Is GoodNotes 6 Worth It for New Users?

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I don’t know about you, but diving into a new app—especially one with a price tag—gives me decision fatigue. The kind where you read ten reviews, scroll through a Reddit thread or two, and still wonder: Is it worth it?

So I did the digging for you. And here’s the scoop.

GoodNotes 6: First Impressions

It has a very clean interface. You can make some very pretty pages. This is all surface-level sparkle that caught my attention. And apparently, a lot of Redditors too.

“I upgraded from 5 to 6 and it feels way more modern.”
That came from a user who was hesitant at first—but admitted the features grew on them.

So what’s in the GoodNotes 6 toolbox?

• AI Writing Assistant: Helps with spelling, grammar, even word choice. Perfect for note-takers who want tidy pages without the red squiggles.
• Hyperlinked Notebook Options: These are more intuitive than ever.
• Collaboration Mode: Real-time edits with friends or coworkers (if that’s your thing).
• Layout Flexibility: You’re not locked into one structure. You get to play. Changing templates behind your notes and designs is super simple too.

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But What’s the Catch?

Honestly, the biggest thing that seems to be an issue from users on Reddit? The subscription model.

People are still salty that it used to be a one-time purchase. Now, it’s free for three notebooks, and then you hit a paywall.

“If I already paid for version 5, why do I need to subscribe?”
Totally fair question.

So here’s the breakdown:

• You can stick with GoodNotes 5 if you already own it.
• GoodNotes 6 offers more features, but you’re looking at $9.99/year or $29.99 one-time (prices vary slightly).

Also: If you’re on Android, it’s still in beta and super limited.

IMO: I spend more than $9.99 when I go to the coffee shop. That is a “consumable” price and you are spending it on something that can literally save you HOURS.

I used to sit at the counter with a few cups of coffee and 30 sticker books spread around me just to make 2 or 3 planner spreads. I can make one super duper cute spread in under 10 minutes.

That alone is worth the price of the app.

Who Is GoodNotes 6 Actually Good For?

If you:

• Love organizing, customizing, and making your notes look pretty
• Use Apple devices (iPad + Pencil = chef’s kiss)
• Don’t mind paying a little to make your digital planner life easier

Then yes. It’s a solid “go for it.” It will be good for you and your digital planning happiness.

Organizing your content isn’t as restrictive with text spacing, and the folder structure and your elements as you’d expect. Once you play around a little, the interface seems fairly intuitive (other than that damn type to text tool…I’m still struggling with that one).

But if you’re still in testing-the-waters mode or already love Notability, OneNote, or your trusty pen-and-paper combo… maybe hold off.

Pros of GoodNotes 6

• AI Writing Tools: Helps clean up spelling, grammar, and phrasing.
• Beautiful Interface: Modern, smooth, and easy to navigate.
• Hyperlinked Notebooks: Quick access across sections—great for planners.
• Handwriting Recognition: Converts writing to text, searchable too.
• Collaboration Feature: Share and edit notes in real-time with others.
• Custom Layout Options: Tons of paper templates and design flexibility.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Works across iPad, Mac, and iPhone seamlessly.
• Great for Visual Learners: Supports images, stickers, PDFs, and drawing tools.

Cons of GoodNotes 6

• Frequent Sync Bugs (Reported): A few Redditors note occasional iCloud syncing issues.
• Subscription Model: No longer a one-time buy (unless you go lifetime for $29.99).
• Limited Free Version: Only 3 notebooks before you pay.
• iOS Only (Mostly): Android support is in beta and lacks full features.
• No Audio Notes: Unlike Notability, there’s no built-in recording.
• Can Feel Overwhelming: So many features = learning curve for some.

Final Thoughts

Start with the free version. Play. Scribble. Doodle. Import a digital planner. See how it feels.
Because if you’re anything like me? You’ll end up using it daily. And loving every second.

🖊️ “I just needed to write and get it out of my head. GoodNotes made it fun again.”

Just don’t blame me when you end up deep in planner heaven with a cart full of digital stickers and custom templates. (It happens.)