Goodnotes PDF Markup - How to Annotate and Best Alternatives

Part 1. How to Markup PDFs on iPad using Goodnotes?

Goodnotes is a go-to app for reading and adding markups to PDFs with these step-by-step instructions on your iPad.

Step 1: Import Your PDF File to Goodnotes

To start, install and open the Goodnotes app on your iPad. Tap New on the main screen, select Import, and choose your PDF files from any cloud storage, such as iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, or your iPad storage.

Step 2: Highlight Text in PDF

Now, tap the Highlighter option in the top menu bar and use the stylus to highlight the text in the PDF file.

If you want to change the color of the highlighter, simply select any of your desired shade in the the right-side of the top panel. You can also choose the thickness of the Highlighter from the three options given.

Step 3: Use the Pen Tool

Tap the Pen tool in the top left corner of the screen and use the stylus pen or your fingers to write your comments, suggestions, or reviews.

You can also tap the three lines in the top right side of the screen to adjust the size or change the stroke type to Solid, Dashed, or Dotted.

Step 4: Add Your Comment

To add a sticky note to your PDF file, simply select the T (Text) icon, tap anywhere on the page and type in your explanation or feedback.

To move the comment to another page, tap the Lasso Tool, make a selection around the text box, and use the stylus or finger to change the location. You can also tap the selection and choose Arrange, Resize, or Color to adjust these parameters.

Step 5: Attach Pages on PDF for Taking Notes

Goodnotes also allows you to add new pages in the PDF files so you can take important notes. To do this, tap the Plus Page icon at the top right corner of the screen and choose the paper type.

Now, use the stylus pen to add handwritten suggestions, key points, or other important data.

Step 6: Use Shapes and Stickers

To add rectangles, triangles, and circle shapes to your PDF file to highlight specific areas, tap the Shapes option in the top bar. Then, draw the desired shape wherever you want on the PDF file, and Goodnote will automatically adjust the rough lines.

This amazing app also comes with several stickers that you can attach to your PDF files. Simply tap the Elements option, scroll through the different categories, and choose the illustration you want to add.

Drag the transform handles to adjust the size of the sticker and move it to the desired location.

NOTE: Goodnotes also lets you record and attach voice notes to your PDF files.

Step 7: Export the PDF File

Finally, select the Export icon in the upper left corner and choose Export All or Export This Page.

Tap PDF on the next page, and select Export to save the file on your iPad.

Part 2. 5 Best Alternatives to Goodnotes for Marking Up PDF on Desktop, Android, and Web

Goodnotes app works great while marking up PDFs on your iPad or iPhone. However, its Android, Windows, Mac, and web versions do not offer the full range of annotation features. Things can change in the future, but for now, you have to rely on other PDF annotators for these devices.

This is why we list the top 5 choices below to help you pick the right one for your needs.

1. Afirstsoft PDF

Afirstsoft PDF is a user-friendly software that turns static PDF files into canvases to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback. It is available for Mac or Windows PC and offers a basic free version and a premium plan that costs $9.99/month, $59.99/year, and $79.99 for three years.

To get the most out of Afirstsoft PDF, install and open the app on your computer, import your PDF, and then go to the Comments tab.

Here, choose Highlighter and select the text on the file. Next, click the highlighted text, choose the color you want, or select the Open Pop-up Notes icon, add your comments, and press Enter to attach the sticky note.

You can follow the same steps to underline, cross out, or add squiggly lines under the text on your PDF files. Finally, click the Save icon in the top left menu, choose the location where you want to export the PDF file and select Save again.

Features:

• Set the opacity of the markups on the files.
• Multiple colors and an eye dropper tool to change the shade of the markups.
• Use Tilde or Strikethrough to point out incorrect spellings, grammatical mistakes, and typos.
• Add more than 100 stickers to PDFs and attach pop-up notes to them.
• Insert text boxes anywhere in the files and set the font size, color, and other properties.

2. Foxit PDF Editor 

As a full-featured platform, Foxit PDF Editor has everything you need to mark your PDF files quickly on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

To use Foxit PDF Editor, import your file, go to the Comment section, and mark up your PDFs using the highlight, underline, pencil, or strikethrough options. This amazing tool has a flexible pricing model with two premium plans: PDF Editor ($129.99/year) and PDF Editor+ ($159.99/ year).

