Best Evernote Alternatives 2023 (Top 10 Similar Competitors)
Quick Summary:
Explore the best Evernote alternatives in our expert guide, featuring a selection of simple, user-friendly apps tailored for your note-taking needs. We delve into the unique features and benefits of each, ensuring you find an app that aligns perfectly with your style for an effortless upgrade to your note-keeping experience.
Are you in search of the best Evernote alternatives that can match the features of this beloved app? Well, look no further because we've got you covered!
In this post, we'll explore the top 10 Evernote competitors that can potentially replace Evernote and take your productivity to the next level.
So, get ready to bid adieu to Evernote and say hello to these powerful alternatives!
Top 10 Evernote Competitors with Similar Products
Here are the apps like Evernote that we think are the best Evernote alternatives. Although they are all fairly similar, some Evernote competitors will be better suited to your circumstances than others so read more about the Evernote competition below.
Product/service | Best for | Pricing | Website |
Evernote | Baseline tool | Free plan; $8/month | |
Microsoft OneNote | Best overall | Free plan; $1.99/month | |
Google Keep | Best free alternative | Free | |
Bear | Most similar | Free plan; $1.49/month | |
SimpleNote | Simpler alternative | Free | |
ZohoNotebook | Cheaper substitute | Free plan; $1.66/month | |
Apple Notes | Mac and iPhone users | Free | |
Dropbox Paper | Real-time collaboration | Free | |
NoteJoy | Android users | Free plan; $4/month | |
Joplin | Best open-source option | Free plan; $2/month | |
Laverna | Best alternative for Linux | Free |
In the next section, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best alternatives to Evernote. We’ll be highlighting their best features and discussing their pricing plans.
Here’s Our Full List of the Best Evernote Alternatives 2023:
It’s time to go over the details of some of the best Evernote alternatives like OneNote, Bear, and Apple Notes. We’ll examine which note-taking app offers the most similar features to Evernote, which one is the best free option, and ultimately, which one stands out as the best overall alternative. So, let's get started with our top 10 list!
To gain a better understanding of the best Evernote alternatives, we recommend reading our detailed Evernote review. This will provide a helpful perspective as we compare and contrast the various programs like Evernote so that you make a more informed decision about which alternative is the best fit for your needs.
Here are 10 good alternatives to Evernote:
1. Microsoft OneNote (Best Evernote Alternative Overall)
Why We Chose It:
If you’ve been wondering, “what is better than Evernote?” Microsoft OneNote is certainly worth considering. With its diverse range of features and flexible note-taking capabilities, OneNote provides an excellent alternative that can easily rival Evernote's functionality. We voted it as the best alternative to Evernote for its range of features, great ease of use, and generous free version.
In short, OneNote is an excellent note taking software that boasts a wide range of features that allow you to create notes in a variety of formats, including text, images, and video. You can even record audio notes and draw and annotate your notes using a stylus or your finger.
OneNote is also an ideal choice for team projects and group work, with real-time collaboration and note-sharing capabilities. The app offers a variety of templates for task management, including to-do lists, agendas, and project plans.
With seamless integration with other Microsoft Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, OneNote makes it easy to insert and edit files from those apps within your notes. And if you're worried about missing an important deadline, OneNote has got you covered with handy reminder features.
Your notes will sync to the cloud through OneDrive. There’s a neat web clipper functionality to quickly capture web pages to OneNote, where you can easily edit, annotate, or share them.
If you want to learn how OneNote competes against Evernote in different areas, hop over to our detailed Evernote vs OneNote comparison.
Microsoft OneNote is best for:
Microsoft 365 users
Individuals and students
Team projects and group work
Features
Web clipper
Templates
Text search
Recording
Password protection
Translation
Custom tags
Sticky notes
Version history
Collaboration
Support for handwritten math equations
Pricing
Free for up to 5GB of notes
$1.99/month for 100GB
Visit site
Go to Microsoft OneNote’s official website
2. Google Keep (Best Free Evernote Alternative)
Why We Chose It:
For those seeking simplicity and ease of use in a note-taking app, Google Keep is an excellent choice. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features make it ideal for anyone looking to stay organized and on top of their tasks with minimal effort.
