Hey there!
If you’re just stepping into the world of note-taking and personal knowledge management, I’m thrilled you’re here!
Is note taking apps really just for students? Absolutely not! Note-taking can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to organize their thoughts, capture ideas, and enhance their productivity, no matter their profession.
With so many note-taking apps out there, picking the right one can feel a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll break down some popular note-taking applications and highlight their unique features. This way, you can find the one that fits just right for your needs without the hassle.
Let’s dive in!
A note-taking app is like a digital notebook that you can carry in your pocket. It lets you write down your thoughts, make lists, and keep track of important information easily on your phone or computer.
You can access your notes anytime, anywhere, and some apps even let you add pictures or links, making it super handy for everything from planning your day to remembering cool ideas.
When choosing a note-taking app, it’s important to find one that feels right for you and supports your productivity goals. Here are some key features to consider:
- Platform Compatibility: Make sure the app works seamlessly across all your devices—whether you’re at work, at home, or on the go. This ensures you can access and update your notes whenever needed.
- Speed: Your note-taking app should be quick to open and use. It should keep up with your thoughts as fast as you can type them, just like jotting something down on a piece of paper.
- Reliability: Dependability is crucial. You need an app that you can trust to save and protect your notes without fail. If you’re worried about losing your information, you’ll likely revert to keeping everything in your head.
- Aesthetics: Since you’ll spend a lot of time in your note-taking app, it should be visually appealing to you. Whether it’s a simple design or customizable themes, enjoying your digital environment can make note-taking more pleasant.
Remember, the best app is one that fits into your existing workflow and makes you feel more organized and productive. It’s less about the software itself and more about how you use it to support your note-taking habits.
Saner.ai
Struggling with context switching, overwhelm, and forgetfulness? Saner.ai is the app for you. It’s a One-stop AI Note & Todo list app crafted for ADHDers. You can stay on top of your work and life with a simple-design note & to-do list app, using best-in-class AI Assistants
It offers a streamlined interface for information collection and organization, utilizing AI to automatically categorize and retrieve notes, significantly reducing the manual effort involved in organizing and finding ideas.
Pros
- Quickly capture notes and clips via the side panel without switching around.
- Get tag suggestions for your notes
- Ability to find back information based on what you remember.
- A personal AI provides relevant suggestions for what you are working on.
- Ability to use multiple AI bots (GPT4, Claude3, Gemini Pro, search Internet), alongside your notes, helps you brainstorm and write on a single screen.
- Write tasks directly in your notes and receive reminders until they are completed.
Cons
- Requires internet access: You need to have access to the internet to search through emails, which might not be possible everywhere.
Pricing
- Free
- Starter: Monthly at $7.89/month, Annually at $5.89/month
- Standard: Monthly at $15.89/month, Annually at $10.89/month
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft’s OneNote is a digital note-taking app that lets you jot down your ideas, clip parts of web pages, and sync your notes across all your devices. It’s like having a super notebook on your computer or phone that can also handle photos and drawings.
Pros
- Free version includes all features
- Great for organizing your notes just the way you like.
- You can place text, drawings, and files anywhere you want on the page.
- The web clipper is really handy for saving info from the internet.
- If you’re not using Windows, you can’t save your notes on your own computer; they have to be stored online.
- The text recognition (OCR) isn’t the best, which can be a hassle if you scan a lot of documents.
- It doesn’t let you add location tags to your notes.
Pricing
- Free version
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 (Pricing Model: Per User, Payment Frequency: Per Month)
- Microsoft 365 Apps for business $8.25 (Pricing Model: Per User, Payment Frequency: Per Month)
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard $12.5 (Pricing Model: Per User, Payment Frequency: Per Month)
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium $22 (Pricing Model: Per User, Payment Frequency: Per Month)
Apple Notes
Apple Notes is a straightforward and efficient note-taking app that comes pre-installed on all Apple devices. It’s designed to be easy to use and integrates seamlessly with other Apple products.
Pros
- User-friendly interface that’s simple to navigate.
