- Evernote's increasing pricing and overabundance of features have pushed its users to look for similar alternatives.
- Apps like Joplin, UpNote, KeepIt, and NoteJoy share similar to Evernote making it easy to switch and get started.
- You can also use apps like Reflect Note, Milanote, or Obsidian if you want to do more than just take notes.
Evernote is one of the oldest and most feature-packed note-taking software. It lets you create text notes, and voice notes, and use Evernote’s Web Clipper tool to directly save entire articles in your notes. However, all these features have made the app very clunky and complex. Add that to the fact that the paid version of the app costs a hefty $7.99/month, no one can blame you for looking at alternatives. Well, if that’s the case, here are the 15 best Evernote alternatives that you can use in 2024.
Best Evernote Alternatives in 2024
Before we get started, let us discuss Evernote’s pros and cons. It will help you decide whether switching from Evernote is the right decision for you or not. Let us look at some of Evernote’s pros and cons.
Pros Cons A great place to dump your notes Complex and takes time to learn Powerful organizational structure Bloated apps with slow response OCR support Packed with features that most users are not going to use Lacks productivity-focused features Slow sync Document Scanning Lacks productivity focused features Handwriting recognition The premium plan starts at $7.99/month No syncing across platforms
Now that you know the pros and cons of the ever-so-popular notes app, you can decide whether it is for you or not. With all that said, let’s get to our list of best Evernote alternatives.
1. Notion
Starting the list, we have Notion. This is an app that we at Beebom use daily for taking down notes, writing scripts, jotting down topic ideas and layouts, or task progression and management. As you might have already guessed by now, Notion is much more than just a note-taking app. It offers a collaborative workspace whether you have a small team or a large office.
Despite having all these options, Notion remains relatively easy to use. It allows users to use only those features that they need without overcrowding the user interface.
Notion also offers hundreds of templates to choose from. So you don’t have to go through the hassle of creating one for yourself. Plus the Notion community shares their own created templates so there is always something new to discover. The app also added AI features for summarizing ideas, pitching them or generating pointers for them.
Notion also comes with a web-clipper which allows you to easily save webpages offline just like on Evernote. It also supports instant import from Evernote making the switch from Evernote that much easier. In my opinion, Notion is one of the best Evernote alternatives on the market and you should check it out.
Pros Cons Offers multiple collaborative features Abundance of features can be overwhelming Large selection of templates to choose from Cannot track real-time progress Supports instant import from Evernote User-friendly interface
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Web
Price: Free, $4/month for individual users, $8/month/user for teams
2. OneNote
For anyone who is looking for a note-taking app that is as powerful as Evernote but doesn’t cost you anything, OneNote is the one for you. Coming from Microsoft, OneNote brings all the features that Evernote has and then some. The app allows you to save text notes, voice notes, pictures, and more.
It even has its web clipping tool just like Evernote. However, what makes OneNote one of the best Evernote alternatives is the fact that the service is available cross-platform. Moreover, Microsoft has also integrated its AI-powered service called Copilot into the app as well. It helps you to summarize, edit, or understand notes. But it is currently available with the Microsoft 365 plan.
That said, Just like OneNote brings Evernote’s power, it also comes with all Evernote’s drawbacks. So, expect a complex note-taking app with large set-up files and a learning curve attached to it. Still, the fact that it’s completely free makes it a dream alternative for anyone who is looking to replace Evernote with a similarly powerful yet free alternative.
Pros Cons Integration with other Microsoft Office apps Set up process can be infuriating Features the Copilot AI for various tasks Huge learning curve Available on all popular platforms Great organizing and web clipper tools
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web, Apple Watch, Android Wear, Chromebook
Price: Free
3. Simplenote
If you are looking for a simple note-taking app that offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate UI, Simplenote is the one for you. It is one of the best note-taking apps which not only offers a no-nonsense interface but also brings most of the basic features that you might require from a note-taking app. You can easily create text notes, reminders, to-do lists, and more.
All your notes are synced across devices allowing you to take notes anywhere. It also lets you add tags to your notes for better organization. If that is not all, it backs up your data frequently so you can go back and check the changes you have made. That said, the best part about Simplenote is its modern and minimalistic UI which makes using the app a joy. Also, the app is very light and doesn’t take more than a few MBs of space on your device.
Simplenote has a dark mode too which in my opinion looks beautiful. I do miss the ability to keep pictures inside my notes, but other than that, I don’t have any problem with this app. Also, did I tell you that it’s completely free?
