2022 APP STORE AWARDS

iPad App of the Year

GoodNotes 5, the gold standard of note-taking, got even better.

Goodnotes 6

Notes Reimagined.

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No other app captures the joy of putting pen to digital paper like this gold-standard note-taking tool.

—App Store Editors

GoodNotes has been an essential part of our digital backpack for years—a go-to for turning hazy ideas into reality. Whether we’re creating a weekly planner or doodling out our dream home renovations, launching the app is now second nature.

For over a decade, GoodNotes has helped millions take visually rich notes on iPad. And when the app transitioned to a free-to-try model this year, it became a favorite of even more students, journalers, artists, educators, and visionaries.

GoodNotes’ realistic drawing tools and best-in-class Apple Pencil support helped us turn our notes into works of art.

The joy lies in the exceptional handwriting experience with Apple Pencil, which delivers true-to-life responsiveness while perfectly replicating each tool’s inkflow and stroke—whether fountain pen, ballpoint, or brush. But there’s so much more to love.

Seamless real-time collaboration and multi-window support exclusive to iPad take productivity to the next level. The lasso tool lets you reposition any design element on the page as you build elaborate bullet journals or illustrated lecture notes that shine on the Super Retina XDR display on iPad. GoodNotes is as capable as a scratchpad for your band’s lyrics as it is for diagramming a circuit board.

Read about more winners

Our favorite feature

How the app lets us get incredibly picky about every aspect of our digital notebooks. Browse dozens of paper types (wide-ruled, dotted, checklist). Or take a moment to build a preset mix of drawing tools, strokes, and ink colors to make the app feel distinctly yours.

Meet the creator

More than 10 years ago, Time Base Technology founder Steven Chan was overwhelmed by all the notes and documents he had to wrangle for his math studies. “We are more than a note-taking tool,” he says. “We want to make learning and collaboration a magical experience.”

Watch the video

See the year’s best games and apps in action! (Tap the icon on the bottom right to toggle sound.) Some content may not be available in all areas.

2022 App Store Award Winners