The goodnotes vs notability debate has been going strong for several years—and for good reason. These two powerhouse apps are designed to transform your iPad, iPhone, and Mac into smart, flexible tools for digital note-taking. Whether you’re a student managing lecture notes or a business professional organizing meetings, choosing between these two can impact your workflow dramatically.
In this updated 2025 comparison, we dive deep into how both apps perform and which one might be a better fit for your specific needs.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Goodnotes and Notability
- User Interface and Ease of Use
- Note-Taking Features Compared
- Audio Recording and Playback
- File Organization and Document Management
- Collaboration and Sharing Options
- Customization and Templates
- Price and Subscription Models
- Performance and Sync Across Devices
- Table: Feature Comparison Between Goodnotes and Notability
- Best Use Cases: Who Should Use Which?
- User Feedback and Community Support
- Which App is Better in 2025?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion and Call-to-Action
Overview of Goodnotes and Notability
Both apps offer exceptional handwriting support, PDF annotation, and cloud syncing capabilities. However, they approach note-taking with slightly different philosophies:
- Goodnotes emphasizes structure, folders, and a physical notebook-like experience.
- Notability focuses on flexibility, fast capture, and integrated audio recording.
Understanding their core values helps in choosing the right tool.
User Interface and Ease of Use
Both apps feature intuitive interfaces, but they appeal to different preferences:
- Goodnotes has a layout that mimics physical notebooks and allows tabbed browsing, making it great for people who organize visually.
- Notability has a more fluid sidebar design, allowing users to jump between notes quickly, which is ideal for those who value speed and flexibility.
Both apps are beginner-friendly, but the choice comes down to whether you prefer structured notebooks or quick access folders.
Note-Taking Features Compared
Let’s explore how these apps handle the actual process of taking notes:
- Goodnotes allows precise pen strokes, lasso tool for moving content, shape recognition, handwriting to text conversion, and laser pointer mode.
- Notability provides quick pen tools, multi-note support (split screen), handwriting search, and built-in voice recording.
Goodnotes is more aligned with traditional note-taking, while Notability favors dynamic capture and real-time editing.
Audio Recording and Playback
This is where Notability truly shines. Its audio recording feature is:
- Linked to your notes, allowing you to tap on written text to replay what was said at that moment
- Perfect for students and meeting attendees
Goodnotes does not yet offer audio recording, which could be a drawback for users who rely heavily on that feature.
File Organization and Document Management
Goodnotes offers robust organizational tools:
- Folders and subfolders for categorizing notebooks
- Customizable covers and paper types
- Easy drag-and-drop note management
Notability uses a tagging and subject system:
- Notes are sorted by subjects
- Less hierarchical than Goodnotes
For users who prefer structured archiving, Goodnotes may be more appealing.
Collaboration and Sharing Options
Both apps now support sharing and collaboration:
- Goodnotes allows collaborative editing on shared documents via cloud links
- Notability supports shared notes and comment annotations
Both options are solid for group projects and tutoring sessions, but Goodnotes recently expanded its collaboration tools with real-time updates.
Customization and Templates
- Goodnotes provides a vast selection of built-in and downloadable templates. Users can import planners, journals, or academic formats.
- Notability offers basic templates, with a focus on daily use formats like Cornell notes and simple planners.
If aesthetics and customization matter, Goodnotes takes the lead.
Price and Subscription Models
Both apps have shifted to freemium and subscription-based models:
- Goodnotes offers a free version with basic functionality. The full version requires a one-time purchase or subscription.
- Notability has a free version with limited editing, while full functionality is unlocked via annual subscription.
Depending on how often you use the app, Goodnotes may offer better value over time.
Performance and Sync Across Devices
Both apps support:
- iCloud syncing across iPad, iPhone, and Mac
- Instant backup and restore options
Performance is smooth on M1/M2 chips and the latest iPad Pro models. There’s minimal lag in both applications, even with large PDF imports or multiple layers.
Table: Feature Comparison Between Goodnotes and Notability
| Feature | Goodnotes | Notability |
| Handwriting Experience | Smooth and precise | Fast and responsive |
| Audio Recording | No | Yes (linked to notes) |
| PDF Annotation | Yes | Yes |
| Organization System | Folder-based | Subject-based |
| Multi-Note Viewing | Yes (Tabbed) | Yes (Split screen) |
| Searchable Handwriting | Yes | Yes |
| Collaboration Features | Real-time sharing | Shared editing |
| Templates and Custom Pages | Extensive | Limited |
| Price Model | One-time or yearly | Freemium + yearly |
Best Use Cases: Who Should Use Which?
Choose Goodnotes if you:
- Prefer neatly structured notes
- Like to archive notes in visual notebooks
- Want a one-time purchase with optional upgrades
- Need a vast selection of paper templates
Choose Notability if you:
- Record lectures or meetings frequently
- Want a streamlined workflow with fewer clicks
- Prefer syncing audio to written notes
- Enjoy multitasking with split screen views
User Feedback and Community Support
Both apps have passionate user communities:
- Goodnotes users praise its clean layout, robust customization, and performance
- Notability users love its fluid functionality and best-in-class audio tools
Support is available through forums, help desks, YouTube tutorials, and active Reddit threads.
Which App is Better in 2025?
In 2025, both apps Goodnotes vs Notability are outstanding—but the better app depends on your workflow:
- Goodnotes is ideal for methodical note-takers, planners, and digital journal enthusiasts.
- Notability excels for quick capture, class recordings, and high-speed navigation.
If you’re looking for traditional, highly organized notes, Goodnotes will serve you well. If you want a quick, versatile tool with built-in recording, Notability could be your winner.
Conclusion
When choosing between Goodnotes vs Notability, it comes down to your personal style of note-taking. Both apps are excellent, well-supported, and frequently updated. Goodnotes is structured and customizable, while Notability is dynamic and perfect for audio-integrated notes.
Before deciding, try the free versions to test which aligns best with your workflow. Your iPad or Mac can be a powerful note-taking machine with either—make the choice that makes your work or study life easier.
Explore Goodnotes vs Notability today and discover which one transforms your digital note-taking experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use Goodnotes or Notability on Android?
Currently, both apps are exclusive to Apple devices.
Q2: Do both apps support Apple Pencil?
Yes. Both are optimized for Apple Pencil 1 and 2.
Q3: Can I import PDFs and annotate them?
Absolutely. Both apps are widely used for annotating textbooks and forms.
Q4: Are the apps suitable for kids or teens?
Yes. Many students in K-12 and college use these tools daily.
Q5: Can I use both apps simultaneously?
Yes, but syncing between them isn’t automatic. You can export/import notes if needed.
