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GoodNotes vs Ulysses Comparison

Last updated:

GoodNotes

Starting at $7.99

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's helped millions of people, and Apple…

Ulysses

4.6(21 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Individuals
  • Medium Business

Introducing Ulysses - the must-have writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. This powerful tool offers a delightful writing experience, paired with efficient document management, lightning-fast syncing, and versatile expor…

Ulysses leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 21 reviews.

GoodNotes vs Ulysses — at a glance

FeatureGoodNotesUlysses
Rating4.6 / 5
Reviews21
Starting price$7.99Contact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessIndividuals, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryNote Taking SoftwareNote Taking Software
PlatformsMobile - iOS, Installed - MacMobile - iOS, Installed - Mac
API
Support modesOnlineOnline
Certifications
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between GoodNotes and Ulysses

  • Pricing: GoodNotes starts at $7.99. Ulysses pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Ulysses offers a free trial; GoodNotes does not.
  • Target audience: GoodNotes is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Ulysses targets Individuals and Medium Business.
  • Deployment: GoodNotes supports Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac; Ulysses supports Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac.

GoodNotes vs Ulysses — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Note Taking Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

GoodNotes - Note Taking Software
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Talk to an expert
Ulysses - Note Taking Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

GoodNotes

Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing.

Choose if
  • You need an intuitive app optimized for handwritten notes and handwriting recognition.
  • You are a student, educator, or creative professional focused on personal productivity.
  • You want a simple, streamlined setup without complex integrations or collaboration needs.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your team requires advanced collaboration and workflow automation features.
  • You need extensive integrations with other enterprise software and app connectors.

Ulysses

Best for

Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business

GoodNotes typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Ulysses tends to fit Individuals and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's ... Read More about GoodNotes

Introducing Ulysses - the must-have writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. This powerful tool offers a delightful writing experience, paired with efficient document management, ... Read More about Ulysses

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $7.99
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • Free Trial available

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.4/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.6

(21)

Best Company Size

Small BusinessMedium Business
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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How do GoodNotes and Ulysses Compare on Features?

Total Features

4 Features

4 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare GoodNotes and Ulysses on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $7.99
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      GoodNotes pricing

      Pricing information not available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      GoodNotes User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      34

      2

      0

      0

      0

      17

      5

      1

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users consistently praise GoodNotes for its intuitive interface and excellent handwriting features, though some find the feature set overwhelming and desire more integrations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Handwriting recognition
      • Writing smoothness and customization

      Common complaints

      • Limited integrations
      • Complexity for new users

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 23 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Distraction-free writing
      • Efficient document management
      • Fast syncing

      Common complaints

      • Mac/iOS only
      • Subscription model may deter users
      • Limited collaboration features

      Pros and Cons

      • User-friendly interface accessible to all ages and experience levels

      • Excellent handwriting recognition and search capabilities

      • Smooth writing experience with extensive customization options

      • Limited marketplace for additional apps and connectors restricts advanced functionality

      • Feature richness can be overwhelming without sufficient guidance

      • Highly efficient writing interface

      • Robust document management features

      • Fast and reliable syncing across devices

      • Limited to Apple users

      • Subscription costs may be a barrier

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Overview

      2 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to GoodNotes and Ulysses in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, GoodNotes or Ulysses?
      Ulysses edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do GoodNotes and Ulysses offer a free trial?
      Ulysses offers a free trial. GoodNotes does not.
      What is the starting price of GoodNotes vs Ulysses?
      GoodNotes starts at $7.99. Ulysses starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to GoodNotes?
      Top alternatives to GoodNotes include Evernote, Notes.io, Microsoft OneNote, UpNote, Notability.
      What are the top alternatives to Ulysses?
      Top alternatives to Ulysses include Notes.io, UpNote, Notion, Notability, Justnote.

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