Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Drawboard PDF VS GoodNotes

Compare Drawboard PDF VS GoodNotes and see what are their differences

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.

Drawboard PDF logo Drawboard PDF

Drawboard PDF is a Windows application that allows you to "read, annotate and mark up your...

GoodNotes logo GoodNotes

GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents.
  • Drawboard PDF Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-16
  • GoodNotes Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05

Drawboard PDF features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Drawboard PDF offers an intuitive and streamlined interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage documents efficiently.
  • Comprehensive Annotation Tools
    The software provides a wide range of annotation tools, including pen, highlighter, text, and shape options, allowing for detailed document markups.
  • Real-Time Collaboration
    Drawboard PDF allows multiple users to collaborate on the same document in real-time, enhancing team productivity and communication.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The software is available on various platforms, including Windows and mobile devices, providing users the flexibility to work on documents across different devices.
  • Integration with Cloud Services
    Drawboard PDF integrates seamlessly with cloud storage services like OneDrive and Google Drive, making it easy to access and save documents.

Possible disadvantages of Drawboard PDF

  • Subscription Cost
    Some advanced features of Drawboard PDF require a subscription, which might be a drawback for users seeking a fully free solution.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of Drawboard PDF has limited functionalities compared to the paid version, which may not meet the needs of all users.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional lag or performance issues, especially when working with large documents.
  • Desktop Version Restricted to Windows
    As of the last update, the full-featured desktop version is primarily available for Windows, limiting use for macOS users.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functions are user-friendly, some advanced tools might require a learning curve for new users.

GoodNotes features and specs

  • 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 of GoodNotes

  • 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 of GoodNotes

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.

Drawboard PDF videos

Drawboard PDF on the Surface Studio

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Drawboard PDF Tutorial - Text Review
  • Tutorial - Drawboard PDF Tutorial Part 1- Get to know Drawboard

GoodNotes videos

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

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Drawboard PDF and GoodNotes)
PDF Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
PDF Editor
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Drawboard PDF and GoodNotes

Drawboard PDF Reviews

  1. CLUNKY AND NOT CONSISTENT WITH WINDOWS

    Any windows application is easily learnt if fits with the windows format ie. menus in certain positions, same short cut keys, etc. This application does not flow like a windows app, making it clunky and painful to use. Not impressed and currently looking for an alternative.

    🏁 Competitors: Adobe Acrobat DC
    👎 Cons:    Everything

GoodNotes Reviews

15 Best Notability Alternatives 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 more comprehensive.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GoodNotes seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Drawboard PDF mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Drawboard PDF yet. Tracking of Drawboard PDF recommendations started around Mar 2021.

GoodNotes mentions (5)

  • Dislike recent update on speech notes regarding UI
    Add your feedback to the support thread on goodnotes.com. Source: over 2 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 page telling me to launch the app which I can only do on Apple devices. Is there any way to get the other type of link or was it just an experiment? Source: over 3 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 our app- a note sharing platform. We are looking for students in USF studying either STEM or Business related disciplines. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Visual productivity app?
    It sounds like you need something like GoodNotes 5 or Miro. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Would y’all be interested in a well-designed digital paper planner made specifically for folks with ADHD?
    Digital paper planners are like physical planners but you can store and write in them inside an app like Goodnotes (http://goodnotes.com) using a tablet and stylus. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Drawboard PDF and GoodNotes, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Acrobat DC - Make your job easier with Adobe Acrobat DC, the trusted PDF creator. Use Acrobat to convert, edit and sign PDF files at your desk or on the go.

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.

Wondershare PDFelement - All-in-one PDF editor

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.

Foxit Reader - Foxit Reader is a free and light-weight multi-platform PDF document viewer.

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.