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Goodnotes

A tablet-first notes app for handwriting, PDF markup, whiteboards and typed documents.

Checked 5 Oct 2026 Reviewed by Alex Listed since August 2024

Screenshot of Goodnotes

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 use

Our 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.

Questions about Goodnotes

What is Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is a tablet-first notes app for handwriting, PDF markup, infinite whiteboards and typed documents. Its handwriting engine lets users write quickly, rest a hand on the screen and convert notes to text, and AI features add summaries and search across handwritten and typed content.

Is Goodnotes free?

Goodnotes has a free plan, but it covers only a limited slice of the notebook and AI features. AI-powered summaries and search require an active subscription, and paid plans start at $1 per year, according to the vendor's pricing page in September 2026.

Does Goodnotes work without a tablet?

Goodnotes runs on the web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android, but the handwriting experience is designed around a tablet and stylus. The reviewer says a desktop without one loses most of the appeal, and typing-first users with no tablet or stylus will find little reason to switch.

Who is Goodnotes best for?

Goodnotes suits tablet users who write, sketch and annotate PDFs by hand. The reviewer says professionals in fields such as law, architecture and education who already work from a tablet get the most from its handwriting engine and from real-time collaboration on shared notebooks, whiteboards and documents.

Can Goodnotes record and transcribe lectures?

Yes. Goodnotes can record meetings and lectures and transcribe them alongside written notes. Any PDF can also be marked up by hand, searched and exported like a paper document. Alex gave Goodnotes a Toolio score of 4.1 out of 5 after real use.

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