Features:

• Attach sticky notes, callouts, or additional files to PDFs.
• Search and highlight content in PDFs in different colors and add pop-up notes to it.
• Add a rectangular shape around paragraphs to highlight text on files.
• Use the pencil or drawing tool to add freehand markups to your documents.
• Underline or strike out text using different colors.
• Set your files as confidential, approved, or disapproved using preset stamps or create new ones.

3. Smallpdf

If you are looking for software with a simple and clean UI, Small PDF is going to be a great help for those with minimal skills in markingup PDF files online or on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices.

Simply, install and open SmallPDF on your PC and click Open or + to import your PDF file. Click the Highlighter option, choose the colors, set the thickness, and select the text on the pages to highlight it.

Best of all, SmallPDF offers a free desktop and online version with access to 21 different tools. It also has a Pro plan that costs $9/month, a Team plan at $7, and a Business version with custom pricing.

Features:

• Use the pen tool to mark up text in PDFs with up to 24 pt thickness.
• Highlight passages in files with different colors.
• Insert text boxes to add comments, reviews, or explanations.
• Add a line, arrow, circle, or rectangle to your PDFs.

4. Drawboard PDF

Drawboard PDF, available on the web or Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, not only markup your PDF files but also syncs them across these devices, so your notes are always with you.

To use the Drawboard PDF, open the app, click Open to import from your PC, or choose the + icon to add PDF files from cloud services. Select the type of highlighter or pen for the text in different colors and stroke thicknesses.

Drawboard PDF has free and three premium plans. Its Pro Lite plan costs $4.19 per month, Pro Plus at S$6.99/month, and the Pro Unlimited costs $13.33 per month.

Features:

• Use text boxes to add comments or suggestions in the PDF files.
• Insert callouts or pop-up notes in PDFs.
• Add different shapes to PDFs.
• Squiggle, underline, or strikethrough text to point out mistakes or errors.
• Add eSignatures to your documents.

5. Xodo PDF 

With Xodo PDF, you can work across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, along with different cloud storages to quickly take notes, point out key points, or remove unwanted content from your PDF files.

To mark up your files, open the app, go to the files tab, and click/tap the + icon. Choose Open File and select your PDF from where you’ve saved it. Click/tap the Pen or Highlighter tool and select the text you want to markup. Finally, click/tap the three dots and choose “Export” to save the file.

Xodo PDF has a Xodo Document Suite premium plan that will cost you $14.99/month.

Features:

• Highlight text in different colors.
• Add text boxes for your feedback, reviews, or suggestions.
• Use different shapes to bring focus to specific content.
• eSign your PDFs using a freehand tool.

Part 3. FAQs Related to Goodnotes PDF Markup

Can GoodNotes mark up a PDF?

Goodnotes is a handy and easy-to-use app for anyone who wants to mark up PDF files. It allows you to highlight your text, add different shapes, use the pen tool to draw or write anything, and insert stickers on any page. You can also attach voice recordings to your PDFs for annotations.

How to highlight a PDF in GoodNotes?

To highlight a PDF, open Goodnotes on your iPad, import your file and choose the pencil icon at the bottom left of the screen. Select the Highlighter and use a stylus pen or finger to highlight the passage.

Can you draw on PDF in GoodNotes?

In Goodnotes, you can use the Pen tool to draw freehand drawings on your PDF files on any device. It also has the Shapes option that allows you to draw any shape, like a circle, rectangle, triangle, diamond, square, and more.

How do I add notes to a PDF in GoodNotes?

To add notes in PDF, import your file to Goodnoteson your PC or mobile app, choose the T (text) icon, tap anywhere on the page, and type in your comments, suggestions, questions, or reviews. Alternatively, tap the Plus (Page) icon, select a page type to add to the PDF file, and use a stylus or text tool to add your notes.

Part 4. Conclusion

As this guide comes to an end, you’ve learned about the Goodnotes PDF markup tool and explored the step-by-step instructions on how to use it.

Since this app has limited features on Android, Windows, and Mac, we’ve also provided 5 alternatives that you can use to markup your PDFs quickly.

Among these, Afirstsoft PDF is the best software to leave notes, highlight text, or add stickers. So, go on and install the app on your PC now and explore all the features to do a better job reviewing your PDFs!