For students racing between classes and professionals juggling calls and ideas, the wrong app can mean lost notes, cluttered folders, or worse—missed details you swore you wrote down. But here’s the thing: GoodNotes 6 and Notability aren’t just apps anymore. They’re ecosystems. And choosing between them now? It’s not just about pens and pages. It’s about the kind of digital brain you want to build—a space where your ideas live, breathe, and grow with you.
Let’s break it down.
Why This Comparison Matters in 2025
Updates rolled in. Features leveled up. Yet the debate still rages. GoodNotes vs Notability—who took the lead in 2025? This year brought changes you can’t ignore: cross-platform rollouts, smarter AI tools, deeper organization, and faster workflows. Both apps have matured, and the gap between them has narrowed. If you rely on your iPad to manage study sessions, meetings, or creative ideas, these two apps are probably on your radar. The real question? Which one actually makes your note-taking feel seamless—and not like a chore? Which app helps you capture and organize thoughts without getting in the way?
GoodNotes 6: A Powerful Toolkit for Structured Thinkers
GoodNotes 6 packs tools for the detail-minded. You get custom templates, smart folders that nest endlessly, and even flashcards for study. Its Elements tool lets you reuse icons and stickers across notebooks, speeding up workflow and helping visual learners. A persistent Favorites tab keeps your best docs one tap away. AI writing aids now offer subtle suggestions while respecting your flow. Cross-device syncing means you can start on an iPad, edit on a Mac, and finish on Windows. This makes it a productivity hub for multi-platform users. Just know—it may feel a bit heavy if you only need quick jots or audio-based notes.
Notability 2025: Simple, Fast, and Audio-First
Notability moves fast. Tap and write. Or tap and record. It’s ideal for lecture-heavy days, interviews, or spontaneous ideas. The synced audio makes revisiting lessons effortless. A movable toolbox and shading pencil boost its creative edge, appealing to artists and kinetic thinkers. And now? You get live transcription, meaning voice turns to text as you capture thoughts. This feature adds major power for journalists, students, and professionals. It’s the grab-and-go of digital note apps. But full features sit behind a paywall. Without a subscription, you’ll face limitations in backup, advanced search, and multi-device syncing. Choose it if speed and simplicity rule your day.
Let’s Compare: Feature-by-Feature
GoodNotes wins with long-term organization. Notability dominates speed and real-time capture. One gives you depth, the other gives you agility. Pricing leans in GoodNotes’ favor if you dislike subscriptions. Notability adds value only if you need synced recordings often. Both offer clean interfaces, but GoodNotes has more layers, customization, and structure. Notability offers fluidity, real-time recording, and fewer taps to start. GoodNotes is ideal if you archive years of notes and organize topics meticulously. Notability thrives if you prioritize audio, speed, and minimalism. Ultimately, it’s not about which app is better—but which one better matches the way you think.
Real Voices: What Reddit and Users Are Saying
Users love how GoodNotes turns chaotic documents into searchable folders. They rave about flashcards, Elements, and flexibility for heavy users. The infinite folder depth earns applause from teachers and researchers who need structured libraries. Notability fans cheer for its simplicity. It’s the fastest way to catch a thought before it disappears. The audio sync gets real praise—especially when paired with lectures, client calls, or creative brainstorming. One common critique? Users say GoodNotes could simplify its setup. Meanwhile, others wish Notability unlocked more features for free or improved its export capabilities. Reddit threads often spark debate—but both apps have loyal champions.
Pros & Cons
GoodNotes Pros: • Folders go as deep as you need • Built-in flashcards boost study sessions • Expanding platform support adds flexibility • Elements tool helps visual and reusable content • AI aids improve handwriting-to-text workflow
GoodNotes Cons: • More clicks to start a note • Can overwhelm casual users • No built-in audio recording
Notability Pros: • Lightning-fast for recording and note-taking • Transcription and audio sync are top-tier • Clean interface for focused work • Movable toolbox improves accessibility • Pencil tilt shading appeals to creatives
Notability Cons: • Limited without subscription • Fewer customization features • Apple-only ecosystem limits platform use
So… Which One’s Best for You?
Use folders? Plan obsessively? Want deep search, flashcards, or AI-driven workflows? GoodNotes gives you a system you can grow into. It rewards the planner, the educator, the power-user. Take voice notes? Think fast? Need to capture now, organize later? Notability fits that rhythm. It syncs audio to text and lets you write without overthinking. One’s about structure. One’s about speed. If you want both—you may end up toggling between them. The right choice depends on your habits. Think of how you take notes today. Then ask, which app will still work for you tomorrow?
Wait—What About Alternatives?
Still undecided? Consider ClickUp. While not designed for handwriting, it turns tasks, docs, ideas, and deadlines into a single digital space. Think of it as a note-taker with a project manager’s brain. You can build task boards, write meeting notes, and share them with teams—all in one place. It’s not for doodles or stylus work. But if you’re juggling files, reminders, to-dos, and schedules, ClickUp could replace more than just your notes app. It might replace three other tools too. For hybrid teams, project-driven users, or those craving control—ClickUp is worth exploring.
FAQs
Q: Which is better for college students?
GoodNotes if you organize chapters and subjects across semesters. Notability if you record lectures, transcribe interviews, and replay synced audio.
Q: Does GoodNotes offer audio recording?
Not yet. It focuses more on writing, PDF editing, and structure than on voice capture or playback.
Q: Can I access my notes on Android with GoodNotes?
Yes. GoodNotes expanded to Android and Windows in 2025, unlocking cross-platform editing.
Q: Is Notability worth the subscription?
If you rely on its audio features, transcription, and want cloud backup—it’s a yes. Otherwise, the free version may feel restrictive or incomplete.
Final Thoughts
Imagine opening your notes and instantly finding exactly what you need. No scrambling. No rewinding voice memos over and over. Whether you lean toward power-user control or effortless speed, the right app changes everything. It’s not about picking the fanciest tool. It’s about finding the one that gets out of your way—and helps you stay focused, productive, and a little more organized than yesterday.