Software Alternatives & Startups

calibre VS GoodNotes

Compare calibre VS GoodNotes and see what are their differences

calibre

Ebook manager, viewer & converter

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, calibre seems to be a lot more popular than GoodNotes. While we know about 553 links to calibre, we've tracked only 5 mentions of GoodNotes.

social mentions
553 vs 5
eBook Manager popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

calibre
GoodNotes
Website calibre-ebook.com goodnotes.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

calibre 7 features
GoodNotes 6 features
  • Open Source
    Calibre is free and open source, meaning it is continually being improved upon by a community of contributors, and there are no costs associated with its use.
  • Wide Format Support
    The software supports a vast array of eBook formats, making it versatile for users who have different types of eBooks.
  • Library Management
    Calibre offers powerful library management tools that allow users to organize and categorize their eBook collections with ease.
  • Conversion Tools
    The software includes robust conversion tools to convert eBooks between different formats, enabling compatibility with various eReaders.
  • Customization
    Offers a high level of customization options, from tweaking the user interface to creating custom metadata fields.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Calibre is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Plugin Support
    Calibre supports plugins, allowing users to extend its functionalities according to their needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Interface
    The user interface can be overwhelming for beginners due to its vast features and options.
  • Performance
    Calibre can be slow, especially when handling large libraries or performing format conversions for large eBooks.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, consuming significant CPU and memory during operations like conversion and library management.
  • Aesthetic
    While functional, the user interface is sometimes criticized for being outdated and less visually appealing compared to modern applications.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Calibre's primary use is on desktop platforms, and its mobile support is limited, making it less convenient for users who primarily use mobile devices.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its vast array of features and customization options, there is a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Updates
    Frequent updates, while generally a positive attribute indicating active development, can sometimes cause disruptions or require users to frequently adapt to changes.
  • 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.

calibre
GoodNotes

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Calibre is considered a good option for managing and converting e-books, especially for those who require versatility and extensive format support.

Why this product is good

  • Calibre is widely regarded as a good tool because it is a free and open-source e-book management application that supports a variety of file formats and provides robust features for managing e-book collections. Users appreciate its ability to convert e-books from one format to another, its comprehensive metadata editing capabilities, and its powerful library management functionalities. Additionally, Calibre has an active development team and community, ensuring frequent updates and improvements.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who manage large e-book libraries.
  • Users who need to convert between different e-book formats.
  • Readers who prioritize customization and detailed metadata editing.
  • People who prefer open-source software solutions.

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.

calibre 4 videos + Add
GoodNotes 3 videos + Add

Why I Stopped Watching Calibre on Netflix in 10 Minutes! | Flick Connection Podcast Clip (Ep. 11)

More videos

  • - Calibre (2018) - Netflix Movie Review (Non-Spoiler)
  • - Calibre: Ending Explained (Netflix Original Movie 2018)
  • - Calibre | Free e-Book Software. Getting Started.

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
calibre
GoodNotes
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using calibre 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.

calibre no reviews yet
GoodNotes no reviews yet
  • Top 10 Free eBOOK Readers for PC
    updf.com · May 2022

    If you are looking for the best eBook reader for your PC, you can try Calibre. It is a user-friendly and useful eBook managing tool that is a must-have for every reader. Besides being completely open-source and free,...

  • 8 Best eBook Readers for Linux
    itsfoss.com · Mar 2022

    Calibre is one of the most popular eBook apps for Linux. To be honest, it’s a lot more than just a simple eBook reader. It’s a complete eBook solution. You can even create professional eBooks with Calibre.

  • 10 of the Best Ebook Readers for Windows, macOS, and Mobile

    The Calibre ebook reader is one of the best ebook management tools to help you read and organize your entire library. Calibre is portable and cross platform, so it’s available on nearly every device you own.

View more

  • 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.

calibre 553 mentions
GoodNotes 5 mentions
  • Kindle to end store downloads and registering for 1st-5th gen kindles in May
    Calibre lets you put non-Amazon eBooks on these very same devices. It made me start using my old Kindle again: https://calibre-ebook.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Your Old Kindle Isn't E-Waste: 3 DIY Projects to Give It a New Life [2026 Guide]
    Calibre is the open-source ebook management tool that's been around since 2006 and remains the gold standard. It converts between virtually every ebook format, manages metadata, and can push books to your Kindle over USB or wirelessly. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • anaconda on Xubuntu 24.04
    If I make the environment variable persistent in my .profile, Calibre's ebook reader does not work. - Source: dev.to / over 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

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Alternatives to calibre and GoodNotes

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