Best GoodNotes Alternatives for Windows, Android & Apple Devices

While GoodNotes is undeniably a fantastic app, perhaps you're on the hunt for something more budget-friendly or with a different features set. 

You’re in luck because there are many great GoodNotes competitors out there. In this guide, we delve into the best GoodNotes alternatives to cater to diverse needs across Windows, Android, and Apple devices.

This way, you’ll be able to compare each alternative to GoodNotes and decide which option is the best choice for you.

Let's find your perfect match!

Top 10 GoodNotes competitors with similar products

Here are the apps like GoodNotes for Windows, Android, (and of course Apple devices) that we think are the best GoodNotes alternatives. Although they are all fairly similar, some GoodNotes competitors will be better suited to your circumstances than others so read more about the GoodNotes competition below.

While GoodNotes is a popular choice for Apple users, several competitors offer similar features for Windows, Android, and Apple. Each app has unique offerings, so it's crucial to explore these to find the best notes app for your needs.

Here’s our full list of the best GoodNotes alternatives 2023:

Navigating through a sea of note-taking apps to find the top GoodNotes alternative can be daunting. That’s why we did the hard work for you!

We've handpicked the best GoodNotes alternatives for 2023. Whether you’re looking for an app with good organizational tools or the best free alternative, our list is curated to guide you right. 

But before we jump into the details, we recommend taking a quick look at our GoodNotes review to understand its features better. 

Without further delay, here are 19 good alternatives to GoodNotes: 

1. Microsoft OneNote (best GoodNotes alternative overall)

If you've ever thought there might be something better than GoodNotes, then look no further. Microsoft OneNote stands tall as perhaps the best alternative to GoodNotes currently available. Ideal for both students and professionals, OneNote provides a comprehensive toolkit for capturing thoughts using text, images, videos, or even audio. 

Fancy teamwork? With OneNote, sharing and collaborating in real-time becomes a breeze. And let's not forget its seamless integration capabilities with the likes of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Those handy reminders also ensure you’re always on top of your game. Dive into OneNote and experience first-hand why many consider it a top competitor to GoodNotes!

Microsoft OneNote is best for:

• Microsoft 365 users

• Individuals and students 

• Team projects and group work

Features

• Web clipper

• Templates

• Text search

• Recording

• Password protection

• Translation

• Custom tags

• Sticky notes

• Version history 

• Collaboration 

• Support for handwritten math equations

Pricing

• Free for up to 5GB of notes

• $1.99/month for 100GB

Read our Microsoft OneNote review

Visit Microsoft OneNote
 

2. Google Keep (best free GoodNotes alternative)

Are you looking for a free GoodNotes alternative? Google Keep might be the ideal pick for you. Prioritizing simplicity, this user-friendly note-taker ensures you stay on point without any fuss. Unlike some alternatives, Google Keep's appeal lies in its zero-cost approach. Yes, all its robust features, from voice recordings to real-time collaboration, come at the grand total of $0! 

Syncing across platforms, your notes - whether handwritten, voice memos, or typed, are always at your fingertips. Use color-coding for quick identification or integrate with other Google apps like Docs or Gmail for maximum efficiency. So, whether it's a shared shopping list or a personal reminder, Google Keep stands as one of the best free GoodNotes alternatives.

Google Keep is best for:

• Google users

• Users that need a free and lightweight option

• Individual use

Features

• Location-based and time-based reminders

• Sharing and collaboration options

• Powerful search function

• Multi-device sync

• OCR

• Voice recordings 

• Mobile apps for Android and iOS

• Tagging

• Emails notes

• File attachments 

• Web clipper

Pricing

• Google Keep Free Plan

• 100 GB with Google One Basic, $2/month

• 200 GBH with Google One Standard, $3/month

• 2 TB with Google One Premium, $10/month

Read our Google Keep review

Visit Google Keep
 

3. Notability (most similar to GoodNotes)

If you're thinking between GoodNotes and Notability, let us help you make up your mind. Notability is one of the best apps similar to GoodNotes to take notes with ease, and you can use it for free. With its sleek, user-friendly interface, you'll find digital note-taking a breeze. Dive in and easily create notes, make use of Notability’s handy templates, and write using a stylus. 

Want to add depth? Record audio while jotting down ideas so that you don't miss a thing. Annotate PDFs, convert your handwritten notes into 22 languages, or even sketch and design. And don't worry about organizing; multi-level folders have got you covered. 

Plus, with cloud storage, your notes are always just a click away, which makes it feel ever so similar to GoodNotes. You can use it on your tablet, smartphone, or laptop. 

