10 Best Note Taking Apps In 2024

Posted on the 13 November 2024 by Jyoti92 @Jyoti_Chauhan1

Looking for the best note-taking apps to keep your ideas, tasks, and projects organized? Well, look no further!

Whether you are a student managing class notes, an entrepreneur handling meeting details, or someone who just wants to stay on top of daily tasks, this article has a suitable option for everyone.

With countless options available, each having unique benefits, it’s quite overwhelming to decide the best note-taking app. But, you don’t need to worry.

In this article, you will learn about the best note-taking apps, highlighting their features, strengths, and possible cons to help you find your best notes app.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Best Note-Taking Apps

Here is a quick overview summarizing the best note-taking apps:

AppBest ForLinksRead More

EvernoteOrganizing notes, to-do lists, and PDFsAndroid, iOSRead More

OneNoteStudents, multimedia notes, organizationAndroid, iOSRead More

NotionAdvanced note-taking, databases, templatesAndroid, iOSRead More

Google KeepQuick notes, reminders, voice memosAndroid, iOSRead More

Apple NotesiOS users, simple note-taking, sketchingiOSRead More

BearBeautiful, markdown-based notesiOSRead More

Roam ResearchNetworked thought, knowledge managementAndroid, iOSRead More

ObsidianLinking thoughts, advanced knowledge baseAndroid, iOSRead More

SimplenoteSimple, cross-platform note-takingAndroid, iOSRead More

GoodNotesHandwritten notes, PDF annotationsAndroid, iOSRead More

Let’s delve into the details!

1. Evernote

Link: Android, iOS

Evernote is one of the most popular note-taking apps which is perfect for both personal and professional use. The good part? You can use Evernote even without an active internet connection.

Beyond note-taking, Evernote also offers a Web Clipper feature using which you can save articles, screenshots, and PDFs directly from your browser. You can also use AI to edit your notes from spell-checking to re-write them completely.

Additionally, Evernote supports multimedia notes, allowing users to store images, audio recordings, and documents, and scan handwritten notes.

Key Features of Evernote

  • Multi-device syncing.
  • Web clipping.
  • Notebook and tag organization.
  • Multimedia support.
  • Optical character recognition.
  • Task management.
  • Collaboration tools.
  • Customizable templates.

Pros of Evernote

  • Highly versatile.
  • Powerful search features.
  • Extensive organizational tools.
  • Strong cross-platform support.
  • Collaboration features.
  • Customizable tags.
  • Seamless integration.

Cons of Evernote

  • Free plan is limited
  • Complexity for new users.
  • Limited rich text options.

Pricing

Here are the pricing details of various plans offered by Evernote:

  • Free with access to its core features.
  • Personal: $5.32/month
  • Professional: $6.15/month
  • Teams: $8.29/month

2. Microsoft OneNote

Link: Android, iOS

Microsoft OneNote is the best note-taking app for students, known for its highly-rich features that cater to the diverse needs of academic life. From creating and organizing lecture notes to sharing and collaborating in group projects, OneNote provides everything you need to stay organized and productive.

Furthermore, the app features an intuitive interface which makes it easy to understand even for beginners. It also seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, etc.

One of its standout features is its platform flexibility. So whether you searching for note-taking apps for Windows, Apple, Android, or the Web, you can access OneNote on almost every platform. So, whether you are typing text, drawing diagrams, or recording audio, OneNote is the ultimate tool for digital note-taking.

Key Features of OneNote

  • Notebook, section, and page organization.
  • Multi-format note-taking.
  • Cross-device syncing.
  • Real-time collaboration.
  • Handwriting and stylus support.
  • Powerful search function.
  • Integration with Microsoft Office.
  • Tags and To-do lists.

Pros of Microsoft OneNote

  • Free to use.
  • Cross-platform support.
  • Rich note-taking features.
  • Real-time collaboration.
  • Offline availability.

Cons of Microsoft OneNote

  • Limited formats for exporting notes.
  • Syncing issues.
  • Limited formatting control.

Pricing

OneNote is completely free to use with most features available for all users, while the paid Microsoft 365 plans offer additional benefits like more storage and advanced Office features. And the pricing for Microsoft 365 starts from $58.05 per year.

3. Notion

Link: Android, iOS

Notion is considered the best note-taking app for Android and iPhone as well, due to its all-in-one functionality. This app lets you create and organize notes, documents, and wikis, and collaborate with others. Also, you can get help from its AI tool to edit, draft, and translate your notes, and documents on Nation.

In addition, Notion provides a range of templates from meeting notes, and habit trackers to a vacation planner which you can customize according to your requirements.

