# SimpleMind vs Goodnotes

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SimpleMind at 77% against Goodnotes's 34%. SimpleMind also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). Goodnotes's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (455K vs 981). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SimpleMind sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Goodnotes sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. 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 981, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 77% of SimpleMind's written reviews are positive against 34% of Goodnotes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, Goodnotes weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleMind | Goodnotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (981 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemind-mind-mapping/id305727658/reviews) | **[4.7 (455K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodnotes-ai-notes-docs-pdf/id1444383602/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 981 | **455K** |
| Positive reviews | **77.2% of reviews** | 33.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#86** |
| Size | 36 MB | 794 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [xpt Software & Consulting B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/304515490) | [Goodnotes Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1708570616) |

## What reviewers say

### SimpleMind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemind-mind-mapping/id305727658)

Organize thoughts, capture ideas, and generate new concepts with a powerful mind mapping tool. Its intuitive interface allows for free-form or auto-layout creation, with options to add media, documents, and synchronize across devices. Share your mind maps in various formats or present them as slideshows.

**Highlights:** Free-form and auto layout options, Add images, notes, icons, and links, Voice memos and video integration, Cloud synchronization across devices, Export to PDF, Image, Reminders, Calendar, Customizable styling and themes, Collapse/expand branches for overview

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Pro Functionality | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 💡 Versatile for various use cases
- 🔒 Secure with no data collection
- 💰 Good value for one-time purchase

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing
- 🔗 Issues with syncing/sharing across devices
- 🔒 Confusing in-app purchase model
- 🎨 Limited customization options

**Reported bugs**

- Maps disappearing after device resets
- Inability to import/export certain file formats

**Requested features**

- Improved syncing and cloud integration
- More customization options for appearance and layout
- Keyboard shortcuts and power user features
- Better support for Apple Pencil and handwriting


### Goodnotes

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

**Currently charting:** #86 Top Grossing · Productivity, #115 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimpleMind free?

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

### Is Goodnotes free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SimpleMind or Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is rated higher. SimpleMind averages 4.5 out of 5 from 981 ratings, while Goodnotes averages 4.7 from 455K ratings.

### Do SimpleMind or Goodnotes have ads?

Neither SimpleMind nor Goodnotes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SimpleMind or Goodnotes?

SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, and Goodnotes weekly. Most recently, SimpleMind was updated on September 23, 2026 and Goodnotes 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.*