Notability is best for:

• Students

• Researchers

• Academics 

• Artists 

Features

• Sleek user interface 

• Audio recording and Sync audio playback

• PDF annotations 

• Handwriting recognition

• Handwriting conversion and Notability OCR

• Organization and search

• Drawing tools 

• Notability toolbox

• Cloud Storage

• Notability Gallery 

• Photos and GIFs

Pricing

• Notability Starter

• Notability Plus, $2.99/month or $14.99/year

Read our Notability review

Visit Notability
 

4. Evernote (good GoodNotes alternative if you want advanced organizational tools)

If you're seeking a tool with robust organizational capabilities, Evernote is a good GoodNotes alternative. Comaptible with iOS, Windows, Mac, and Android, it stands out with its multifaceted features. The Web Clipper allows you to store web articles, screenshots, and more directly. Whether it's text, images, or audio, Evernote ensures easy capture and categorization. 

Handy templates, from mental health journals to habit trackers, streamline your note-taking. Even if you have hundreds of saved notes, the advanced search functionality swiftly locates what you need. Plus, its reminder system ensures you won't miss a crucial task. It's tailored for both individuals and teams.

Evernote is best for:

• Indvidial use

• Teams

• Writers and content creators

• Habit tracking

• Bullet journaling 

Features

• Web clipping 

• Tasks 

• Calendar

• Document scanning 

• Search function

• Sharing and collaboration 

• Annotation 

• Templates

• Audio notes

• Integrations

• Mobile and desktop app

Pricing

• Evernote Free

• Evernote Personal, $8/month

• Evernote Professional, $10/month

• Evernote Teams, $14/user/month

Read our Evernote review

Visit Evernote
 

5. SimpleNote (cheaper alternative to GoodNotes if you’re on a budget)

If you’re on a tight budget, SimpleNote emerges as the best cheaper alternative to GoodNotes. And the best part? It’s free to use! Offering a streamlined, fuss-free experience, its minimalist design appeals to those who favor simplicity over feature clutter. With SimpleNote, crafting, editing, and categorizing notes is a breeze. 

Real-time syncing ensures consistency across all devices, so you're always updated. A significant perk is its Markdown support, letting you style your notes efficiently. Its tagging and search feature cuts down time spent searching. Its straightforward approach is a breath of fresh air for those who value ease and minimalism. 

The app is available on all platforms and devices, including Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, and Linux.

SimpleNote is best for:

• Users that need a free and simpler option

• Personal use 

• Freelance writers and authors

Features

• Mobile and desktop apps

• Tagging

• Markdown support 

• Syncing and sharing

• Note version history

• Collaboration

Pricing

• Free 

Visit SimpleNote
 

6. Apple Notes (great GoodNotes replacement for iOS users)

For all the iOS enthusiasts out there, Apple Notes stands out as the best note-taking app for iOS. A standout feature of this app is its seamless connection with other Apple tools. For instance, you can tell Siri to make a note for you, and adding photos from your library is a breeze. 

On top of that, you have the option to create checklists, include attachments, and embed links directly into your notes.

Another highlight of Apple Notes is how effortlessly you can sort your notes into folders and even subfolders. The tagging option enhances your ability to locate notes quickly. Plus, its sharing feature makes it a top choice for team projects, letting everyone collaborate on the same note seamlessly.

Apple Notes is best for:

• Apple users

• Casual note-takers

• Students 

• Freelance writers and authors

Features

• Scan documents

• Add sketches and more

• Tagging and smart folders

• Attachments

• Gallery view

• Search function

• Lock notes

• Sharing options 

• Easy syncing across devices via iCloud

Pricing

• Free for 5GB of storage

Visit Apple Notes
 

7. Joplin (GoodNotes alternative for Windows)

If you're searching for a GoodNotes Windows alternative, Joplin might be your answer. This free, open-source note-taking app stands out as a GoodNotes equivalent for Windows, offering an array of features tailored for organization. With its strong focus on privacy, Joplin provides client-side AES-256 encryption, ensuring only you can access your notes. 

Organizing is a breeze – sort your insights into a digital notebook and use tags for quick searches. Customize your notes with images, doodles, and even handwritten inputs. Plus, for added perks like note syncing and sharing, there's the Joplin Cloud service, although at a cost.

Joplin is best for:

• Users that care about privacy

• Users that need an open-source solution

Features

• Multimedia notes

• Sharing and collaboration

• Web clipper Chrome extension 

• Customization 

• End-To-End Encryption

Pricing

• Free

• Joplin Cloud starts at $2/month

Visit Joplin
 

8. NoteJoy (GoodNotes alternative for Android)

If you're an Android user that’s on the lookout for the best GoodNotes Android alternative, NoteJoy could be the solution. Regarded as one of the top apps like GoodNotes for Android, NoteJoy efficiently translates your thoughts into structured notes. Its user-friendly layout ensures distraction-free note-taking with the 'focus view.' 

