Goodnotes review

Goodnotes is the choice for people who want a digital version of a paper planner. It is a handwriting app rather than a task manager: you import a planner PDF or use its templates and digital stationery, then write on the pages with a stylus. The pricing page lists a free plan capped at 3 files and 5MB imports with 20 minutes of audio recording. Essential costs $11.99 a year and removes the file cap, adds unlimited audio recording and includes all note-taking tools. Pro at $35.99 a year adds sync across devices, Drive integration, private link sharing and real-time collaboration, and both paid plans start with a 7-day free trial. Handwriting search and conversion of handwriting to text make old pages findable. Goodnotes has apps for iOS, iPadOS, Mac, Windows, Android and web. What you give up is automation: it will not move overdue tasks or send recurring reminders the way TickTick or Todoist do. We compared documented features and published prices.

Who it is for

people who want a handwritten planner on a tablet

Price

Free plan up to 3 files; Essential $11.99 a year.

Essential $11.99 /yearly Unlock tools to capture your thoughts and actions
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Import photos, PDFs and JPGs, including planner PDFs
• Templates and digital stationery
• Handwriting search and handwriting-to-text conversion
• Essential: unlimited files and unlimited audio recording
• Pro adds sync across devices and real-time collaboration

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest paid plan on this list: Essential at $11.99 a year
• Strength: Apps for iOS, iPadOS, Mac, Windows, Android and web
• Strength: 7-day free trial on Essential and Pro
• Weakness: Free plan is limited to 3 files and 5MB imports
• Weakness: Cross-device sync sits on Pro at $35.99 a year
• Weakness: Not a task manager: no automatic recurring reminders like TickTick or Todoist

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, up to 3 files
• Essential: $11.99 a year
• Pro: $35.99 a year
• AI Pass add-on: $9.99 a month

Where it ranks

Goodnotes is No. 3 in our Best Digital Planner Apps verdict.