Notion vs Goodnotes: Full Comparison Guide for 2026

Table of contents

• Side by side comparison of Notion and Goodnotes
• What is Notion?
• What is Goodnotes?
• Key differences between Notion and Goodnotes
• Typed workspace vs handwritten notebook
• Platforms, devices and ecosystem
• Collaboration, sharing and team workflows
• Templates, automation and AI features
• When Notion is the better choice
• Core features for notes, tasks and projects
• Best for teams, knowledge bases and documentation
• Pros and cons of using Notion every day
• When Goodnotes is the better choice
• Handwriting, sketching and PDF annotation
• Best for students, planners and visual thinkers
• Pros and cons of using Goodnotes every day
• Notion and Goodnotes for different workflows
• Students and academic notes
• Digital planning, journaling and life organisation
• Creatives, designers and visual thinkers
• Remote teams, agencies and client work
• Pricing and value
• Notion pricing and what you get
• Goodnotes pricing and what you get
• How to choose from Goodnotes or Notion
• Quick questions to help you decide
• If you are still unsure, start here
• Why Notion works even better with Super
• Frequently asked questions
• What is the main difference between Notion and Goodnotes?
• Which one is easier to start with, Notion or Goodnotes?
• How does collaboration compare between Notion and Goodnotes?
• Which one is more affordable in the long run?
• Do Notion and Goodnotes work offline?
• Can Super make my Notion workspace client ready?
• Which should I pick if I do client work or freelancing?

Choosing between Notion vs Goodnotes can feel tricky because they do very different things even though both live in the note taking world. One feels like a digital notebook that loves handwriting; the other feels like a workspace where all your notes, tasks and projects sit in one place. If you are trying to pick one app for school, work or your personal life, it helps to see them side by side instead of guessing.

In this guide you and I will walk through how each tool works, which platforms they support, how collaboration feels and what pricing looks like. You will see where Goodnotes vs Notion overlap and where they are clearly built for different types of people. We will also look at real world workflows so you can check whether you are closer to a handwritten planner person or a structured workspace person.

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Side by side comparison of Notion and Goodnotes

What is Notion?

Notion is an all in one workspace where you can write notes, store documents, track tasks, manage projects and even publish simple sites in a single place. It uses blocks and databases so you can start with a simple page then grow into full systems without leaving the app.

What is Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is a digital notebook built for handwriting first where you write with a stylus, sketch ideas and mark up PDFs as if you were working in a paper notebook. It shines on tablets such as the iPad where you want the feel of a pen together with search, templates and cloud sync.

Key differences between Notion and Goodnotes

When people search for the difference between Notion and Goodnotes they are usually not asking about every button. They want to know how it will feel in daily use and whether it matches the way they already like to think and work. These are the areas where the gap between the two apps becomes very clear.

Typed workspace vs handwritten notebook

Notion is built around typed content. You add blocks for paragraphs, to do lists, toggles, images, databases and more then rearrange them however you like. The result feels like a flexible document that can slowly turn into a full knowledge base or project tracker.

Goodnotes is a handwriting first tool. You pick a notebook, choose a paper style and write with a pen tool. You can draw diagrams, highlight key lines and circle ideas in a way that feels natural if you love real notebooks.

Handwriting is usually better when you need to work with equations, quick diagrams, mind maps or anything that does not fit into neat lines. Typed notes become stronger when you want fast search, links between ideas and tasks that connect to your calendar or project boards. If you want a long term system that grows with you, Notion often wins; if you want a close copy of a paper notebook that lives on your tablet, Goodnotes usually feels nicer.

Platforms, devices and ecosystem

Notion runs on almost everything. You can open it in a browser, use the desktop app on Mac or Windows and keep a mobile version on iOS or Android. This makes it easy to start a page on your laptop then check it later on your phone or share it with a teammate who uses a different device.

Goodnotes is strongest on Apple devices where the iPad and Apple Pencil combo feels great. There are options for Mac, Windows and Android but the core experience still feels centered on the tablet. If you live in the Apple world and do most of your work on an iPad this might be perfect; if you switch between devices or platforms all the time then Notion usually fits better.

