Goodnotes: AI Notes for Mac

Goodnotes: AI Notes for Mac has long been known as a top-tier digital notebook, but the Mac version has evolved into something broader: a full note workspace for handwriting, typing, PDFs, and now AI-assisted writing, math, and meeting capture.



On macOS, it works like a “second brain” for students, professionals, and creatives who want one place to collect documents, mark them up, and turn rough notes into clean outputs.

Apple’s App Store description emphasizes its strengths as both a notepad and a PDF markup tool, including handwriting recognition and shape perfection for diagrams.

What makes “Goodnotes for macOS” stand out today is the blend of classic ink-first note-taking with newer workflows: text documents, whiteboards, synced audio, and AI that can summarize, generate, and refine.

The app even leans into presentations and sharing—connect to an external display, guide attention with a laser pointer, export to PDF, or send share links for collaboration.

Main Features

• Handwriting + Typing: Mix ink and text on the same page for flexible notes.
• PDF Annotation: Import and mark up PDFs with highlights, shapes, and comments.
• Shape Recognition: Turn rough sketches into clean geometric shapes.
• Handwriting to Text: Convert handwritten notes into searchable text.
• Search Across Notes: Find content fast, including handwriting search (plan-dependent).
• Audio Recording (Synced): Record audio tied to the moment you wrote it.
• AI for Meetings: Transcription + live summarization into structured meeting minutes.
• AI Writing Tools: Summarize, shorten, change tone, and help polish typed text.
• Math Assist / Math AI: Ask questions and get help for math with AI features.
• Text Documents: Create richer typed documents with AI support and structure.
• Whiteboards: Brainstorm freely on an infinite canvas-style workspace.
• Sharing & Export: Share links, export PDFs, email/print/share anywhere.
• Cloud Sync & Backups: iCloud sync plus backups to services like Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive (plan-dependent).

User Interface

On Mac, Goodnotes is built around a Library sidebar (folders, notebooks, PDFs), a document canvas in the center, and toolbars that switch between writing tools, selection, shapes, and presentation options.

The experience is clean and touch-friendly even with a trackpad, but it truly shines with a stylus-enabled iPad + Continuity workflows or when you prefer ink-like writing.

Newer features, such as Text Documents and meeting/transcript tooling, make it feel less like “just a notebook” and more like a lightweight knowledge workspace.

Installation and Setup

• Install “Goodnotes: AI Notes, Docs, PDF” from the Mac App Store.
• Launch the app and sign in with your Goodnotes account (recommended for syncing).
• Choose your plan (Free, Essential, Pro, or Special Edition) and start a trial if needed.
• Enable iCloud sync and optional cloud backups if you want redundancy.

How to Use

• Create a notebook: Library → New → Notebook (pick a template and cover).
• Import a PDF: Library → Import → select PDF, then annotate with pen/highlighter.
• Use shapes: Draw and hold to auto-snap into clean geometry.
• Search notes: Use global search to find text/handwriting across files (plan-dependent).
• Record audio: Start recording during class/meetings; notes align with playback.
• Open Goodnotes AI: Tap the Goodnotes AI icon (top-left), then ask questions or use Quick Actions.
• AI on selections: Lasso-select content → tap AI icon to work on that specific part.
• Share/export: Export as PDF or send a link so others can review/collaborate.

FAQs

Is Goodnotes free on Mac?
Yes, there’s a Free plan, but it’s limited—Goodnotes notes you can edit 3 files and view everything else.

What macOS version do I need?
Goodnotes requires macOS 14.5 or later (per their system requirements).

How do I use Goodnotes AI?
Open any document, tap the Goodnotes AI icon, then ask via chat or Quick Actions; you can also lasso-select content and apply AI to that section.

Does it handle meetings and transcripts?
Yes—The app promotes AI-powered transcription and summarization that turns discussions into structured minutes and shareable docs.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?
You fall back to the Free plan (edit 3 files, view everything).

Alternatives

Notability - Strong audio-first note-taking with ink + typing workflows.

Microsoft OneNote - Powerful organization, cross-platform notebooks, team-friendly.

Apple Notes - Built-in, fast sync, great for basics and quick capture.

Obsidian - Markdown knowledge base with linking and plugins (more “PKM” than ink).

PDF Expert - Best-in-class PDF editing/annotation if PDFs are your main focus.

Pricing

Free plan: Limited editing (edit 3 files; view access to everything).

Essential: $11.99 /year (includes unlimited files and limited-quota AI features).

Pro: $35.99 /year (adds more collaboration/integrations; limited-quota AI).

Special Edition: $35.99 one-time payment (Apple-only access, unlimited files, tools, audio).

Trials: Essential and Pro offer 7-day free trials; the AI Pass trial is also mentioned for Essential users.

System Requirements

• macOS 14.5 or later

PROS

• Excellent handwriting + PDF annotation combo.
• Handwriting recognition and conversion add real value.
• AI helps with summaries, writing polish, and meeting minutes.
• Synced audio recording is great for lectures and reviews.
• Presentation tools (external display + laser pointer) are genuinely useful.
• Flexible sharing/export options for workflows and teams.
• Clear upgrade path (Essential/Pro/one-time) depending on needs.

CONS

• The free plan is restrictive if you actively work in many notebooks.
• AI features can be quota-limited unless you add higher tiers/add-ons.
• Best “ink” experience still favors stylus-heavy users.
• Some advanced collaboration/integration features are tier-dependent.
• Requires a relatively recent macOS version.
• Power users may prefer more open-ended PKM tools (links/plugins) elsewhere.

Conclusion

Goodnotes for Mac is an excellent choice if you want a premium notebook and PDF annotation tool that’s growing into an AI-powered work hub.

With synced audio, solid organization, and practical AI for meetings and editing, it’s easy to recommend—the FileHorse review team would shortlist it for serious note-takers.