Software Alternatives & Startups

Adobe Scan VS GoodNotes

Compare Adobe Scan VS GoodNotes and see what are their differences

Adobe Scan

Scan anything into a PDF using your mobile device.

Rating
0 reviews
GoodNotes

GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, GoodNotes should be more popular than Adobe Scan. It has been mentioned 5 times since March 2021.

social mentions
3 vs 5
OCR popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
169 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Adobe Scan
GoodNotes
Website adobe.com goodnotes.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Adobe Scan 5 features
GoodNotes 6 features
  • High-Quality Scanning
    Adobe Scan uses advanced imaging technology to deliver high-quality scans, ensuring that text and images are captured clearly and accurately.
  • Integrated OCR
    The app includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities, which allow scanned text to be converted into editable and searchable content.
  • Integration with Adobe Ecosystem
    Adobe Scan easily integrates with other Adobe products like Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Cloud, making it seamless to manage and edit documents.
  • Auto-Detection Features
    The app automatically detects boundaries, adjusts perspective, and enhances the clarity of scanned documents, reducing the need for manual adjustments.
  • Cloud Storage
    Documents scanned using Adobe Scan can be automatically saved to Adobe Document Cloud, ensuring they are backed up and accessible from anywhere.

Possible disadvantages

  • Requires Adobe Account
    Users need an Adobe account to access all features, which could be a hindrance for those looking for a more straightforward, no-sign-up-required option.
  • Subscription Costs
    While the app is free to use, accessing advanced features may require a subscription to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, which can be costly.
  • File Size
    Scanned documents can result in relatively large file sizes, which could be an issue for users with limited storage space on their devices.
  • Occasional OCR Errors
    Although the OCR feature is generally reliable, it can occasionally make errors, especially with handwritten text or unusual fonts.
  • Device Compatibility
    Certain features may not be available on all devices or operating systems, potentially limiting its usability for some users.
  • Handwriting Recognition
    GoodNotes offers OCR (Optical Character Recognition), making handwritten notes searchable and easily convertible to text.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application features an intuitive and well-organized interface, making it easy for users to navigate and use.
  • Cross-Platform Syncing
    GoodNotes allows for seamless synchronization across multiple devices, including iOS and macOS, ensuring your notes are always up to date.
  • Variety of Paper Templates
    The app offers a wide array of paper templates and covers, allowing users to customize their notebooks according to their needs.
  • Collaboration Tools
    GoodNotes supports collaborative note-taking, allowing multiple users to work on a single document simultaneously.
  • Annotation Features
    Users can annotate PDFs, images, and other documents, making it versatile for different types of note-taking and review.

Possible disadvantages

  • Platform Limitation
    GoodNotes is currently available only on iOS and macOS platforms, limiting its accessibility for users on other operating systems.
  • No Audio Recording
    Unlike some other note-taking apps, GoodNotes does not offer an audio recording feature, which could be a downside for users who like to sync notes with lectures or meetings.
  • Learning Curve
    Although the interface is user-friendly, some of the advanced features can have a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Subscription Model
    While GoodNotes offers a variety of features, it comes with a subscription cost, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
  • File Size
    Notes and documents in GoodNotes can become quite large, potentially taking up substantial storage space on your device.
  • Limited Cloud Storage
    Although GoodNotes supports iCloud syncing, it does not offer integration with other popular cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox out-of-the-box.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Adobe Scan
GoodNotes

No analysis of Adobe Scan yet.

Overall verdict

  • GoodNotes is highly regarded among note-taking apps, particularly for iPad users who benefit from its extensive features optimized for using the Apple Pencil. While primarily designed for iOS devices, it offers a solid option for digital note-taking with its wide range of functionalities and continued updates that enhance user experience.

Why this product is good

  • GoodNotes is widely appreciated for its intuitive user interface, robust organizational tools, and advanced note-taking features. It provides users with the ability to write and sketch naturally using a stylus, as well as the capability to import, annotate, and export documents in various formats. Its synchronization across devices through iCloud allows for seamless access to notes from multiple locations, making it convenient for students, professionals, and creatives alike.

Recommended for

  • Students who want a reliable digital notebook for organizing class notes, especially those with an iPad and Apple Pencil.
  • Professionals looking for a powerful tool to manage meeting notes, planning, and document annotations.
  • Creatives who require a versatile app for sketching, brainstorming, and conceptual work.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Adobe Scan 3 videos + Add
GoodNotes 3 videos + Add

Adobe Scan vs Office Lens - Comparing Features and Quality

More videos

  • - How to Use the Adobe Scan App
  • - Adobe Scan vs CamScanner (2020) - Which One is for You?

GoodNotes 5 Review - Best iPad Pro Note taking app?? (2019)

More videos

  • - GoodNotes 5 Walkthrough | iPad
  • - Notability vs Goodnotes 5 - The Best iPad Note Taking App (2019) | KharmaMedic

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Adobe Scan
GoodNotes
100% 100%
OCR
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Adobe Scan and GoodNotes. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Adobe Scan no reviews yet
GoodNotes no reviews yet
  • 15 Best Notability Alternatives 2022
    rigorousthemes.com · May 2022

    Automatically sync your note to the cloud to ensure the updated versions are always available on your app. GoodNotes allows you to import files, take photos, scan documents, and weave them into your notes to make them...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Adobe Scan 3 mentions
GoodNotes 5 mentions
  • In search of a tool to digitize my handwriting
    I use Adobe Scan to scan stuff: receipts, handwritten notes, mail to save, etc. Source: over 5 years ago
  • PSA: How to Have Hand-Drawn Art Look as Computerized as Computer Art
    Use a PDF scanner app on your phone. However, do NOT use iOS Notes' scanning function. I recommend Adobe Scan, as it eases the process of converting the PDF into an image file. Source: over 5 years ago
  • The best way to store these cards is in an acid-free envelope or pouch. They allow gases to disperse freely.
    Both the Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens scanner apps work really well: https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/mobile/scanner-app.html. Source: over 5 years ago
  • Dislike recent update on speech notes regarding UI
    Add your feedback to the support thread on goodnotes.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Some links work, some don't
    There's a share.goodnotes.com link and others are just goodnotes.com. I could only get one notebook to have the fist link a few months ago and it works for viewing it online on Windows on any browser, the other one just takes me to a... Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Paid opportunity for USF students!
    GoodNotes App is looking for Content Creators to help us build up study materials on our new platform- GoodNotes Community. GoodNotes is a digital note taking app- check us out here. We have just launched an exciting new product within... Source: almost 5 years ago

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Alternatives to Adobe Scan and GoodNotes

When comparing Adobe Scan and GoodNotes, you can also consider the following products.