For students, remote workers and mixed device teams this difference is real. A group that works across laptops and phones can treat Notion as a shared hub that everyone can open; Goodnotes often stays personal on one main device.

Collaboration, sharing and team workflows

Notion treats collaboration as a core feature. You can invite people to pages or entire workspaces, assign tasks, leave comments, mention teammates and see who changed what. Permissions let you control who can edit or view different areas which matters a lot once your workspace grows.

Goodnotes can share notebooks and documents, and you can export pages as PDFs or images. There are features for shared notebooks and even some real time updates, although in practice it feels closer to a personal app that can share files rather than a full team workspace.

This is where Goodnotes vs Notion feels very different. A team can run projects, meetings and documentation fully inside Notion in a way that feels natural. Goodnotes still plays a role, but usually for private study notes, sketches or marking up documents before you send a summary somewhere else.

Templates, automation and AI features

Notion has a huge template ecosystem. You can create databases for tasks, content calendars, client projects, habit trackers or anything else you want to track. Simple automations using buttons and built in workflows help you move items between statuses or create linked views without extra tools. Notion AI can help you draft text, summarise notes and update database entries which is especially useful when you work with a lot of written content.

Goodnotes 6 also brings templates and smart features. You can pick from planner layouts, dotted paper, music sheets and many more options. Handwriting search lets you find handwritten words later which still feels like magic if you come from paper. There are AI helpers that correct writing, assist with math and support study routines.

If your main goal is to create a system that automates parts of your work or connects to other tools, Notion has a clear edge. If you care more about a natural writing surface with smart extras on top then Goodnotes covers that side very well.

When Notion is the better choice

Core features for notes, tasks and projects

Notion starts simple but can turn into almost anything you need. You can create a basic note, then add nested pages, a task list or a linked database inside that same page. Boards, calendars and gallery views give you different ways to look at the same information which makes project work feel more organized.

Many people use Notion as a second brain that stores meeting notes, ideas, bookmarks and documents in one place. With relations and rollups you can connect tasks to projects, notes to clients and pages to sprints so you always see context instead of random lists. That is hard to recreate in a pure notebook app.

Best for teams, knowledge bases and documentation

Notion works especially well once you start sharing it. Teams use it for wikis, standard operating procedures, company handbooks and client documentation. You can turn a single meeting note into tasks, assign them and link back to that note later which keeps history easy to follow.

Comments, mentions and notifications keep everyone in the loop without constant status meetings. Integrations with tools such as Slack and Google Drive help you pull files and updates into one workspace. When you compare the way a team works in Notion or Goodnotes, Notion almost always feels more natural for shared work.

Pros and cons of using Notion every day

Pros:

• Flexible workspace that grows from simple notes into full systems
• Strong cross platform support and web access
• Great for teams, documentation and long term projects
• Large template ecosystem and growing AI features

Cons:

• Learning curve for new users who only want a simple notebook
• Can feel overwhelming if you add too many pages or databases without a plan

If you are willing to spend a bit of time setting things up, Notion often becomes the central hub that ties your work and life together.

When Goodnotes is the better choice

Handwriting, sketching and PDF annotation

Goodnotes is at its best when you are writing or drawing with a stylus. You can choose different pen styles, thickness levels and colours, then switch to a highlighter or shape tool when you need more structure. Pages feel like real paper but you can undo mistakes, duplicate spreads and move content around.

Annotating lecture slides, research papers or work documents is simple. You import a PDF, write directly on top and bookmark important pages so you can review them later. For many students and professionals this feels faster and more natural than typing long notes during a talk.

Best for students, planners and visual thinkers

Students often move between lecture halls, libraries and home. Goodnotes lets them keep all their notebooks in one device without a heavy bag. It is easy to mix written explanations with diagrams and highlight key formulas on the same page.

People who love planners also enjoy Goodnotes. You can buy or create custom planner templates, decorate them with stickers and use handwriting for schedules and reflections. Visual thinkers who prefer to think in sketches, arrows and boxes rather than pure text tend to feel at home here.

