Notes for iPadGoodnotes vs Notability
Updated 2026-09-29 · By the Notes for iPad team
Goodnotes and Notability are the two most popular note-taking apps for iPad. Both are excellent; they are built around different ideas. Here's how they compare. (We make a third app, Notes for iPad — we mention it once at the end.)
At a glance
| Goodnotes | Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Digital notebooks and folders | Notes plus synced audio recording |
| Signature feature | Notebook and folder organisation | Audio recording synced to your writing |
| Organisation | Nested folders and notebooks | Subjects and dividers |
| PDF annotation | Yes | Yes |
| Handwriting search | Yes | Yes |
| Templates | Built-in papers + marketplace | Built-in papers + gallery |
| Platforms | Apple devices, plus Android, Windows and web | Apple devices |
| Pricing model* | Free tier, subscription, one-time option on Apple devices | Free tier, subscription, one-time option |
*As listed on each developer's pricing page in September 2026. Details change — check before buying.
Where Goodnotes wins
- Notebook feel. Folders and notebooks with covers feel closest to a shelf of paper notebooks.
- Cross-platform. Useful if you also work on a Windows laptop or an Android device.
- Template ecosystem. A large marketplace plus thousands of third-party planners designed for it.
Where Notability wins
- Audio recording. Record a lecture while writing, then tap any word to replay that moment. For many students this alone decides it.
- Flexible pages. Mix typed text, handwriting, images and recordings on a continuous page.
Which should you choose?
- You record lectures or interviews → Notability.
- You want notebooks, folders and heavy PDF work → Goodnotes.
- You switch between iPad and non-Apple devices → Goodnotes.
- You want a simple app with lots of ready templates and a one-time purchase → consider Notes for iPad (ours) — see our full comparison.
Free templates for either app
Every template on this site downloads as a standard PDF that you can import into Goodnotes or Notability as a page template: Cornell notes, graph paper, lined paper, meeting notes and more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Goodnotes or Notability better for students?
If you want to record lectures, Notability. If you mostly handwrite, annotate PDFs and like notebooks and folders, Goodnotes.
Can I move my notes from Notability to Goodnotes?
Yes, by exporting notes as PDFs from one app and importing them into the other. Handwriting becomes part of the PDF page, so you can keep annotating but not edit the original strokes.
Do Goodnotes and Notability have free versions?
Both list a free tier with limits, plus paid plans, on their pricing pages (September 2026). Check the current limits before you commit.