Evernote Alternatives (2026): 10 Note-Taking Apps Compared

For years Evernote was the default home for meeting notes, receipts, recipes and half-finished ideas. Plenty of business owners still use it happily, and that's fair: it's mature and well known. Others have started looking around because the free version has become tighter, the app feels heavier than it used to, or they simply want their notes to live somewhere more private. If that's you, you're not short of choice.

This page lists ten note-taking apps in no particular order. I've mixed a few names you'll recognise with smaller independent apps, because some of the most thoughtful note tools are built by tiny teams who care a lot about speed, privacy and getting out of your way. I compared each app's own website, help pages and directory listings, plus what users report, so you can shortlist quickly. If you're torn between two of the bigger knowledge apps, my comparison of Notion vs Obsidian goes into that choice in more depth.

Evernote alternatives at a glance

The free plan column shows what each app's own site says today. A free plan usually comes with limits on storage, devices or features, so check the current terms before you move years of notes across.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Bear	Markdown notes app	Tidy writing and tagging on Apple devices	Yes
Capacities	Connected notes	Linking people, projects and ideas as objects	Yes
Google Keep	Quick notes app	Sticky-note style lists, reminders and voice notes	Yes
Joplin	Open-source notebooks	Notebook-style notes with import and encrypted sync	Yes
Microsoft OneNote	Digital notebook	Free-form pages, sections and handwritten notes	Yes
Notesnook	Private notes app	Encrypted notes across unlimited devices	Yes
Obsidian	Local-first notes	Plain files on your own device, extended by plugins	Yes
Simplenote	Plain text notes	Fast, simple notes synced everywhere	Yes
Standard Notes	Encrypted notes app	Long-term, encrypted storage for sensitive notes	Yes
UpNote	Notes and notebooks	Clean notebooks with a simple import route	Yes

Ten note-taking apps worth a look

Each entry below is a short pointer to who the app suits. They're in alphabetical order, not a ranking.

Bear

Best for: Mac, iPhone and iPad users who want a clean Markdown writing space with tags instead of folders.

Capacities

Best for: Consultants and founders who think in connections and want notes about clients, meetings and ideas to link together.

Google Keep

Best for: Busy owners who mainly capture quick lists, reminders and snippets on the phone and already live in a Google account.

Joplin

Best for: People who want familiar notebooks, an import route and the choice of where their notes sync.

Microsoft OneNote

Best for: Teams already on Microsoft tools who like free-form pages, sections and notebooks they can share.

Notesnook

Best for: Privacy-minded freelancers and small firms who want encrypted notes on every device without a fuss.

Obsidian

Best for: Owners who want notes kept as files on their own machine and like shaping the app with plugins.

Simplenote

Best for: Anyone who wants fast, plain notes that sync everywhere and nothing more complicated than that.

Standard Notes

Best for: Businesses handling sensitive client details who want encryption first and a calm, simple editor.

UpNote

Best for: Solo founders who want a clean notebook app with a direct import and a gentle learning curve.

How to pick a note-taking app for your business

The right notes app is the one you'll open without thinking. Before you get distracted by clever features, run through these points.

• Capture speed: how quickly can you jot something down on your phone between appointments? If it takes more than a couple of taps, you'll stop using it.
• Search: can you find a note from months ago by typing a client's name or a phrase you half remember? Good search matters more than perfect folders.
• Structure: some apps use notebooks and folders, some use tags, and some link notes together. Pick the one that matches how your brain files things.
• Devices: check it works well on every device you use, including the web if you're often on a borrowed laptop.
• Privacy and encryption: if you store client details, contracts or login details, look for end-to-end encryption and a clear privacy policy.
• Attachments: if you clip web pages, scan receipts or store PDFs, make sure the app handles files, not just text.
• Sharing: decide whether you need to share notes with a team, a virtual assistant or clients, or whether this is your private space.
• Export: you should be able to take your notes with you in a common format, so you're never stuck again.

Moving your notes to a new app without losing anything

Switching is the part people dread, but it's usually less painful than expected if you plan it.

1. Tidy first. Delete obvious junk and merge duplicate notebooks before you export. There's no point carrying clutter into a fresh app.
2. Export notebook by notebook. Your current app should let you export notes to a file, and several apps on this list can read that file directly. Smaller batches make it easier to spot problems.
3. Import a test notebook. Bring one notebook across and check formatting, images, attachments, tags and dates before you move everything.
4. Check your web clips and scanned documents. These are the notes most likely to look different after a move.
5. Run both apps side by side for a couple of weeks. Keep the old account untouched while you build the new habit.
6. Rebuild shortcuts and templates. Recreate your meeting note template, your daily log or your client checklist in the new app so it feels like home.

Which kind of notes app suits which kind of business

• Solo consultants and coaches: a clean app with fast capture and strong search is usually enough. You want to pull up a client's history in seconds before a call.
• Small teams: look for shared notebooks, comments and clear permissions, ideally inside tools your team already uses every day.
• Businesses with sensitive information: put encryption and privacy ahead of extra features. Accountants, therapists, recruiters and lawyers often fall into this group.
• Writers and content creators: a Markdown-friendly app with tags and distraction-free writing makes drafting blog posts and newsletters easier.
• Planners and researchers: a linked notes app helps you connect ideas, sources and projects, though it takes a little longer to set up.
• People who mainly write lists: a simple quick-notes app on your phone may be all you need, and that's fine.

If many of your notes come from calls, it's also worth reading my guide to an AI meeting assistant that saves time on note-taking, because even a lovely notes app won't help if you're still typing up meetings by hand.

Why a small, independent notes app can be a smart move

Smaller note-taking apps are often built by people who were frustrated with the big names and wanted something faster, simpler or more private. They tend to listen closely to their users and ship changes quickly. The trade-off is that a tiny team can change direction or slow down, so it's sensible to check a few things first: that the app is still being updated, that it has an active community or support channel, that you can export everything in a standard format, and that its sync is something you're comfortable relying on. Open-source apps add an extra safety net, because the code stays available even if the original team moves on.

Common mistakes when switching note-taking apps

• Choosing an app for its looks and finding later that search or mobile capture is weak.
• Importing everything at once and never checking whether attachments came across.
• Rebuilding the exact same messy folder structure you were trying to escape.
• Ignoring encryption until you realise you've been storing client details in plain text.
• Splitting notes across three apps because you never fully committed to one.
• Forgetting about the browser clipper and email-to-notes habits you relied on, then wondering why the new app feels slower.

Do you make a note-taking app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Final checks before you settle on a new notes app

Shortlist two apps that match how you work. Import one real notebook into each, capture a week of real day-to-day notes on your phone and laptop, and try finding three old notes by search. Whichever one you reach for without thinking is your answer. Then export a test file from it, just to be sure you'll never feel locked in again.

Frequently asked questions

Why are people looking for Evernote alternatives?

Common reasons are tighter limits on the free version, wanting a lighter and faster app, wanting stronger privacy or encryption, and wanting notes stored in an open format they control.

Can I move my old notes into a new app?

Usually, yes. Most notes apps can export to a file, and several note-taking apps can import that file, including formatting and attachments. Move one notebook first and check it before you move the rest.

Is a free notes app good enough for a small business?

Often, yes. Many notes apps have a free plan that covers one person well. Check the limits on devices, storage, attachments and sharing against how you work before you rely on it.

Do I need an encrypted notes app?

If you store client details, contracts, health information or anything confidential, end-to-end encryption is worth having. For shopping lists and blog ideas, it matters less.

Should my team share one notes app?

If you share meeting notes, processes or client information, one shared app saves a lot of hunting around. Agree a simple structure and naming habit from day one.