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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Goodnotes alternatives

Goodnotes compared with 12 alternatives: Notability, Noteshelf, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes and 7 more.

Goodnotes has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 per year (Essential). 11 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
GoodnotesThis toolFree plan · from $11.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NotabilityFree plan · from $14.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NoteshelfFree plan · from $7.99 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
CollaNoteFree plan · from $13.90 one-timeYesmacOS, iOS
Microsoft OneNoteFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Apple NotesFreeFreeWeb, macOS, iOS
FlexcilFree plan · from $8.99YesiOS, Android
FreenotesFree plan · from $1.99YesiOS, Android
KilonotesFree plan · from $1.99/moYesiOS, Android
LiquidTextFree plan · from $8.99/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS
MarginNoteFree trial · from $12.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS, iOS
MyScript NotesFree plan · from $1.99YesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NotefulFree plan · from $6.99 one-timeYesiOS

How each one differs from Goodnotes

  1. Notability

    Handwritten notes with synced audio, transcripts and AI study tools

    • Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Notability also covers templates.
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: Students recording lectures alongside handwritten notes

    Notability vs GoodnotesNotability pricing and details

  2. Noteshelf

    Handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation for stylus devices

    • Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Noteshelf also covers templates.
    • Goodnotes also covers transcription and whiteboard.

    Suits: Students and teachers taking handwritten notes with a stylus

    Noteshelf vs GoodnotesNoteshelf pricing and details

  3. CollaNote

    Handwriting and PDF markup notes for iPad, iPhone and Mac

    • CollaNote starts at $13.90 one-time (Lifetime Premium). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists Android and Windows apps.
    • CollaNote also covers templates.
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: Students handwriting notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil

    CollaNote vs GoodnotesCollaNote pricing and details

  4. Microsoft OneNote

    Microsoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes

    • Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation and web clipper.
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: People who already have a Microsoft account or a Microsoft 365 subscription

    Microsoft OneNote vs GoodnotesMicrosoft OneNote pricing and details

  5. Apple Notes

    Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web

    • Apple Notes is free. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists Android and Windows apps.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.

    Suits: People who use only Apple devices

    Apple Notes vs GoodnotesApple Notes pricing and details

  6. Flexcil

    PDF reader and handwriting notebook built around pen gestures

    • Flexcil starts at $8.99 (Premium) or $9.99 (Flexcil Standard) on the US App Store; basis not shown. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Flexcil also covers templates.

    Suits: Students who study from PDF textbooks and lecture slides

    Flexcil vs GoodnotesFlexcil pricing and details

  7. Freenotes

    Handwriting and PDF annotation app with AI study tools

    • Freenotes starts at $1.99 per week (Weekly Plus Member), or $9.99 per year. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Freenotes also covers templates.

    Suits: Students annotating lecture slides and revising with flashcards

    Freenotes vs GoodnotesFreenotes pricing and details

  8. Kilonotes

    Handwriting notes app with AI study tools for iPad and Android

    • Kilonotes starts at $1.99 per month (Monthly Subscription on the US App Store). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Kilonotes also covers templates.

    Suits: Students taking handwritten lecture notes on an iPad or Android tablet

    Kilonotes vs GoodnotesKilonotes pricing and details

  9. LiquidText

    Document review workspace that links excerpts to notes

    • LiquidText starts at $8.99 per month, paid annually (LIVE). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists an Android app.
    • LiquidText also covers research, mind mapping and highlights.
    • Goodnotes also covers transcription and whiteboard.

    Suits: Lawyers and analysts reviewing long documents

    LiquidText vs GoodnotesLiquidText pricing and details

  10. MarginNote

    Study reader that turns highlights into mind maps and cards

    • MarginNote starts at $12.99 one-time (Pro Lifetime, iPhone and iPad only). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Goodnotes has a free plan. MarginNote does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists Android and Windows apps.
    • MarginNote also covers linked notes, mind mapping and highlights.

    Suits: Students preparing for exams from textbooks and PDFs

    MarginNote vs GoodnotesMarginNote pricing and details

  11. MyScript Notes

    Handwriting notes app that converts pen strokes to typed text

    • MyScript Notes starts at $1.99 on the US App Store; billing period not labeled. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • MyScript Notes also covers diagrams.
    • Goodnotes also covers transcription.

    Suits: Stylus users who want handwriting turned into typed text

    MyScript Notes vs GoodnotesMyScript Notes pricing and details

  12. Noteful

    Handwritten notes and PDF markup for iPad, with tags and layers

    • Noteful starts at $6.99 one-time purchase (Noteful Pro, Lifetime). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
    • Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Goodnotes lists macOS, Android and Windows apps.
    • Goodnotes also covers transcription and whiteboard.

    Suits: iPad users who write with Apple Pencil and prefer to pay once

    Noteful vs GoodnotesNoteful pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Goodnotes

  • The Free plan stops at 3 files in total, 100 MB of storage and 20 minutes of audio recording, and its exports carry a watermark.
  • Keeping one library in sync between Apple and non-Apple devices needs Goodnotes Cloud, which is included only from Pro.
  • Goodnotes says the Android, Windows and web versions do not offer the full range of features available on iPad.
  • Essential, Pro and Teams are priced per year, and AI Pass is a separate $9.99 per month add-on for more AI credits.
Goodnotes pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Goodnotes?

The alternatives to Goodnotes in this directory are Notability, Noteshelf, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, Flexcil, Freenotes, Kilonotes, LiquidText, MarginNote, MyScript Notes and Noteful. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Goodnotes.

Is there a free alternative to Goodnotes?

Yes. Apple Notes is free to use. Notability, Noteshelf, CollaNote, Microsoft OneNote, Flexcil, Freenotes, Kilonotes, LiquidText, MyScript Notes and Noteful have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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