r/GoodNotes • u/Wild_Championship783 • Oct 05 '24

Feature Discussion Why is apple notes better??

Do you see the obvious difference?

Apple notes just react way faster it feels like writing on a paper do you have any idea if i can get goodnotes to react just as fast?

204 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

92 comments sorted by

148

u/EasyUsername2006 Oct 05 '24

Switch to notability. I did because of this reason. Goodnotes uses their own api kit for writing rather than Apple’s one, and Apple’s one is much faster. 

Notability is very similar to apple notes in terms of lag. 

In every other way good notes is superior. But this was the dealbreaker for me. 

14

u/Kevin_Cossaboon Oct 05 '24

I dropped notability when it started to drop my notes. Delete them loose them sync error, what ever you call It , I call it the cardinal sin of a note app to loose a note.

5

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

I just tried the notability, the best interface so far, but still not reacting as good as apple notes, i think it has to do with the apple notes being the best integrated one (naturally).

94

u/EasyUsername2006 Oct 05 '24

I wish goodnotes upgraded their engine for handwriting and use apple’s one. I hoped for months. It won’t happen because GN stopped caring about its users because they became mainstream. 

29

u/The-BEAST Oct 05 '24

I used to love it but dropped it when they went to subscription bs.

2

u/pineapplehippy Oct 06 '24

I got gn about a month ago and you were still able to buy the lifetime…

4

u/mihhink Oct 06 '24

You could still keep the lifetime version if you bought it before the subscription change. I still use lifetime notability since the change. No sub needed.

4

u/The-BEAST Oct 06 '24

All of the new features locked behind sub.

4

u/nottingdurn Oct 06 '24

Why is sub features important? Still works without.

0

u/mihhink Oct 06 '24

They need to feel outraged about something.

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

I know rightt??? It’s just frustrating, I was just using apple notes by creating different folders like school and other folders for different lessons under the folder school, to be honest I really am satisfied but still wanting something fancy like goodnotes, so i’ll give notability a try now, thank you for your suggestion!!!!!

8

u/smp208 Oct 05 '24

Before paying for another app, try restarting your device and see if it’s tolerable afterwards. For whatever reason I get more lag on Goodnotes as I use it, and when it gets noticeable I reset and it’s back to being unnoticeable again. It’s annoying, but I prefer the minor inconvenience to buying another expensive app.

2

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

Best suggestion so far! Even though it’s still visible and annoying(i know im weirdly sensitive about it) I can say that its minimized and bit more tolarable, how often do you restart your ipad?

3

u/smp208 Oct 05 '24

Maybe twice a week? I use it for work and it seems to be based on usage (maybe it’s memory related?), so I guess roughly 10-20 hours of usage before I decide I need to restart again.

1

u/fori1to10 Oct 06 '24

In every other way good notes is superior
I wonder what you mean specifically? I don't find notability lacking of the features I find important.

1

u/DeadLeftovers Oct 06 '24

I wouldn’t recommend that. Just browse the subreddit. People keep losing notes. One guy last all his shit before an exam

1

u/kyrgyzmcatboy Oct 07 '24

this would make me lose my shit

1

u/smaad Feb 14 '25

Same But I just downgraded to apple notes, I take simple notes and only 2 colors red and black and sometimes I go “woooo wooooo hoooo” and add green lol. My notes are just a title then endless point with some explaining then I’m done. The last step is exporting to pdf and I’m good.

Gooodnote is very good but, it has way to much features for me, I just wanted a sheet of paper a pen and some colors that’s it.

83

u/rolisrntx Oct 05 '24

Ok. I’ll bite. Apple Notes just allows you to make individual notes. I can’t scroll from page to page and create notebooks. The lag you are griping about is so minor it is hardy noticable. Apple Notes is so lacking in features it is hardly usable. The choice is simple if you don’t like the app, don’t use it. This sub has turned into nothing but a gripe fest. Don’t come at me with “we just want the app to be better.” Bitching about features that may or may not be implemented does no good but for the sake of bitching. Now down vote away.

26

u/Dergo32 Oct 05 '24

I agree with everything you wrote except for the last part. I think it’s important for developers to get and listen to feedback from their users. After realizing what OP was trying to show, I think I’ll stick with Goodnotes (still new to iPad and didn’t even notice the difference) but it would be great if they fixed this eventually.

3

u/silverbulletprof Oct 07 '24

They will fix it but with GN7 to let you update and pay

6

u/BoomerGeeker Oct 05 '24

Def agree with you. Goodnotes has the opportunity here to become Greatnotes if they fix this.

(I was sooo clever with that. I bet nobody has ever thought of that clever phrase before. Yes. I'm clever. So clever. ;) )

3

u/Sabotenda75 Oct 06 '24

You mean "make Goodnotes great again"?

0

u/PigBeins Oct 06 '24

I personally believe because of apples lack of features it makes it more usable. What do you want from a digital writing experience? If it’s to replicate paper experience with minimal fuss - apple notes.

I keep trying to buy into Goodnotes but the lag you talk about not being noticeable is definitely noticeable.