Google Keep is one of the best free Evernote alternatives, as it’s completely free to use. You can use its full suite of features by paying $0 per month. What’s more, it supports an unlimited number of notes, each with a large character limit. With Google Keep, you can compile all your ideas, shopping lists, and reminders into a single, accessible platform. The app seamlessly syncs your data across multiple platforms, ensuring that you can easily access your notes whenever and wherever you need them.
Other features include setting reminders and alarms, voice recordings, OCR, color-coding your notes for easy identification, and more. Additionally, the app allows you to collaborate with others in real-time, making it perfect for group projects or sharing shopping lists with family members. The app supports handwritten notes, voice memos, and audio notes.
Google Keep seamlessly integrates with other Google apps like Google Calendar, Google Docs, and Gmail, allowing you to easily create to-do lists, set reminders, and access your notes from anywhere. Your Keep notes will sync to the cloud through Google Drive.
Google Keep is best for:
Google users
Users that need a free and lightweight option
Individual use
Features
Location-based and time-based reminders
Sharing and collaboration options
Powerful search function
Multi-device sync
OCR
Voice recordings
Mobile apps for Android and iOS
Tagging
Emails notes
File attachments
Web clipper
Pricing
Free to use
Visit site
Go to Google Keep’s official website
3. Bear (Most Similar to Evernote)
Why We Chose It:
Bear is a popular note-taking app that offers a range of features to help you stay organized and productive. Its intuitive interface and customizable note-taking experience make it a popular choice among individuals, writers, and teams.
One of Bear's best features is its support for multiple levels of organization so that you can sort and categorize notes in a variety of ways. The app also offers a range of formatting options, including text styling, inline images, and even code blocks, making it an excellent tool for writers and coders.
Additionally, Bear offers a powerful search function that makes it easy to find the information you need quickly. The app also supports tagging, which allows users to further categorize their notes and make them easily searchable.
In many ways, Bear is an app similar to Evernote, as both systems offer a range of features to help users stay organized and productive. However, Bear's focus on customization and a streamlined note-taking experience sets it apart and makes it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more minimalist approach to note-taking.
Bear offers paid plans that come with additional features such as syncing notes across devices, unlocking advanced export options, and access to additional themes and typography options.
Bear is best for:
Personal use
Writers
Teams
Users that need a minimalistic Evernote substitute
Features
Tags
Attachments
Focus mode
Dark mode
Hashtags
Annotate PDFs, DOCX, HTML and TXT notes
Themes and typography
Encryption options
Multiple export options
Smart data recognition
Multi-device sync
Advanced Markup Editor
Cross-note links
Pricing
Free plan
$1.49/month
$14.99/year
Visit site
Go to Bear’s official website
4. SimpleNote (Good Evernote Alternative if You Need a Simpler App)
Why We Chose It:
Simplenote is a free, lightweight note-taking tool that offers a simple and streamlined note-taking experience. Its minimalistic design and straightforward functionality make it a good Evernote alternative for those who prefer a more lightweight option than Evernote.
With SimpleNote, you’ll be able to quickly create, edit, and organize notes with ease. The app also offers real-time syncing across all devices so that your notes are always up to date, no matter where you are.
Another standout feature of Simplenote is its support for Markdown, a lightweight markup language that allows you to format your notes quickly and easily. Additionally, the app has a tag and search functionality, which makes it incredibly easy to find the information you need.
Overall, Simplenote is a great choice for those of you who prioritize simplicity and minimalism in your note-taking experience. While it may not offer the same range of features as Evernote, its lightweight design and ease of use make it an excellent alternative if you don’t need the extra bells and whistles.
SimpleNote is best for:
Users that need a free and simpler option
Personal use
Freelance writers and authors
Features
Mobile and desktop apps
Tagging
Markdown support
Syncing and sharing
Note version history
Collaboration
Pricing
Free to use
Visit site
Go to SimpleNote’s official website
5. Zoho Notebook (Cheaper Alternative to Evernote if You’re on a Budget)
Why We Chose It:
Zoho Notebook is a powerful Evernote equivalent that offers a range of features to help you stay organized and productive. Its sleek and modern interface, along with its customizable note-taking experience, make it a popular choice for individuals and teams alike.
