Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GoodNotes VS HandWrite Pro

Compare GoodNotes VS HandWrite Pro and see what are their differences

GoodNotes logo GoodNotes

GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents.

HandWrite Pro logo HandWrite Pro

HandWrite Pro is a note-taking app for your finger or stylus, but it is also an advanced...
  • GoodNotes Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05
  • HandWrite Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-03-26

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.

HandWrite Pro features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    HandWrite Pro boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and use the app effectively.
  • Handwriting Recognition
    The app offers high-quality handwriting recognition, allowing users to convert handwritten notes into digital text seamlessly.
  • Customization Options
    It provides a variety of customization options for pen types and paper styles, enabling users to personalize their writing experience.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    HandWrite Pro supports multiple platforms, ensuring that users can access and sync their notes across different devices.
  • Export and Sharing Features
    The app includes robust export and sharing features, allowing users to export notes to various formats and share them easily with others.

Possible disadvantages of HandWrite Pro

  • Premium Features Require Payment
    Some advanced features are locked behind a paywall, requiring users to purchase the premium version for full functionality.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of HandWrite Pro includes limited features, which may not be sufficient for users requiring more comprehensive tools.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, some users might experience a learning curve to fully utilize all the app's features.
  • Occasional Sync Issues
    Some users have reported occasional sync issues across devices, leading to inconsistencies in their notes.
  • Performance on Older Devices
    HandWrite Pro may perform less efficiently on older devices, potentially affecting the user experience.

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.

Analysis of HandWrite Pro

Overall verdict

  • HandWrite Pro appears to be a solid choice for those seeking authentic, handwritten-style correspondence, offering realistic pen-on-paper letters that stand out from typical digital or printed mail. While individual experiences may vary, its focus on personalization and genuine handwriting quality makes it a compelling option for meaningful outreach.

Why this product is good

  • Produces realistic handwritten letters using actual pen and ink rather than printed fonts, creating a genuine personal touch
  • Saves significant time by automating the letter-writing process while maintaining an authentic handwritten appearance
  • Offers customization options for handwriting styles, ink colors, and stationery to match your brand or personal preference
  • Ideal for scaling personalized outreach without sacrificing the warmth of a handwritten note
  • Can improve response and engagement rates compared to standard printed or digital mail

Recommended for

  • Businesses running direct mail marketing campaigns wanting higher engagement
  • Real estate agents and sales professionals sending personalized client outreach
  • Nonprofits sending donor thank-you notes and appeals
  • Individuals or companies sending thank-you cards, invitations, or follow-up notes at scale
  • Anyone seeking to add a personal, memorable touch to their correspondence without handwriting each letter manually

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

HandWrite Pro videos

First impression review of the HandWrite Pro app on Android (on-camera demonstration)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GoodNotes and HandWrite Pro)
Note Taking
93 93%
7% 7
Todos
86 86%
14% 14
Task Management
89 89%
11% 11
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using GoodNotes and HandWrite Pro. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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.

HandWrite Pro Reviews

We have no reviews of HandWrite Pro yet.
Be the first one to post

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.

GoodNotes mentions (5)

  • 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 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 4 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 4 years ago
  • Visual productivity app?
    It sounds like you need something like GoodNotes 5 or Miro. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Would yโ€™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 5 years ago

HandWrite Pro mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of HandWrite Pro yet. Tracking of HandWrite Pro recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GoodNotes and HandWrite Pro, you can also consider the following products

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.

Notability - Combine handwriting, photos and typing in a single note to bring your projects to life. Use a wide range of note-taking and sketching tools to capture every detail. You can even add and annotate PDFs in Notability.

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.

Squid Notes - Take digital handwritten notes for class, work, or fun with Squid on your Android or Chromebook! Markup PDFs, sign documents & more

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.

Noteshelf - Take beautiful handwritten notes or annotate PDFs on your iPad, and now even on your iPhone.