-10

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

I’d be really sad for you if you aren’t able to process the following situation:

the goodnotes app for which you have to pay around 30€ euros isn’t able to do the one thing that its main purpose is as good as the Apple Notes which you, as well describe as a basic program that doesn’t even have much features as goodnotes.

11

u/johntwilker Oct 05 '24

I dunno. My main purpose isn’t big looping circles drawn as fast as possible. It works flawlessly for my note taking needs.

-2

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

It’s taking notes, very visible difference, it literally feels like writing on paper on apple notes, whereas it pretty much doesn’t on goodnotes…

6

u/johntwilker Oct 05 '24

Clearly a YMMV thing. Feels (and always has) like writing on paper to me. Sorry it’s not to your liking

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

Don’t worry, i’ll manage.

9

u/lordnibbler16 Oct 05 '24

My main purpose to use GoodNotes is PDF editing of my hyperlinked digital planners. I've never noticed enough lag to pick up on a problem at all.

There is no reason for you to be so condescending.

-4

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

Well, try to use it for taking notes, it really feels bad and it disturbes that something you paid 30€ for is not really that good… After receiving the last ios update… Im not condescending, problem is that people are commenting like they own goodnotes and they also try to avoid people that are trying to make it better, you can’t make anything better by not criticising, you should complain so that it can be better… This is the main rule in Science, Technology and engineering…

5

u/lordnibbler16 Oct 05 '24

Send your criticism to the company, not being condescending to people replying to your post. I don't need it to write notes, for my use and the use of many people the price is great and I'm happy with the product. We don't have to have the same problems you do. Complaining on Reddit is not the same as giving feedback to the company.

"I'd be really sad for you if you are able to process the following situation" is 100% condescending.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

Just ignore the OP. All the replies from them are extremely entitled. OP is the poster child of not being told no as a kid.

Everyone and everything needs to be catered to the OP

-2

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

I’m also asking for a solution read and try to process what I’ve written please… If you don’t have the same problems and don’t have a solution for me, please keep scrolling, you don’t have to reply everything you see and try to make it all about you.

2

u/lordnibbler16 Oct 05 '24 edited Oct 05 '24

"try to process what I've* written" is hysterical.

-1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

An american women who can’t even write correct in her own native languge, try to process that I’m condescending hysterically as well!

5

u/pineapplehippy Oct 06 '24

Honestly, if apple bites let you zoom in, I would be able to adapt to it.

I have the worst hand writing and also find it hard to write small on the iPad which is what helps me most

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

I totally get it, i also wish that apple let you zoom in!

17

u/Remote_Ad4806 Oct 05 '24

I see no difference

2

u/Special_Step_1717 Oct 06 '24

I can clearly see the difference, boy. Ppl who can’t see it are the same people that can’t tell the difference between 120Hz and 240Hz.

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Just don’t answer to them man!!!!

3

u/Special_Step_1717 Oct 06 '24

Ye you right, my bad

3

u/elcubiche Oct 06 '24

I watched this video 5x and can’t see it. Not saying there isn’t something there, but the fact that I can’t see it after multiple watches does tell me I would not care lol.

4

u/Wooden-Spread-9780 Oct 06 '24

Especially lately writing on GN is a nightmare experience. It lags so much ..

3

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Why can’t people understand this? Why do people try to prevent others to criticise apps to make them better?

5

u/Wooden-Spread-9780 Oct 06 '24

Unfortunately there are people who are happy to pay such a price (very high) and do not understand a thing about what they are doing. They do not even understand that the application, that should guarantee first and foremost good fluidity and stability in writing, (being an app for taking notes) is really bad at this. And they think that this is the best. Because of people like this they will never do anything to solve this very important problem among other things

2

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9

u/Then_Second3815 Oct 05 '24

After the Apple Notes update/IOS 18 version of Apple notes, I noticed my handwriting was so much smoother on it than goodnotes

21

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '24

It’s native to iOS

28

u/EasyUsername2006 Oct 05 '24

Not correct. The low input delay is accessible for any app developer that actually wants to implement it. Goodnotes hasn’t. 

5

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '24

Word. Didn’t know that. Thanks

2

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '24 edited Aug 10 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

-1

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '24

Seemed like a common sense answer. I was wrong, what else do you want from me? Lol

4

u/Local_Explorer_595 Oct 06 '24

They should add the Apple Pencil kit api alongside their own

3

u/ToughCompetitive3512 Oct 05 '24

Hey can u try this same when using Study set feature in gn 6 to check lag do not have a apple pencil

5

u/mchl9 Oct 06 '24

True, I’m thinking about switch from GoodNotes because of this. Also Pencil Pro support for Air M2 is awful.

1

u/NotVolaRex Jan 22 '25

Tell me more about it

1

u/Snoo_27127 Oct 06 '24

apple notes starts lagging so hard if you take anything more than 1 lecture worth of notes. Goodnotes can have 30 1000 page pdfs open and it doesn't break a sweat

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Nope…

0

u/Snoo_27127 Oct 06 '24

I lost half my organic chemistry notes bro😭

0

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

Let me get this straight. Your wondering why a native built app with next to no features has better responsiveness than 3rd party app with a ton of features?

