Is GoodNotes 6 the ULTIMATE Note-Taking App for iPad?

GoodNotes 6: The Ultimate Note-Taking App for Students?

Author

Ark
June 14, 2025

Over the past few months, I’ve been using GoodNotes 6 for everything—from note-taking to content creation. But is it the all-in-one app for students, professionals, and business owners? Let’s dive into its features, strengths, and limitations to determine who it’s truly for.

Why GoodNotes 6 Stands Out

GoodNotes 6 excels in delivering a seamless digital note-taking experience, especially for Apple Pencil users. Its synchronization with the Apple Pencil is nearly flawless, with no lag or stutter, making it feel like ink flows directly from the stylus. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro’s long-press features, a level of integration that competitors like Notability lack. This makes GoodNotes 6 a top choice for those who prioritize a natural writing experience.

The app replicates the vibe of a physical notebook with highly customizable options. You can create custom folders, design notebook covers, and even doodle on them for a personal touch. Its filing system is robust, offering deeper organization than Apple Notes or Notability, which is ideal for users who need structured workflows.

AI and Productivity Features

GoodNotes 6 integrates AI to enhance productivity. It can summarize messy handwritten notes into neat bullet points, clean up illegible handwriting, and even generate quizzes or questions from your notes or long texts. The “Ask GoodNotes” feature is surprisingly effective for creating study aids like flashcards or references.

Beyond AI, GoodNotes 6 offers practical tools:

  • Maths Mode: Perfect for students solving equations on their iPad.

  • Photo Integration: Access the last 10 photos from your library for quick insertion, ideal for adding class notes or slides.

  • Font Consistency: The app retains your last-used font across the Apple ecosystem, a boon for content creators who need uniformity.

Enhancing Content Creation with Pictory.ai

For users who create video content from their notes, GoodNotes 6 pairs well with tools like Pictory.ai. Pictory.ai transforms scripts, blog posts, or notes into engaging videos in minutes. Simply paste your GoodNotes content into Pictory.ai, and it generates professional videos with AI-driven visuals and voiceovers. This is especially useful for students creating presentations or professionals sharing meeting summaries. Check out Pictory.ai to streamline your content creation process.

Who Is GoodNotes 6 For?

Students

GoodNotes 6 shines for students. It offers lecture templates, exam prep tools, flashcards, and real-time group work synchronization. The ability to annotate images or PDFs and organize notes by textbook or class structure makes it a powerful study companion. The voice-to-text feature further simplifies capturing lecture content.

Professionals

For business users, GoodNotes 6 provides meeting note templates, decision-tracking tools, and brainstorming aids like org charts. However, professionals with less structured workflows may find the notebook-style interface restrictive.

Everyday Users

For daily life, GoodNotes 6 includes habit trackers and calendars, but these may not compete with dedicated apps or physical to-do boards. Casual users might prefer simpler, free alternatives like Apple Notes.

Limitations and Aesthetics

Despite its strengths, GoodNotes 6 isn’t perfect. Its muted color scheme and notebook-style interface can feel limiting or cluttered to some users. Personally, I prefer the cleaner aesthetics of Notability or the simplicity of Apple Notes. If visual appeal is a priority, GoodNotes 6 might not be the best fit.

Verdict: Is GoodNotes 6 for You?

GoodNotes 6 isn’t the ultimate note-taking app for everyone, but it’s a powerhouse for students and professionals with highly structured needs. Its robust organization, AI features, and Apple Pencil integration make it ideal for academic environments or recurring, textbook-heavy workflows. However, if you prefer a sleek, uncluttered interface or need a lightweight solution, Notability or Apple Notes might suit you better.

For students looking to elevate their note-taking or professionals aiming to streamline content creation (especially with tools like Pictory.ai), GoodNotes 6 is a worthy investment. Try it out and share your note-taking setup for 2025 in the comments!

Listen to my articles now. Click the below link

Buy my latest book on Amazon from here. Buy from Amazon

Affiliate Disclaimer:
This article may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe will add value to your holiday season. Your support helps me continue to create helpful content—thank you!