- Works great with Apple Pencil, making it perfect for handwritten notes or drawings.
- Supports rich-text formatting so you can style your notes just the way you like.
- Offers strong security features to keep your notes private and safe.
- Lacks pre-installed templates to jumpstart your note-taking.
- Doesn’t allow you to download additional templates.
- Basic collaboration features which might not be sufficient for advanced team projects.
- Not available on Android devices, so sharing notes with non-Apple users can be tricky.
Pricing
- Free, no hidden costs.
Google keep
Google Keep is a handy note-taking app that’s perfect for jotting down your thoughts, making lists, and organizing your ideas. It’s also great for setting reminders to keep you on track.
Pros
- Optical character recognition: Turn any photo into text so that you can instantly take notes based on your images
- Available on iOS, Android, and web: Use this web application anywhere and on any device
Cons
- Lack of formatting options: Keep does not offer formatting options like italics, bold, and underlining
Pricing
- It is free and does not have a premium version
Notion
Notion.so is your go-to app for keeping everything organized and accessible, especially helpful if you like complicated database views.
Pros
- Unlimited notes: Write as much as you want without any limits
- Centralized organization: Consolidates all your necessities into one platform. Whether it’s notes, budgets, tasks, or recipes, you can create a customizable knowledge management tool that aligns with your thinking process
- Platform and device availability: Notion is available on iOS and Android for mobile, on Mac and Windows for desktop, and offers the Notion Web Clipper compatible with Chrome, Safari, and Firefox web browsers
Cons
- Mobile version is not that invested and user-friendly
Pricing
- Free Forever
- Plus: $8-$10 per user
- Business: $15-$18 per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- Notion AI: it is available on all paid plans for $8 per month
Obsidian
Obsidian is an efficient note-taking and personal knowledge management tool.
It is free for individual users and has many helpful features to make your life easier.
Pros
- Links and Graphs: Obsidian’s USP is its links and graphs effect. They help you track how your notes connect
- Collaboration: Share your work with others without giving out your private data
- Customization: Customize your work to your taste. With options to change your look, color, theme, etc, you should enjoy the creativity this app offers
Cons
- Extra pricing: You need to pay extra to use some simple and expected features, such as synching across devices
Pricing
- Free
- Commercial use: $50 per user per year
Joplin
Joplin is an open source note-taking app. Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device.
Pros
- Multimedia notes
- Save web pages as notes
- Customize the app with plugins, custom themes and multiple text editors
- Access your notes from your computer, phone or tablet
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS apps
- End-To-End Encryption (E2EE) to secure your notes
Cons
- Lacks some advanced features (handwriting recognition, mobile scanning, OCR, sketching)
Pricing
- Basic: Basic 2.40€ /month (28.69€/year)
- Pro: 4.79€ /month (57.48€ /year
- Teams: 6.69€ /month (80.28€ /year )
UpNote
UpNote is a versatile note-taking app that works across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Pros
- Cross-platform compatibility: Whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer, UpNote keeps your notes synced and accessible.
- Offline access: You can keep working on your notes even when you’re not connected to the internet, which is perfect for travel or spotty Wi-Fi areas.
- Rich text editing: UpNote allows you to jazz up your notes with different formats. You can add images, create lists, and even organize your thoughts into tables.
- Tagging and organizing: Finding specific notes is a breeze. Just tag and categorize your entries, and you’ll be able to locate them without any hassle.
- Limited collaboration features: It doesn’t support real-time collaboration, which may not be ideal for team projects but could be fine if you usually work alone.
- Limited integrations: UpNote offers few third-party integrations, which could be a drawback if your workflow relies on connecting multiple apps.
- Smaller user base: Being less known, UpNote has a smaller community, which might mean fewer resources for help and tips.
Pricing
- You can use UpNote for free however you can only create up to 50 notes.
- Upgrading to premium for $0.99 per month you unlock all features available including unlimited notes and notebooks.
Bear
Bear is a note-taking software designed to help businesses and individuals efficiently organize and secure their notes. It allows users to add sketches and export notes in various formats, making it a versatile tool for capturing ideas and information.
