xournal vs GoodNotes

Compare features, pricing, and capabilities to find which solution is best for your needs.

xournal icon

xournal

Xournal is a classic open-source application designed for digital note-taking, sketching, and PDF annotation, primarily using a stylus. It provides a simple yet effective environment for handwritten notes and document markup, offering support for various input methods including Wacom tablets.

Open Source
Platforms: Windows Linux Discontinued
Screenshots:
Alternatives Details Website
VS
GoodNotes icon

GoodNotes

GoodNotes is a leading digital note-taking application designed for iPad, iPhone, and Mac, transforming your devices into versatile digital paper. It allows users to create handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, and organize all their digital documents with ease, offering a fluid and intuitive writing experience. by Time Base Technology Limited

Commercial
Platforms: iPhone iPad
Screenshots:
Alternatives Details Website

Comparison Summary

xournal and GoodNotes are both powerful solutions in their space. xournal offers xournal is a classic open-source application designed for digital note-taking, sketching, and pdf annotation, primarily using a stylus. it provides a simple yet effective environment for handwritten notes and document markup, offering support for various input methods including wacom tablets., while GoodNotes provides goodnotes is a leading digital note-taking application designed for ipad, iphone, and mac, transforming your devices into versatile digital paper. it allows users to create handwritten notes, annotate pdfs, and organize all their digital documents with ease, offering a fluid and intuitive writing experience.. Compare their features and pricing to find the best match for your needs.

Pros & Cons Comparison

xournal

xournal

Analysis & Comparison

Advantages

Excellent support for stylus and graphics tablets.
Efficient and lightweight, performs well on older hardware.
Effective PDF annotation capabilities.
Simple and straightforward user interface.
Open-source and free to use.

Limitations

User interface is visually dated.
Lacks modern features like cloud sync and advanced organization.
Development is no longer active.
Limited export options beyond PDF.
GoodNotes

GoodNotes

Analysis & Comparison

Advantages

Exceptional and natural handwriting experience with Apple Pencil.
Powerful OCR for searching handwritten notes.
Seamless iCloud sync across Apple devices.
Comprehensive PDF annotation and markup tools.
Integrated audio recording with synchronized note playback.

Limitations

Subscription model for full features can be a deterrent for some users (recent change).
No native Android or Windows support, limiting cross-platform use.
Advanced organization via tagging feels less developed compared to strict folders.
Web clipper could be more robust in its functionality.

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