Key Features of Notion

  • Unified workspace.
  • Customizable pages and templates.
  • Database functionality.
  • Real-time collaboration.
  • Markdown support.
  • Seamless integration.
  • Cross-platform sync.

Pros of Notion

  • Highly customizable.
  • All-in-one tool.
  • Collaborative features.
  • Free plan.

Cons of Notion

  • Offline limitations.
  • Limited calendar integration.
  • Performance issues with complex databases.

Pricing

The following are the pricing details of Notion’s plan:

  • Forever free plan with basic features.
  • Notion Plus: $12 per seat/month
  • Business: $18 per seat/month
  • Enterprise: Custom

4. Google Keep

Link: Android, iOS

Google Keep is one of the free note-taking apps designed for users who want a simple notes app. With Google Keep, you can quickly capture ideas, take notes, set reminders, maintain to-do lists, create drawings, and organize them all with labels.

To top it off, Google Keep also provides a tool for hands-free note-taking. It also supports the addition of images and photos to your digital notes.

Key Features of Google Keep

  • Voice memos with transcription.
  • Search text with photos.
  • Location-based reminders.
  • Labeling and color coding.
  • Collaborative features.
  • Widget integration on Android.
  • Sticky note interface.

Pros of Google Keep

  • Completely free.
  • Simple, user-friendly interface.
  • Real-time syncing across devices.
  • Powerful search.
  • Integration with Google services.
  • Platform flexibility.

Cons of Google Keep

  • Limited organizational structure.
  • No rich text editing.
  • No advanced project management tools.
  • No multi-page notes.
  • Offline functionality limitations.
  • Lack of customization.

Pricing

Google Keep is completely free to use with a Google account. There are no hidden fees, and all the core features, including note creation, reminders, and syncing across devices, are available at no cost.

5. Apple Notes

Link: iOS

Apple Notes is indeed the best note-taking app for iPhone and other Apple devices, offering a seamless and integrated experience across the Apple ecosystem. This app comes pre-installed on all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and others.

Moving further, Apple Notes allows you to capture ideas, create detailed notes, add checklists for your tasks, and doodle sketches for visual inspiration. You can also scan your important documents directly using this tool.

And the most important part, you can lock any particular notes on Apple Notes with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID to keep it private.

Key Features of Apple Notes

  • Cross-device syncing.
  • Rich text formatting.
  • Sketching and drawing.
  • Document scanning.
  • Note locking.
  • Voice memos.
  • Search functionality.
  • Siri integration.

Pros of Apple Notes

  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration.
  • Free and pre-installed.
  • Robust security.
  • Versatile note-taking.
  • Real-time collaboration.

Cons of Apple Notes

  • No support for Android users.
  • Basic task management features.
  • No advanced note customization.
  • No full-text search in handwritten notes.

Pricing

Apple Notes is entirely free on every Apple device. However, if you need more cloud storage than the free 5GB of iCloud storage, you can upgrade to other premium plans which range from $0.99/month for 50GB storage to $59.99/month for 12TB space.

6. Bear

Link: iOS

Bear is another simple and minimalist markdown note-taking app available exclusively for iOS and macOS users. With the Bear app, you can write and organize your thoughts, notes, and projects digitally.

Plus, it allows you to add text, photos, to-do lists, and much more, everything on the same note. Like Apple Notes, it also provides a layer of added security with a feature to unlock your notes with a password.

Bear also supports various export formats for notes including PDF, HTML, DOCX, and JPG in its Pro version.

Key Features of Bear

  • Markdown support.
  • Tagging and nested tags.
  • Cross-linking.
  • Multiple themes and customization.
  • Multiple export options.
  • Focus mode.
  • Privacy features.

Pros of Bear

  • Minimalistic design.
  • Flexible organization.
  • Great for writers and students.
  • Cross-platform syncing.
  • Password protection.

Cons of Bear

  • Exclusive to Apple ecosystem.
  • Limited free version.
  • No support for collaboration.
  • No advanced features.

Pricing

Below are the pricing details of each plan offered by the Bear app:

  • Free with limited features.
  • Bear PRO: $2.99/month with a 7-day free trial.

7. Roam Research

Link: Android, iOS

Roam Research is another best note app that you can use to create a network of interconnected thoughts and ideas to form a knowledge base.

Unlike other note-taking apps listed, Roam Research follows a completely unique and powerful approach where each note can be linked to others.

So, if you are a researcher, writer, or anyone looking for a more dynamic way to organize complex projects or your thoughts in a networking format, Roam Research got you sorted.

