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GoodNotes vs PDF Stapler

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

GoodNotes icon
GoodNotes
PDF Stapler icon
PDF Stapler

GoodNotes vs PDF Stapler: 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.

PDF Stapler: PDF Stapler is a free software that allows users to merge, split, rotate, and rearrange PDF documents. It has an easy-to-use interface for basic PDF editing tasks.

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 PDF Stapler
Sugggest Score — —
Category Education & Reference Office & Productivity
Pricing — Free

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

PDF Stapler
PDF Stapler

Description: PDF Stapler is a free software that allows users to merge, split, rotate, and rearrange PDF documents. It has an easy-to-use interface for basic PDF editing tasks.

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
PDF Stapler
PDF Stapler Features
  • Merge multiple PDF files into one
  • Split PDF files into individual pages or custom page ranges
  • Rearrange pages within a PDF by dragging and dropping
  • Rotate PDF pages 90, 180, or 270 degrees
  • Add or remove password protection to PDF files
  • Edit PDF metadata like title, author, subject etc
  • Extract images from PDF files
  • Basic annotation tools like adding text, shapes, lines etc
  • Support for large PDF files

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
PDF Stapler
PDF Stapler

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Simple and intuitive interface
  • Good performance even with large PDFs
  • Active development and updates
  • Available on Windows, Mac and Linux

Cons

  • Limited annotation capabilities compared to paid PDF editors
  • Cannot edit PDF text or fonts
  • No OCR functionality
  • No mobile app versions available

Pricing Comparison

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
  • Not listed
PDF Stapler
PDF Stapler
  • Free

Related Comparisons

Microsoft OneNote
vs GoodNotes vs PDF Stapler

Learn More About Each Product

GoodNotes
GoodNotes
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
PDF Stapler
PDF Stapler
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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