Pros
- Simple Organization: Bear uses hashtags to organize notes, making it easy to categorize and find your content. Sub-categories are just as straightforward to manage.
- Floating Notes: A standout feature is the ability to keep a specific note visible on top of other windows on your screen, which is incredibly useful for referencing while working on other tasks.
- User-Friendly Interface: Bear offers a clean, attractive interface that’s both fast and easy to navigate, packed with rich text editing features.
- Limited Integrations: One of the main drawbacks is Bear’s lack of integration with other tools and apps, which can be a limitation if your workflow relies on extensive app connectivity.
- Restrictive Organization: While the hashtag system is simple, Bear does not support nested folders or detailed outlines, which can be restrictive if you need more complex organizational structures.
- Frustration with Adaptation: The organizational limitations have been significant enough for some users, including myself, to consider switching to other platforms like Craft or Apple Notes that might offer more flexibility in note organization.
Pricing
- Free version
- Bear PRO: A 7 day free trial, then $2.99/month ($29.99/year)
Evernote
Evernote is a versatile tool that helps users organize notes seamlessly.
It allows dynamic note-taking with text, images, templates, and more, and supports integration with Google Calendar
Pros
- Work anywhere: Ensure crucial information is readily available with automatic note synchronization across all devices
- Everything: Boost the utility of your notes by incorporating text, images, audio, scans, PDFs, and documents
- Find things fast: Access what you need promptly using powerful and flexible search capabilities
- Unclear documentation
- Nascent AI features
Pricing
- The Personal version now costs $14.99 per month or $129.99 per year.
- Evernote’s Professional account costs $169.99 per year and brings the monthly upload limit up to 20GB.
Miro
Miro is a versatile tool that helps teams and organizations conduct meetings, workshops, and various planning activities in a dynamic way. It’s particularly useful for managing projects with digital sticky notes, making it a favorite for agile workflows.
Pros
- Real-Time Collaboration: Team members can work together simultaneously, which boosts productivity.
- Robust Security: Miro takes security seriously, offering advanced protection for your data.
- App Integrations: It connects seamlessly with popular tools like Google Suite, JIRA, Slack, and Dropbox.
- Instant Messaging: Communicate within the platform without needing to switch apps.
- Multilingual Support: Miro is accessible to users worldwide as it supports multiple languages.
- Mobile Stability Issues: The mobile version can be prone to crashing.
- Learning Curve: New users might find Miro complex at first.
- Digital Whiteboard Limitations: Some users feel it falls short in certain digital white boarding aspects.
- Slow Controls: Navigation and control can sometimes feel sluggish.
Pricing
- Free Plan: Get started without any cost.
- Team Plan: $10 per month, or save by paying $8 per month annually.
- Business Plan: $20 per month, or reduce costs to $16 per month when billed annually.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing available for larger organizations needing tailored solutions.
SimpleMind
SimpleMind is an excellent choice for individuals with ADHD who want a visual way to organize and brainstorm ideas. Mind mapping is a great tool for people with ADHD who have difficulty staying focused and organized, as it allows them to see their ideas and thoughts in a visual format.
Pros
- Visual mind mapping: SimpleMind allows you to create visual mind maps, which can be a great way to organize and brainstorm ideas.
- Customisation: The app offers a wide range of customization options, so you can make your mind maps look the way you want them to.
- Collaboration: SimpleMind enables you to collaborate with others, which can be a great way to work with others on a project or idea.
- Easy to use: The app is easy to use, even for those who are new to mind mapping.
- Available on all devices: SimpleMind is available on all devices, including desktop, mobile, and tablet, so you can access your mind maps from anywhere.
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for new users: SimpleMind has a lot of features, which can be overwhelming for new users. It may take some time to get used to the app and figure out how to use it effectively.
- Some features are only available on paid plans: Some features, such as advanced customization options and collaboration features, are only available on paid plans.
