GoodNotes

Goodnotes recreates the structure of paper notebooks while adding digital handwriting and PDF annotation. Pen and highlighter tools work with a choice of page templates, allowing notes to take the form of lined pages, diagrams or other layouts. On an iPad, stylus input makes it relevant to students and people who prefer writing by hand to composing every note with a keyboard. Imported digital planners can use hyperlinks to move between sections, and custom layouts provide more freedom than a fixed calendar interface.

PDF documents can also become notebooks for reading and annotation. Although the app supports text, its core appeal is organizing page-based material rather than building a knowledge system around text documents alone. It suits users replacing physical notebooks or working with handwritten study material. The defining experience is the combination of familiar pages with digital editing and navigation.