kitio.aiGoodnotes vs Grug Notes
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Goodnotes has the lower starting price: about $1 a month, against $5 for Grug Notes.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Handwritten notes
- PDF annotation
- Handwriting search
- AI math and summaries
- Audio recording
- AI note organization
- Semantic search
- Voice transcription
- Email ingestion
- Markdown and templates
- Public publishing
| Feature | Goodnotes | Grug Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Handwritten note-taking app with AI search, math help and summaries | Self-organizing notes with AI search, voice and email capture |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $11.99/yr | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No, trial available |
| Made by | Goodnotes | Grug Notes |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
Goodnotes has the lower starting price: about $1 a month, against $5 for Grug Notes.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 3 files, 5MB imports
- 20 mins of audio recording
Essential
$11.99/yr
- Unlimited files
- Unlimited audio recording
- Limited AI capabilities
Pro
$35.99/yr
- Real-time collaboration
- Sync across devices
- AI capabilities
Teams
$120/yr
- Per seat
- SAML SSO and domain control
- Consolidated billing
Enterprise
Custom
- Customizable solutions
- Microsoft Intune App SDK
5 plans
Raw
$5/mo
- 100 credits a month
- For minimal AI use
Grug Core
$12/mo
- 1,000 credits a month
- All AI models
- Voice and email capture
- $7/mo billed yearly
Plus
$16/mo
- 2,000 credits a month
- Same features as Core
Pro
$24/mo
- 3,000 credits a month
- Same features as Core
Max
$59/mo
- 10,000 credits a month
- Same features as Core
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Goodnotes
- Excellent handwriting experience
- Works across many devices
- Good for studying
- Free plan limits notebooks
- AI features are paid
Grug Notes
- All AI models on the main plan
- Capture by voice and email
- Start with free credits, no card
- AI use is limited by credits
- Free tier is only 30 credits
- Annual billing needed for the $7 price
Which one should you choose?
Choose Goodnotes if you want:
- Excellent handwriting experience
- Works across many devices
- Good for studying
Watch out: free plan limits notebooks.
Choose Grug Notes if you want:
- All AI models on the main plan
- Capture by voice and email
- Start with free credits, no card
Watch out: ai use is limited by credits.
Goodnotes vs Grug Notes FAQ
What is the difference between Goodnotes and Grug Notes?
Goodnotes: Handwritten note-taking app with AI search, math help and summaries. Grug Notes: Self-organizing notes with AI search, voice and email capture. Both are productivity tools.
Is Goodnotes or Grug Notes cheaper?
Goodnotes has the lower starting price: about $1 a month, against $5 for Grug Notes.
Do Goodnotes and Grug Notes have free plans?
Goodnotes: Yes. Grug Notes: No, trial available.
Who makes Goodnotes?
Goodnotes is made by Goodnotes.
Who makes Grug Notes?
Grug Notes is made by Grug Notes.
Which should I choose, Goodnotes or Grug Notes?
Choose Goodnotes if you value excellent handwriting experience and works across many devices. Choose Grug Notes if you value all ai models on the main plan and capture by voice and email.