Goodnotes vs Gem
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Goodnotes | Gem |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free basic; Plus $9.99/mo; Team $12.99/seat/mo | Starts at $50/seat/mo (estimated); custom enterprise |
| Primary Use | Note-taking & document annotation | Recruiting ATS/CRM with AI agents |
| Target User | Individuals, students, professionals | Talent acquisition teams, 100+ employees |
| AI Features | AI handwriting recognition, summary, mind maps | AI sourcing, screening, scheduling, fraud detection |
| Platform | iOS, Android, Windows, Web | Web only |
| Integrations | Google Calendar, Drive, ChatGPT | Workday, Greenhouse, LinkedIn, etc. |
If you need an AI recruiting platform to replace or augment your ATS/CRM, Gem is the obvious choice. If you're looking for a versatile note-taking app with AI handwriting features, Goodnotes is superior. They serve completely different needs; pick based on your role.
What real users say: Goodnotes vs Gem
Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.
Goodnotes
46 mentions across 4 sources · 51% positive — mixed
Hacker News, App Store, GitHub, Lemmy
What users praise
- • Excellent handwriting recognition and search functionality.
- • Natural writing experience with paper-like screen guard option.
- • AI-powered features: summaries, mind maps, search handwriting.
- • Real-time collaboration and whiteboard with infinite canvas.
What frustrates them
- • Forced subscription locks users out of previously purchased content.
- • Syncing between Mac, iPad, and Windows is unreliable.
- • App froze and deleted all notes for some users.
- • Account deactivation emails without explanation or support.
Researched Jul 2, 2026
Gem
78 mentions across 5 sources · 52% positive — mixed
Hacker News, Product Hunt, Bluesky, Stack Overflow, Lemmy
What users praise
- • All-in-one ATS, CRM, and AI agents in one system.
- • AI sourcing agent searches 800M+ profiles automatically.
- • AI fraud detection flags suspicious applications.
- • Integrates with Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS.
What frustrates them
- • No community reviews to back up marketing claims.
- • Product Hunt post is about Bitcoin, not recruiting.
- • Most online mentions refer to unrelated 'gem' products.
- • Pricing is custom and not transparent.
Researched Jul 16, 2026
Who should pick which
- Talent Acquisition LeadPick: Gem
Gem provides a full ATS/CRM plus AI agents for sourcing, screening, scheduling, and fraud detection, directly improving recruiting efficiency.
- Student / iPad UserPick: Goodnotes
Goodnotes offers the best handwriting experience, PDF annotation, and AI study tools at a low price, perfect for note-taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Goodnotes vs Gem: which should you choose?
If you need an AI recruiting platform to replace or augment your ATS/CRM, Gem is the obvious choice. If you're looking for a versatile note-taking app with AI handwriting features, Goodnotes is superior. They serve completely different needs; pick based on your role.
Can Gem replace my existing ATS?
Yes, Gem offers its own ATS, or you can augment existing ATS like Workday and Greenhouse with AI capabilities.
Does Goodnotes support real-time collaboration?
Yes, Goodnotes allows real-time collaboration on notebooks, whiteboards, and meeting notes.
Does Gem have a free tier?
No, Gem is a paid platform with custom pricing. No free tier is mentioned.
What AI features does Goodnotes include?
Handwriting recognition, smart search, automatic summaries, mind map generation from notes, and audio transcription.
Which platforms does Goodnotes support?
iOS, Android, Windows, and Web.
Is Gem suitable for startups with fewer than 50 employees?
Gem is best for growth-stage and enterprise; for small startups with simple hiring needs, it may be overkill.
Does Goodnotes offer ChatGPT integration?
Yes, Goodnotes integrates with ChatGPT to convert conversations into documents.
Which tool is better for team collaboration?
For recruiting teams, Gem. For general note-taking and brainstorming, Goodnotes.
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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026