GoodNotes Alternatives for iPad

There are many alternatives to GoodNotes for iPad if you are looking for a replacement. The best iPad alternative is Obsidian, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to GoodNotes and many of them are available for iPad so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting iPad alternatives to GoodNotes are Microsoft OneNote, MyScript Notes, Notability and Saber.

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GoodNotes alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Open Source, Android, iPad, Linux, Mac and Kindle Fire + Free. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to GoodNotes.

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Get a badge for your siteGoodNotes alternatives page was last updated Sep 4, 2026

Obsidian
1223 likes
Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.
348 Obsidian alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
Canada
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Snapcraft
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Flathub
Safari
AppImage
Mozilla Firefox
Canada
+6
Good alternative?Is Obsidian a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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2comments
Obsidian vs GoodNotes Comments
Negative comment by Guest · Jun 14, 2025
Is not that good for using it as a paper replacement.
Negative comment by Guest · Sep 4, 2026
Obsidian is very Text based and doesn't natively support styluses etc. Great app but not really an alternative to GoodNotes.
2 of 2 comments
Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
Obsidian is Privacy focusedGoodNotes is not according to our users
Microsoft OneNote
1149 likes
Comprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.
237 Microsoft OneNote alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Android Wear
Kindle Fire
United States
+4
Good alternative?Is Microsoft OneNote a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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6comments
Microsoft OneNote vs GoodNotes Comments
Top Positive Comment by Evan Tanner · Aug 18, 2024
Perfect for everything- iPad and mobile apps are free
Top Negative Comment by Guest · Jan 17, 2026
The App on Android isn't as developed and intuitive as it's any counterparts
Negative comment by Guest · Oct 22, 2024
OneNote for Android does not have as much functionality, especially for journaling. The Android app does not have any template function, which is one of my main needs. OneNote for iOS, Windows, and Mac has this, but the Android app is very behind.
3 of 6 comments
Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
MyScript Notes
21 likes
Create stunning notes and professional documents effortlessly by hand, brainstorm ideas on an infinite canvas, and annotate PDFs seamlessly. Powered by the world's leading AI handwriting recognition technology, MyScript Notes offers a dynamic platform where handwriting...
22 MyScript Notes alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Mind Mapping
Origin
France
EU
Platforms
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Windows
France
EU
Good alternative?Is MyScript Notes a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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2comments
MyScript Notes vs GoodNotes Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Apr 29, 2022
Smooth interface, handwriting recognition, high quality pdf export, cloud sync with gdrivd and dropbox
Negative comment by Guest · Mar 15, 2019
Nothing is like Goodnotes!
2 of 2 comments
MyScript Notes is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
Notability
52 likes
Truly integrated iOS app combining handwriting, PDF annotation, and text for seamless note-taking. Auto Sync backs up notes. Customize themes, library, and toolbars for a personalized experience with robust features.
61 Notability alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
PDF Reader
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
iPhone
iPad
United States
Good alternative?Is Notability a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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1comment
Notability vs GoodNotes Comments
Negative comment by RemovedUser · Jul 23, 2022
It is a post-it like app. No handwriting.
1 of 1 comments
Notability is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
Saber
29 likes
A (work-in-progress) cross-platform libre notes app. Please note that this app is still in early stages and not ready to trust with your notes yet.
30 Saber alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application type
Note-taking
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Snapcraft
Linux Mobile
Flathub
F-Droid
OpenAPK
United Kingdom
Good alternative?Is Saber a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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1comment
Saber vs GoodNotes Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Jan 7, 2025
It is the only somewhat good open-source alternative to Goodnotes & Notability. I know it is currently missing a lot of features found in Goodnotes, but in the future it could become a real competitor, so give it a try.
1 of 1 comments
Saber is Free and Open SourceGoodNotes is Freemium and Proprietary
Saber is Privacy focused and LightweightGoodNotes is not according to our users
Noteshelf
18 likes
Take beautiful handwritten notes or annotate PDFs on your iPad, and now even on your iPhone. With the new Noteshelf you can do all of the familiar, like type notes, record audio, draw shapes, sketch, sign contracts, fill forms, along with a lot of new, like add bookmarks, create...
