GoodNotes is a popular choice for handwritten notes and PDF markup, especially on iPad. Still, note-taking looks different for everyone. Some people want audio recording and replay. Others need deep organization across devices, faster typing workflows, or a more dedicated PDF workspace.
This guide compares well-known GoodNotes alternatives with a focus on practical workflows: handwriting, PDF annotation, search, sync, and study features. You can skim the table first, then jump to the apps that fit how you take notes.
If you already have notebooks you care about, it helps to think in formats. Anything you can export as a PDF can be read and annotated almost anywhere. For editable ink and layered pages, exporting as a native file is usually app-specific, so planning ahead can save time.
Comparison Table
| App | Best Fit | Platforms | Typical Pricing Model | What Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notability | Handwriting + audio study notes | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Web | Free tier + paid plans | Audio recording tied to your notes, quick markup flow |
| Microsoft OneNote | Mixed media notes and collaboration | iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows, Web | Free app + Microsoft 365 options | Notebook structure, cross-device access, team-friendly sharing |
| Apple Notes | Fast capture and simple organization | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Web (iCloud) | Included with Apple devices | Low-friction daily notes, smooth sync inside Apple’s ecosystem |
| MyScript Notes | Handwriting recognition and neat conversion | iOS, Android | Subscription or lifetime purchase | Ink-to-text and shape conversion that feels natural |
| Noteshelf | Templates, journals, and handwritten organization | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Windows | Free tier + one-time premium option (varies) | Planners/templates focus, handwriting-friendly UI |
| Noteful | iPad-first handwriting and PDF markup | iPadOS, iOS | Free download + in-app purchases | Paper-like writing feel with practical organization tools |
| PDF Expert | PDF-heavy reading, markup, and editing | iOS, iPadOS, macOS | Free access + subscription or purchase options | Dedicated PDF workflows: annotate, edit, sign, organize |
| Xodo | Cross-platform PDFs and document tools | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux | Free options + paid plans | Many tools across devices, including web-based editing and conversion |
Tip: If your priority is long-term access, look closely at export formats. PDF export is the most universal for reading and annotation, while editable ink layers are usually best kept in the app you plan to stick with.
How to Choose Based on Your Workflow
The “best” alternative depends on what you do most often. A student highlighting lecture slides has different needs than someone building planners, reviewing contracts, or running meetings. Start by choosing your main note format, then pick the app that supports it well.
- Main Input Style
- If you mostly write with a stylus, prioritize ink quality, palm rejection, and handwriting search. If you mostly type, prioritize structure, quick capture, and cross-device editing.
- PDF Workflow
- Some apps treat PDFs like first-class notebooks (good for classes and reading). Others treat PDFs as documents to edit and sign (good for work and forms).
- Search and Retrieval
- Look for reliable search across typed text, handwriting, and PDF content. This matters more over time than any single pen tool.
- Sync Expectations
- If you switch devices often, pick an option with a clear sync story that matches your ecosystem (Apple, Microsoft, or web-first).
- Handwriting Recognition
- Audio Recording
- PDF Annotation
- Templates and Planners
- Web Access
- Collaboration
A simple way to shortlist:
- If you want audio + notes in one place, start with Notability.
- If you want an all-around notebook that fits school, work, and teams, start with OneNote.
- If you want the simplest daily notes inside Apple devices, start with Apple Notes.
- If you want handwriting conversion to feel “built-in,” start with MyScript Notes.
- If you want planners and templates with lots of handwriting tools, start with Noteshelf.
- If you want an iPad-first writing feel with straightforward organization, start with Noteful.
- If you live in PDFs (reading, markup, editing, signing), start with PDF Expert or Xodo.
Notability
Notability is built for people who want a smooth mix of handwriting, typed notes, PDFs, and recordings. It’s often chosen for classes and study sessions because it keeps core tools close: write, highlight, import a handout, record, and review.
A practical way to think about Notability is “one note can hold everything.” Instead of separating notebooks, PDFs, and recordings into different apps, you can keep them together and stay focused on the content.
- Handwriting and drawing with flexible pen tools
- PDF import and annotation for slides, worksheets, and readings
- Audio recording designed to sit alongside written notes
- Organization via subjects/dividers and search across your library
Pricing typically includes a free starter tier and paid plans for heavier use. The published yearly options include a free plan plus paid tiers (such as Plus and Pro) with different feature limits. [Source-1✅]
Notability can be a strong fit if you review notes often and want your highlights, handwritten explanations, and recordings connected to the same material. It also works well for people who like a clean interface that keeps you in “note mode” rather than “project setup” mode.
