What is Goodnotes?
Goodnotes is a highly adaptable digital note-taking app that replaces the need for traditional notebooks with a smooth, digital experience. Available on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and web browsers, it lets users create handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, and organize documents in an easy-to-navigate interface.
Combining the natural feel of handwriting with digital enhancements, Goodnotes is favored by students, professionals, and creatives looking to simplify their note-taking and document organization.
Key Features of Goodnotes
Goodnotes brings together the familiarity of handwriting and the intelligence of AI-powered tools, creating an efficient note-taking experience across devices. Its user-friendly interface, combined with powerful features, sets it apart in the digital note-taking space.
- AI-Enhanced Handwriting: Improve your handwriting experience with spellcheck and word prediction features powered by AI.
- Cross-Platform Support: Goodnotes is available on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and web browsers, offering seamless access on all your devices.
- Customizable Notebooks: Choose from a variety of templates and paper styles to create personalized digital notebooks that suit your needs.
- PDF Annotation: Import, edit, and annotate PDFs directly within the app, making it easy to manage documents.
- Advanced Search: With handwriting recognition, users can quickly find handwritten notes and documents using the search feature.
Use Cases for Goodnotes
- Student Note-Taking: Perfect for lecture notes, organizing study materials, and creating digital flashcards.
- Business Meetings: Ideal for taking meeting minutes, brainstorming, and collaborating on documents.
- Digital Journaling: Use Goodnotes for keeping a personalized digital diary or bullet journal with templates and stickers.
- Academic Research: Researchers can annotate academic papers, organize their literature reviews, and efficiently compile research notes.
- Creative Design: Artists and designers can sketch, develop mood boards, and build creative concepts in a digital format.
Pros
- Intuitive handwriting experience with powerful digital tools
- Cross-platform syncing for easy access on all devices
- Advanced organizational and search capabilities
Cons
- Subscription costs may be high for some users
- It may take time to fully learn and utilize all the features
- Certain features may not be available across all platforms
How to Use Goodnotes
- Download the App: Install Goodnotes from your platform's app store (iOS, Google Play, or Windows).
- Create a New Notebook: Start a new notebook by tapping the '+' icon, then select your cover and paper template.
- Start Taking Notes: Use a stylus, Apple Pencil, or type with the text tool to begin writing.
- Organize Notes: Use folders to manage your notebooks, and the search function to find notes quickly.
- Leverage AI Features: Use AI tools like spellcheck and word completion to improve your notes.
- Annotate Documents: Import PDFs or other documents and annotate them directly within the app.
- Customize Tools: Set pen colors, styles, and sizes to match your preference, and save frequently used tools for easy access.
- Sync Across Devices: Enable syncing via iCloud or other services to access your notes on all devices.
- Collaborate: Share notes or specific pages and collaborate with others in real-time.
- Explore More Features: Experiment with audio recording, math conversion, and the Elements tool to enhance your workflow.
Goodnotes FAQs
-
What’s the Difference Between Goodnotes 5 and Goodnotes 6? Goodnotes 6 introduces AI-powered features, customizable templates, and folder color options. It's also available on more platforms like Android, Windows, and web, while Goodnotes 5 will still function but won't receive new features.
-
Is Goodnotes Free to Try? Yes, Goodnotes offers a free trial to explore its features before committing to a subscription.
-
What Happens to My Notes if I End My Subscription? If you cancel your subscription, you'll still have access to your notes, but you won't be able to create new ones without resubscribing.
-
Is Goodnotes Free for Schools? Yes, Goodnotes offers free access to educators and students at participating institutions through the Apple School Manager program.
-
Can I Keep Using Goodnotes 5? Yes, but new features will only be added to Goodnotes 6 moving forward.
-
What’s the Difference Between a Goodnotes 6 Subscription and One-Time Purchase? A subscription gives you access to all the latest features, while a one-time purchase offers basic functionality but without continuous updates.