# Smart Note Notepad vs Goodnotes

The clearest difference is rating: Goodnotes at 4.7 against Smart Note Notepad's 1.0. Goodnotes also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months). Smart Note Notepad's advantage is iOS requirement (14.1 vs 18.6). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Note Notepad 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 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Goodnotes has 455K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of Smart Note Notepad's written reviews are positive against 34% of Goodnotes's.

Smart Note Notepad ships an update every 5 months, Goodnotes weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Note Notepad | Goodnotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-note-notepad-draw-memo/id997513915/reviews) | **[4.7 (455K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodnotes-ai-notes-docs-pdf/id1444383602/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **455K** |
| Positive reviews | 10.4% of reviews | **33.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#90** |
| Size | 22 MB | 794 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.1** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [JIN HWAN KIM](https://appshunter.io/developer/576623931) | [Goodnotes Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1708570616) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Note Notepad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-note-notepad-draw-memo/id997513915)

Create visually appealing notes and memos using professionally designed coloring paper styles. This app offers a simple gallery interface for easy management and editing of your digital creations.

**Highlights:** Gallery interface, Customizable paper styles, Pinch to zoom, Edit cells, Draw memos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| upgrade to pro | $3.99 | one-time |


### Goodnotes

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

**Currently charting:** #90 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Note Notepad free?

Smart Note Notepad 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, Smart Note Notepad or Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is rated higher. Smart Note Notepad averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Goodnotes averages 4.7 from 455K ratings.

### Do Smart Note Notepad or Goodnotes have ads?

Smart Note Notepad shows ads; Goodnotes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Note Notepad or Goodnotes?

Smart Note Notepad ships an update every 5 months, and Goodnotes weekly. Most recently, Smart Note Notepad was updated on June 23, 2026 and Goodnotes on September 25, 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.*