Digible vs Goodnotes

Goodnotes is a popular general-purpose note-taking app for iPad with Apple Pencil support. Many users import PDF Bibles to annotate in Goodnotes.

If you've ever tried Bible journaling in Goodnotes, you know the struggle: importing PDF Bibles, managing hundreds of pages, losing your place, and missing proper verse navigation. Goodnotes is a phenomenal note-taking app — but it was never designed for Bible study. Digible was built from the ground up as a Bible journaling app, combining the best of Goodnotes' writing experience with purpose-built Scripture features.

Feature Comparison

Where Digible Excels

• Bible text is built in — no PDF imports or workarounds needed
• Proper verse-by-verse navigation to jump anywhere in Scripture instantly
• Multiple translations (WEB, ASV, BSB free; NLT, NKJV premium)
• Streaks to help build consistent Bible study habits
• Customisable Bible covers for a personal touch
• Line breaks on chapters designed for better note-taking
• Clean, simple UI designed specifically for the Bible journaling workflow
• Free Bible translations with unlimited reading and journaling

Where Goodnotes Excels

• General-purpose note-taking beyond Bible study
• PDF import and annotation capabilities
• Established ecosystem with large template library
• Available on iPhone and Mac in addition to iPad

The Verdict

Goodnotes is an incredible general-purpose note-taking app, and it's great for many things. But for Bible study and journaling specifically, Digible offers a purpose-built experience that eliminates the workarounds Goodnotes users face. If your primary goal is engaging with Scripture through writing, drawing, and annotation, Digible is the better choice. Think of it this way: Goodnotes is a notebook that you can put a Bible in. Digible is a Bible that has a notebook built in.

Getting Started with Digible

If you're ready to try a purpose-built Bible journaling experience on your iPad, Digible is free to download with three free Bible translations ( WEB, ASV, BSB) and unlimited reading and journaling. Use Apple Pencil to write, draw, and annotate directly on Scripture. Plus, enjoy streaks to build study habits, customisable Bible covers, line breaks for better note-taking, and a library for quick access to your recent annotations.

New to Bible journaling? Read our beginner's guide to Bible journaling or explore creative journaling ideas to get started. You can also browse our best Bible apps for iPad guide to see how all the top apps compare.

Study Methods to Try

No matter which app you choose, a good study method makes all the difference. Try the SOAP method for structured daily study, color coding to visualise themes across Scripture, or verse mapping to go deep on individual passages. Start with popular books like Psalms, John, or James — each includes journaling prompts and key verses to get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Digible better than Goodnotes for Bible study?

For Bible study specifically, yes. Digible has built-in Bible text with verse-by-verse navigation, so you don't need to import PDFs or manage hundreds of pages. Goodnotes is a general note-taking app that requires workarounds for Bible study, while Digible is purpose-built for it.

Can I use Goodnotes as a Bible journaling app?

You can import a PDF Bible into Goodnotes and annotate it, but you'll miss features like proper verse navigation, multiple translations, streaks, and cloud-synced Bible-specific notes. Digible provides all of this natively without workarounds.

Does Digible have the same writing tools as Goodnotes?

Digible offers pen tools, highlighters, and multiple colours with full Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity — similar to Goodnotes' core writing experience. The difference is that these tools are integrated directly into a Bible app with built-in Scripture text.