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GoodNotes vs Microsoft Photos

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

GoodNotes icon
GoodNotes
Microsoft Photos icon
Microsoft Photos

GoodNotes vs Microsoft Photos: 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.

Microsoft Photos: Microsoft Photos is a free image viewing and basic editing app included with Windows 10. It allows users to view, organize, edit, print, and share photos and videos. Key features include automatic tagging using AI, basic fixes and enhancements, video editing tools, creative projects, printing, and integration with OneDrive.

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 Microsoft Photos
Sugggest Score — —
Category Education & Reference Photos & Graphics

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

Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos

Description: Microsoft Photos is a free image viewing and basic editing app included with Windows 10. It allows users to view, organize, edit, print, and share photos and videos. Key features include automatic tagging using AI, basic fixes and enhancements, video editing tools, creative projects, printing, and integration with OneDrive.

Type: software

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
Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos Features
  • View photos and videos
  • Organize photos and videos into albums
  • Basic editing tools like cropping, rotating, red-eye removal
  • Automatic tagging of photos using AI
  • Creative projects like photo books, calendars, collages
  • Share photos via email, social media, OneDrive
  • Print photos
  • Video editing tools like trimming, adding music, text
  • Integrated with OneDrive for cloud storage and syncing

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
Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos
Pros
  • Free with Windows 10
  • Intuitive and easy to use interface
  • Decent basic editing tools
  • AI-powered automatic tagging
  • Creative projects
  • OneDrive integration
  • Video editing capabilities
Cons
  • Limited advanced editing capabilities
  • Lacks manual tagging
  • No facial recognition
  • No geo-tagging
  • Limited sharing options
  • No third-party cloud storage integration

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Learn More About Each Product

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
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Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos
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