EXPLANATION ON THE PAGE
The answer stays where the question was.
You circle, and the card is attached to the spot with a line. When you review, question and explanation are together.
Circle & understand →COMPARISON · AS OF SEPTEMBER 2026
Goodnotes, Notability
or Otriva?
They all handle handwriting and PDFs, and the big apps have AI too. The difference is where the help ends up: in Otriva it’s a card attached to exactly the spot you circled – and you’re quizzed in your own notebook.
Download freeWhat the apps do
Based on each maker’s own descriptions. Features and prices change – check the current details before you switch.
| Feature | Goodnotes | Notability | Apple Notes | Otriva |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handwriting and PDFs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ask AI about a passage | Select with the lasso, answer in a sidebar | Chat with your notes | Not stated | Circle the passage, answer as a card connected to it |
| Study from your notes | Study sets (flashcards) and quizzes from your notes | Quizzes and flashcards from your notes | Not stated | Cover answers right in your notes (“Quiz me”) |
| Understand German in your language | Translate via “Ask Goodnotes” | Not stated | Not stated | Word card with article, simple German and sentence starters |
| Record lectures | Audio synced to your writing, with transcript | Audio synced to your writing, with transcript | Audio with transcript, depending on device and language | No |
| Devices | iPad, iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows, web | iPad, iPhone, Mac, web, Android, Windows | Apple devices | iPad to write, iPhone to read and study |
| Free | Up to 3 notebooks, 5 AI uses a month | With limits; AI in a subscription | Pre-installed | Writing, organizing, PDFs without a subscription; 5 AI answers a month |
As of 27 September 2026. Sources: Goodnotes App Store · Goodnotes pricing · Ask Goodnotes · Goodnotes lasso · Goodnotes platforms · Notability App Store · Notability 2026 · Apple Notes: audio · Apple Notes: math
When Otriva fits better.
QUIZZES IN YOUR NOTEBOOK
Study in your own handwriting.
No new flashcards: Otriva covers answers right in your notes, and the context stays visible.
Quiz me & iPhone →
GERMAN AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
Language support made for German.
Article, simple German and sentence starters instead of a bare translation – without giving away the solution.
Understand in your language →When another app fits better
You record lectures
Goodnotes and Notability link audio to your writing. Otriva doesn’t record audio.
You also write on Android or Windows
Goodnotes and Notability are available there. Otriva is made for iPad, with iPhone as a companion.
You just want to calculate and sketch
Apple Notes is already installed and solves handwritten equations.
Frequently asked questions
Does Goodnotes have AI too?
Yes. With “Ask Goodnotes” you ask about a selected passage and the answer appears in a sidebar; there are also study sets and a quiz generator. Otriva focuses on the card right at the spot and on quizzing in your own notes.
Can I switch from Goodnotes or Notability to Otriva?
Yes, as PDFs: export your notes there as PDFs and share them with Otriva. The pages come across, not the editable objects. Try larger collections with a copy first.
Is the Otriva app in English?
The app interface is currently in German. Language support explains German passages in English and other help languages.
Why do some cells say “Not stated”?
We only list what the maker describes itself. If nothing is stated about a feature, we say so instead of guessing.