# Goodnotes vs Microsoft OneNote Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Microsoft OneNote excels in its user interface, making it a favorite for organizing notes and tracking daily tasks. Users appreciate features like the ability to create sections and pages, which helps keep everything neatly organized and easily accessible.
- **Users say** Goodnotes stands out for its flexibility, particularly for students. The ability to move written content around and the option to copy and paste text are frequently highlighted, making it a versatile tool for studying and note-taking.
- **Reviewers mention** that Microsoft OneNote's autosave feature is a significant advantage, ensuring that notes are always saved without manual intervention. This feature, combined with the ability to insert images directly into notes, enhances the overall user experience.
- **According to verified reviews** , Goodnotes is praised for its ease of setup, with many users finding the initial onboarding process straightforward. This simplicity allows users to quickly start organizing their notes without a steep learning curve.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that while Microsoft OneNote has a strong presence in enterprise environments, Goodnotes is particularly favored by small businesses and individual users, reflecting its tailored features for personal organization and productivity.
- **Users report** that both products offer solid support, but Microsoft OneNote edges out slightly with a higher quality of support rating. However, Goodnotes users still appreciate the assistance they receive, indicating a generally positive experience with customer service.



| | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 123 | 1,869 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (74.0% of reviews) | Enterprise (43.5% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Goodnotes

Pros:
- Ease of Use (23 reviews)
- Organization (12 reviews)

Cons:
- Slow Performance (8 reviews)
- Connectivity Issues (7 reviews)

### Microsoft OneNote

Pros:
- Note-taking (12 reviews)
- Organization (8 reviews)

Cons:
- Connectivity Issues (4 reviews)
- UI Clutter (3 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (72 reviews) | 9.0 (1620 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.2 (76 reviews) | 8.9 (1630 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.2 (52 reviews) | 9.0 (172 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 8.9 (134 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.6 (45 reviews) | 8.6 (1070 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (8 reviews) | 8.9 (116 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (73 reviews) | 8.3 (1597 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Goodnotes

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Microsoft OneNote

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### AI Writing Assistant

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Goodnotes** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft OneNote** | N/A | N/A |

#### Grammar

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Grammar Check** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Tone Check** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sentence Formatting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Formatting

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Plagiarism Check** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Style Editor** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Citation Finder** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Content 

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Idea Recommendation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Form Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Product Type

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Application** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Plugin** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### PDF Editor

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Goodnotes** | 8.8/10 | 8 |
| **Microsoft OneNote** | N/A | N/A |

#### Organization

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Protect** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Document Management** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Document Scanning** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing History** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Editing

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Size** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Edit Fields** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **New PDF** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Field Functions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Annotate** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Operating System

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **PC Operating System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mac Operating System** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Linux Operating System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Mind Mapping

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Goodnotes** | 8.8/10 | 5 |
| **Microsoft OneNote** | N/A | N/A |

#### Collaboration Tools

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Collaborative Editing** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task Management** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Notes and Comments** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Visual Tools

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Styles and Themes** | 7.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Image Import** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Icons** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Mind Map Availability 

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Formats** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud Storage Integration** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Application** | 7.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Desktop Availability** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Mind Mapping

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Markup Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Goodnotes** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft OneNote** | N/A | N/A |

#### Annotation Tools - Markup Software

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Annotations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Video Annotations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Image Annotations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration - Markup Software

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Commenting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Tagging** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security - Markup Software

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Password Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Version Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Note-Taking Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Goodnotes** | 8.0/10 | 10 |
| **Microsoft OneNote** | 8.8/10 | 15 |

#### Agentic AI - Note-Taking Software

| Feature | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.0 (10 reviews) | 8.8 (15 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Note-Taking Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/note-taking-software)

**Unique to Goodnotes (5):** [AI Writing Assistants](https://www.g2.com/categories/ai-writing-assistant), [PDF Editors](https://www.g2.com/categories/pdf-editor), [Mind Mapping Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mind-mapping-software), [Study Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/study-tools), [Markup Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/markup-software)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Goodnotes | Microsoft OneNote | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 74.0% | 26.9% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 15.4% | 29.6% | 
| **Enterprise** | 10.6% | 43.5% | 