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a flexible digital notebook that works well for mixed content: typed meeting notes, sketches, clipped references, images, and shared pages. It’s especially useful if you want your notes to feel like a “workspace” that you can open on many devices.
OneNote’s notebook/section/page structure is familiar and scalable. That structure tends to work well for long-running topics like semesters, client work, or ongoing personal projects where you want to keep material grouped without overthinking folders.
- Notebook organization with sections and pages
- Typing + digital ink on the same page
- Easy sharing for collaboration or family/work notes
- Web clip and quick capture workflows (depending on platform)
OneNote is free to download, with additional options tied to Microsoft 365 subscriptions and purchases inside the app. [Source-2✅]
If your notes often need to be available on Windows, Android, and the web as well as on Apple devices, OneNote is one of the most straightforward choices. It also fits well when you want to combine meeting notes, checklists, and reference material in one place.
Apple Notes
Apple Notes is a strong option if you want speed and simplicity. It’s easy to open, capture an idea, scan a document, add a checklist, and move on. For many people, it becomes the “default inbox” for daily life.
Apple Notes also works well as a lightweight handwriting space on iPad. You can mix typed text, sketches, attachments, and scanned pages without setting up a separate notebook system first.
- Fast capture for short and long notes
- Handwritten notes and sketches on supported devices
- Scanned documents, attachments, links, and checklists
- Sharing and collaboration for select notes
Apple Notes is part of Apple’s built-in apps and syncs through iCloud when enabled, including access from the web via iCloud. [Source-3✅]
Apple Notes is a good match when you want a reliable, low-friction place for daily notes that fits naturally into the Apple ecosystem. It also pairs nicely with a separate PDF-focused tool if your workload includes heavy form editing or large document sets.
MyScript Notes
MyScript Notes (formerly Nebo) is a handwriting-first note app built around recognition and conversion. If you like writing naturally but want your notes to become clean text, tidy shapes, and structured content, this is one of the most focused options.
It’s also a strong choice for people who want handwriting to stay editable. Instead of treating ink as a static drawing, the app aims to understand what you wrote and help you refine it without breaking your flow.
- Handwriting-to-text conversion designed for real-time editing
- Shape and diagram recognition that helps keep pages neat
- Multiple note formats (notebooks, documents, boards, PDFs)
- PDF annotation for imported documents
MyScript Notes offers paid options including subscriptions and a lifetime purchase, plus a free version with limited features. Its FAQ also explains trial options and how the free tier is scoped. [Source-4✅]
Choose MyScript Notes if your priority is turning handwritten notes into searchable, clean content while still writing like you would on paper. It’s especially practical for lectures, language learning, and any workflow where “rewrite later” is a common step.
Noteshelf
Noteshelf is a handwriting-friendly app with a strong emphasis on templates, journals, and planners. It’s a natural pick if your notes often start from a structure (like a weekly planner, a meeting template, or a study layout) and you want that structure to look consistent.
Noteshelf’s feature set is broad, but the core experience stays simple: pick a notebook style, write, highlight, and organize. If templates are central to your routine, this is where Noteshelf tends to shine.
- Template-driven notebooks (planners, journals, study layouts)
- Handwriting tools and PDF annotation
- Organization features designed for large libraries
- Options across multiple platforms (varies by version)
Noteshelf’s published Noteshelf 3 information includes a free option with limited functionality and a one-time premium purchase option (with local pricing variations). [Source-5✅]
Noteshelf can be a great fit if you want your notes to look polished without spending time formatting. It also suits people who keep separate notebooks for different roles, like work, study, and personal planning.
Noteful
Noteful is an iPad-focused note-taking app built around a paper-like writing feel and practical organization. It’s often used for class notes, PDF markup, and personal knowledge libraries where handwriting is the main input.
Noteful’s approach tends to feel direct: create notebooks, import documents, annotate, and keep everything organized. If you want a handwriting-first experience with helpful library tools, it’s worth a close look.
