Goodnotes vs Notability: What is Right For You?

Notetaking plays an important role in organizing thoughts and improves learning to increase the productivity of individuals. Digital tools like Goodnotes and Notability have transferred how we capture and manage information by offering features like handwriting recognition and multimedia integration. Both apps cater to different styles, helping users make the most of their notetaking practices.

Apart from understanding Goodnotes vs. Notability, you can opt for a different alternative, like UPDF. Download UPDF to discover how it combines powerful notetaking with advanced features like seamless annotation, cross-device organization, and more. This article aims to help you make an informed choice among the leading notetaking apps. Don't forget to read to the end for the comparison table in Part 3, where we compare Goodnotes, Notability, and UPDF to guide your decision. You can also directly download UPDF for a free note-taking experience across platforms.

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Part 1. What is Goodnotes?

To start the comparison, Goodnotes is a popular tool that replicates the feel of a traditional notebook and offers the flexibility of digital tools. When debating Notability vs. Goodnotes, we can see how Goodnotes has various customizable templates for various notetaking styles and combines handwritten and typed text on one page. It can even record an audio clip alongside the notes to avoid missing out on important content.

Key Features

Handwriting Recognition: Converts handwritten notes to text for easier searching and editing.
Digital Notebooks: Allows users to create, organize, and customize notebooks.
PDF Annotation: Supports annotating PDFs with highlights, text, and drawings.
Cloud Sync: Syncs notes across devices via iCloud.
Realistic Writing Experience: Simulates writing with a variety of pen styles and paper templates.
Search Function: Finds handwritten or typed text within notes and documents.
Multitasking: Allows users to open and work with multiple documents side by side.
AI Guided Study Sessions: Students can utilize this feature with the AI Math Assistance to help them stay on track with accurate guidance on their syllabus.

Compatibility

iOS
Android
Windows
Mac
Web

Pricing Plans

All Platforms Yearly: $9.99/year
Apple One-Time Payment: $29.99
Android and Windows Yearly: $6.99/year

Pros:

It creates flashcards with the integrated spaced repetition algorithm and creates study sets for students or teaching material for teachers.
When comparing Goodnotes 6 vs. Notability, the first one is designed with a user-friendly interface to support students and other individuals with less technical skills.

Cons:

Android users with a tablet are the only ones who are eligible to download the application as it only supports Samsung Tablets.
Some users find the app relatively expensive, especially considering it's a one-time purchase with additional in-app purchases for extra features.
While GoodNotes supports exporting documents, users feel the options (e.g., exporting to non-GoodNotes formats) could be more flexible.
The integrated AI features are only applicable to users with Apple devices.

Also Read:

How to Export Goodnotes to PDF >>

Best Goodnotes Alternatives >>

Part 2. What is Notability?

It stands out with its ability to combine handwriting text and audio recordings into a single note. Notability is the ideal tool for students to opt for while taking notes from lectures or for professionals to use during meetings. Moreover, while studying the difference between Goodnotes vs. Notability, we noticed that you could work on two side-by-side notes to help users speed up their workflows.

Key Features

Handwriting and Typing: Allows both handwritten notes and typed text, offering flexibility in note-taking.
Audio Recording: Users can record audio while taking notes, syncing the audio with written content.
PDF Annotation: Supports annotating PDFs with highlights, drawings, and text.
Multimedia Support: Allows the addition of images, web clips, and audio to notes for richer content.
Cloud Sync: Syncs notes across devices using iCloud, ensuring access from anywhere.
Organization Tools: Offers notebooks, dividers, and search functionality to keep notes well-organized.
Handwriting Recognition: Converts handwritten notes into searchable text for easy retrieval.
Sharing and Collaboration: Allows sharing notes via email, Dropbox, Google Drive, or collaboration with others.

Compatibility

Pricing Plans

Notability: $4.99- $49.99

Pros:

It has a smooth and accurate integration between the handwritten text and audio notes.
The application has a smooth and easy-to-follow navigation between its features and the interface.

Cons:

Looking into Notability vs. Goodnotes highlights that Notability is limited to iOS devices, and users with Windows and Android do not have access to the application.
It provides users with limited customization options, which might not meet the users' needs.
The shift to a subscription-based model has frustrated users who preferred the previous one-time purchase option. Some find it expensive for the features provided.
Exporting notes in certain formats (like Word or editable formats) is not as flexible or robust as users might expect.
Some users feel that PDF annotation tools are basic and lack advanced features compared to other apps like GoodNotes.
Users can highlight handwritten text, but highlighting typed text can be cumbersome or not as intuitive.
While audio recording is a key feature, there have been reports of syncing issues, especially with longer recordings.

Also Read:

How to Annotate PDF using Notability >>

Best Notability Alternatives >>

Part 3. Goodnotes vs. Notability: Which One Is Better?

Moving on from the comparison of Goodnotes 6 vs. Notability, we can agree that both are powerful notetaking apps that cater to different user needs. Based on the content above, both apps have their limitations. If you prefer using handwriting, customizable templates, and AI-guided study sessions in your notetaking app, choose Goodnotes. However, if you prioritize integrating audio recordings with handwritten notes and want cloud backup and syncing across devices, go with Notability.

For those seeking a broader range of features across platforms, especially for PDF note-taking, UPDF is an excellent alternative. It combines note-taking with seamless annotation and cross-device synchronization. UPDF also offers advanced PDF editing, making it an ideal choice for users who frequently annotate documents. With cloud synchronization, all your notes remain accessible on any device.

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Comparison Table to Evaluate Top Three Notetaking Apps

In addition to the above discussion, let us look into all the key features of each of the top 3 applications. When debating Notability vs. Goodnotes, it's essential to evaluate how their features align with your specific note-taking needs. Below is a comparison table to help you assess their key features side by side and decide which app suits your workflow better.

	Features	UPDF	Goodnotes	Notability
Annotation	Highlight
	Underline
	Strikeout
	Draw
	Stamps
	Sticky Notes
	Stickers
Note Management and Other Features	Sharing and Collaboration
Note Management and Other Features	Openable Attachments
Other Features	AI Summarize
	AI Translate
	AI Explain
	OCR PDF
	Cloud Storage

To sum up the table, you can come to a solution: the UPDF's comprehensive feature set makes it an exceptional notetaking tool. With superior capabilities across page organization, note management, and AI integration, UPDF stands out as the more robust and innovative choice. Beyond effectiveness in the notetaking realm, it provides countless other PDF-related features, which you must uncover upon downloading it to your system now.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right notetaking app depends on your needs, but having a tool that combines advanced features with ease of use can make a significant difference. While the discussion on Goodnotes vs. Notability portrayed that they have their strengths, UPDF stands out as a more versatile and feature-rich option.

With its powerful annotation tools and innovative AI features, UPDF goes beyond traditional notetaking to enhance productivity and creativity. Whether you're a student, professional, or creative, download UPDF today to experience a smarter way of managing your notes.

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