Pros and cons of using Goodnotes every day

Pros:

• Natural writing experience that feels close to pen and paper
• Great for diagrams, mind maps and visual notes
• Strong experience on iPad with Apple Pencil
• Works well for planners and bullet journals

Cons:

• Collaboration features are limited compared to Notion
• Less suited for complex projects or shared knowledge bases
• Harder to turn handwritten notes into structured tasks and systems

Goodnotes is a joy to use if you already love handwriting. It becomes less ideal when you need heavy collaboration, automation or databases.

Notion and Goodnotes for different workflows

Different people do not just need different apps. They also use the same app in different ways. This is where choosing Notion or Goodnotes by workflow makes the most sense.

Students and academic notes

For many students, handwritten lecture notes in Goodnotes feel natural. You can copy what is on the board, draw arrows between concepts and work through problem sets directly on digital paper. Subjects such as math, physics and chemistry often fit this style especially well.

Notion becomes powerful when you want to organize your study life as a whole. You can track classes, deadlines, exam schedules and reading lists in one database. Typed summaries of each lecture can link to resources, tasks and revision plans. A lot of students end up using both apps: Goodnotes during class, Notion when they organize and revise.

Digital planning, journaling and life organisation

Goodnotes is popular in the digital planning world. Planner templates look and feel like traditional paper planners, with weekly spreads, mood trackers and reflection pages. Handwriting your plans can feel more mindful and helps some people remember better.

Notion works more like a flexible life operating system. You can keep goals, habits, finances, content ideas and tasks in one connected workspace. Databases let you filter by area of life, timeframe or priority without rewriting anything. If you want everything in one place that you can search and reshape, Notion usually wins this category.

Creatives, designers and visual thinkers

Creatives often move quickly between ideas. Goodnotes gives them a quick way to sketch layouts, storyboards, wireframes or rough concepts. The blank page and simple tools make it easy to explore without thinking about structure.

Notion supports the other side of creative work which is managing briefs, assets, deliverables and feedback. You can attach files, embed references, track revisions and keep a clear record of decisions. When you run a creative business or team there is a good chance you will want Goodnotes for exploration and Notion for delivery.

Remote teams, agencies and client work

For remote teams and agencies the comparison is simple in most cases. Notion acts as the shared home for projects, client docs, meeting notes and roadmaps. Everyone can see the same information, update statuses and find what they need without long email chains.

Goodnotes can still support this work but more on an individual level. Someone might sketch user flows or ideas in Goodnotes then paste or export the important parts into Notion where the team can see them. When you compare Notion and Goodnotes for full client work, Notion almost always becomes the backbone; Goodnotes becomes a supporting notebook.

Pricing and value

Software pricing changes often, so it helps to look at the current numbers rather than what used to be true a few years ago. Always check each site for the latest details before you commit.

Notion pricing and what you get

Notion has a free plan that costs $0 for individuals and small shared workspaces with limited blocks. This is already enough for many personal systems or early stage projects.

Paid plans are charged per member each month. The Plus plan costs around $10 per member each month and is aimed at small teams and professionals who need unlimited collaborative blocks, file uploads and more powerful databases. The Business plan costs around $20 per member each month and adds advanced permissions, better analytics and full Notion AI features. Enterprise pricing is custom and focused on larger organisations with strict security needs.

For students there is a special education offer where the Plus plan is free when you sign up with an eligible school email address. This makes it an interesting decision, because students can get a very capable Notion workspace at no extra cost.

Goodnotes pricing and what you get

Goodnotes uses a different approach. The app is free to download and you can create up to three notebooks at no charge. This is enough to test the app properly before you decide.

If you want unlimited notebooks you have two main paths. On Apple platforms such as iOS and iPadOS there is a yearly subscription that sits around $12 per year. There is also a one time purchase that costs around $36 which suits people who dislike subscriptions. On Android and Windows there is a lower yearly subscription around $7 per year.

There are also optional purchases for extra templates, content and AI enhancements. For many students and individual users, even the yearly subscription feels reasonable compared to the price of physical notebooks and pens.

