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Goodnotes alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Goodnotes: free tier is very limited, and full AI features cost extra. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Goodnotes, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Microsoft OneNote currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1RemNote logoRemNoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
  1. RemNote logo

    1. RemNoteTop pick

    Best for: Students who want to write notes and study them as flashcards in one app

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Goodnotes

    Typed notes that become flashcards for revision.

    Pros

    • Flashcards created straight from notes
    • Spaced repetition and exam scheduling built in
    • Free plan with unlimited notes and cards
    • Works offline on desktop and mobile

    Cons

    • Busy interface with a learning curve
    • PDF and AI features are capped on the free plan
    • Less suited to general work notes
    Visit RemNote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is RemNote a good Goodnotes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $8 per month, billed yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2020, at MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026remnote.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Goodnotes alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for most people

Microsoft OneNote

Free notebooks with inking on Windows tablets and iPad.

Apple Notes logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for a free option

Apple Notes

Free Apple Pencil sketching and scanning built into iPad.

Notability logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Notability

Handwriting plus audio recording synced to your notes, popular with students.

RemNote logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for Mac

RemNote

Typed notes that become flashcards for revision.

Evernote logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for Windows

Evernote

Typed notebooks, web clipping and document search.

RemNote logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for Linux

RemNote

Typed notes that become flashcards for revision.

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for iPhone and Android

Microsoft OneNote

Free notebooks with inking on Windows tablets and iPad.

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Goodnotes alternative for working in the browser

Microsoft OneNote

Free notebooks with inking on Windows tablets and iPad.

Goodnotes alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Goodnotes?

Microsoft OneNote ranks first right now. Free notebooks with inking on Windows tablets and iPad. Notability and Apple Notes follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Goodnotes?

Yes. Microsoft OneNote (free), Notability (free plan + paid), Apple Notes (free) and RemNote (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Goodnotes?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Goodnotes alternatives work on Linux?

RemNote runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Goodnotes?

The complaints we hear most: free tier is very limited; full AI features cost extra; best experience needs a tablet and stylus.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Goodnotes, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.