Pros Cons Clean and minimalistic interface Does not support media files in notes Includes tags for better management Lacks any advanced features Completely free to use Backs up and syncs data across platforms
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux(.deb), Linux(.tar.gz), Android, iOS
Price: Free
4. Google Keep
Agree or not but Google Keep has to be one of the best casual note-taking apps out there. That is all thanks to the fact that it is easy to use, comes pre-installed on all Android devices, and is integrated with other Google services and apps. It’s not a coincidence that it happens to be my most favorite and frequently used note-taking app on this list.
I love how Google Keep displays all my notes in the form of simple cards which not only makes the notes look beautiful but also makes it easy to scan through them at a glance. I also love the ability to color code my notes which makes it easier to find the one I am looking for.
My favorite feature of Google Keep is that it makes it easy to set reminders, create lists, and more. The app also has a web companion which works exactly like Evernote’s web clipper. Like other Google apps, it has also recently received support for Google’s Gemini generative AI to provide suggestions and help create lists.
Another feature that makes it stand out is that it frequently receives updates to keep up with Google’s design aesthetics. The widget for the app also gets the same treatment and makes it so simple to take notes on a whim. Other features include the ability to share notes, add pictures, take hand-written notes, and more.
Pros Cons Easy to use interface and handy widget Does not offer other advanced or collaborative features Seamless integration with Google services Web clipper only stores the URL of the article Easy to create list, notes and reminders Added support for Google’s Gemini AI chatbot
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Chrome, Web
Price: Free
5. Obsidian
Obsidian is an app that has a high bar of entry but once you get into it, then you won’t want to switch over to any other app. It’s not just a note-taking app, but so much more similar to Notion. It lets you write down notes in Markdown format which is a basic formatting method.
Talking about Obsidian, this app comes with a lot of features. These include tabs, a sidebar menu, sub-folders to notes that you can link with other notes, and a command palette for all the coders out there. It also has a daily note option that can be used to create journals. Canvas view is also a highlight as it lets you create a flow chart, pin board, and more.
I have not even scratched the surface of what other features are available on the platform. But one thing I must highlight is that it’s driven by community. They offer a variety of plugins and templates that unlock further functionality. The only reason it is not higher on the list is because not everyone would be willing to invest time to learn all that Obsidian has to offer.
Pros Cons Highly customizable Requires patience and discipline to completely understand all features Massive and dedicated community support Sync service is expensive for the price Multiple options to draft and organize notes No collaborative tools Free to use for personal usage
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
Price: Free, $5/ month for single user, $10/ month for site use
6. Notejoy
While Evernote has a note-sharing feature, it is not as robust as many other options out there. If your main problem with Evernote is that it doesn’t efficiently allow you to share notes with your team members then you should try out Noetjoy. Notejoy is an incredible note-taking application that takes note-sharing to the next level.
In the app, all your notes are arranged in libraries. You have a personal library where you can save all your private notes. Then there are shared libraries which contain notes you have shared with other users.
Once you share a library with someone, all the notes saved in the library are automatically shared with them. Then you can collaborate with other users on that note. Notejoy even brings a real-time chat feature that you can use while taking notes.
Other features of the app include pinned notes, image gallery support, support for any kind of document including word, PDFs, Google Docs, and more, markdown support, tags, and more. All these features make Notejoy great for people who like to work in shared spaces. If Evernote was unable to meet your note-sharing needs, you should give Notejoy a chance.
Pros Cons Let’s you share libraries with others for collaboration Lacks some crucial formatting options Real-time chat feature Supports multiple file formats and image galleries Easy to grasp interface
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Web
Price: Free, $4/month for individual users, $8-$12/month/user for teams
7. Joplin
Joplin is kind of like the stripped-down version of Evernote. This is an open-source app that offers an experience similar to Evernote so you don’t have to change your note-taking habit entirely just because want to switch to another app. You can even import your notes from Evernote to Joplin and continue working on the things you left off.
It supports markdown format but you can switch to rich text whenever you want to. However, links don’t work properly with rich text. The files are stored locally on your machine in a folder structure. Joplin does not have any collaboration tools, and to sync its data, you can either upload your notes to another service like Google Drive, or OneDrive or buy their paid subscription. This gives you access to Joplin Cloud storage for storing and syncing files and notebooks.
While Joplin has a limited set of features, you can add to them with a variety of plugins and extensions at your disposal. You can even customize its appearance if you want to or create a plugin of your own if you want to. And if you ever run into any issues then its community should help you resolve it at any time.
