Both GoodNotes and Notability import transparent PNG files, so every pack we sell works in either app. The difference is how each one handles stickers once they are inside – and that is what this comparison is about.
The short answer
- GoodNotes treats stickers as reusable elements, which suits people who want a personal sticker library inside the app.
- Notability treats them as images placed into a note, which suits people who add a few stickers per page and move on.
- Our packs work in both, plus Noteshelf, Noteful, CollaNote, Defter Notes and Xodo.
Importing stickers
In GoodNotes, the Elements tool has both “Add Photos” and an import option, so you can pull images from Photos or straight from the Files app. In Notability you use the media button inside a note.
Reusing the same sticker
This is the biggest practical difference. GoodNotes lets you keep frequently used stickers in an Elements collection, so they are one tap away on every notebook. In Notability you typically copy and paste or re-import the file – fine for occasional use, slower if you decorate every page.
Transparency and file format
Both apps respect the transparent background of a PNG. If you ever see a white box behind a sticker, the file that was imported was a JPEG or a screenshot – re-import the PNG from inside the ZIP.
Resizing and quality
Our stickers are high-resolution PNGs, so you can scale them up or down without the edges going soft. That applies in both apps.
Devices
GoodNotes and Notability both run on iPad, iPhone and Mac. If you also work on Android, look at Noteshelf or Xodo – they import the same PNG files.
Which should you use?
If you want a reusable sticker library and heavy decoration, GoodNotes. If you write more than you decorate and want the simplest route, Notability. Either way the pack you buy is the same – the files are not locked to one app.
New to all of this? Start with our step-by-step import guide, then browse the planner and functional packs or the fun and cute collection.