Apart from basic note features, you can add images, documents, and checklists. Its collaborative capabilities allow for real-time multi-user edits, threaded discussions, user mentions, and reactions. Organizing is simple with notebooks, custom templates, and tag functionalities. 

The cherry on top? It supports seamless syncing across devices so that your notes are always available, be it on Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac.

NoteJoy is best for:

• Personal use

• Teams and businesses

• Writers and researchers

Features

• Web clipper

• Integrations

• Image galleries

• Focus view

• Markdown & shortcuts

• Offline access 

• Nested notebooks

• Team libraries

• Collaborative editing

• Password-protected notes

Pricing

• Free

• Solo, $4/month, billed annually 

• Plus, $8/user/month, billed annually 

• Premium, $12/user/month, billed annually

Visit NoteJoy
 

9. Xodo (best GoodNotes Surface Pro alternative)

If you're searching for a GoodNotes Microsoft Surface alternative, look no further than Xodo. working seamlessly on the Surface Pro, Xodo shines as a robust note-taking and PDF editing tool. It provides seamless inking with the Surface Pen, making annotations, sketches, and highlights effortlessly. 

Xodo's intuitive interface ensures easy navigation, whether you're a student jotting down lecture notes or a professional annotating project drafts. What truly sets it apart as a GoodNotes for Windows Surface choice is its collaboration capabilities. With Xodo, sharing and working on documents in real time becomes a breeze.

Plus, it syncs effortlessly across devices, ensuring your work stays updated no matter where you are.

Xodo is best for:

• Students

• Researchers

• Surface Pro users

• Writers and editors

• Artists and designers 

Features

• PDF Editor

• PDF Converter

• PDF Compressor

• PDF Merging

• Text Redaction

• PDF to Word conversion

• Smart inking

• Annotation

• Multi-window support

Pricing

• Xodo Pro for single user, $9/month

• Xodo Pro for multiple users, custom pricing 

Visit Xodo
 

10. Notion (top GoodNotes substitute for startups and SMBs)

Looking for a GoodNotes alternative to jot down notes, manage tasks, and set up databases? Give Notion a try. With over 1,000 templates, you can easily set up your projects. It's not just for notes; you can create dashboards and wikis too. Track tasks and link notes without a hassle. 

The AI writing aid boosts your content creation. You'll love how Notion lets you add various content, from pictures to app links. Its clean sidebar keeps you focused. Think of "pages" as your documents and "blocks" as elements, from text to videos. With built-in templates and handy app integrations, Notion makes organization a breeze.

Notion is best for:

• Startups and SMBs

• Creative agencies

• Project management

• Note-taking

• Knowledge base management

Features

• Pages and blocks

• Collaborative workspace

• Teamspaces

• Guest collaborators

• API and integrations

• Advanced page analytics

Pricing

• Free

• Plus, $8/user/month, billed annually 

• Business, $15/user/month, billed annually

• Enterprise, custom quote

Read our Notion review

Visit Notion
 

11. SuperNotes (good alternative for researchers) 

If you're a researcher looking for a stellar GoodNotes alternative, consider SuperNotes. Tailored for academics, this app is powerful, flexible, and ideal for organizing and sharing notes. SuperNotes stands out with its capacity to arrange notes into notebooks, enhanced by tagging and linking for quick access. Its standout feature? 

An integrated citation manager that eases source organization and citation. Importing and exporting notes in formats like BibTeX is seamless. The platform also supports various content, from images to hand-written notes and tables. Plus, exporting your findings to platforms in formats like Markdown, HTML, or PDF is straightforward.

SuperNotes is best for:

• Researchers

• Writers

• Students

• Project managers

• Teams and collaborators 

Features

• Notecards

• Thoughts collection

• Night mode

• Universal search

• Editor

• API and integrations

• Bi-directional links

• Collaboration 

Pricing

• Starter plan, $0/month

• Unlimited plan, $7.40/month

Visit SuperNotes
 

12. NoteShelf (best GoodNotes substitute if you need a rich collection of templates) 

Looking for a stellar GoodNotes substitute with a treasure trove of templates? Dive into NoteShelf. Boasting over 200+ templates, this app ensures you have the perfect backdrop for any note-taking occasion – be it journals, planners, to-do lists, or meeting memos. Whether you're on iOS, Android, or Windows, NoteShelf is compatible with all devices and available on all platforms. 

