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GoodNotes vs HERAW

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

GoodNotes icon
GoodNotes
HERAW icon
HERAW

GoodNotes vs HERAW: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

GoodNotes: GoodNotes is a digital handwriting and note-taking app for iPad and iPhone. It allows you to take notes, annotate PDFs, sketch ideas, and organize notes into notebooks using the Apple Pencil or your finger. GoodNotes is intuitive, flexible, and great for students and professionals.

HERAW: HERAW is an open-source, cross-platform raster graphics editor for creating and manipulating bitmap images. It offers an intuitive interface and powerful tools comparable to mainstream proprietary software like Photoshop.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature GoodNotes HERAW
Sugggest Score — —
Category Education & Reference Photos & Graphics
Pricing — Open Source

Product Overview

GoodNotes
GoodNotes

Description: GoodNotes is a digital handwriting and note-taking app for iPad and iPhone. It allows you to take notes, annotate PDFs, sketch ideas, and organize notes into notebooks using the Apple Pencil or your finger. GoodNotes is intuitive, flexible, and great for students and professionals.

Type: software

HERAW
HERAW

Description: HERAW is an open-source, cross-platform raster graphics editor for creating and manipulating bitmap images. It offers an intuitive interface and powerful tools comparable to mainstream proprietary software like Photoshop.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Key Features Comparison

GoodNotes
GoodNotes Features
  • Handwriting and drawing with Apple Pencil
  • Annotate PDFs and documents
  • Create and organize notes into notebooks
  • Variety of pen styles and colors
  • Shape recognition
  • Zoom writing
  • Search handwritten notes
HERAW
HERAW Features
  • Layer-based image editing
  • Support for multiple image formats (PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, etc.)
  • Basic drawing and painting tools
  • Selection, cropping and transformation tools
  • Adjustment layers and filters
  • Brush engine with customizable brushes
  • Text tool with font management
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • Plugin architecture for extensibility

Pros & Cons Analysis

GoodNotes
GoodNotes

Pros

  • Natural writing and drawing experience
  • Powerful organization with notebooks
  • Ability to search handwritten notes
  • Integrates well with other Apple products and services

Cons

  • No web or Windows version
  • Less templates compared to competitors
  • Can be pricey compared to free alternatives
HERAW
HERAW

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Cross-platform availability
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Powerful feature set for a free program
  • Extendable through plugins
  • Constantly improved through active development

Cons

  • Lacks some advanced features of paid alternatives like Photoshop
  • Less third-party resources and tutorials available
  • Steeper learning curve than simple paint programs
  • Not as polished or performant as commercial options

Pricing Comparison

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
  • Not listed
HERAW
HERAW
  • Open Source

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Learn More About Each Product

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
HERAW
HERAW
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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