Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GoodNotes VS LucidChart

Compare GoodNotes VS LucidChart and see what are their differences

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GoodNotes logo GoodNotes

GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents.

LucidChart logo LucidChart

LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.
  • GoodNotes Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05
  • LucidChart Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-10

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.

LucidChart features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    LucidChart features a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users of all skill levels to create diagrams and flowcharts quickly.
  • Collaboration Features
    The platform offers robust collaboration tools, including real-time editing and commenting, which make it easy for teams to work together efficiently.
  • Integration Capabilities
    LucidChart integrates seamlessly with a variety of other tools such as Google Drive, Slack, and Microsoft Office, enhancing its utility within existing workflows.
  • Template Library
    The extensive library of templates and shapes helps users get started quickly and ensures that their diagrams maintain a professional appearance.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    LucidChart is compatible with multiple operating systems and can be accessed via web browsers, enabling users to work from any device.
  • Advanced Features
    Advanced functionalities, such as data linking and automatic formatting, provide powerful tools for creating complex and precise diagrams.

Possible disadvantages of LucidChart

  • Cost
    The subscription plans can be expensive, particularly for small businesses or individual users requiring access to premium features.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, mastering all the advanced features and capabilities may take some time and effort.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report lag or performance issues, especially when working on very large or complex diagrams.
  • Limited Offline Access
    LucidChart is primarily a cloud-based tool, which means that users need a stable internet connection to access their work.
  • Feature Overload for Basic Users
    Some users might find the extensive range of features overwhelming, particularly if they only need to use the tool for basic diagramming tasks.

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 LucidChart

Overall verdict

  • LucidChart is generally considered a good tool for diagramming needs, combining ease of use with powerful features. It suits both individual users and teams, offering versatile functionality that caters to various professional and educational applications.

Why this product is good

  • LucidChart is popular because it offers robust diagramming tools with an easy-to-use interface. It provides a wide range of templates and shapes, enabling users to create flowcharts, wireframes, UML diagrams, and more. The platform supports real-time collaboration, which is beneficial for teams working remotely or from different locations. Additionally, it integrates with other productivity tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Slack, enhancing workflow efficiency.

Recommended for

  • Professionals in need of quick and versatile diagramming capabilities.
  • Teams looking for real-time collaborative features to work on diagrams together.
  • Educators and students who require a visual aid for presentations and projects.
  • Businesses that wish to integrate diagramming tools with existing software like Google Workspace or Microsoft Office.

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

LucidChart videos

Lucidchart tutorial for beginners

More videos:

  • Review - Lucidchart in 90 seconds
  • Review - Lucidchart Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GoodNotes and LucidChart)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Diagrams
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Flowcharts
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 GoodNotes and LucidChart

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.

LucidChart Reviews

Best Database Diagram Tools: Paid with Free Trials and Free Alternatives
Data Analysis topicsData Analysis topicsData Analysis topicsData Analysis topics7 free database diagramming tools for busy data folks1. Diagrams.netHow it worksWhy it's free2. dbdiagramHow it worksWhy it's free3. ERD PlusHow it worksWhy it's free4. LucidchartHow it worksWhy it's free5. QuickDBDHow it worksWhy it's free6. MySQL Workbench Community EditionHow it worksWhy it's...
Best Database Diagram Tools โ€“ Free and Paid
If youโ€™re prototyping, teaching, or diagramming casually, free data modeling software like ERD Plus, QuickDBD (free tier), or Creately (free plan) may cover your needs. But for production systems, audits, or CI/CD workflows, paid tools like dbForge, SqlDBM, or Lucidchart offer advanced features, support, and scalability that free versions canโ€™t match.
Source: blog.devart.com
8 Best Database Design Tools in 2025
Lucidchart is another cloud-based tool tailored for creating detailed database diagrams online. As a web-based application, it offers accessibility from anywhere and also provides dedicated apps for Android and iOS. The toolโ€™s extensive functionality, including various automation features and AI support, combined with exceptional real-time teamwork capabilities, positions...
Source: www.devart.com
Top 9 Data Modeling Tools Every Team Needs
Lucidchart is a more general-purpose diagramming tool that supports database diagrams and offers collaborative, real-time editing. Lucidchart allows users to design databases, collaborate on diagrams in real-time, and optimize the database design process with its flexible set of features. Popular database management systems, including MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and...
Source: www.devart.com
Top 5 Zeplin Alternative
Lucidchart is another professional application that helps designers create and share flowchart diagrams. This allows the project management teams to brainstorm on the designs and give valuable additions. This tool is suitable for anyone in any given industry playing any role due to its prowess and ease of use in creating professional flowcharts. These charts are good for...

Social recommendations and mentions

LucidChart might be a bit more popular than GoodNotes. We know about 5 links to it since March 2021 and only 5 links to GoodNotes. 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: about 5 years ago

LucidChart mentions (5)

  • Architecture Diagraming Tools
    I'm thinking something like a lucidchart.com set up, but also wondering since one project is complete if there is anything that can just analyze an existing codebase and automatically do the work for me. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Anyone use the "/diagram" function in Roam?
    Oh! excalidraw.com is great for quick paper style diagrams. I have used it a fair bit. The roam integration is good. But I always revert back to draw.io because it's open sourced, simple to use and just works :D If you are looking for more, a paid option would be lucidchart.com. Source: over 4 years ago
  • ProCurve Network Admin
    You could try lucidchart.com or draw.io. I have used both. Source: over 5 years ago
  • Interactive Relationship Chart
    Otherwise, you may be thinking about a "mind-map" of sorts... Simply to show relationships? Diagrams.net, lucidchart.com. Source: over 5 years ago
  • Looking for feedback on a design system tool
    What is difference between Yours tool and others like arcentry.com lucidchart.com cloudcraft.co hava.io ? Would be nice to support diagrams as code ( generated from kubernetes states, terraform, pulumi, etc..) Personally I dont think that another diagram tool can beat ^ platforms. Source: over 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GoodNotes and LucidChart, 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.

draw.io - Online diagramming application

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.

OmniGraffle - OmniGraffle is for creating precise graphics like website wireframes, an electrical system designs, or mapping out software class.

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.

yEd - yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.