One of Zoho Notebook's best features is its ability to organize notes into different notebooks, which makes it easier to categorize and find notes quickly. Notecards can have text, to-do lists, audio recordings, photos, sketches, and files.
The wide range of formatting options, including text styling, checklists, and bullet points, make it an excellent tool for note-taking, to-do lists, and task management. The app also offers real-time syncing across devices so that your notes are always up to date.
Zoho Notebook is a cheap alternative to Evernote as its paid plan starts at only $1.99 per month, compared to Evernote’s $8 per month. The yearly plan is available for $19.99 per year, which is equivalent to $1.66 per month. For even more significant savings, the three-year plan is available for just $49.99, which works out to only $1.39 per month.
Zoho Notebook is best for:
Personal use
Team use
Users that need a budget-friendly option
Features
Recurring reminders
Scanning documents
Tagging
Co-working in notecards
Email to notecard conversion
Smart search
Annotate PDF
Note history
Collaboration
Note templates
Encryption and locking
Web clipper
Export data
Pricing
Notebook Essential, $0/month
Notebook Pro, $1.66/month, billed annually
Visit site
Go to Zoho Notebook’s official website
6. Apple Notes (Evernote Alternative for macOS and iOS)
Why We Chose It:
Apple Notes is a default note-taking application that comes pre-installed on all Apple devices, including iOS, iPad, and macOS. One of the app's standout features is its seamless integration with other Apple apps, such as Siri, which allows you to create notes using voice commands, and the Photos app that makes it easy to add photos to your notes.
Apple Notes also offers a range of note-taking features, including the ability to create checklists, add attachments, and embed web links. The app's organizational capabilities are also noteworthy, with the option to create folders and subfolders and add tags to notes for easy searching. Sharing notes with others is easy, which makes it an ideal choice for group projects and collaboration between team members.
Additionally, Apple Notes provides a range of formatting options, like the ability to add multimedia, including images, sketches, and handwriting to notes. Users can also add tables and create interactive checklists. The best part is that Apple Notes syncs across all Apple devices so that your notes are always accessible, no matter where you are.
Apple Notes is best for:
Apple users
Features
Scan documents
Add sketches and more
Tagging and smart folders
Attachments
Gallery view
Search function
Lock notes
Sharing options
Easy syncing across devices via iCloud
Pricing
Free to use
Visit site
Go to Apple Notes’ official website
7. Dropbox Paper (Top Real-Time Collaboration Tool)
Why We Chose It:
Dropbox Paper is a collaborative note-taking and document-editing app that's part of the Dropbox Suite of apps. The note-taking app is available across all platforms and devices, including the web, iOS, and Android. It's a versatile tool for teams and individuals who need to organize and share their ideas and work.
One of the standout features of Dropbox Paper is its real-time collaboration capabilities, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. Additionally, the app allows you to share notes with others and set permissions for those who can view and edit the notes. You can mention people in line and in comments, comment on text and images, create to-dos, and more. Up to 50 people can edit a Paper doc at any given time. Overall, it can be a useful tool for project management when collaborating.
Dropbox Paper offers a range of formatting options, including the ability to embed files and media such as images and videos, create and edit tables, add code blocks, and even add comments. The app offers a variety of templates and tools for creating documents, like meeting notes, project plans, and task lists. What’s more, it integrates seamlessly with other Dropbox apps, such as Dropbox Showcase.
The app is free to use, with the option to upgrade to Dropbox Business for additional features. You’ll get advanced features like increased Cloud storage, admin controls, and more advanced team collaboration tools.
Dropbox Paper is best for:
Collaboration
Personal and professional use
Users that are already using Dropbox storage
Features
To-do lists with due dates
Timelines with project milestones
Preview Dropbox files
Link to other Paper docs
Exchange feedback in real time
Custom templates
Powerful search function
Pricing
Free to use
Dropbox Business, starts at $15/user/month
Visit site
Go to Dropbox Paper’s official website
8. NoteJoy (Best Android Evernote Alternative)
Why We Chose It:
NoteJoy is another great tool for getting ideas out of your head and writing them down in a well-organized note. Its intuitive interface and customizable note-taking experience make it a popular choice among individuals, teams, and businesses alike.
