Keeping track of ideas is not always easy, especially when they come and go quickly. The right note-taking app helps you capture thoughts, organize projects, and stay productive. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone who just likes to stay organized, having a reliable tool makes a difference. However, not every app is designed for Mac users, and the wrong one can slow you down.

Some apps focus on simplicity, while others offer AI-assisted organization or handwriting recognition. Many integrate with other tools to improve workflow. But features alone are not enough. A cluttered interface, distracting notifications, or awkward keyboard shortcuts can make note-taking frustrating instead of helpful.

To help you choose the best option, we have explored the top note-taking apps available in 2025. With new updates and improvements, now is the perfect time to find the one that fits your workflow.

Key Features of the Best Note-Taking Apps for Mac

Here are the key features to look for when choosing a note-taking app for Mac:

1. User-Friendly Interface

A cluttered or complex design can be distracting. The best apps have an intuitive layout, allowing you to focus on your notes without getting lost in unnecessary menus.

2. Customization and Flexibility

Everyone takes notes differently. Some need basic text input, while others require advanced formatting, handwriting support, or the ability to embed images and files. A good app should offer customization without being overly complicated.

3. Syncing and Cross-Device Access

Your notes should be available wherever you need them. Apps with strong syncing options across Mac, iPhone, and iPad ensure that you can access and update your notes anytime. Reliable cloud storage support prevents data loss and keeps everything up to date.

4. Search and Organization Tools

A great note-taking app makes it easy to find what you need. Features like tags, folders, notebooks, and powerful search functions help keep everything organized and accessible.

5. Performance and Speed

Slow or laggy apps can break your workflow. The right note-taking apps load quickly, handle large amounts of data efficiently, and allow instant access to notes.

6. AI-Powered Note-Taking

Many modern note-taking apps now use AI to enhance productivity. AI can help organize notes automatically, suggest relevant content, and provide intelligent tagging. Some apps even generate summaries or highlight key points from long notes, making information retrieval faster.

7. Speech-to-Text Capabilities

For those who prefer dictation, speech-to-text functionality can be a game-changer. Apps like Audionotes offer accurate voice recognition, allowing you to take notes hands-free. This feature is especially useful for quick thoughts, meetings, or when typing is not convenient.

8. Summarization and Custom Outputs

AI-driven summarization tools can condense long notes into key points, making them easier to review. Some apps also allow you to create custom outputs, such as turning notes into task lists, reports, or structured outlines. This adds another layer of functionality to traditional note-taking.

Choosing the right app depends on how you take notes and what features matter most to you. The next section covers the top note-taking apps for Mac in 2025 to help you find the best fit.

Top 5 Note-Taking Apps for Mac

A good note-taking app takes advantage of macOS features while providing a smooth, clutter-free experience. Below are five standout note-taking apps for Mac in 2025, each excelling in different areas:

1. Audionotes

Audionotes is designed for anyone who wants to capture ideas without the hassle of manual note-taking. Whether you are in a meeting, attending a lecture, or just organizing your thoughts, this app turns your recordings into clear, structured notes. You can record audio, upload files, or even add a YouTube link, and Audionotes will do the rest.

The app goes beyond simple transcription. It can summarize notes, generate action items, and even create quizzes or flashcards from lecture recordings. Plus, its multilingual support allows users to transcribe, summarize, and generate content in over 30 languages, making it a valuable tool for global teams, international students, and multilingual professionals.

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Transcription and Summarization: Convert voice recordings, text notes, and videos into structured notes with AI-generated summaries.

• Custom Outputs: Choose from predefined templates or create personalized content, including meeting minutes, blog posts, LinkedIn updates, detailed summaries, and concise bullet-point summaries.

• Conversational AI: Chat with your notes to extract key insights, clarify details, or retrieve information instantly.

• Cross-Platform Syncing: Access your notes across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android for seamless productivity.

• Seamless Integration: Sync with Notion, automate workflows through Zapier, and receive transcriptions via WhatsApp.

• Privacy-Focused: No third-party sharing, no AI training on user content, and automatic deletion of stored recordings to ensure data security.

Audionotes stands out with its voice-first approach, smooth interface, and AI-powered features designed to make note-taking effortless. Its wide range of features makes it useful for many, including lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, students, content creators, and marketers. 

Whether you need to capture a campaign idea while on a walk or generate structured meeting notes without typing, Audionotes transforms your thoughts into organized, actionable content. The best part? If you need to convert those meeting notes into an email or turn your idea into a mind map, Audionotes will take care of that as well. Download the app on iOS and start taking AI-powered notes today.