Its intuitive design makes your notes not just efficient but also aesthetically pleasing. As an award-winning app, it truly stands out, especially if you're aiming for detailed, beautiful notes.

NoteShelf is best for:

• Students

• Creative artists and designers

• Educators and trainers

• Digital planners

Features

• Audio capture

• Annotatation

• Noteshelf AI

• Templates

• Focus Mode

• Tagging 

• iCloud sync 

• Presentation Mode

• Integration 

Pricing

• Free plan

• For iOS & iPadOS, $7.99 one-time purchase

• For macOS, $7.99 one-time purchase

• For Android, $4.99 one-time purchase

• For Windows, $4.99 one-time purchase

Visit NoteShelf
 

13. Samsung Notes (top choice best for Samsung users)

Samsung Notes stands out as the premier GoodNotes alternative for Samsung aficionados. Craft notes with text, images, voice recordings, and even music. Easily migrate memos from S Note and Memo into Samsung Notes. Explore its artist-friendly features, offering an array of brushes for painterly masterpieces you can instantly share on PEN.UP. 

It's more than just note-taking; it's a comprehensive hub for hand-written content, sketches, and collaborations across devices. Annotate PDFs with the S Pen, integrate with apps like Word and PowerPoint, and ensure security with note-locking features. Dive into a realm of creativity with varied writing tools and seamlessly import your past notes. 

Essential permissions facilitate saving/loading documents, voice recordings, and photo integrations.

Samsung Notes is best for:

• Samsung device users

• Students and professionals

• Artists and illustrators 

• Galaxy Note and Tab users

• Android tablet users

Features

• Customizing Pages

• Writing Tools

• Highlighter Tool

• Zoom Tool

• Eraser Tool

• Text Tool

• Adding Things to Notes

• Lasso Tool

Pricing

• Free 

Read our Samsung Notes review

Visit Samsung Notes
 

14. Zoom Notes (great GoodNotes replacement for business people) 

ZoomNotes is a robust tool for business professionals, educators, and advanced note-takers on iOS and Mac devices. You can select from eight pen styles, bookmark views for presentations, and search or convert handwritten notes to text. A unique "Sub-Pages" feature allows for nested notes and PDF integrations. 

You can also auto-convert sketches into precise shapes, embed web pages, and customize text with varied fonts. Its split-screen mode facilitates dual-document editing and geo-tagging links notes to locations. VGA compatibility ensures smooth presentations, making ZoomNotes an optimal choice for educational institutions.

Zoom Notes is best for:

• Students

• Teachers

• Business people 

• Apple device users 

Features

• Multiple pens 

• Bookmarks

• Handwriting search

• Handwriting to text

• Magnification window

• Sub-pages

• Digital Planners

• Shapes and arrows

• Split screen

Pricing

• Free 

Visit Zoom Notes
 

15. Fellow (best GoodNotes alternative for meeting notes)

Fellow stands out as an ideal choice for business note-taking, serving as a collaborative meeting note platform designed for managers and teams. It facilitates agenda-setting, streamlines task assignments within teams, and supports sharing and permissions control for notes. 

With Fellow, scheduling meetings straight from your notes is a breeze, ensuring teams never miss out on action items. Users benefit from a range of templates to craft meeting notes, project outlines, and to-do lists. Plus, seamless integrations with popular tools like Google Calendar, Slack, and Zoom are on offer. 

The app's personalized dashboard offers a holistic view of tasks and projects, complemented by analytics to monitor performance.

Fellow is best for:

• Managers and team leads

• Startups 

• Small teams 

• SMBs 

Features

• Collaborative agendas

• Action items

• Feedback

• Integrations

• Guest users

• Guidance 

• Templates

Pricing

• Free for up to 10 users

• Pro, $6/user/month 

• Business, $8/user/month

• Enterprise, get a custom quote

Visit Fellow
 

16. MyScript Nebo (great GoodNotes substitute for project managers)

Nebo is the premier notetaking app for project managers, powered by advanced AI. Effortlessly take handwritten notes, and merge handwritten notes, diagrams, and digital files into streamlined documents. Its expansive canvas and "Document" feature effortlessly transforms sketches and handwriting into professional content, and the app supports 66 languages. 

Annotations on imported PDFs remain editable and searchable. Beyond creation, Nebo optimizes content management, making sharing, syncing, and exporting hassle-free across various platforms like iPad, Android, and Windows.