The app comes with a neat focus view option that lets you jot down and edit your notes without any distractions. Notes can have images, checklists, documents, and more. NoteJoy also comes with some powerful collaboration features that support multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. You can see who has viewed your note, give and get reactions, participate in threaded discussions, mention other users, and more.
You’ll be able to organize your notes into notebooks and easily search through notes by using the powerful search feature. The app also offers a range of customization options, including the ability to create custom templates and add tags to notes, making them easily searchable.
NoteJoy is a great app for mobile devices, including Android and iOS users, because it seamlessly syncs your notes across all devices, ensuring that your notes are always up to date and accessible, no matter where you are. Additionally, the app is available for Windows and Mac.
NoteJoy is best for:
Personal use
Teams and businesses
Writers and researchers
Features
Web clipper
Integrations
Image galleries
Focus view
Markdown & shortcuts
Offline access
Nested notebooks
Team libraries
Collaborative editing
Password-protected notes
Pricing
Free
Solo, $4/month, billed annually
Plus, $8/user/month, billed annually
Premium, $12/user/month, billed annually
Visit site
Go to NoteJoy’s official website
9. Joplin (Great Open-Source Evernote Alternative)
Why We Chose It:
Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking app that offers a range of features to help you stay organized and productive. Its customizable note-taking experience and focus on privacy and security make it a popular choice among individuals and teams alike.
With its encryption feature, you’ll be able to encrypt your notes and keep them secure. It uses the encryption standard AES-256, and the encryption is done client-side, which means that only you can access your notes.
Joplin enables you to organize your notes into notebooks and add tags for easier searching. You can customize your notes with a variety of formatting options, including images, sketches, and handwriting, and add tables and interactive checklists.
While the main Joplin app is free to use, the Joplin Cloud service provides additional functionality, such as note syncing and sharing, customer support, and web app access. You'll need to pay for the Joplin Cloud service to access these features.
Joplin is best for:
Users that care about privacy
Users that need an open-source solution
Features
Multimedia notes
Sharing and collaboration
Web clipper Chrome extension
End-To-End Encryption
Pricing
Free
Joplin Cloud starts at $2/month
Visit site
Go to Joplin’s official website
10. Laverna (Evernote Alternative for Linux)
Why We Chose It:
Laverna is a free, open-source note-taking app that provides a simple yet powerful note-taking experience. Its minimalist interface and focus on privacy make it a popular choice among individuals who value simplicity and security.
One of Laverna's best features is its support for Markdown that lets you format your notes quickly and easily. The app also offers a range of formatting options, including text styling, lists, and code blocks.
Another standout feature of Laverna is its end-to-end encryption that ensures your notes are always secure and private. The app also offers a powerful search function that makes it easy to find the information you need quickly.
Laverna is best for:
Users that don’t mind using their own storage
Secure note-taking
Features
Live markdown editing
Distraction free mode
End-to-end encryption
Tasks
Import and export
Self-hosted option
Pricing
Free
Visit site
Go to Laverna’s official website
Which of the Alternatives to Evernote is a Good Choice for You?
With so many great Evernote options, choosing the right one can be a challenge. In this post, we voted Microsoft OneNote as the best alternative overall, thanks to its powerful features, real-time collaboration capabilities, and seamless integration with other Microsoft Office apps.
However, it's important to note that OneNote may not be the best choice for everyone. For users who need a free option, Google Keep is a great choice, offering a simple yet effective note-taking experience without any cost.
If you're looking for an open-source solution, Joplin or Laverna might be the best options for you. Both offer robust note-taking capabilities and a focus on privacy and security, making them great choices for users who value control over their data.
If you're specifically looking for an app that's similar to Evernote, Bear is the way to go. Its user interface and features are very reminiscent of Evernote, while also offering a streamlined and modern experience.
For Apple users, the pre-installed Apple Notes app is a great choice, thanks to its seamless integration with other Apple apps, including Siri and the Photos app.
We only managed to mention 10 Evernote alternatives in this post. There are many more you can opt for, including Notion, for example, the project management software that comes with some great note-taking capabilities like creating rich wikis. There’s also apps like Ulysses, Fellow, and nTask.
Ultimately, the best alternative to Evernote will depend on your individual needs and budget. Take the time to think about what features are most important to you and choose the app that best meets your requirements.