ApexDelight

Nebo vs Goodnotes: Which is Better?

• apexdelight
• April 14, 2025April 14, 2025
• 0

When it comes to digital note-taking apps, Nebo and GoodNotes are two of the most popular options available. Both apps cater to users who prefer to take handwritten notes on their tablets, offering a range of features to enhance the note-taking experience. However, they each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses that may make one a better choice depending on your specific needs.

In this comparison, we will explore the features, user experience, and key differences between Nebo and GoodNotes, to help you determine which is the best note-taking app for you.

Overview

Nebo:

• Developer: MyScript
• Platform: Available on iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android
• Focus: Nebo is designed for handwriting recognition, converting handwritten notes into text while preserving the layout. It’s particularly useful for those who need to organize their notes into structured documents, and it offers advanced features for mathematical equations, diagrams, and diagrams.

GoodNotes:

• Developer: Time Base Technology
• Platform: Available on iOS and macOS
• Focus: GoodNotes is a popular note-taking app with a focus on handwriting and sketching. It allows users to create beautiful handwritten notes and offers an intuitive interface for organization, with options to categorize, search, and annotate PDFs.

Key Features Comparison

1. Handwriting Recognition

• Nebo: One of Nebo’s standout features is its advanced handwriting recognition. It uses MyScript’s proprietary technology to convert handwritten notes into digital text accurately. This feature is especially powerful because it works in real-time as you write, allowing you to edit, delete, or rearrange your notes just like text. Nebo also supports the conversion of mathematical formulas and diagrams into editable formats.
  • Pros:
    • Accurate handwriting-to-text conversion.
    • Supports complex diagrams and mathematical equations.
    • Allows easy editing and formatting of handwritten notes.
  • Cons:
    • The handwriting recognition is most effective with neat handwriting, which might be a limitation for some users.
• GoodNotes: While GoodNotes doesn’t have the same advanced handwriting recognition as Nebo, it still offers handwriting-to-text conversion via the “Convert” function. It is effective for turning simple handwritten notes into text, but it’s not as advanced or real-time as Nebo’s feature.
  • Pros:
    • Allows for easy handwritten-to-text conversion.
    • Great for sketching and drawing diagrams.
  • Cons:
    • Handwriting recognition isn’t as sophisticated or seamless as Nebo.

2. Organization and Search

• Nebo: Nebo’s organizational system is built around notebooks and pages. It offers tools for structuring your notes with headings, subheadings, and bullet points. While it has basic search functionality, it’s not as robust as GoodNotes in terms of searching through handwritten notes.
  • Pros:
    • Allows for structured and organized notes.
    • Intuitive interface for creating and managing notebooks.
  • Cons:
    • Search function could be more advanced, especially for handwritten text.
• GoodNotes: GoodNotes excels in organization with a flexible system that includes folders, notebooks, and categories. The app also features a powerful search function, which can even search through handwritten notes, making it easier to locate specific information.
  • Pros:
    • Excellent search capabilities, including searching handwritten text.
    • Flexible organization system with customizable folders and notebooks.
  • Cons:
    • The organizational tools can feel overwhelming to some users who prefer simplicity.

3. PDF Annotation and Importing

• Nebo: Nebo supports importing PDFs and annotating them, but its PDF handling features are more limited compared to GoodNotes. While you can highlight and write directly on PDFs, it doesn’t offer the same level of annotation tools or options for PDF management as GoodNotes.
  • Pros:
    • Allows basic PDF annotation.
  • Cons:
    • Lacks more advanced PDF handling tools like GoodNotes.
• GoodNotes: GoodNotes is known for its robust PDF annotation features. You can import PDFs, write directly on them, highlight text, and add shapes or diagrams. It also allows you to organize PDF documents into notebooks and easily annotate them during lectures or meetings.
  • Pros:
    • Excellent PDF annotation tools.
    • Can handle complex PDF documents with ease.
  • Cons:
    • No built-in handwriting-to-text conversion for PDFs.

