Top 15 Best Evernote Alternatives You Can Use

In Short
  • 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.

ProsCons
A great place to dump your notesComplex and takes time to learn
Powerful organizational structureBloated apps with slow response
OCR supportPacked with features that most users are not going to use
Lacks productivity-focused featuresSlow sync
Document ScanningLacks productivity focused features
Handwriting recognitionThe 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 personal home page

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 tasks template

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.

ProsCons
Offers multiple collaborative featuresAbundance of features can be overwhelming
Large selection of templates to choose fromCannot 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.

Notes in OneNote

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.

OneNote page info section

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 appsSet up process can be infuriating
Features the Copilot AI for various tasksHuge 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.

Simplenote new notes page

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?

ProsCons
Clean and minimalistic interfaceDoes not support media files in notes
Includes tags for better managementLacks 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.

Google Keep notes page

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.

ProsCons
Easy to use interface and handy widgetDoes not offer other advanced or collaborative features
Seamless integration with Google servicesWeb 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.

Obsidian new vault page

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.

ProsCons
Highly customizable Requires patience and discipline to completely understand all features
Massive and dedicated community supportSync service is expensive for the price
Multiple options to draft and organize notesNo 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.

Notejoy main notes taking page

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.

ProsCons
Let’s you share libraries with others for collaborationLacks 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.

Joplin notes home page

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.

ProsCons
Open source and free to useLinks don’t work with rich text
Shares similar layout to EvernoteNo online syncing out of the box
Supports markdown and rich text formatsSyncing 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.

KeepIt Notes app preview

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.

ProsCons
Intuitive user interfaceExclusive to macOS and iOS
Well-integrated with macOSDoes not offer some advanced note-taking features
Decent set of organization toolsNo 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.

Top 15 Best Evernote Alternatives You Can Use

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.

ProsCons
Looks and feels similar to Google KeepMissing a bunch of basic note-taking features
Quick note shortcut for macOSDoes 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.

UpNote Notes page

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.

Milanote new notes page

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.

ProsCons
Visually pleasing interfaceRestricts you to 100 notes only in free version
Offers a good selection of templatesNo 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.

Bear Note page

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).

ProsCons
Simple note taking appLimited to macOS and iOS platforms
Uses markdown format as defaultSync 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.

Notes in the AppleNote app

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.

AmpleNote Calendar feature

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.

ProsCons
Integration for third-party appsAds in the free version
Features OCR for text recognitionIssues 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.

Notes preview in the Reflect Note app

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.

Tasks in Reflect Note app

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.

ProsCons
Uses tags and links instead of foldersSkips out on some basic note-taking features
Sync with calendar appsOnly 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.

Quip Notes app

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.

ProsCons
Lets you create notes and long-form contentLimited amount of customization
Support for different media types in notesUnnecessarily 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.

Which Note-Taking Apps Are Better Than Evernote?

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.

Is Evernote Premium Worth Paying For?

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.

Is Evernote Going Away?

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.

Is Evernote Better Than Apple Notes?

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.

What is Wrong with Evernote?

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.

Is Evernote Owned by Google?

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.

comment Comments 14
  • Jorge Casales says:

    I’ve been using Evernote for about ten years. While I appreciate many of its features, I’m concerned about reliability. Now and then note attachments just disappear. Not good, since I use EN to have as close to a paperless life as possible. I keep the paper copies of important documents, but I’m disappointed that I cannot rely on EN as much as I would like. I tried Bear yesterday and it’s not going to work for me. I want a data repository that is secure and reliable and contains some 11,000 notes, some of which are quite large. Perhaps Notion might be up to the task.

  • Anahita says:

    I have used Evernote for more than 10 years for my life time research. Suddenly my subscription gone and I have to upgrade & pay double for Premium Account. It is nothing for people who use US currency. But for me, it was too expensive & I’m thinking of leaving Evernote. This article helps a lot.