In simple terms Notion becomes more expensive as your team grows because it charges per person, while Goodnotes stays very affordable for individuals. At the same time Notion can replace several tools at once which often makes the overall value higher when you look at your full stack.

How to choose from Goodnotes or Notion

At this point you might see clearly which app fits your world. If not, here is a practical way to choose between Goodnotes or Notion without getting stuck in analysis.

Quick questions to help you decide

Ask yourself a few questions and answer honestly.

• Do you feel more comfortable typing or writing by hand?
• Do you mostly work alone or as part of a team?
• Do you mainly need a simple notebook or planner, or do you want a full workspace with tasks and databases?
• Do you need your notes and projects to live across many devices and platforms?

If most of your answers lean toward handwriting, solo work and simple planning a notebook app is likely to feel better. If most of your answers lean toward structure, collaboration and cross device access then a workspace app will usually serve you longer.

If you are still unsure, start here

If you still cannot choose try this simple starting point.

Use Goodnotes during input moments such as lectures, workshops and personal reflection so you can enjoy natural handwriting. Use Notion as the place where final information lives such as project plans, checklists, documentation and long term notes.

If you had to pick only one and never look back, here is a simple rule. Choose Notion if you want structure, collaboration and a tool that can grow with your work and life over time. Choose Goodnotes if you love handwriting and mainly need a private notebook or planner. You can try both for a couple of weeks then notice which icon you tap without thinking; that is often the real answer.

Why Notion works even better with Super

If you decide that Notion will be your main workspace there is a good chance you will want to share some of that work with the world. That is where Super comes in. Super turns your Notion pages into fast, polished websites without you touching code.

You can publish a documentation hub, a client portal, a personal site or a student resource library using the pages you already maintain in Notion. Instead of managing separate systems for content and for your website you update your Notion pages and let Super handle the design layer, navigation and performance.

This combination gives Notion with Super an extra advantage. Goodnotes is excellent for notes that stay personal. Notion together with Super lets your notes and documentation grow into websites that clients, teammates or classmates can actually use.

Choose Notion for structure, then let Super handle the presentation. Keep editing content where you feel comfortable and let Super take care of the layout, navigation and performance.

Create your website with Super for FREE

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Notion and Goodnotes?

The main difference is how you take and store information. Notion focuses on typed notes, databases and shared workspaces, while Goodnotes focuses on handwritten notes and PDF annotation that feel close to paper. Think of Notion as a digital office and Goodnotes as a digital notebook.

Which one is easier to start with, Notion or Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is usually easier on day one because it works like a normal notebook; you just open a page and start writing. Notion has more options and can feel confusing at first, although it becomes very powerful once you understand the basics.

How does collaboration compare between Notion and Goodnotes?

Collaboration is where Notion vs Goodnotes feels very different. Notion lets you share workspaces, assign tasks, comment and edit together in real time. Goodnotes can share notebooks and files but it still feels like a personal app that sometimes shares pages with others.

Which one is more affordable in the long run?

For solo users, Goodnotes vs Notion can be cheaper because Goodnotes has low yearly cost or a one time payment. Notion has a generous free plan and paid plans that scale with your team. If Notion replaces several other tools, it can offer better overall value, especially for work.

Do Notion and Goodnotes work offline?

Both apps have some offline support. You can open existing pages or notebooks without an internet connection, then sync changes when you go back online. It is still a good idea to open important content while you have a stable connection so everything is cached.

Can Super make my Notion workspace client ready?

Yes, Super can help you turn parts of your workspace into client portals or public resources. You can share project timelines, documentation or guides that all live in Notion, while Super handles the way they look and load in the browser. It feels like upgrading your workspace into a website without extra effort.

Which should I pick if I do client work or freelancing?

If you work with clients, Notion vs Goodnotes plays out in favor of Notion most of the time. Notion handles project plans, briefs, timelines and shared notes in one place; Goodnotes is still useful for private sketches or meeting notes. Many freelancers use Goodnotes on the side but keep their main client systems in Notion, sometimes published through Super.

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