- Handwritten notes and sketches optimized for iPad workflows
- PDF and document import for markup and study
- Tagging and organization tools for large note libraries
- Audio recording support as part of note-taking (feature availability may vary)
Noteful is a free download on the App Store with in-app purchases listed for upgrades. [Source-6✅]
Noteful is a solid fit if your main goal is handwriting and PDF markup on iPad, and you want a focused tool that keeps you close to the page. It also works well for planners and layered study notes where you revisit pages often.
PDF Expert
PDF Expert is a dedicated PDF workspace that goes beyond highlighting and handwriting notes. If your “notes” are often inside PDFs (contracts, textbooks, research papers, forms), a PDF-first tool can feel cleaner than forcing everything into a notebook format.
PDF Expert is built around reading and working with documents: annotate, edit text, fill forms, sign, and manage pages. It can be a good companion even if you keep your main handwritten notebooks elsewhere.
- High-quality PDF annotation and markup tools
- PDF editing and page management features
- Form filling and signing workflows
- Designed for Apple devices with iPhone, iPad, and Mac support
PDF Expert offers multiple usage options, including subscriptions that unlock premium features across Mac and iPhone/iPad, along with other purchase paths depending on platform. [Source-7✅]
Pick PDF Expert when your daily workflow is centered on documents rather than notebooks. It’s especially useful for review cycles where you highlight, comment, sign, or edit PDFs and want everything to stay in a document-native format.
Xodo
Xodo is a broad document toolkit that spans web, desktop, and mobile. It’s a good option when you want to annotate and process PDFs across different platforms, or when you need web-based tools for editing, converting, and managing documents without being tied to one device.
Compared to handwriting-first notebook apps, Xodo’s strength is the document pipeline: open a file, mark it up, convert it, compress it, share it, and move on. It can also work well for teams that rely on browser access.
- PDF annotation and editing tools across web and apps
- Document conversion and management features (plan-dependent)
- Options for desktop workflows, including offline use (product-dependent)
- Works across multiple operating systems and device types
Xodo publishes multiple plan options across its product lineup, with pricing that varies by platform and bundle (web tools, desktop suite, and cross-platform access). [Source-8✅]
Xodo is a strong fit when your notes live inside PDFs, or when you need reliable tools on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and the browser. If you often switch devices, that flexibility can matter as much as any pen tool.
In practice, the best GoodNotes alternative is the one that matches your daily rhythm. If you mostly study with recordings, pick an app that treats audio as a first-class feature. If your work is document-heavy, a PDF-focused tool can feel faster and cleaner. If you want low setup and instant access, a built-in notes app can be the most comfortable place to start.
FAQ
Which alternative feels closest to GoodNotes for handwritten class notes?
If you want a handwriting-first workflow that also handles PDFs smoothly, Noteshelf and Noteful are often practical starting points. If audio recording is a key part of your studying, Notability can be a better match.
What should I choose if I mainly annotate PDFs and review documents?
PDF Expert and Xodo are both strong when the center of your workflow is the PDF itself. They focus on reading, markup, and document actions like editing, signing, or managing pages.
Is there a good option that works well across many device types?
Microsoft OneNote is widely used across phones, tablets, computers, and the web. Xodo also aims for broad platform coverage, especially for PDF work.
Which app is best if I want handwriting recognition and clean conversion to text?
MyScript Notes is built around handwriting recognition and conversion. If you often write first and tidy later, that focus can feel very natural.
Can I move my existing GoodNotes notebooks to another app?
Most people move notebooks by exporting them as PDFs, then importing those PDFs into the new app for reading and annotation. Editable ink layers typically depend on the original app format, so PDF is the most universal approach.
Do I need a dedicated note app if I already use Apple Notes?
Not always. Apple Notes can cover a lot: daily notes, checklists, attachments, and simple sketches. Many people add a second app only when they want more advanced handwriting tools, templates, or heavier PDF workflows.
What’s a sensible “two-app setup” for note-taking?
A common pairing is one notebook app for handwritten notes (like Notability, Noteshelf, or Noteful) plus a PDF specialist for document work (like PDF Expert or Xodo). This keeps handwriting and documents each in tools built for them.
How do I choose without overthinking it?
Pick one app that matches your most frequent task and use it for a week. If you mostly write and highlight, start with a handwriting notebook app. If you mostly review PDFs, start with a PDF tool. Your routine will make the right choice clear quickly.