The Breakdown

  • fluid handwriting, excellent PDF markup
  • one-time purchase buyers got rug-pulled
  • core features locked behind recurring fees
  • dark patterns in tiered pricing rollout
  • still the best iPad note tool if you pay up

Side Effects

wallet on subscription drip, digital notes held hostage

Buy Instead

Skip GoodNotes 6. Buy Notability legacy one-time or stick with free Apple Notes — no recurring ink tax.