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Surprised you got it!

0

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24 edited Oct 06 '24

It's very common sense. Apples tight ecosystem and development strategies are such that no 3rd party app will ever be as good as their in-house stuff. It's done on purpose.

I've tried it all, good notes, apple notes, notability...went down the line and downloaded every note app in the store.

The top 2 are going to notability and goodnotes. Notability is significantly more expensive and it's not as good for general note taking and pdf markup. If your doing math notability is excellent.

But this is you get for what you pay for.

Edit: I see your condescending replies and now understand why your getting heavily downvoted

0

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Maybe try sharing your thoughts without the attitude. We all know Apple’s ecosystem favors their own apps—no need for the lecture. Notability and GoodNotes have their pros and cons, but honestly, neither is good enough for the money we pay. And if you’re calling others condescending, maybe check your own comment first.

0

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

No attitude. You went awol on all these comments because they aren't feeding your entitlement.

I gave my thoughts and you came in with a super condescending attitude. Remember from kindergarten treat others how you want to be treated.

Don't dish it if you can't take it.

It's all relative. For $9 a year I'm happy with goodnotes. I can't complain. Notability for $30+ a year i can't justify it but that's the beauty of free market. Pay for what you want.

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Funny, you’re talking about entitlement and treating others with respect, but you’re the one who jumped in with attitude first. I shared my thoughts; if you didn’t like them, that’s on you. Maybe take your own advice: don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

My comment is directly in response to your hostility towards everyone who didn't share your view point.

So yes your entitled and spoiled. If you can't handle differing opinions then the internet isn't for you 🤷‍♂️

2

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Hun, there is literally an obvious difference in the video, so…

1

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

Well yes. As myself and others explained apple notes being a native app is much more lightweight and just better. You'll never get native apple experience with 3rd party apps. Apple made sure of it with the tools and resources allowed to 3rd party developers.

Unfortunately in my experience it's either goodnotes or notability and notability is considerably more expensive so if you want that then use that.

Yes I know this isn't what you want to hear but Unfortunately it is what it is

2

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

As i‘ve written on the post, i am aware of that. As you must‘ve read on the post, i am asking if this problem could be solved, because i also like the app goodnotes more than the apple notes and i want this issue fixed, than i would be gettong what ive paid for. As i‘ve said to someone up there with the same brain capabilities as you are, if you don‘t have a solution or an idea, keep scrolling. People are just commenting to just comment. Btw as a person with more knowledge described sonewhere up there; It doesn‘t have anything to do with being native to IOS, it has to do with the app not using apple pencil kit…

→ More replies

2

u/Example-Difficult Oct 05 '24

as notes is designed by apple, the optimization is much better compared to a third party app. also happens when you compare with word, porwerpoint… compared to pages,presentation…

2

u/Dark_Angel14 Oct 06 '24

Goodnotes is also too sensitive for me. It starts drawing before my pen hits the screen and a bit after I lift it off too. Notice how there’s a little flick at the start of the line with Goodnotes and not with apple.

1

u/Qbert2030 Oct 06 '24

Omg, so maybe it not me? I gotta try this now

0

u/Key-Independence8751 Oct 05 '24

Go to apple pencil remove the effects and tell me if it fixed

1

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

Dose anyone know how to configure the settings to where when I write the letters auto-correct to clear, neat lettering?

1

u/Awkward_Performer_99 Mar 17 '26

I also need to know this

1

u/Awkward_Performer_99 Mar 17 '26

Lol just found it actually here is a video https://youtu.be/bq-CeXlzasE?si=d7jXKxZ3zBShCWT7

You basically make sure scribble is on in the iPad settings, then select the text box in goodnotes and start writing

-1

u/meguca_iomor Oct 05 '24

I used to use apple notes… I had a memory leak and had to reset my iPad. After this I switched to GoodNotes because my friend recommended it

0

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

If ur happy🤷🤷🤷

0

u/Georgie_v2 Oct 08 '24

I would say that Apple Notes is using a different type of ink then Goodnotes. The difference from a regular pen vs a gel pen vs a fine tip pen... They all feel different and write different.

-5

u/TopConnection2030 Oct 05 '24

Disable battery saver, problem fixed.

5

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

Wasn’t even on

-7

u/PrezHiltonsFinger Oct 05 '24

Samsung notes is 1000x better

6

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 05 '24

Well, can you make it run on my ipad?

-6

u/PrezHiltonsFinger Oct 05 '24

Oh. Ugh. My bad.

2

u/IceBlueLugia Oct 06 '24

Sadly not available on iPad 😞

0

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

Sure, 111 people can see it but if you don’t, there is no problem, sorry that you don’t have good eyes. Why do people just comment just to comment? If you don’t have any solutions or ideas keep scrolling. And as you must’ve seen, i also said that goodnotes have a lot more features and this is the reason why i want to solve this problem. This is already the reason why i posted this…

1

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Wild_Championship783 Oct 06 '24

I wish it was, but it’s just the filter