  • Janet Arthur says:

    I have Evernote but it is way too complex for my very limited knowledge of computers, computer language and the Evernote app and the terms it uses and how do anything in the app. I have premium for customer support only( supposedly they read premium member questions first). But I have found by the time they answer my question I have forgot what I asked and they NEVER put it into non computer talk words!!
    1.- I use Evernote for
    typing down stuff I want to keep like recipes, lists.
    2.-3 I use it to keep pictures
    2.- and I use it to download stuff from a page I am looking at on the internet that I want to keep
    I am retired and never used a
    computer for work.
    So I just want something ALOT cheaper and
    SIMPLE to use!
    What would you recommend for me?
    Also how can I transfer everything from my Evernote app to whatever you recommend. I have hundreds if not a thousand amount of stuff that I have had ever since Evernote existed( almost)???

  • Marian says:

    Which of these apps store data on your own location? I like Evernote features but I don’t like that my own data are stored on Evernotes’s cloud. I try to use Notability which si not so complex app but my data are store in my own cloud on apple.

  • James Schles says:

    Thanks for the recommendations! I used to use Evernote but I started to need more features. The thing about EN is that it never really changes and lack in some features. It’s a good software, but I need something that could work better.
    I decided to switch for task management softwares because I noticed that they could be used to take notes and also remind me of the things I need to do.
    I use Quire for this because it’s free and I can also collaborate with others.
    Pretty useful.

  • Jason Artix says:

    Would be interested if you can also do a review on Milanote…

  • Herbert Haubold says:

    Thanks a lot for the great review, it has actually reconfirmed my intention to move away from OneNote to Evernote.
    I have tested several of the apps and from my perspective, Evernote is simply unsurpassed in terms of ease and day-to-day utility. I disagree with the notion that OneNote “brings all the features that Evernote has and then some”, e.g. there is no tagging feature which I definitely need. OneNote is definitely prettier, but do not lat that lure you into thinking it is more versatile.
    Finally, a WARNING when using OneNote: It has, other than most note-taking apps, no real export function, that is, there is no way to export your data in a way that it can thereafter be imported into another note-taking app. I think this is a very unfair measure to keep users from switching. It comes with 5 GB of free storage, and once you run out of that you must use payed-for OneDrive storage. This is of course fair enough, but that it “doesn’t cost you anything” is not true.

    • Chris Elford says:

      While I’m not convinced as to which one (Evernote or OneNote) is better, I’d like to point out that:
      1. There is tagging in OneNote for Windows 10 – the built in version (Version 16001.11231.20118.0)
      2. You can import OneNote notes (Notebooks that are open in the OneNote 2016 Windows desktop version — that can be run parallel to the Windows 10 version) into Evernote directly from the Evernote (Windows desktop version) Import menu (it gives you 2 options: OneNote and Evernote). From there you can use all the Evernote export functions (which are not very robust).

  • SERGIO OLIVA says:

    I’m not sure any of the listed apps can truly substitute Evernote. I’ve been using Evernote for so many years and I’m surprised to see there is simply no competition so far.
    EN is not perfect, and not always does it work good, but no real alternative for me.

  • Damien says:

    Been using Evernote premium for many years now but I’m slowly getting bored with it. Their constant “improvements” are killing what was good with it. Simple, flawless and easy.
    Now, it’s consuming more CPU than it should on a computer, synchronizing from my cell is often hard to do like if I was uploading big data. And now, it keeps asking for a valid certificate though I accepted and imported it several times.
    I wish they returned to what Evernote was 3 or 4 years ago when it was a simple and efficient note synchronizer.

  • Glenn says:

    Do any of the apps that you have compared apart from Evernote and Onenote have a feature where a plugin from an email client can be used to transfer emails to them. eg. Evernote and Onenote have a plugin where you can transfer emails to the Note Taking apps. This can be used to organise stuff in the Note Taking app.

  • Tom Keefe says:

    I have used Evernote for over 10 years but recently had to contact support and based on that experience will never use the software again. It was truly a horrible experience.

    • A Brown says:

      Tom, What are you using instead?

  • Carl Cooper says:

    I have used Evernote for decades and am satisfied with it performance I bought it for its memory capabilities

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