Introduction
GoodNotes is a popular note-taking app that has been gaining popularity among students, professionals, and creatives. This app is designed for iPad and iPhone users, allowing them to take notes, annotate PDFs, create drawings, and even create digital scrapbooks. In this article, we will explore the free version of GoodNotes and answer the question, “Is GoodNotes free?” We will also look at the paid version of the app, its features, and functionalities.
GoodNotes: A Comprehensive Review of the Free and Paid Versions
Before we dive into the differences between the free and paid versions of GoodNotes, let us take a closer look at the app’s features and functionalities. GoodNotes is a note-taking app that allows you to smooth handwriting and drawing on iPad and iPhone. The app integrates with iCloud and Dropbox, making it easy to access and sync your notes across all of your devices.
Comparison between the Free and Paid Versions
The free version of GoodNotes comes with basic features that allow you to take notes, annotate PDFs, and make simple drawings. However, the paid version has more advanced features like handwriting recognition, shape recognition, and text conversion. These advanced features come at a price, and we will be comparing the cost of the free and paid versions in the next section.
Review of Features and Functionalities
The free version of GoodNotes has several features that make it an excellent app for note-taking and basic doodling. These features include:
- Handwriting and drawing tools
- Highlighter and eraser
- PDF annotation tools
- Unlimited number of notebooks and pages
The paid version of GoodNotes has all the features of the free version, plus the following advanced features:
- Handwriting recognition
- Shape recognition
- Text recognition and conversion
- Auto shape and line straightening
- Document scanning and OCR
Is GoodNotes Worth Your Money? Comparing the Free and Paid Versions
The free version of GoodNotes is a great app for basic note-taking and doodling. The paid version, however, has more advanced features that may be useful for professionals and students who need to take and organize notes on a daily basis. The cost breakdown of GoodNotes is as follows:
- GoodNotes 5: $7.99
- GoodNotes 5 + macOS: $14.99
For students and professionals who need advanced features like handwriting recognition and text conversion, the paid version of GoodNotes is definitely worth the money. For casual users who only need a simple note-taking app, the free version works just fine.
The Pros and Cons of Using GoodNotes for Free: A User’s Experience
As a user of the free version of GoodNotes, I can say that the app is great for basic note-taking and doodling. The handwriting and drawing tools work smoothly, and the PDF annotation tools are useful for reviewing and commenting on documents. However, there are some drawbacks to using the free version of the app:
- No handwriting recognition
- Shape recognition is not available
- No text conversion
While these advanced features are not essential for basic note-taking, they can be useful for professionals who need to convert their handwritten notes to digital text for easy sharing and editing.
Free vs. Paid: Which Version of GoodNotes is Right for You?
To help you decide which version of GoodNotes is right for you, we’ve created a comparison chart of the features and functionalities of the free vs. paid versions:
| Feature | Free Version | Paid Version |
|---|---|---|
| Handwriting and drawing tools | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF annotation tools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Handwriting recognition | ❌ | ✅ |
| Shape recognition | ❌ | ✅ |
| Auto shape and line straightening | ❌ | ✅ |
| Text recognition and conversion | ❌ | ✅ |
| Document scanning and OCR | ❌ | ✅ |
If you are a student or a professional who needs advanced features like handwriting recognition and text conversion, the paid version of GoodNotes is the right choice for you. If you only need a basic note-taking app, the free version may be sufficient.
Maximizing the Value of GoodNotes: Tips and Tricks for Using the Free Version
Even if you are using the free version of GoodNotes, you can still maximize the value of the app by following these tips and tricks:
- Organize your notes by creating separate notebooks for each subject or project.
- Use the highlighter and different pen colors to make your notes more readable.
- Zoom in on your writing for more precise note-taking.
- Use the lasso tool to select and move multiple items on the page.
By following these tips, you can use the free version of GoodNotes more effectively.
A Beginner’s Guide to GoodNotes: Starting with the Free App
If you are new to GoodNotes, here is a beginner’s guide on how to use the free version of the app:
- Download and install GoodNotes from the App Store.
- Open the app and create a new notebook.
- Start taking notes, doodling, or annotating PDFs using the tools provided.
- Organize your notes by creating different notebooks and adding them to folders.
- Sync your notes across your devices using iCloud or Dropbox.
Conclusion
In conclusion, GoodNotes is an excellent note-taking app that offers both free and paid versions. The free version is great for basic note-taking and doodling, but the paid version offers more advanced features that are useful for professionals and students. Ultimately, the choice between the free and paid versions of GoodNotes depends on your needs and budget. Use our comparison chart and tips to help you make an informed decision. Whether you choose the free or paid version, GoodNotes is definitely worth checking out.
