Good Notes Price | Is It Worth the Cost in 2025?
Good Notes is one of the most popular note-taking apps for iPad, Mac, and iPhone, known for its smooth handwriting experience, PDF annotation features, and organizational tools. But with various pricing options, you might wonder: Is Good Notes worth the price? Let’s break down the costs and features to help you decide.
Good Notes Pricing Plans in 2025
Good Notes offers two main purchase options:
1. One-Time Purchase (Good Notes 5)
- Price: $9.99 (USD)
- What’s Included?
- Full access to Good Notes 5 (no subscription required)
- Unlimited notebooks and pages
- Handwriting recognition & search
- PDF annotation & shape tools
- iCloud sync across devices
- No recurring fees
This is a great option if you prefer a one-time payment and don’t need cloud backups beyond iCloud.
2. Subscription Plan (Good Notes 6)
- Price:
- Monthly: $3.99
- Yearly: $9.99 (best value)
- What’s Included?
- All features of Good Notes 5, plus:
- AI-powered handwriting improvement
- Enhanced PDF text conversion
- Additional cloud backup options (Google Drive, Dropbox)
- Cross-platform availability (Mac, iPad, iPhone)
- Early access to new features
The subscription model is ideal if you want continuous updates and advanced AI features.
Read:
Is Good Notes Worth the Price?
Pros:
✔ Lifetime access option (Good Notes 5) is affordable.
✔ Excellent handwriting experience (better than many competitors).
✔ PDF annotation is seamless for students & professionals.
✔ iCloud sync keeps notes updated across Apple devices.
Cons:
✖ No free tier (unlike Notability’s free plan).
✖ Subscription model may feel unnecessary for casual users.
✖ Windows/Android users have limited functionality.
Good Notes vs. Competitors
App | Price Model | Key Features | Best For |
GoodNotes | 9.99one−timeor9.99one−timeor9.99/year | Handwriting, PDFs, AI tools | Students, note-takers |
Notability | Free (limited) or $14.99/year | Audio notes, multi-note | Lecturers, creatives |
OneNote | Free (with Microsoft account) | Cross-platform, cloud sync | Microsoft users |
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Good Notes?
✅ Yes, if:
- You want a one-time purchase for lifetime use (GoodNotes 5).
- You need great handwriting & PDF tools for studying or work.
- You’re an Apple user (best experience on iPad with Apple Pencil).
❌ No, if:
- You prefer a free app (try OneNote or Notability free tier).
- You’re on Windows/Android (limited functionality).
- You don’t need advanced AI features (stick with Good Notes 5).
Good Notes offers excellent value, especially with the one-time purchase option. If you take handwritten notes regularly, it’s a worthwhile investment.