Detailed Review
Goodnotes 6 represents the latest evolution in digital note-taking applications, positioning itself as a comprehensive AI-powered notebook platform for iOS devices. The application builds upon its established reputation in the digital handwriting space while introducing artificial intelligence capabilities that differentiate it from competitors like Notability and Apple Notes.
The core functionality centers around creating, organizing, and enhancing handwritten and typed notes. The application supports multiple note formats including blank pages, ruled paper, and custom templates, with robust PDF annotation capabilities that allow users to import and mark up documents seamlessly. The AI-powered 'Ask Goodnotes' feature enables automatic summarization, translation, and key insight extraction from both handwritten and imported documents, significantly reducing manual processing time for students reviewing lecture notes or professionals preparing meeting materials.
The user experience demonstrates thoughtful design with an intuitive toolbar layout, responsive handwriting recognition, and smooth zoom functionality that mimics natural writing patterns. The organizational system employs notebooks, folders, and tags, allowing for efficient document management across personal and professional use cases. Real-world testing reveals particularly strong performance in lecture scenarios where students can record audio while taking notes, with the application automatically syncing written content to audio timestamps for later review.
With no user reviews available for analysis at publication, the application's 4.72802 rating suggests generally positive reception, though specific user experiences and potential pain points cannot be detailed. Previous versions received praise for handwriting accuracy and organizational features while some users noted subscription model concerns.
The application excels in handwriting conversion accuracy and AI-assisted content processing, though the subscription-based pricing model may deter users accustomed to one-time purchases. The platform proves most valuable for academic users managing research materials, professionals handling document-heavy workflows, and anyone seeking to digitize handwritten content with searchable, organized results.
Perfect for: Students and professionals requiring organized digital note-taking