# Goodnotes vs Chalk Draw

The clearest difference is ads: Goodnotes at none against Chalk Draw's shown. Goodnotes also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (455K vs 3.6K). Chalk Draw's advantage is review sentiment (59% vs 34%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Goodnotes sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Chalk Draw sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Goodnotes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Goodnotes has 455K ratings behind it against 3.6K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 34% of Goodnotes's written reviews are positive against 59% of Chalk Draw's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Goodnotes ships an update weekly, Chalk Draw every 5 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Goodnotes | Chalk Draw |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (455K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodnotes-ai-notes-docs-pdf/id1444383602/reviews)** | [4.5 (3.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chalk-draw-writing-blackboard/id1513733574/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **455K** | 3.6K |
| Positive reviews | 33.6% of reviews | **59.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#85** | — |
| Size | 794 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Goodnotes Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1708570616) | [An Banh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1466900439) |

## What reviewers say

### Goodnotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodnotes-ai-notes-docs-pdf/id1444383602)

**Currently charting:** #85 Top Grossing · Productivity, #113 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

Capture ideas, enhance productivity, and unlock insights with advanced AI features. This app offers tools for professionals, students, and creatives, including infinite whiteboards, AI-powered transcription and summarization, and customizable digital notebooks.

**Highlights:** AI-powered transcription and summarization, Infinite whiteboard canvas, Digital notebooks with customizable templates, Study Sets for flashcards, Presentation mode with laser pointer, Real-time collaboration

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Pass (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Goodnotes 6 (1 Year) | $9.99 | per year |
| Essential (Yearly) | $11.99 | per year |
| Essential (Yearly) | $11.99 | per year |
| Goodnotes Pro (Yearly) | $35.99 | per year |
| Bunny Oasis Stickers | Free | one-time |
| Medicine-Academia Sticker Shee | Free | one-time |
| Goodnotes 6 Free Trial | Free | one-time |
| Marketplace Content | $1.99 | one-time |
| Marketplace Content | $6.99 | one-time |
| Marketplace Content | $8.99 | one-time |
| GoodNotes 5 Unlock | $9.99 | one-time |
| Marketplace Content | $9.99 | one-time |
| Marketplace Content | $10.99 | one-time |
| Goodnotes 6 One-Time Payment | $28.99 | one-time |
| Special Edition | $35.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent note-taking experience
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🚀 Smooth writing with Apple Pencil
- 📁 Powerful organization with folders and notebooks
- 🖼️ Ability to annotate PDFs and documents

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and crashes
- 🔍 Syncing and iCloud issues
- 🔍 Lack of flexibility with text input
- 🔍 Limited eraser and highlighting options
- 🔍 Subpar performance on Mac app

**Reported bugs**

- Text box issues - unable to edit, resize, or move properly
- Handwriting recognition problems, especially with cursive
- Unreliable scrolling and page navigation
- Inconsistent behavior when using the zoom feature

**Requested features**

- Add bullet point and formatting options for typed text
- Implement a full-screen writing mode
- Improve the straight line and shape tools
- Integrate audio recording and synchronization
- Allow more customization of the toolbar and interface


### Chalk Draw

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chalk-draw-writing-blackboard/id1513733574)

Transform your device into a digital chalkboard for writing and drawing with colored chalk. Ideal for educational purposes, professional explanations, or casual games.

**Highlights:** Digital chalkboard simulation, Colored chalk drawing, Writing functionality, Educational tool, Drawing tool, Game board

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade PRO version | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Realistic chalkboard experience
- 💡 Useful for online teaching and communication
- 🚀 Simple and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent ads disrupting usage
- 💡 Limited color options
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with Apple Pencil

**Reported bugs**

- App crashing on restart
- Drawing not registering accurately with Apple Pencil

**Requested features**

- More color options
- Gallery/history of drawings
- Sound effects for a more immersive experience
- Undo/redo functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Goodnotes free?

Goodnotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chalk Draw free?

Chalk Draw is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Goodnotes or Chalk Draw?

Goodnotes is rated higher. Goodnotes averages 4.7 out of 5 from 455K ratings, while Chalk Draw averages 4.5 from 3.6K ratings.

### Do Goodnotes or Chalk Draw have ads?

Chalk Draw shows ads; Goodnotes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Goodnotes or Chalk Draw?

Goodnotes ships an update weekly, and Chalk Draw every 5 months. Most recently, Goodnotes was updated on September 24, 2026 and Chalk Draw on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*