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Head-to-head · Handwritten Notes Software

Goodnotes vs CollaNote

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Goodnotes #1 in Handwritten Notes Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Goodnotes
CollaNote #5 in Handwritten Notes Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit CollaNote

Goodnotes leads on 0 checks, CollaNote on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoodnotes · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Goodnotes

Goodnotes scores higher on our rubric for handwritten notes software: 9.2 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Goodnotes is the better fit for cross-platform note takers and collaborative teams. CollaNote is the better fit for apple users wanting feature-rich handwritten notes.

  • Goodnotes fits best

    Cross-platform note takers and collaborative teams

  • CollaNote fits best

    Apple users wanting feature-rich handwritten notes

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Side by side

Feature Goodnotes 9.2/10 Visit ↗ CollaNote 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.4
Ranking #1 in Handwritten Notes Software #5 in Handwritten Notes Software
Best for Cross-platform note takers and collaborative teams Apple users wanting feature-rich handwritten notes
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android iOS, macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Goodnotes 0/5 · CollaNote 0/5
Handwriting to text Not checked yet Not checked yet
PDF annotation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audio recording Not checked yet Not checked yet
Offline mode Not checked yet Not checked yet
Shared note editing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Primary platform Not checked yet Not checked yet
OCR languages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Mix handwritten and typed notes, annotate PDFs, and create whiteboards
  • Sync audio recordings with writing and convert handwriting to text
  • Use offline editing across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Annotates PDF, PowerPoint, and Word files alongside handwritten notes
  • Links audio recordings to handwriting and supports AI transcription
  • Adds translation, equation tools, flashcards, planners, and collaboration
Cons
  • Free plan is limited to three files and 100 MB of storage
  • Real-time collaboration and some AI features require an internet connection
  • Key collaboration and cloud-sync features require the Pro plan
  • Available only on iOS and macOS
  • Some features require an internet connection
  • Lifetime Premium is the only named paid plan
Our verdict

Goodnotes brings handwritten and typed notes together with PDF annotation, text documents, whiteboards, and audio recording. It suits students, professionals, educators, and teams who want a digital notebook that works across web, Windows,…

Read the review →

CollaNote is a handwritten note-taking and study app for students, creators, and planners using iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It supports Apple Pencil writing and drawing, document annotation, planners, flashcards, and shared notes. A free plan is…

Read the review →
  1. GoodnotesHandwritten Notes Software 9.2Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. CollaNoteHandwritten Notes Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Goodnotes — where it wins

    • Mix handwritten and typed notes, annotate PDFs, and create whiteboards
    • Sync audio recordings with writing and convert handwriting to text
    • Use offline editing across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to three files and 100 MB of storage
    • Real-time collaboration and some AI features require an internet connection
    • Key collaboration and cloud-sync features require the Pro plan
  • CollaNote — where it wins

    • Annotates PDF, PowerPoint, and Word files alongside handwritten notes
    • Links audio recordings to handwriting and supports AI transcription
    • Adds translation, equation tools, flashcards, planners, and collaboration

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on iOS and macOS
    • Some features require an internet connection
    • Lifetime Premium is the only named paid plan

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update