# Note Taker HD vs GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

The clearest difference is rating: GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer at 4.7 against Note Taker HD's 4.0. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (14K vs 140). Note Taker HD's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (84% vs 69%). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Note Taker HD costs $4.99 and GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer $6.99 up front. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Note Taker HD asks for nothing beyond the download.

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer has 14K ratings behind it against 140, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of Note Taker HD's written reviews are positive against 69% of GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Note Taker HD ships an update every 4 months, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Note Taker HD | GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (140 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-taker-hd/id366572045/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 140 | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | **83.7% of reviews** | 68.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#67** |
| Size | 11 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Software Garden](https://appshunter.io/developer/342284710) | [Good.iWare, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/289191291) |

## What reviewers say

### Note Taker HD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-taker-hd/id366572045)

This app allows for versatile handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation on iPad and iPhone. It offers features like zoomed ink, shapes, typed text, and image insertion, with flexible organization and sharing options.

**Highlights:** Zoomed ink for detailed writing, PDF annotation capabilities, Insert photos and shapes, Typed text blocks, Organize with folders and tags, Export as PDF

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic app, great for engineering and customer communication
- 👍 Text and sketching on the same page
- 👍 Typed notes are more legible than handwritten
- 👍 Typed text remains as editable text objects
- 👍 Zoom window for precise drawing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes when exporting PDFs
- 🐛 Crashes when adding photos
- 🐛 Crashes and loses data
- 🐛 Exporting to email not working well
- 🔍 Interface not very intuitive, steep learning curve

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when exporting PDFs
- Crashes when adding photos
- Crashes and loses data
- Exporting to email not working well

**Requested features**

- Evernote integration
- Ability to scroll between pages
- Ability to underline, bold or italicize typed text
- Ability to group objects together
- Voice recording and clip function


### GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222)

**Currently charting:** #67 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

This app offers robust PDF editing and viewing capabilities, alongside comprehensive file management tools. It allows users to annotate PDFs, manage files from various cloud services, and secure sensitive data with advanced encryption. Enjoy a superior reading experience with features like PDF Reflow and split-screen viewing.

**Highlights:** PDF annotation and editing, Extensive file format support, Cloud service integration (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), AES-256 military-grade encryption, Split-screen viewing for iPad, File management and organization

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Pack (monthly) | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Pack (annual) | $24.99 | per year |
| Auto Sync | $59.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack | $89.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for reading and annotating PDFs
- 📚 Powerful file management and organization
- 💻 Seamless integration with cloud storage
- 🎨 Customizable reading experience
- ⚙️ Robust set of features and capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Subscription model for some features
- 🔀 Cluttered interface after recent update
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 📁 Difficulty migrating files from older versions
- 🖌️ Lacking palm rejection and customizable Apple Pencil controls

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with cloud storage providers
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps

**Requested features**

- Continuous scrolling for better reading experience
- Improved search functionality with advanced filters
- Ability to set custom color schemes and themes
- Enhanced support for ebook formats like EPUB
- Streamlined annotation tools and workflow


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Note Taker HD free?

Note Taker HD costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer free?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Note Taker HD or GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer is rated higher. Note Taker HD averages 4.0 out of 5 from 140 ratings, while GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do Note Taker HD or GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer have ads?

Neither Note Taker HD nor GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Note Taker HD or GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?

Note Taker HD ships an update every 4 months, and GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer weekly. Most recently, Note Taker HD was updated on October 12, 2026 and GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer on October 14, 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.*