GoodNotes is a digital note-taking application developed by Time Base Technology, focusing on simulating the experience of paper notebooks with support for handwritten notes, PDF annotation, and AI-powered features. The 2025 cross-platform version (iOS/iPadOS/macOS/Android/Windows/Web) offers both subscription and one-time purchase pricing models, catering to students, professionals, and creative users.
Core Features
Handwriting & PDF Annotation
- Supports pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition for Apple Pencil/S Pen, with natural ink flow and eraser tools.
- PDF import and markup: Highlighting, text boxes, signatures, and shape recognition (auto-correcting lines).
AI-Enhanced Tools
- Ask GoodNotes: Generates summaries, answers questions, and creates interactive quizzes from notes with semantic search.
- Handwriting Editing: Intelligent spell correction, text reflow, and equation recognition (Math Assist with step-by-step calculations).
- Audio Transcription: Syncs recordings with note timestamps, auto-converts to text, and generates keyword indexes.
Organization & Management
- Unlimited nested folders and tagging system, supporting cross-notebook search (including OCR for handwritten content).
- Notebook customization: Covers, paper templates (grid/dot/music staff), and page reordering.
Templates & Export
- 200+ built-in templates: Schedules, Cornell notes, mind maps, and project management kanbans.
- Multi-format export: PDF, images, Markdown, and GoodNotes format (cross-platform compatible).
Features & Advantages
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cross-Platform Ecosystem | Expanded to Android and Windows in 2025, with iCloud/Google Drive sync and seamless Apple device integration. |
| Natural Writing Experience | Low-latency ink rendering (<20ms), pressure sensitivity, and 120Hz refresh rate support for smooth writing. |
| Data Security & Privacy | Locally encrypted storage with on-device AI processing, compliant with GDPR and FERPA educational standards. |
| Flexible Pricing | Free plan (3 notebooks), annual subscription ($9.99 cross-platform), lifetime purchase ($29.99 Apple-only). |
| Education & Productivity | Class audio sync, AI-generated review questions, flashcard creation, and study progress tracking for students and teachers. |
Application Scenarios
- Student Learning: Classroom handwritten notes, textbook PDF annotation,错题整理, and exam review.
- Professional Work: Meeting minutes (audio-synced), contract signing, project planning, and literature annotation.
- Creative Design: Sketching, inspiration collection, UI/UX prototyping, and mood board creation.
- Daily Planning: Scheduling, to-do lists, habit tracking, and digital bullet journaling.
- Remote Collaboration: Shared notebooks (paid plan), multi-user PDF annotation, and real-time meeting notes editing.
Supported Platforms
- Device Requirements:
- iOS/iPadOS 14+, macOS 11+, Android 14+ (优先支持 Samsung Galaxy Tab series), Windows 10+.
- Web version supports Chrome/Edge browsers with simplified features.
- Sync Methods: iCloud (Apple devices), Google Drive/Dropbox (cross-platform), local Wi-Fi transfer.
- Hardware Compatibility: Apple Pencil 1/2, Samsung S Pen, Wacom tablets, and third-party styluses.