4. Drawing and Diagramming

• Nebo: Nebo shines in the area of diagramming and mathematical equations. It allows you to draw diagrams, charts, and even write equations, which it can convert into digital text. This makes Nebo particularly appealing to students and professionals who need to write or solve mathematical problems on the go.
  • Pros:
    • Advanced support for diagrams and math equations.
    • Real-time conversion of diagrams and equations to digital formats.
  • Cons:
    • Not as focused on general drawing or artistic sketching.
• GoodNotes: GoodNotes allows for freehand drawing and sketching, making it great for visual thinkers. You can use different pen styles, colors, and thicknesses, and the app offers shapes and tools for drawing precise figures. However, it doesn’t provide the same level of mathematical or diagramming support as Nebo.
  • Pros:
    • Great for sketching and freehand drawing.
    • Precise drawing tools and shapes.
  • Cons:
    • Lacks advanced diagramming and equation features.

5. Cloud Sync and Backup

• Nebo: Nebo supports cloud synchronization with Google Drive and OneDrive, making it easy to back up your notes and access them across multiple devices. However, it doesn’t support as many cloud services as GoodNotes.
  • Pros:
    • Cloud sync with Google Drive and OneDrive.
  • Cons:
    • Limited cloud service options compared to GoodNotes.
• GoodNotes: GoodNotes offers iCloud synchronization, allowing for seamless syncing across all Apple devices. It also supports backup and export features, including exporting notes as PDFs, images, or text files. Additionally, GoodNotes has better options for cloud integration, including Dropbox and Google Drive.
  • Pros:
    • Robust cloud syncing via iCloud.
    • Supports multiple cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
  • Cons:
    • Limited to Apple’s ecosystem, so it’s not as cross-platform as Nebo.

User Experience and Interface

• Nebo: Nebo’s interface is designed to be clean and intuitive. The app’s real-time handwriting recognition and smart editing tools create a user-friendly experience. It’s simple and effective for those who need to structure their notes and work with equations and diagrams.
  • Pros:
    • Intuitive interface for structured note-taking.
    • Fast and responsive handwriting recognition.
  • Cons:
    • Lacks customization options for themes or appearance.
• GoodNotes: GoodNotes offers a more feature-rich interface, with customizable themes, paper styles, and writing tools. The app is designed for users who need to have full control over the visual aspects of their notes. It’s slightly more complex but offers a lot of customization options.
  • Pros:
    • Highly customizable interface.
    • Offers a rich set of features for handwriting and annotation.
  • Cons:
    • The interface may be overwhelming for those who prefer simplicity.

Pricing

• Nebo: Nebo operates on a one-time purchase basis with a free version offering basic features. The full version unlocks all the advanced features, including handwriting-to-text conversion and equation recognition.
  • Pros:
    • One-time purchase with a free version available.
  • Cons:
    • Limited features in the free version.
• GoodNotes: GoodNotes requires a one-time purchase on the App Store, but it offers a full suite of features, including handwriting recognition, PDF annotation, and cloud syncing.
  • Pros:
    • One-time purchase for a full-featured app.
  • Cons:
    • No free version; only a paid version is available.

Conclusion: Which is Better?

• Choose Nebo if:
  • You need advanced handwriting recognition for converting handwritten notes into text.
  • You require powerful support for mathematical equations and diagrams.
  • You prefer a clean, structured interface and need to organize notes with headings and bullet points.
  • You want the ability to work across multiple platforms like Windows, Android, and iOS.
• Choose GoodNotes if:
  • You need a versatile note-taking app with powerful PDF annotation and search functionality.
  • You enjoy sketching, drawing, and making visual notes with precise tools.
  • You are invested in the Apple ecosystem and want a seamless syncing experience through iCloud.
  • You need advanced organizational tools to manage a large number of notes and documents.

Ultimately, both Nebo and GoodNotes have their own unique strengths, and the better choice depends on your specific needs. Nebo is ideal for those who need to convert handwritten notes into structured, editable text, while GoodNotes excels in sketching, drawing, and organizing large volumes of notes.