Alternatives to GoodNotes
Handwriting-first notes app for iPad with Apple Pencil support and OCR search. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
GoodNotes
Handwriting-first notes app for iPad with Apple Pencil support and OCR search.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as GoodNotes.
Apple Notes
Apple's built-in notes app with sync, sketches, and text recognition.
Apple Notes is free and preinstalled on Apple devices, supports sketches and searches text in images, but it is not built around handwriting or PDF annotation.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Craft
Native docs app with real-time collaboration and deep integration into Apple's ecosystem.
Bear
Apple-exclusive markdown notes app with tag-based organization and a polished editor.
RemNote
Note-taking app that pairs outlining with built-in spaced-repetition flashcards.
Notion
All-in-one workspace combining notes, databases, wikis, and task boards.