Key Features of Roam Research 

  • Bidirectional linking.
  • Outlining and hierarchical structure.
  • Daily notes.
  • Backlinks and references.
  • Graph view.
  • Tags and customization.
  • Markdown support.

Pros of Roam Research

  • Highly effective for knowledge management.
  • Customizable and flexible.
  • Best for research and writing.

Cons of Roam Research

  • Subscription-based model.
  • Lack of offline capabilities.
  • Limited export options.

Pricing

In the beginning, Roam Research provides a 30-day free trial, after which you need a subscription plan to continue. And here are the pricing details for its subscription.

PRO:

  • $15/month
  • $165/year

Believer

  • $500 for 5 years

8. Obsidian

Link: Android, iOS

Obsidian is yet another best notes app among students and professionals who value an interconnected, flexible, and private note-taking environment. It allows you to create links between your notes, visualize the relationships with graphs, and organize your complex thoughts on a blank canvas.

Additionally, Obsidian lets you publish your notes and wikis directly from the Obsidian app with additional features like seamless editing, theme customization, custom domains, and more.

Key Features of Obsidian

  • Local storage and privacy.
  • Bidirectional linking.
  • Graph view.
  • Markdown support.
  • Customizable plugins.
  • Themes and custom CSS.
  • Daily notes and backlinking.
  • Offline access.

Pros of Obsidian

  • Data security and privacy.
  • Powerful linking for knowledge management.
  • Rich customization options.
  • Free for personal use.
  • Markdown-based flexibility.

Cons of Obsidian

  • Not default cloud sync.
  • Complexity for casual users.

Pricing

You can try Obsidian for free with no account creation required and access limited features. However, if you’re looking to unlock more advanced options like priority support, auto-sync, early access to insider builds, etc., you can upgrade to premium plan.

  • Commercial use: $50/year
  • Sync: $4/month
  • Publish: $8/month
  • Catalyst: $25+

9. Simplenote

Link: Android, iOS

Simplenote is yet another simple, efficient note-taking app that is accessible on various platforms including Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux. This is a perfect option for those seeking a simple, clean, and not-so-complicated interface.

Here, Simple doesn’t mean fewer features. Simplenote provides all the vital tools needed for effective note-taking including real-time sync, to-do list, tags, and markdown support.

Not only this, but Simplenote also keeps a version history that will help you take a quick backup or revert to previous versions of a note.

Key Features of Simplenote

  • Simple and clean design.
  • Cloud syncing.
  • Tagging for the organization.
  • Easy sharing and collaboration.
  • Version history.
  • Markdown support.

Pros of Simplenote

  • Free and fast.
  • Cross-plattform compatibility
  • Edit and access notes offline.

Cons of Simplenote

  • Limited features as of now.
  • No drawing support.
  • No built-in reminders.

Pricing

At this time of writing, Simplenote is entirely free to use. However, you might see a premium subscription to their upcoming version of Simplenote which will cost around $10 for a year.

This premium plan will give access to advanced features like automatic backup, unlimited API usage, insider access, and more.

10. GoodNotes

Link: Android, iOS

GoodNotes is another powerful app that takes digital note-taking to a new level of creativity and organization. It is one of the best note apps for those who love the feel of handwriting but crave the organization and flexibility of digital tools.

In simple words, GoodNotes allows you to organize your handwritten or typed notes into digital notebooks and annotate PDFs. It also offers a set of diverse writing tools like pens, highlighters, shape tools, etc.

Key Features of GoodNotes   

  • Handwriting recognition.
  • Apple Pencil support.
  • PDF Annotation.
  • Digital folders and organization.
  • Sync across devices.
  • Customizable templates.
  • Searchable notes.

Pros of GoodNotes

  • Intuitive interface.
  • Responsive handwriting experience.
  • Rich annotation features.
  • Offline access.

Cons of GoodNotes

  • Paid.
  • Limited collaboration features.

Pricing

GoodNotes offers a one-time purchase model, with no recurring subscription fees and a 7-day free trial with every plan. But if you want to use it for free, you are in luck. Because GoodNotes also offers a free plan with limited features.

Here are the pricing details of the premium plans of GoodNotes:

  • GoodNotes for all platforms: $9.99/year
  • Apple One-time Payment: $29.99
  • Android and Windows: $6.99/year

To see what comes in these plans, please visit the official website.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each app listed in this article is best in its own way, offering unique features and tools to cater to different requirements and preferences. Therefore, deciding what truly works for you depends on how you plan to use the app.

If you are looking for the best note-taking app for iPhone, you can try out Apple Notes, Bear, and GoodNotes. But, if you are after something with more advanced features, apps like Notion and Evernote are great choices.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, experiment, and find your best note-taking app!

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