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GoodNotes vs Obsidian

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

GoodNotes icon
GoodNotes
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Obsidian

GoodNotes vs Obsidian: The Verdict

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature GoodNotes Obsidian
Sugggest Score — 33
User Rating — ⭐ 3.9/5 (58)
Category Education & Reference Office & Productivity
Pricing — free
Ease of Use — 2.9/5
Features Rating — 4.6/5
Value for Money — 4.1/5
Customer Support — 3.4/5

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

Obsidian
Obsidian

Description: Obsidian, a powerful note-taking and knowledge management tool. Forge connections between ideas, create a personal knowledge base, and enhance productivity with this markdown-based, local-first application.

Type: software

Pricing: free

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
Obsidian
Obsidian Features
  • Local-first design
  • Markdown notes
  • Graph view
  • Backlinks
  • Plugins
  • Mobile apps

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
Obsidian
Obsidian
Pros
  • Free and open source
  • Very customizable
  • Great for building a personal knowledge base
  • Strong community support
Cons
  • Can feel overwhelming at first
  • Mobile apps cost extra
  • No collaboration features

Pricing Comparison

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
  • Not listed
Obsidian
Obsidian
  • free

⭐ User Ratings

GoodNotes

No reviews yet

Obsidian
3.9/5

58 reviews

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Learn More About Each Product

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
Obsidian
Obsidian
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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