Goodnotes vs Google Keep

Goodnotes8.8Visit Google Keep8.2Visit

Higher score Goodnotes #4 in Note-Taking Apps 8.8/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Goodnotes

vs

Google Keep #10 in Note-Taking Apps 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Google Keep

• Goodnotes fits best

  Handwritten notebooks and PDF annotation

• Google Keep fits best

  Simple, free notes and shared lists

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Side by side

Feature	Goodnotes 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Google Keep 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.2
Ranking	#4 in Note-Taking Apps	#10 in Note-Taking Apps
Best for	Handwritten notebooks and PDF annotation	Simple, free notes and shared lists
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Goodnotes 3/3 · Google Keep 3/3
Offline access	✓	✓
Note sharing	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	web, windows, macos, ios, android	web, ios, android, chrome_extension
Storage limit	5 GB	Not checked yet
Integrations	Google Calendar, Google Drive, ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Calendar	Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Chat, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides
Our review
Pros	Handwriting, typed notes, whiteboards, PDFs, and audio in one app Searchable handwriting plus AI transcription, summaries, and generation Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android support	Free notes, checklists, reminders, attachments, search, and sharing Real-time collaboration with offline access on Android and iOS Connects with Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Google Workspace
Cons	Free plan limits users to three notebooks and 100 MB storage Cross-platform Goodnotes Cloud sync starts with the Pro plan Advanced AI requires Pro or the separate AI Pass add-on	Narrower feature depth than more advanced note-taking apps Platform coverage is limited to web, Android, iOS, and Chrome Gemini list creation depends on eligible users or devices
Our verdict	Goodnotes is a digital note-taking application for students, professionals, and teams who want handwritten notebooks alongside typed documents, whiteboards, PDFs, and audio. It supports digital ink, PDF import and annotation, signing,… Read the review →	Google Keep is a free note-taking and organization app for individuals, families, and teams that need quick access to text notes, checklists, reminders, and shared ideas. Notes can include photos, drawings, and audio recordings, while… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Goodnotes — where it wins

  • Handwriting, typed notes, whiteboards, PDFs, and audio in one app
  • Searchable handwriting plus AI transcription, summaries, and generation
  • Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android support

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan limits users to three notebooks and 100 MB storage
  • Cross-platform Goodnotes Cloud sync starts with the Pro plan
  • Advanced AI requires Pro or the separate AI Pass add-on

• Google Keep — where it wins

  • Free notes, checklists, reminders, attachments, search, and sharing
  • Real-time collaboration with offline access on Android and iOS
  • Connects with Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Google Workspace

  Where it doesn't

  • Narrower feature depth than more advanced note-taking apps
  • Platform coverage is limited to web, Android, iOS, and Chrome
  • Gemini list creation depends on eligible users or devices

• Goodnotes8.8/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad note-taking app for handwriting, PDFs, collaboration, and AI across five platforms.

  Visit GoodnotesFull verdict →
• Google Keep8.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, approachable choice for notes, lists, reminders, and lightweight collaboration.

  Visit Google KeepFull verdict →