Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

KeepNote VS GoodNotes

Compare KeepNote VS GoodNotes and see what are their differences

KeepNote logo KeepNote

KeepNote: note-taking and organization.

GoodNotes logo GoodNotes

GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents.
  • KeepNote Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-05
  • GoodNotes Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05

KeepNote features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    KeepNote is a cross-platform application, which means it runs on multiple operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
  • Rich-Text Format
    It allows the creation of notes in a rich-text format, enabling users to use different fonts, colors, and styles for better organization and readability.
  • Tree Hierarchy
    The software provides a tree structure for organizing notes, making it easy for users to categorize and navigate through their notes.
  • Search Functionality
    KeepNote includes a search feature that helps users quickly find notes or specific content within notes.
  • Backup and Restore
    The application allows users to back up their notes and restore them when necessary, providing data protection and recovery options.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, KeepNote allows developers to modify and improve the software to better suit their needs.

Possible disadvantages of KeepNote

  • Outdated User Interface
    The user interface feels outdated compared to modern note-taking applications, lacking a sleek and intuitive design.
  • Limited Features
    KeepNote does not have as many features as some other note-taking apps, such as integration with other software or advanced collaboration tools.
  • Lack of Cloud Sync
    KeepNote does not offer built-in cloud synchronization, which means notes cannot be automatically synced across multiple devices without third-party solutions.
  • No Mobile App
    There is no dedicated mobile application for KeepNote, limiting its usability on handheld devices like smartphones and tablets.
  • Slow Updates
    The development and updates to KeepNote are infrequent, which means new features or bug fixes may take a long time to be released.

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.

KeepNote videos

keepnote | What is KeepNote | Keepnote for Kali linux | Keepnote for windows

More videos:

  • Tutorial - 03 03 Write Down Your Findings Using KeepNote

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 KeepNote and GoodNotes)
Note Taking
24 24%
76% 76
Todos
37 37%
63% 63
Task Management
19 19%
81% 81
Notes
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

KeepNote Reviews

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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

GoodNotes might be a bit more popular than KeepNote. We know about 5 links to it since March 2021 and only 4 links to KeepNote. 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.

KeepNote mentions (4)

  • How do you guys learn all linux commands/ programs?
    - for organized topics, for example, if I am learning something, I use keepnote (http://keepnote.org). Source: over 3 years ago
  • What makes people hate electron ?
    There's exactly one non-webapp Electron-based application that I like and use semi-regularly -- Notable, because it has a skilled developer behind it, enough feature improvement to lure me away from KeepNote, and uses standard markdown files, so there's no lock-in to worry about. Every other Electron-based desktop app I've tried has been a fast uninstall. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • How do you take notes during online training?
    I use KeepNote. Very simple to use, Great for complex note taking. Even better when combined with GreenShot (Powerful screenshoting tool). Source: over 4 years ago
  • Is there a software where i can write a wiki and upload files? read post for detail
    Lots of applications allow you to link to files. Click on the file and it opens. Wikidpad is a local open source free app http://wikidpad.sourceforge.net Zimwiki , Connectedtext, (no longer in development, but runs on windows 10) Keepnote (fee can run as a portable app) Http://keepnote.org/ There are also a number of notebook /information managers that do this: Ultrarecall, Myinfo, Whizfolders... Source: about 5 years ago

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: about 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

What are some alternatives?

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

CherryTree - A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.

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.

TreePad - A free and lightweight outliner, only 465KB in size.

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.

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.

Trilium Notes - Trilium Notes is a hierarchical note taking application.