Goodnotes

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

1. Student Note-Taking: Perfect for lecture notes, organizing study materials, and creating digital flashcards.
2. Business Meetings: Ideal for taking meeting minutes, brainstorming, and collaborating on documents.
3. Digital Journaling: Use Goodnotes for keeping a personalized digital diary or bullet journal with templates and stickers.
4. Academic Research: Researchers can annotate academic papers, organize their literature reviews, and efficiently compile research notes.
5. 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

1. Download the App: Install Goodnotes from your platform's app store (iOS, Google Play, or Windows).
2. Create a New Notebook: Start a new notebook by tapping the '+' icon, then select your cover and paper template.
3. Start Taking Notes: Use a stylus, Apple Pencil, or type with the text tool to begin writing.
4. Organize Notes: Use folders to manage your notebooks, and the search function to find notes quickly.
5. Leverage AI Features: Use AI tools like spellcheck and word completion to improve your notes.
6. Annotate Documents: Import PDFs or other documents and annotate them directly within the app.
7. Customize Tools: Set pen colors, styles, and sizes to match your preference, and save frequently used tools for easy access.
8. Sync Across Devices: Enable syncing via iCloud or other services to access your notes on all devices.
9. Collaborate: Share notes or specific pages and collaborate with others in real-time.
10. Explore More Features: Experiment with audio recording, math conversion, and the Elements tool to enhance your workflow.

Goodnotes FAQs

1. 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.

2. Is Goodnotes Free to Try? Yes, Goodnotes offers a free trial to explore its features before committing to a subscription.

3. 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.

4. Is Goodnotes Free for Schools? Yes, Goodnotes offers free access to educators and students at participating institutions through the Apple School Manager program.

5. Can I Keep Using Goodnotes 5? Yes, but new features will only be added to Goodnotes 6 moving forward.

6. 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.