Pricing
- SimpleMind Pro is a one-time purchase per platform, with no monthly or yearly subscription fees. The price varies depending on the platform
Sticky note on the available desktop
Overall, sticky notes on the desktop can be a handy tool for quick notes and reminders, especially for those who spend a lot of time on their computers and prefer visual cues.
Pros
- Quick Access: Easily jot down reminders, tasks, or quick notes without opening a separate app.
- Organizational Aid: Helps in organizing thoughts, to-do lists, and schedules right on your desktop where they are always visible.
- Simple Interface: Typically very user-friendly, requiring minimal clicks to create, edit, and delete notes.
Cons
- Clutter: Can lead to a cluttered desktop if not managed properly.
- Limited Features: Generally lacks advanced features like reminders, tagging, or integration with other productivity tools.
- Risk of Loss: If not backed up, there’s a risk of losing notes if something happens to the computer.
Pricing
- Generally Free: Most operating systems, including Windows and macOS, come with their own version of sticky notes included at no additional cost.
- Third-Party Options: There are also third-party applications available that might offer additional features. These can range from free to various pricing models depending on the complexity and features offered
Ulysses
Ulysses is a sleek writing app exclusively for Mac, iPad, and iPhone users, perfect for anyone who prefers Apple’s ecosystem.
It’s easily downloadable from the App Store, making it accessible for anyone with an Apple device.
Pros
- Centralized Library: Ulysses keeps all your writing organized in one spot. This means no more shuffling through different files and folders, saving you a lot of time and hassle. Plus, you don’t have to worry about losing your work.
- Version History: If you change your mind about edits, Ulysses lets you revert to previous versions of your documents. This is especially handy if you decide an earlier draft was better.
- Versatile Export Options: Ulysses supports a wide range of export formats including Plain Text, Rich Text, Markdown, DOCX, PDF, HTML, and ePub. You can also publish directly to platforms like WordPress and Medium, making it easier to share your work with the world.
- Only supports English
- Limited to Apple Devices: The biggest drawback is that Ulysses is only available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. If you use other operating systems, you’ll need to find an alternative.
- No Direct Sharing: Currently, you can’t share documents directly from Ulysses; you have to use third-party services for collaboration.
Pricing
- Free Trial: Before deciding on any payment, you can use Ulysses completely free for 14 days.
- Monthly Subscription: $4.99 per month.
- Annual Subscription: $39.99 per year
- Discount for Students and Teachers: Ulysses also offers a significant discount for students and teachers on its 6-month plans, acknowledging the financial constraints often faced in academia.
Simplenote
Simplenote is a straightforward, user-friendly note-taking app that helps you jot down your thoughts and ideas quickly. It syncs your notes across all your devices, ensuring you have access to them wherever you go.
Whether you’re using an iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, or just a web browser, Simplenote has you covered.
Pros
- Completely Free: There’s no cost to use Simplenote, making it accessible to everyone.
- Cross-Platform Availability: You can use Simplenote on virtually any device.
- Supports Collaboration: You can share your notes with others and even make them public if you choose.
- Simple Organization: Tags help you keep your notes organized without complicating things.
- No Multimedia: You can’t add images or other attachments to your notes.
- Limited Organization Tools: Tags are the only way to organize your notes, which might not be enough for everyone.
- Basic Functionality: It lacks some of the advanced features that other note apps offer.
- Privacy Concerns: The privacy policy isn’t as robust as some users might prefer.
Pricing
- Simplenote is completely free to use. There are no hidden costs or premium versions, making it a budget-friendly option for everyone.
Dropbox Paper
Dropbox Paper is a free app that combines note-taking and document management, all within a collaborative workspace.
Launched in 2017 by Dropbox, a leader in cloud storage solutions, Paper has seen several updates that have refined its features and usability.
Pros
- Multimedia Integration: Easily embeds media like YouTube videos and Spotify playlists.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Shows who is editing the document in real-time, enhancing teamwork.
- User-Friendly: Simple interface with easy access to tools, making it straightforward and efficient.
- Presentation Tools: Needs better capabilities for formal presentations, including improved page transitions and aspect ratio settings.
