seize key factors with out requiring any handbook effort. Whether or not content material was handwritten, typed, or recorded, the AI processes it right into a readable overview. 

Generally I take advantage of Notability on calls, as a result of this app captures and summarizes content material in actual time, permitting me to give attention to the dialog itself. 

Notability has superior AI examine instruments. The app turns notes into customized assessments and flashcards for spaced repetition studying. The app’s chat function permits customers to ask questions straight about their notes, receiving explanations and solutions with out leaving the doc.

Have to make PDF annotations and markups in your analysis papers, textbooks, or work paperwork?  Simply import the file and mark them up with handwriting, highlights, feedback, and drawings.

“I like Notability higher as a result of my handwriting seems significantly better in comparison with Goodnotes. Additionally, the UI could be very minimal and I really like seamless mode!” shares a Reddit person.

Notes are seamlessly synced throughout all related gadgets through Notability Cloud, and the free plan contains limitless notes and full syncing. By the way in which, that’s a extra enticing free providing than GoodNotes.

Finest options at a look:

• AI-powered Good Notes: automated summaries from any enter sort
• Actual-time transcription throughout lectures and conferences
• Personalised quizzes and flashcards from your individual notes
• In-app chat to interrogate your notes with questions
• Limitless free notes with Notability Cloud sync
• PDF annotation with math and handwriting conversion

Pricing:

• Free
• Paid: From $7.99/month (contains AI examine options)

GoodNotes vs Notability: Professionals and cons

Each note-taking apps are efficient instruments. Nevertheless, every has its drawbacks. I examined each myself, learn person opinions, and compiled my insights under.

GoodNotes execs and cons

Notability execs and cons

What Mac-first note-takers ought to contemplate as a substitute

GoodNotes and Notability are primarily designed round iPad and Apple Pencil enter. For Mac customers who work primarily with textual content, native Mac note-taking and writing apps from Setapp usually present a better-suited expertise.

My go-to device for writing is Ulysses. The place GoodNotes organizes notes in notebooks, and Notability builds examine supplies, Ulysses builds completed paperwork. It handles every thing from drafts to ultimate export in a number of codecs together with PDF, ePub, and Phrase.

If you happen to work with numerous paperwork, check out Elephas. I like which you can create devoted data bases, then talk with them and get insights in seconds. With AI assistant, you possibly can compose emails, summarize prolonged paperwork, generate key factors for displays, proofread your textual content, or create catchy headlines. It isn’t only a note-taking app, it is a full-fledged writing assistant.

MonsterWriter combines a clear writing interface with formatting help for educational {and professional} paperwork. Notably helpful for college kids and researchers who want structured long-form writing with out the complexity of Phrase or Pages.

All these apps can be found in Setapp for a single subscription worth, together with 250+ different instruments in your productive and artistic work.

To sum up: GoodNotes vs Notability — which is best?

The fitting alternative comes all the way down to what you want notes for.

GoodNotes fits designers, undertaking managers, and artistic professionals who assume visually. Notability is the best choice for college kids, teachers, or professionals who have to study from notes moderately than seize them actively. 

If you happen to primarily work on a Mac with text-heavy workflows, contemplate Ulysses from Setapp. Elephas is right for working with giant paperwork and volumes of knowledge, and MonsterWriter will make your educational writing a lot simpler. 

Attempt Setapp free for 7 days and construct your full writing and productiveness workflow.