Goodnotes vs Evernote: Which is Better?

When it comes to note-taking apps, GoodNotes and Evernote are two of the most well-known and widely used options. Both have their strengths, but they serve slightly different purposes and cater to different types of users. Let’s break down the features, pros, and cons of each to help you determine which is better for your needs.

Overview of GoodNotes and Evernote

GoodNotes:

GoodNotes is an iOS-exclusive note-taking app designed primarily for handwritten notes. It’s popular among users who prefer the tactile experience of writing by hand, particularly when using Apple Pencil on an iPad or iPhone.
It is mainly used for organizing handwritten notes, annotating PDFs, creating diagrams, and customizing notebooks with a variety of paper templates. It’s widely regarded for its smooth and responsive writing experience, which makes it ideal for people who need to take notes by hand.

Evernote:

Evernote, on the other hand, is a cross-platform note-taking app that works on a variety of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and through the web. It is a feature-rich note-taking tool that focuses on text-based notes and multimedia integration. It is widely used for creating to-do lists, storing web clippings, organizing files, and collaborating.
Evernote is known for its versatility, enabling users to create checklists, voice notes, and image-based notes alongside traditional text.

Key Features Comparison

1. Handwriting and Annotation

GoodNotes:
- GoodNotes shines in the handwriting department. If you’re someone who likes to write by hand, GoodNotes provides a smooth and intuitive experience, especially with Apple Pencil. You can create notebooks with a variety of paper templates, such as lined, grid, or blank.
- PDF annotation is a major strength, allowing users to highlight, draw, and annotate documents seamlessly. Additionally, GoodNotes provides handwriting recognition, so you can search through handwritten notes, making it easier to locate information.
- Pros:
  - Excellent Apple Pencil integration for smooth, accurate handwriting.
  - Ability to annotate PDFs and create custom notebooks.
  - Handwriting recognition for easier search of handwritten notes.
  - Smooth drawing experience.
- Cons:
  - Exclusively available for Apple devices.
  - Focuses more on handwritten notes than other forms of media.
Evernote:
- Evernote also supports handwritten notes (via stylus), but its handwriting features are not as advanced as GoodNotes. While it can recognize handwritten text to a degree, it does not have the same level of handwriting recognition or customization for handwritten notebooks that GoodNotes offers.
- Pros:
  - Handwritten notes support, though not as advanced.
  - Ability to annotate PDFs and draw on images.
- Cons:
  - Handwriting recognition is limited compared to GoodNotes.
  - Writing experience not as smooth, especially with non-Apple devices.

2. Organization and Structure

GoodNotes:
- GoodNotes provides a solid organization system for handwritten notes, offering folders and subfolders to keep your notes structured. You can customize each notebook with different templates (lined, grid, blank, etc.), which helps in organizing notes in a way that suits your writing style.
- Search functionality is particularly strong in GoodNotes, as it allows you to search through both handwritten and typed notes. This makes it easy to find specific pieces of information.
- Pros:
  - Advanced organization with folders and subfolders.
  - Searchable handwritten notes.
  - Customizable paper templates.
- Cons:
  - Limited organizational flexibility outside of handwritten notes.
  - Notebooks can get cumbersome when dealing with a large volume of notes.
Evernote:
- Evernote offers a more flexible organizational system, allowing users to organize notes into notebooks, stacks, and tags. You can also create to-do lists, add checklists, and color-code notes for easier retrieval.
- One of Evernote’s standout features is its ability to sync across all devices, allowing for seamless access to your notes no matter where you are. You can also organize web clippings and images alongside your text-based notes.
- Pros:
  - Highly flexible organization with notebooks, stacks, and tags.
  - Cross-device synchronization and access.
  - Ability to store and organize multimedia like web clippings, images, and audio notes.
- Cons:
  - Less emphasis on handwritten notes and paper templates.
  - Searching through handwritten notes can be less accurate compared to GoodNotes.

3. Multimedia Integration

GoodNotes:
- GoodNotes supports basic multimedia integration like adding images and shapes to your notes. You can also annotate PDFs and create digital sketches and diagrams.
- However, it does not have built-in support for audio recordings, voice memos, or video notes. Its focus remains more on handwritten and annotated notes rather than multimedia content.
- Pros:
  - Good support for images, shapes, and diagrams.
  - Strong focus on PDF annotation.
- Cons:
  - Lacks advanced audio or video note capabilities.
  - Limited multimedia support.
Evernote:
- Evernote excels in multimedia integration. It allows users to add audio recordings, images, videos, PDFs, web clippings, and even scanned documents. This makes Evernote a great choice for users who need to organize a variety of content types, such as lecture notes, meeting recordings, and research notes.
- Evernote’s integration with other tools, such as Google Drive and Microsoft Office, further enhances its multimedia capabilities.
- Pros:
  - Audio recordings, images, videos, and web clippings are easy to integrate.
  - Excellent for multimedia content and file management.
  - Strong cross-platform support for multimedia.
- Cons:
  - Not as focused on handwritten notes.
  - May feel too cluttered for users who want a minimalist note-taking experience.

4. Pricing and Accessibility

GoodNotes:
- GoodNotes is a paid app with a one-time purchase. It costs around $7.99 (subject to change). This is a great option if you want to avoid subscriptions, and you’ll have full access to all features once you buy the app.
- Pros:
  - One-time payment for lifetime access.
  - No recurring costs.
  - High-quality, feature-rich experience for Apple users.
- Cons:
  - Only available for iOS and macOS.
  - One-time payment might be a higher upfront cost for some users.
Evernote:
- Evernote has a free plan with limited features (such as monthly uploads), and it also offers premium plans with added functionality (like offline access, larger file uploads, and better search). Premium plans cost around $7.99/month or $69.99/year.
- Pros:
  - Free plan available with basic features.
  - Cross-platform accessibility.
  - Premium plans provide more storage and additional features.
- Cons:
  - Free plan comes with limited functionality (e.g., fewer uploads).
  - Subscription model for full features can be expensive over time.

Conclusion: Which is Better?

Choose GoodNotes if:

You are an Apple user and prefer handwritten notes.
You want a one-time payment for an app dedicated to note-taking and PDF annotation.
You prioritize a smooth writing experience, especially with the Apple Pencil.
You need an app focused on handwritten notes, organization, and annotation without multimedia clutter.

Choose Evernote if:

You need a cross-platform note-taking app that works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
You want to create a variety of text-based and multimedia notes (including audio, images, videos, and web clippings).
You want a free plan with access to basic note-taking functionality, or you’re willing to pay for premium features like offline access and larger uploads.
You need advanced organizational features and a system that lets you sync across multiple devices.

In conclusion, GoodNotes is the better choice for users focused on handwritten notes and Apple device integration, while Evernote excels in providing a cross-platform, multimedia-rich note-taking experience with powerful organizational features.

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