- Text Editing: Limited text customization options; more fonts and formatting choices would be beneficial.
- Task Management: Adding task management features could significantly enhance its functionality for project tracking.
Pricing
- Paper is a free product from Dropbox.
- You can get a free individual Dropbox account for up to 3TB of space. Paid individual plans start at $11.99/mo, otherwise. While business plans start at $19.99/mo (or $199/year).
Quip
Quip is a relatively young productivity tool, created in 2012 as a collaborative note-taking app.
Pros
- Quip shines when it comes to working together on documents. You can chat right within any document or have private conversations with teammates, which is handy for quick clarifications or in-depth discussions.
- It’s particularly useful for organizing and planning, whether you’re jotting down ideas, laying out sales strategies, or mapping out project timelines on a manageable scale.
Cons
- While Quip integrates with Slack, this feature might feel redundant now that Slack has introduced its own similar tools for collaborative note-taking.
- Quip’s pricing feels steep given the limited features and integration options it offers, making it a less attractive option when you consider the bang for your buck. There’s also no permanent free version—just a trial period to test the waters.
- During our tests, we encountered several bugs that affected the user experience over multiple days.
Pricing
- Starter: $30 per month (first five users) $10 monthly per additional user
- Plus: $25 per user per month
- Advanced: $100 per user per month
Reflect
Reflect offers a solution for effective note-taking. It features instantaneous note synchronization with backlinked notes, forming a network of ideas.
Pros
- Networked notes: Form a graph of ideas using backlinked notes, creating a comprehensive intellectual network
- Integrations: Manage and summarize meeting discussions while importing events from Google Calendar and Outlook integrations
- Reflect AI: Leverage AI assistance powered by GPT-4 and Whisper from OpenAI to enhance writing, organize thoughts, and act as your intellectual partner
Cons
- AI is not customized and based on GPT4 for to answer questions about notes
Pricing
- Premium: $10 per month
Bundled Notes
This app lets you group your notes into bundles, similar to using notebooks or folders, making organization a breeze.
Pros
- Modern, intuitive design: It’s easy on the eyes and simple to navigate.
- Supports Kanban boards: Great for visualizing tasks and projects.
- Rich markdown text editor: Allows for enhanced text formatting.
Cons
- Upgrade required for syncing: You’ll need the Pro version to sync notes across devices via the web app.
- Security features in development: More robust security options are on the way but aren’t here just yet.
Pricing
- Free Version: Get started without spending a penny.
- Pro: If you need more features, it’s $1.89 per month or $18 annually, which is a pretty good deal for what you get.
Standard Notes
If you’re on the hunt for a note-taking app that prioritizes security and simplicity, Standard Notes is a choice.
Pros
- Strong security: The encryption gives you peace of mind, knowing your notes are safe.
- Always accessible: Quick and easy to use, it’s always ready when you need to jot something down.
- Great for freelancers: Sharing notes on content topics and outlines with clients is straightforward, making it a valuable tool for freelance work.
- Lacks audio notes: If you’re looking to record voice memos, this feature isn’t available yet.
- Basic web app UI: The user interface on the web could use some improvement.
- No collaboration features: You’ll need to share your account access for others to see your notes, as there’s no option for real-time collaborative editing.
Pricing
- Standard: Free version for basic use.
- Productivity: $90/year for more advanced features.
- Professional: $120/year for all features, best suited for heavy users.
FuseBase
FuseBase, previously known as Nimbus, is an online tool that help you coordinate with your team or deal with clients.
It’s packed with features that help you manage projects, gather data, and organize information efficiently.
Pros
- Easy Client Engagement: FuseBase leverages AI to create branded, personalized portals that enhance client interaction and project transparency.
- Streamlined Project Management: The platform increases productivity with tools for project tracking, workflow automation, and efficient file sharing. It also simplifies data collection with customizable forms.
- Enhanced Team Collaboration: FuseBase facilitates both internal and external collaboration through project management tools, real-time messaging, and live updates via client portals.
- Screen Recording Tools Need Improvement: The platform’s screen recorder lacks features like an undo button, which could simplify editing.
