A Goodnotes alternative for people who type
If you type more than you write by hand, Breef is made for you: notes that format as you type, link across courses, and come back for review just before you’d forget.
Why students try Breef instead
Type it once. Breef keeps it connected, and keeps it remembered.
Typing that formats itself
Type ## for a heading or - for a list, write formulas in LaTeX between $ signs, and drop in images and files.
Every note reviewed
Not just the cards you make: every note comes back after 1, 3, 7, 21, 60 and 120 days, with three questions written from it.
On any device
Breef runs in the browser on any computer, tablet or phone, Android and Windows included, with your notes the same on each.
Lectures, written up
Record a lecture in a note and Breef writes it up into sections and key points: 2 hours a month free, 30 with Pro.
Breef and Goodnotes, side by side
| Feature | Breef | Goodnotes |
|---|---|---|
| How you write | In partTyped notes that format as you go, with formulas, images and files | YesHandwriting with a stylus, typing and PDF markup |
| Spaced review | YesEvery note comes back after 1, 3, 7, 21, 60 and 120 days | In partSmart Learn schedules Study Set flashcards, on Apple devices only |
| Quizzes from your notes | YesThree questions from each due note; 10 new quizzes a month free | In partAn AI quiz maker, a few uses a month on Free |
| Lecture recording | YesRecords a lecture and writes it up into sections and key points | In partRecords audio beside your notes and replays your handwriting with it; fuller transcription on paid plans |
| Links between notes | YesLinks both ways, and a map of every note and link | In partLinks from text to a page or another notebook; no backlinks |
| Ask your notes | Yes10 questions a month free, as many as you like with Pro | In partAI questions on your documents, a few a month on Free |
| Search | YesEvery note’s title and text, from ⌘K | YesHandwriting, typed text and PDF text |
| Apps | In partIn the browser on any computer or phone, and installable as an app | YesiPad, iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows and the web; some features Apple only |
| Price | YesUp to 2,000 notes free; Pro is €6 a month or €48 a year | In part3 documents free; Essential and Pro are paid |
What’s said here about other apps comes from their own websites, as of October 2026, and may have changed since.
Where Goodnotes is stronger
Every app makes trade-offs. These are the ones Breef makes.
- Handwriting with a stylus, and marking up PDFs and slides by hand.
- Handwriting you can search, and turn into text.
- Recordings that replay with your handwriting, on Apple devices.
- Flashcards in Study Sets, with spaced review on iPad, iPhone and Mac.
Other Goodnotes alternatives worth a look
Breef isn’t for everyone. Depending on what you need, one of these may suit you better.
Notability
For handwriting with lecture recordings kept beside the notes, on Apple devices, Windows and Android.
Noteshelf
For handwritten notebooks and journals with lots of paper templates.
OneNote
For a free notebook you can type, draw and handwrite in, on almost any device.
Samsung Notes
For writing with an S Pen on a Galaxy phone or tablet.
Apple Notes
For quick, free notes and sketches with an Apple Pencil, if you only use Apple devices.
Moving from Goodnotes
Export your Goodnotes notebooks as PDFs and drop them into Breef: it writes each one up as linked notes you can review, as long as the PDF has text in it (handwriting alone has none to read). Study Sets don’t export in a form Breef reads, so rewrite the cards you need as “question :: answer” lines, or let Breef quiz you on each note.
Questions
Can I handwrite in Breef?
No. Breef is for typed notes; if handwriting is how you study, Goodnotes suits you better.
Can I bring my Goodnotes notes?
Export them as PDFs and drop them into Breef: notes with text in them are written up as linked notes.
Does Breef have flashcards?
Yes. Write “question :: answer” on any line of a note and it becomes a card, reviewed with the note and exportable to Anki.
Does it work on an iPad?
Yes, in the browser, and it can be installed as an app from there. It works on any computer or phone too.
More comparisons
Start with one note.
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