Inkkept
Inkkept vs Goodnotes
Goodnotes is the best-known handwriting app, and it runs almost everywhere. Its free version stops at 3 files. Inkkept is a smaller app that does handwriting and PDFs on iPad, with no limit on notebooks and nothing to pay.
| Feature | Inkkept | Goodnotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free version, Essential $11.99 a year, Pro $35.99 a year, or a one-time $28.99 purchase on the App Store |
| Free version | Unlimited notebooks, folders and pages | Up to 3 files and 3 folders, 5 MB imports, exports carry a watermark |
| Account | No account | Not stated on its pricing page; the app offers Google and Microsoft sign-in |
| Devices | iPad | iPad, iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows and web |
| Sync | Your own iCloud, between iPads, free | iCloud on Apple devices; Goodnotes Cloud across platforms on Pro |
| Export | PDF and notebook files, no watermark, Export Everything at once | PDF; no watermark on paid plans |
| Getting notes back | Versions on close, 30 days in Recently Deleted, scheduled backups to a folder in Files | Backup to Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox |
| Audio recording | No | Yes, 20 minutes on the free version |
| AI | No AI features. Handwriting search runs on the iPad | Goodnotes AI, with an AI Pass add-on at $9.99 a month |
When Goodnotes is the better choice
- You need your notes on an iPhone, a Mac, Android or Windows. Inkkept is iPad only.
- You want audio recording, AI features or real-time collaboration.
- You use its marketplace of planners and templates.
When Inkkept is the better choice
- You write on an iPad and want every notebook free, with no cap and no subscription.
- You don't want to make an account. iCloud sync uses the Apple Account you already have.
- You want to be able to leave: Export Everything saves each notebook as a PDF and as a notebook file.
- You want it hard to lose a note, with earlier versions, Recently Deleted and scheduled backups.
Moving your notes from Goodnotes
In Goodnotes, export each notebook as a PDF. In Inkkept's library, tap Import PDF and pick the file. It opens as a notebook you can keep writing on. Your old handwriting comes across as part of the page, so you can read it and write over it, but not move or erase the old strokes.