82 Noteshelf alternatives
Cost / License
Paid
Proprietary
Application type
Note-taking
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
Mac
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Apple Watch
Chrome OS
HUAWEI AppGallery
Samsung Galaxy Store
Windows
United Kingdom
Good alternative?Is Noteshelf a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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1comment
Noteshelf vs GoodNotes Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Jun 1, 2018
way better in organizing my notes and the handwriting tool is really good.
1 of 1 comments
Noteshelf is Paid and ProprietaryGoodNotes is Freemium and Proprietary
Concepts
34 likes
Concepts is the digital design sketchbook of the future. It’s powerful, flexible and smart, so you can go from quick sketches to beautiful and precise illustrations in a single app. Enhance your creative capabilities with our infinite canvas, flexible multi-touch shape guides...
52 Concepts alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Digital Painting
Vector Graphic
Origin
United States
Platforms
Windows
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
United States
+5
Good alternative?Is Concepts a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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1comment
Concepts vs GoodNotes Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Feb 13, 2025
Is simple to use, and powerful
1 of 1 comments
Concepts is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
Concepts is a Digital Painting GoodNotes is a Note-taking Tool
Concepts is CustomizableGoodNotes is not according to our users
Noteful
7 likes
Noteful is your one-stop note-taking app to experience the new paperless revolution on iPad.
238 Noteful alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application type
Note-taking
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
iPhone
iPad
United Kingdom
+7
Good alternative?Is Noteful a good alternative to GoodNotes?
Notes
40 likes
Use Notes to capture a quick thought, create checklists, sketch ideas, and more. And with iCloud, you can keep your notes up to date across all your devices.
172 Notes alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Todo List Manager
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Online
iPhone
iPad
United States
+2
Good alternative?Is Notes a good alternative to GoodNotes?
INKredible
6 likes
INKredible is an app with a single mission: to make your handwriting experience on tablets as good as, if not better, than pen on paper.
34 INKredible alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application type
Note-taking
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
iPad
+2
Good alternative?Is INKredible a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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2comments
INKredible vs GoodNotes Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Mar 26, 2020
Really nice app for diary and most incredible hand writing notebook
Positive comment by Guest · May 27, 2020
I like things simple and easy instead of a lot of icons and options to select froms. I like the simple way of taking notes. What I would like is it would be nice to be able to draw forms and combine them that automatically recognize and correct the forms. I have been using mostly some rectangles line and square, but when you want to move or make big, it is complicated to shore one piece as it does select the other instead of the one you want. Overall it is good but still need some improvements.
2 of 2 comments
INKredible is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
Flexcil
12 likes
PDF annotation, reading and management.
32 Flexcil alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
PDF Reader
Origin
United States
Platforms
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
United States
+9
Good alternative?Is Flexcil a good alternative to GoodNotes?

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1comment
Flexcil vs GoodNotes Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Jul 6, 2021
best for android until 2021
1 of 1 comments
Flexcil is Freemium and ProprietaryGoodNotes is also Freemium and Proprietary
CollaNote
6 likes
All-in-one solution for note-taking, PDF annotation, digital planning, and journaling with 25 pens and brushes, AI shape detection, real-time collaboration, Smart Dark Mode, ASMR sound, audio recording, password protection, over 150 templates, and syncing options.
40 CollaNote alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Note-taking
Digital Painting
Origin
Vietnam
Platforms
iPhone
iPad
Vietnam
+9
Good alternative?Is CollaNote a good alternative to GoodNotes?

12 of 36 GoodNotes alternatives

GoodNotes Alternatives for iPad

Alternatives list

Obsidian

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Microsoft OneNote

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MyScript Notes

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Notability

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Saber

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Noteshelf

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Concepts

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Noteful

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Notes

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INKredible

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Flexcil

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CollaNote

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