Nebo is best for:

• Project managers

• Writers

• Students and teachers

• Engineers and designers

• Marketing and sales 

Features

• Expandable canvas

• Convert handwriting to text

• Scratch to erase

• Image annotation

• Adaptive Dark Mode

• Sharing

• Math solver

• Interactive diagrams

• Global search

Pricing

• Free plan

• For iOS, plans start at $4.99

• For Android, plans strat at $11.99

Visit Nebo
 

17. NoteLedge (best alternative for creatives) 

NoteLedge stands out as a prime note-taking tool for those with a creative flair. Designed especially for content creators and designers, this app is an arsenal of features that fuel creativity. With NoteLedge, you can seamlessly weave together multimedia tools to document and express your ideas. 

Whether it's fetching inspiration from Pinterest, making annotations on websites, or sketching your latest design, the platform supports it all. Its dynamic workspace facilitates the creation of mood boards, while an assortment of brushes lets artists sketch with precision. 

For those in interior design, it's easy to curate and visualize home decor ideas, while character designers can sketch and organize everything about their creations. 

NoteLedge is best for:

• Creatives 

• Designers

• Content creators 

Features

• Multimedia tools

• Inspiration capture

• Annotations

• Mood boards creation

• Sketching & drawing

• Collage making

• Export & presentation

• Interior styling tools

• Character design features

• Fashion journaling

Pricing

• NoteLedge iOS Basic Plan, free

• NoteLedge Pro iOS, starts from $2.49/month

• Creativity 365 for Individuals, $4.99/month 

Visit NoteLedge
 

18. Squid (great pick for math and chemistry note-takers)

Squid is the go-to app for math and chemistry note-takers, enabling seamless digital handwriting. More than just a note app, Squid offers unique perks like editing PDFs, signing documents, and grading. Its Vector Graphics Engine ensures crisp notes, no matter the device size. 

Users benefit from diverse paper backgrounds and infinite page lengths, making jotting down formulas and reactions a breeze. Those with active pen-supported devices experience an intuitive, pressure-sensitive writing feel. 

Need to integrate images or PDFs? No problem. Squid also excels in sharing and presentation, turning your device into an interactive whiteboard or a platform for crisp note exports.

Squid is best for:

• Students

• Creatives

• Educators 

Features

• Digital handwriting

• PDF markup and document signing

• Vector Graphics Engine 

• Paper backgrounds

• Infinite page length

• Active pen technology

• Annotation 

• Quick share options

• Interactive whiteboard

• Export options 

Pricing

• Free plan

• Squid Premium, $10/year

Visit Squid
 

19. Xournal++ (best open-source alternative)

Xournal++ is an open-source, versatile note-taking tool perfect for everything from physics solutions to travel memoirs. It's the evolved form of the popular Xournal app, designed to cater to modern-day requirements. Enjoy the feel of hand-written notes with support for sensitive stylus brands like Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen. It offers diverse pen, highlighter, and eraser settings to suit your style. 

Organizing is simple with layers and page previews. Insert images, craft shapes, or even employ a grid for precision. Dive deep into science with the built-in LaTeX editor for detailed equations or circuit diagrams. Personalize toolbars and even incorporate plugins using Lua. Plus, enrich notes by recording audio, which you can playback anytime!

Xournal is best for:

• Users who want an open-source solution 

• Students 

Features

• Open-source and cross-platform compatibility

• Supports pressure-sensitive stylus brands 

• Versatile pen, highlighter, and eraser customization

• Organizational layers and page previews

• Image insertion and various shape tools

• Built-in LaTeX editor for scientific content

• Customizable toolbar and plugin support with Lua

• Audio recording and playback linked to notes

Pricing

• Free 

Visit Xournal

Which of the alternatives to GoodNotes is a good choice for you?

In our quest to find the best notes app, we crowned Microsoft OneNote as the top alternative to GoodNotes overall. This was largely due to its user-friendly interface, cross-platform accessibility, and unbeatable affordability. 

However, the "best" is subjective and depends on individual needs. If you're on the hunt for an app that mirrors GoodNotes with additional features, Notability could be your go-to. For those mindful of their budget and seeking a cost-free solution, Google Keep stands out. 

Researchers might find SuperNotes tailored to their intricate requirements. Meanwhile, casual note-takers loyal to the Apple ecosystem should consider Apple Notes as an optimal choice. 

The landscape of note-taking apps is both vast and varied. There are hundreds of different apps out there that we didn’t even get to mention, like NoteLab, Dropbox Paper, and Zoho Notebook. So, before committing to one, it's crucial to assess your specific requirements, budget constraints, and preferred platform. 

We hope this comprehensive review guides you in making the most informed decision for your note-taking needs.

Happy note-taking!