- Subscription Overlap Concern: Starting with FuseBase might not seem cost-effective if you have an existing subscription with another service like Evernote.
Pricing
- Free version
- Standard: $9/month per user
- Plus: $12 /month per user
- Premium: $30 /month per user
Goodnotes
Goodnotes, originally just for Apple devices, is now available on Android, Windows, and the web. This app lets you easily switch between typing and handwriting.
You can type out notes, sketch diagrams, or draw mind maps. Goodnotes gives you all the tools you need to take notes in your own way.
Pros
- Great handwriting recognition: The app can accurately understand your handwriting.
- Lots of templates: Whether you’re jotting down a quick note or planning a big project, there’s a template for it.
- Apple Pencil compatibility: Writing on the app feels just like using pen and paper.
- Keep notes organized: It’s easy to find and manage your notes.
- Flexible export options: You can save your notes in many different formats.
- User-friendly: The simple design makes note-taking smooth and easy.
- No audio notes: You can’t record voice memos.
- Limited text styling: You can’t customize styles within the same text box.
- No teamwork: Sharing and working with others isn’t an option.
- Occasionally slow sync: Syncing between devices can lag sometimes.
Pricing
- Limited free plan available; $9.99/year subscription or $29.99 one-time purchase from the App Store for the full version. $6.99 for Windows/Android.
Craft
Craft’s seamless interface includes features like daily notes, collaborative documents, wikis, integrations, rich link previews, AI writing assistance, comments, and reactions.
Pros
- Workflows: Connect and organize work within and across teams
- Daily Notes: Enhance daily stand-ups with calendar-connected updates, priorities, and blockers
- Structured documents: Create Cards and Pages to provide detailed context and organization for ideas
- Rich content integration: Embed code blocks, rich link previews, images, videos, and AI assistant support
- Wikis: Consolidate team knowledge, eliminating the need for repeated requests for links or information
Cons
- Not so adequate for task management: Craft is primarily designed for note-taking and offers limited options for task management
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: $5 per user
- Business: $10 per user
- Enterprise: Contact for Pricing
- Craft AI: Free to all users
Amplenote
Amplenote is a versatile tool designed for note-taking, task management, and calendar scheduling.
Best feature
- Quick Bar: Capture your inspiration, the moment it strikes
- Flexible Recurrence: Life hack built for long-term goal setters
- Vault Notes: Client-side encryption for sensitive note content
- Include Task, Notes and calendar
Amplenote limitations
- Amplenote doesn’t use standard markdown, and doesn’t support split screen on iPadOS
- The calendar only allows for “business” and “household” as calendar segments.
Pricing
- Basic: $4.99/month or $49.99/year
- Pro: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- Founder: $19.99/month or $199.99/year
Logseq
Logseq is a networked thought note-taking application with the ability to create notes, create daily notes, connect notes and visualize in a graph view, use a whiteboard to bring ideas together
Best feature
- Advanced Note-Taking: Ideal for research and project development, Logseq supports extensive note-taking and idea generation.
- Graph View: Essential for connecting and referencing notes, Logseq’s Graph View enhances personal knowledge management by visualizing links between notes, journals, and ideas.
- Flashcards: Convert notes into flashcards for effective revision, making it a useful tool for students and professionals alike.
- Whiteboards: Similar to Obsidian, Logseq offers visual note-taking on a digital canvas, allowing for the creative expression of ideas.
Logseq limitations
- Lack of premium pricing: There’s not much focus on premium pricing which might be scary for some. Being able to see how the company makes money is always helpful to see where their future lies for notes.
Pricing
- Logseq currently operates on a free model, allowing you to download and start using it without any initial cost. However, it’s worth noting that while the core app is free, there may be charges associated with certain features.
Conclusion
Digital note-taking is very personal, just like the doodles you might have made in your high school notebooks.
The best note-taking apps allow you to customize your experience to suit your style. This means that the best app for you is the one that feels the most comfortable and intuitive.
Try out a few different apps to see which one works best for you.