Pros Cons Open source and free to use Links don’t work with rich text Shares similar layout to Evernote No online syncing out of the box Supports markdown and rich text formats Syncing feature is paid Has good community support
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
Price: Free
8. Keep It
If you are a Mac user, Keep It can serve as a good Evernote Alternative option for you. Keep It is from the guys who previously created Together 3 which was one of the most famous note-taking apps on the Mac. Their new product brings a better and more organized user interface which not only looks good but is also very intuitive.
You can create notes, organize them using notebooks, tags, bundles, and bookmarks, save web articles, and more. Probably the biggest feature of Keep It is that it is optimized for macOS which means you can perform native functions such as searching for notes using Spotlight, back up with Time Machine, open notes in any app, and more.
Pros Cons Intuitive user interface Exclusive to macOS and iOS Well-integrated with macOS Does not offer some advanced note-taking features Decent set of organization tools No free version available Simple and easy to use
Supported Platforms: macOS, iOS
Price: $49.99
9. Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook is one of the coolest-looking note-taking apps on this list. The app lets you easily create Notebooks that look like a real notebook. Inside, you can create text notes, voice notes, add pictures, and more.
It also has a web clipping tool that lets you save articles from the web. One of the best features of Zoho is how easy it makes writing and editing your notes by giving all the controls right at your fingertips.
I also love the quick note feature of Zoho Notebook which is available for macOS. The app creates a menu bar app, clicking on which, you can record a quick note without opening the app.
It also supports the multi-window editing feature on iPad. The app also supports Google Keep like color coding of your notes, making it easier to find the notes you are looking for. Zoho Notebook is one of the most fully featured note-taking apps you can use. The fact that it also looks good helps.
Pros Cons Looks and feels similar to Google Keep Missing a bunch of basic note-taking features Quick note shortcut for macOS Does not work offline Lets you create voice and text notes Supports multi window editing on iPad
Supported Platform: macOS, Android, iOS, and Web
Price: Free
10. UpNote
This is yet another clean and attractive alternative to Evernote similar to Joplin that we saw before in this list. Upnote features a familiar layout with the Notebooks at the left, the files and notes within it in the center, and the main content taking up the most space on the right. If you are switching from Evernote then you should not feel much friction adjusting to UpNote.
It features a web clipper and lets you create checklists and export different formats from Evernote, and also allows you to lock your notes as well. However, even with such interesting features, the biggest limitation with UpNote is the fact that you can create only 50 notes in the free version.
To create more notes, which is a given, you would have to upgrade to the Pro plan. This will also unlock other features like the ability to add attachments of up to 20 MB, create tables, customize the UI, and support more formats to export.
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
Price: Free, $0.99/ month, or $29.99 for a lifetime subscription
11. Milanote
Some people are visual thinkers, and they need a different note-taking experience. For them, I suggest Milanote. Milanote is kind of an endless whiteboard where you can add notes, columns, photos, links, and more. You can create multiple boards and even nest boards inside other boards. The app is really good and responsive, and I love the clean look and feel of it. I find it perfect for doing creative work like storyboarding and planning a novel. But you can also use it for things like managing tasks and even entire teams.
The app comes with a limited but excellent selection of templates. You can find templates for different fields including, product design, novel writing, digital marketing, mood boarding, and game design, among others. The app is available for free, but the limit of 100 notes is quite restrictive. You will surpass it within days. If you want to use it, you will have to buy the premium version.
Pros Cons Visually pleasing interface Restricts you to 100 notes only in free version Offers a good selection of templates No offline mode Features collaborative tools Supports various media files
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Web
Pricing: Free, $9.99/month
12. Bear
Bear is another great note-taking app for people who don’t like to confine their notes inside a folder. Instead of using folders, Bear uses tags. And since a note can have multiple tags, it can exist in multiple locations. Bear also allows you to link notes to other notes, thereby allowing you to create wiki-style notes.
I also love that Bear uses markdown instead of a rich-text format similar to Joplin and Obsidian. You might be wondering why markdown is such a highlight in these note-taking apps and the answer is that it is a simple language that allows you to write in plain text. This makes it easier to export your notes into different formats including rich-text, PDF, and more.
If you want a simple note-taking app without the bells and whistles that come with an app like Evernote, Bear is the right app for you. One thing to mind here is that Bear is only available for Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac).
