Notion Vs. Goodnotes in 2025
Let's settle the debate…
As someone who uses both Notion and Goodnotes planners, I've thought a lot about the pros and cons of each. As with all planning systems, it is up to personal preference, but let's take a look at some key differences.
Why Goodnotes?
Pros:
- Writing Experience: GoodNotes in combination with an Apple Pencil mimics the pen to paper feel we know and love.
- Classic Planning: It's designed for a simple, classic planning system that's easy to navigate. Just like your old paper planners, but better.
- Creative Tools: Offers a wide range of tools like highlighters, pens, shapes, and stickers, facilitating creative planning and customization.
Cons:
- Limited Template Customization: Goodnotes templates are stagnant PDFs you upload to the app, making the template itself unable to be changed.
- Lacking Type Features: GoodNotes primarily focuses on handwriting, which makes the desktop app slightly cumbersome to use (at least in it's current form)
⭐️ IN A NUTSHELL: Goodnotes is the best option for people who want a classic planning system, prefer handwritten planning, and love using their Apple Pencil.
Why Notion?
Pros:
- Automation: Notion simplifies planning by auto-populating your to-do lists, setting deadlines, connecting to calendars, and getting notifications.
- Customizable Templates: Notion is customizable even from purchased templates. Have freedom to swap images, insert widgets, move templates, and add new ones.
- Typing is faster: Notion tends to be a quicker planning experience and less time-consuming than writing down lists.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: New users might need to learn Notion initially to navigate it properly.
- Lacks Creative Elements: Because you can't hand draw in your planner, it is a less creative option than a PDF digital planner.
⭐️ IN A NUTSHELL: Notion is the best option for people who want to plan via typing over writing. It's for people who like to track, document, and have an efficient planning system.
What do I use?
I use both in my planning routine. Partially because I love planners and I'm always testing new planning styles/systems. But also because it works for me! Here's how I do it...
Notion is what I use first. I will map out my big life goals and projects for the year, providing a clear strategy for the months ahead. This is the Type-A side of my brain that wants to have deadlines, interactive calendars, and a strategy to accomplish certain projects or goals.
I'll then reference that when I go to use my digital planner in Goodnotes as the days, weeks and months go by. This is the more spontaneous side of my brain. I like planning weekly workouts, meals, social outings, and other to do list items as they come up. I'll reference my Notion planner to see what deadlines I have coming up and write those down in my planner as needed.
Now, my Notion planner also has an option to do the above so that just comes down to my mood. I like to swap out weekly planning depending on what best serves my routine throughout the year. Sometimes I need a quick planning style where I can type to do lists in Notion. Other times I want the handwritten feel and I'll use Goodnotes.
I know the urge to keep everything in one place, so for most people you can pick one system and stick to it. But I like using them in tandem and swapping as needed. As long as I'm planning and staying inspired, I'm good with whatever system is working for me at the time.
Overall, you can't go wrong with either. I hope this helps - happy 2025 planning!
xo,
Kristine