### By Industry

#### Goodnotes

- **Computer Software:** 10.3%
- **Higher Education:** 8.0%
- **Design:** 6.9%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 6.9%
- **Construction:** 5.7%
- **Education Management:** 4.6%
- **Consulting:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 3.4%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 3.4%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 43.7%

#### Microsoft OneNote

- **Information Technology and Services:** 11.1%
- **Computer Software:** 8.3%
- **Higher Education:** 5.7%
- **Education Management:** 4.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.8%
- **Financial Services:** 3.4%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.1%
- **Insurance:** 2.2%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.0%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 53.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Goodnotes

- [Notion](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (12164 reviews)
- [ClickUp](https://www.g2.com/products/clickup/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (13154 reviews)
- [Evernote](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (2032 reviews)
- [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (48114 reviews)
- [Miro](https://www.g2.com/products/miro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (13254 reviews)
- [Superhuman Docs](https://www.g2.com/products/superhuman-docs/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (493 reviews)
- [Otter.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (500 reviews)
- [Hive](https://www.g2.com/products/hive-hive-hive/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (667 reviews)
- [Fathom](https://www.g2.com/products/fathom-video/reviews) — 5.0/5 stars (6942 reviews)
- [Mural](https://www.g2.com/products/mural/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1462 reviews)

### Alternatives to Microsoft OneNote

- [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (48114 reviews)
- [Notion](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (12164 reviews)
- [Evernote](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (2032 reviews)
- [Otter.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (500 reviews)
- [Zoho Notebook](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-notebook/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (71 reviews)
- [Bear](https://www.g2.com/products/bear/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (45 reviews)
- [Notability](https://www.g2.com/products/notability/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (45 reviews)
- [Milanote](https://www.g2.com/products/milanote/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (42 reviews)
- [Simplenote](https://www.g2.com/products/simplenote/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (39 reviews)
- [Standard Notes](https://www.g2.com/products/standard-notes/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (13 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Goodnotes

- Title: [What can GoodNotes do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-can-goodnotes-do) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Goodnotes takes note taking to the next level! You can organize into "notebooks", draw, type, import photos, snap pics, etc.

Goodnotes also works with..."
- Title: [How do you customize your notebooks? And the pages inside of it?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-customize-your-notebooks-and-the-pages-inside-of-it) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Go to the 3 dots found at the top right corner, and find options to edit there"

### Microsoft OneNote

- Title: [How do I save my one note and open it on a new computer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-save-my-one-note-and-open-it-on-a-new-computer) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "With a o365 account your notes are always well synchronized "
- Title: [Is there a way to give users edit permission t specific sections/pages within a OneNote document, or do permissions apply to the entire document only?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-there-a-way-to-give-users-edit-permission-t-specific-sections-pages-within-a-onenote-document-or-do-permissions-apply-to-the-entire-document-only) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "OneNote is extremely customizable in terms of access/security options- as far as I’m aware, you can allow/password/restrict down to an individual page in..."
- Title: [Are there formatting templates available?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/are-there-formatting-templates-available) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "There are pre built templates in onenote for projects and activities. "
- Title: [Is there a way to put photos into your notes?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/10658-is-there-a-way-to-put-photos-into-your-notes) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Open OneNote, open the corresponding tab. Click where you want to add the photo and then press 'Insert' at the top of the page. Choose 'Pictures' which is..."
- Title: [What are some advanced note-taking and organization features in Microsoft OneNote that a new user should know about?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-some-advanced-note-taking-and-organization-features-in-microsoft-onenote-that-a-new-user-should-know-about) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "There are many features in Microsoft OneNote. However, some features are really a plus point to boost productivity at work. 

1. Tags: It is great for..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/goodnotes-vs-microsoft-onenote)