Pros Cons Simple note taking app Limited to macOS and iOS platforms Uses markdown format as default Sync feature requires a paid subscription Uses tags and links instead of folders Easy to import and export notes
Supported Platforms: macOS, iOS, and iPadOS
Price: Free with restriction, $1.49/month
13. AmpleNote
AmpleNote is for those with requirements far exceeding the boundaries of a note-taking app. This app features several tools to help you write down notes, set reminders, and collaborate with others on a project. It uses tags instead of folders just like some other options in this list. This makes it easy to search and filter down the exact note that you are looking for.
It also has an OCR tool built in which lets you scan text on paper or a card when you are in a rush. The app also has community support so you can customize it to your preference using various plugins. If you need any help, then you can contact support on their Discord forum which is checked regularly for any complaints or issues.
It also works well with apps like Google Calendar, Slack, and Dropbox. However, the free version limits customization and features ads that can go away by upgrading to the paid subscription. Overall it is a good multi-feature app sure to keep up with your productivity needs.
Pros Cons Integration for third-party apps Ads in the free version Features OCR for text recognition Issues can take a while to get addressed Offers productivity features Support for plugins and keyboard shortcuts
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
Price: Free, $5.84/ month for Pro, $10/ month for unlimited, and $20/ month for Founder Membership
14. Reflect Notes
This app is different from EverNote as it uses links and tags to create connections between notes somewhat like objectives. It also has integration for calendar apps that you can use to import your tasks and events and link them up with your notes allowing you to stay more productive without having to juggle between different apps.
This is a great note-taking and task-management app for those who wish to expand their domain outside of Evernote. Reflect Note offers a clean, simple, and easy-to-use workflow to get you started without having you to struggle understand its different set of features.
It’s a popular choice among people looking for personal knowledge management apps and if you often create notes to create reminders or tasks then you should try out this app. They have also recently added AI functionality powered by GPT-4 to better organize your notes.
Pros Cons Uses tags and links instead of folders Skips out on some basic note-taking features Sync with calendar apps Only offers a 14-day free trial Clean and minimal interface Great for personal management
Supported Platforms: Web, macOS, Chrome, Safari and iOS
Price: 14-day free trial, $10/ month afterward
15. Quip
Unlike Evernote, Quip is a fully-featured documents manager app that you can use to create notes, write long-form content, and collaborate with team members. In Quip, you can create a Word document, but also sheets, and presentations.
The best thing about Quip is that you can use all these things inside a single document. That means you can have written words, tables, pictures, videos, and more, inside a single document. That means you don’t have to adapt to Quip, it adapts to your needs.
The collaboration features on Quip are second to none. You can share documents with team members, add comments, send inline replies, check document history, and more. If you are looking for an Evernote alternative for your team, you should give Quip a chance.
Pros Cons Lets you create notes and long-form content Limited amount of customization Support for different media types in notes Unnecessarily long setup process Great set of collaboration features Available on major platforms
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Web
Price: Free, $10/user/month
That ends our list of the best note-taking alternative apps to Evernote that you can use. All the apps mentioned here are genuinely good and should become your new favorite depending on your preferences. Do check them out and let us know which one catches your fancy.
Also, if you are already using a good note-taking app that you think is a worthy Evernote alternative, share it with us by dropping its name down in the comments section below. Also, tell us which one of the apps caught your eye from the list as well.
No one note-taking app can be the best. It depends on your requirements and your note-taking skills. For some, Evernote is the best option, for others, it might be Notion, or One Note. So, yes, Evernote is not the best note-taking app and I have given you ample options to choose from.
If it works for you then absolutely yes. You have to realize these are all tools that you can use to get work done. If Evernote can help you in that direction, it’s worth paying for. If not, look for other options on this list.
Evernote had a rocky patch for a few years now, but it now seems to be in the right hands. And I am confident the app is here to stay. But if you are still not sure, we have mentioned all the best options that you can use as Evernote alternatives.
If you consider features and cross-platform availability, then yes, Evernote is better than Apple Notes. Then again Apple Notes is clutter-free and easy-to-use, and can easily meet the demands of most users.
There is nothing inherently wrong with Evernote. It’s just that many people find Evernote to be too complex and think it has become bloated with nonessential features. But it still has a huge core user base who loves it to death and won’t switch to anything else. The question you should ask is whether Evernote is right for you or not.
No. Evernote is an independent, privately held company headquartered in Redwood City, California. It only uses Google Cloud Services for hosting your data. Most of the companies you have heard of are using Google, Amazon, or Microsoft as their cloud service provider.