Goodnotes
A tablet-first notes app for handwriting, PDF markup, whiteboards and typed documents.
At a glance
Starts at
$1 per year
Price from the vendor's pricing page, September 2026.
Free tier
Yes, limited
Platforms
Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Best for
Tablet users who write, sketch and annotate PDFs by hand
Not for
Anyone who mainly types and rarely handwrites notes
4.1 out of 5
Scored by Alex after real useOur verdict
Goodnotes turns a tablet into a notebook, letting people write by hand, mark up PDFs, sketch on an infinite whiteboard or type a plain document, with AI features layered on for summaries and search. Professionals in fields like law, architecture and education who already work from a tablet get the most out of the handwriting engine and real-time collaboration. Typing-first users with no tablet or stylus will find little reason to switch, and the free plan only covers a limited slice of what the paid tiers include.
✓What it does well
Natural handwriting engineHandwriting recognition lets users write quickly, rest a hand on the screen and convert notes to text.
PDF annotationAny PDF can be marked up by hand, searched and exported like a paper document.
Real-time collaborationNotebooks, whiteboards and documents can be shared and edited together in real time.
✕Where it falls short
Limited free planThe free tier only covers a limited slice of the notebook and AI features.
Built for tabletsThe handwriting experience is designed around a tablet and stylus, so a desktop without one loses most of the appeal.
AI features need setupAI-powered summaries and search require an active subscription rather than the base free plan.
Key features
Handwritten note-takingThe core notebook lets users write, sketch or convert handwriting to typed text.
Infinite whiteboardA whiteboard tool gives an expandable canvas for visual brainstorming and planning.
Audio recording and transcriptionMeetings and lectures can be recorded and transcribed alongside written notes.
AI summaries and searchAI tools summarize notebooks and let users search across handwritten and typed content.