Software Alternatives & Startups

Anki VS GoodNotes

Compare Anki VS GoodNotes and see what are their differences

Anki

Anki is a program which makes remembering things easy. Because it's a lot more efficient than traditional study methods, you can either greatly decrease your time spent studying, or greatly increase the amount you learn.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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, Anki seems to be a lot more popular than GoodNotes. While we know about 850 links to Anki, we've tracked only 5 mentions of GoodNotes.

social mentions
850 vs 5
Education popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Anki
GoodNotes
Website apps.ankiweb.net goodnotes.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Company Startup from Japan —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Anki 5 features
GoodNotes 6 features
  • Spaced Repetition System
    Anki uses a powerful spaced repetition algorithm to optimize learning and retention by scheduling reviews at increasing intervals.
  • Customizability
    Users can create their own flashcards, import shared decks, add images, audio, and even HTML to personalize and enhance their study experience.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Anki is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing seamless learning across different devices.
  • Extensive Community Support
    Anki has a large and active user community that provides free shared decks, add-ons, and resources, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    Anki can be integrated with other study tools and platforms, such as AnkiWeb for online sync, and various plugins that extend Anki's functionality.

Possible disadvantages

  • Initial Learning Curve
    Beginners may find it challenging to learn how to use Anki's advanced features and customization options effectively.
  • User Interface
    The user interface is functional but may be considered outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern applications.
  • Dependence on User-Generated Content
    The quality of shared decks can vary significantly, which means users may need to spend time curating or creating high-quality content.
  • Cost for Mobile Apps
    While the desktop versions of Anki are free, the iOS app is paid, which might be a barrier for some users considering mobile access.
  • Time-Consuming Setup
    Creating highly effective and personalized flashcards can be time-consuming, especially for complex subjects.
  • 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.

Anki
GoodNotes

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Anki is considered a good application for those looking to enhance their learning and retention capabilities. Its customizable flashcard system, community support, and robust synchronization features make it a valuable resource for learners worldwide.

Why this product is good

  • Anki is widely regarded as a highly effective tool for memorization and learning due to its use of spaced repetition, a technique that helps reinforce information by presenting it just as you are about to forget it. This method significantly enhances long-term retention and is particularly beneficial for studying large volumes of information.

Recommended for

  • Students preparing for exams
  • Language learners
  • Professionals needing to memorize large amounts of information
  • Anyone interested in improving their memory retention skills

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.

Anki 3 videos + Add
GoodNotes 3 videos + Add

How I Learn Everything : Anki Tutorial

More videos

  • - How to Use Anki Effectively - Flash Card Basics for Pre-Med and Med Students [Part 1]
  • - Anki Review App | Resource Review

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
Anki
GoodNotes
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Anki 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.

Anki no reviews yet
GoodNotes no reviews yet
  • Yuhimo vs Anki
    yuhimo.com · Sep 2026

    Anki's manual uses "note" for a bundle of fields, not for a page of explanation. Related pieces of information sit in those fields. A card type is the blueprint that turns fields into cards. When you add a note, Anki...

  • Best Flashcard App for Language Learning
    www.nextlang.co · Aug 2026

    Anki, if you want the same app free on every device: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and the browser through AnkiWeb, with free sync and no ads, and only the official iOS app costs money as a one-time purchase. Mochi's...

  • The Best New Flashcard Apps to Learn and Study in 2024: A Market Overview
    medium.com · Feb 2024

    If you look at the communities, they are beloved by most and others resent them for what they offer. Anki is feature rich, but is web native and does not offer an out of the box mobile App. In a modern world of on the...

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  • 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.

Anki 850 mentions
GoodNotes 5 mentions
  • Show HN: Coding-Flashcards – Learn Rust, SQLite, or Godot from First Principles
    Thanks! I'm using [Anki Panky](https://github.com/kamalsacranie/anki-panky) for generating the flashcards and then [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/) itself for learning them. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Learning Languages with the Help of Algorithms
    Careful using the Anki name, the original author of the app recently registered a trademark. > Anki is a registered trademark of Ankitects Pty Ltd. https://apps.ankiweb.net/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • AnkiBuddy: Automating Flashcard Creation for Medical Students
    AnkiBuddy transforms the way medical students create study materials by using AI to generate high-quality Anki flashcards from PDF documents in minutes - eliminating hours of manual card creation. Built by Dr. David Topf and using Anvil,... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago

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  • 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

View more

Alternatives to Anki and GoodNotes

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

  • Quizlet

    Quizlet allows you to review and create flashcards for a variety of subjects, such as math and reading.

    Compare Quizlet to Anki or GoodNotes:

  • Evernote

    Bring your life's work together in one digital workspace. Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward.

    Compare Evernote to Anki or GoodNotes:

  • Memrise

    Learn a new language with games, humorous chatbots and over 30,000 native speaker videos.

    Compare Memrise to Anki or GoodNotes:

  • OneNote

    Get the OneNote app for free on your tablet, phone, and computer, so you can capture your ideas and to-do lists in one place wherever you are. Or try OneNote with Office for free.

    Compare OneNote to Anki or GoodNotes:

  • Duolingo

    Duolingo is a free language learning app for iOS, Windows and Android devices. The app makes learning a new language fun by breaking learning into small lessons where you can earn points and move up through the levels. Read more about Duolingo.

    Compare Duolingo to Anki or GoodNotes:

  • RedNotebook

    RedNotebook is a software that format, tag and search entries and add pictures, links and customizable templates, spell check notes, and export to plain text, HTML, Latex or PDF.

    Compare RedNotebook to Anki or GoodNotes: