Goodnotes built its reputation helping students take better notes. Now the company is expanding into professional territory with features that could change how teams collaborate and create content.

The update brings three major additions: an AI assistant that understands handwriting and voice, collaborative whiteboards, and full document creation tools. This represents a significant shift from the simple notetaking app that started on iPad back in 2011.

“We still have a large user base of students, but we want to expand our product to become useful for everyone, especially professionals,” founder Steven Chen explained.

AI Assistant That Works With Your Handwriting

The Goodnotes AI stands out because it actually processes handwriting, typing, sketches, and voice input. The assistant can summarize meetings, create charts and diagrams, proofread text, and build templates for documents and notes.

Last year’s acquisition of a South Korean startup specializing in meeting and video summaries now powers these features. That explains why the meeting transcription and summary tools feel more refined than typical first-generation releases.

The AI can read messy handwriting and transform scattered thoughts into organized, actionable content – something that sets it apart from text-only AI assistants.

Whiteboard Collaboration Meets Document Tools

The new whiteboard feature enables team collaboration on blank canvases using text, diagrams, and visual elements. Document creation now supports text, images, GIFs, and tables, putting Goodnotes in direct competition with established office tools.

This expansion follows trends seen across productivity platforms like Grammarly and Canva, which push users to create more content within their apps. More content provides better context for AI assistants to deliver helpful suggestions.

Goodnotes bets that combining handwritten notes, typed documents, and visual collaboration in one app creates smoother workflows than switching between multiple tools.

Pricing Structure Targets Different User Types

The company replaced its numbering system with two clear subscription options:

Goodnotes Essentials ($11.99/year):

• New file format access
• AI for Q&A and math problems
• Core features for individual users

Goodnotes Pro ($35.99/year):

• Google Calendar and OneDrive integration
• Private link sharing and collaboration
• Desktop AI bot for meeting recording and transcription
• AI-powered content suggestions

Both plans include AI usage limits. Users can purchase a $10/month AI pass for unlimited credits. Apple device users can still buy the app outright for $35.99, though without cloud sync or cross-platform support.

Growth Numbers Support Professional Push

Goodnotes grew from 21 million monthly active users in 2023 to over 25 million today. Starting as an iPad app, the platform now supports iOS, Android, and Windows.

The user growth suggests the student market alone won’t sustain long-term expansion. Professional users represent larger revenue opportunities, especially through subscription plans that generate recurring income rather than one-time purchases.

The challenge lies in competing against established office collaboration tools while maintaining the simplicity that attracted students originally. The current feature set suggests a measured approach – adding professional capabilities without abandoning the core notetaking experience that built their reputation.