# SimpleMind Pro vs Goodnotes

SimpleMind Pro and Goodnotes both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 81% of SimpleMind Pro's written reviews are positive against 34% of Goodnotes's. SimpleMind Pro also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 20) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). Goodnotes's advantage is price (Free vs $10.99) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On rating, ads, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Goodnotes is free to download; SimpleMind Pro costs $10.99 up front. Goodnotes sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. SimpleMind Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for SimpleMind Pro against 4.7 for Goodnotes. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Goodnotes has 455K ratings behind it against 451, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of SimpleMind Pro's written reviews are positive against 34% of Goodnotes's.

SimpleMind Pro ships an update every 2 months, Goodnotes weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleMind Pro | Goodnotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $10.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.7 (451 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemind-pro-mind-mapping/id378174507/reviews) | [4.7 (455K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodnotes-ai-notes-docs-pdf/id1444383602/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 451 | **455K** |
| Positive reviews | **80.9% of reviews** | 33.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #118 | **#91** |
| 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 Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemind-pro-mind-mapping/id378174507)

**Currently charting:** #118 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

Organize your thoughts, capture ideas, and generate new concepts with a beautiful and intuitive mind mapping tool. Seamlessly synchronize your maps across devices and platforms, and enhance them with media and documents.

**Highlights:** Free-form and auto layout options, Cross-platform synchronization, Add images, notes, and voice memos, Share maps as PDF or Image, Customizable styles and themes, Collapse/expand branches for overview

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Goodnotes

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

**Currently charting:** #91 Top Grossing · Productivity, #111 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 Pro free?

SimpleMind Pro costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Goodnotes free?

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

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

SimpleMind Pro and Goodnotes are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 451 and 455K ratings respectively.

### Do SimpleMind Pro or Goodnotes have ads?

Neither SimpleMind Pro nor Goodnotes shows ads.

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

SimpleMind Pro ships an update every 2 months, and Goodnotes weekly. Most recently, SimpleMind Pro was updated on September 24, 2026 and Goodnotes on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SimpleMind Pro or Goodnotes?

SimpleMind Pro currently peaks at #118 in the App Store charts, and Goodnotes at #91. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*