Pricing:

• Paid plans start at $9.99/month, with the Pro version at $19.99/month. 

• A free trial is also available for those who want to explore its features before committing.

Best For: Users looking for a voice-first, AI-powered note-taking experience that enhances productivity across various professions, from lawyers and doctors to creatives and individuals with ADHD.

2. Obsidian

Obsidian is a note-taking app designed for users who want complete control over their notes. It uses a local-first approach, meaning your data stays on your device rather than the cloud. With its unique backlinking system and graph view, Obsidian is perfect for those who need to organize complex ideas, whether for research, writing, or knowledge management.

Key Features:

• Plaintext Storage: Save notes in Markdown format for easy access, long-term usability, and seamless export.

• Bi-Directional Linking: Connect notes effortlessly to build a web of knowledge and improve information retrieval.

• Graph View: Visualize relationships between notes to uncover patterns and enhance idea mapping.

• Customizable Interface: Adjust layouts, themes, and workflows to create a setup that fits your note-taking style.

• Plugin Support: Extend functionality with thousands of community plugins, including Kanban boards, calendars, and AI tools.

• Quick Navigation: Find notes instantly using powerful search, shortcuts, and a command palette.

• Daily Notes & Journaling: Create structured daily logs, track progress, and organize ongoing thoughts in one place.

• Version History: Track changes and restore previous versions of notes to avoid accidental data loss.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Access to all core features with local storage.

• Obsidian Sync: $8/month for end-to-end encrypted cloud syncing across devices.

• Commercial License: $50/year per user for business and commercial use.

Best For: Researchers, writers, and professionals who need an efficient, offline-first note-taking tool with advanced linking capabilities.

3. Joplin

Joplin is an open-source note-taking app designed for users who value privacy, flexibility, and cross-platform access. It allows you to store notes in Markdown format, sync across multiple devices, and even self-host your data for complete control. With a strong focus on security and customization, Joplin is a great choice for users who need a powerful yet privacy-friendly alternative to mainstream note-taking apps.

Key Features:

• End-to-End Encryption: Keep your notes secure with built-in encryption, ensuring only you can access your data.

• Web Clipper: Save articles, web pages, and screenshots directly from your browser into Joplin.

• Rich Text & Code Blocks: Switch between Markdown and rich text editing, and add syntax-highlighted code snippets.

• Tagging & Search: Organize notes with tags and use powerful search capabilities to retrieve information quickly.

• Notebook Structure: Arrange notes into hierarchical notebooks for structured knowledge management.

• Community Plugins: Expand functionality with plugins for Kanban boards, themes, and automation tools.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Full access to core features, including local storage and Markdown support.

• Joplin Cloud (Premium): Starts at €2.40/month for syncing, collaboration, and additional storage options.

Best For: Users who prioritize open-source software, privacy, and self-hosting options.

4. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a versatile and feature-rich note-taking app that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It offers a flexible, notebook-style layout that allows users to capture text, images, audio, and even handwritten notes. 

With cloud syncing through OneDrive, OneNote makes it easy to access notes across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. It is ideal for both personal and professional use, especially for those already using Microsoft’s suite of tools.

Key Features:

• Notebook and Section Structure: Organize notes into notebooks, sections, and pages for easy navigation and retrieval.

• Multimedia Support: Capture text, images, audio recordings, and handwritten notes in one place.

• Handwriting Recognition: Write notes with a stylus and convert handwriting into searchable text.

• Tagging and Search: Use tags for easy categorization and quickly find information with advanced search options.

• Collaboration Tools: Share notebooks and collaborate in real-time with others, making it useful for team projects.

• Offline Access: Access and edit your notes offline, with automatic syncing when you reconnect.

• Custom Templates: Use and create templates to structure recurring note types like meeting agendas or class notes.

Pricing:

• Free to Use: OneNote is completely free with no feature restrictions.

• OneDrive Storage: Includes 5GB of free cloud storage for syncing notes across devices.

• Additional Storage: Starts at $1.99/month for 100GB of OneDrive storage.

• Microsoft 365 Integration: Subscriptions start at $6.99/month, offering extra storage and premium features.

Best For: Microsoft 365 users who need a flexible, multimedia-friendly note-taking solution.

5. Bear

Bear is a well-designed note-taking app built exclusively for Apple users. It balances simplicity with strong features, making it a great choice for writers, students, and professionals who prefer a clean and distraction-free workspace. With support for Markdown, seamless syncing across Apple devices, and a tagging system that replaces traditional folders, Bear is ideal for organizing notes without rigid structures.

Key Features:

• Markdown with Rich Text: Write in Markdown while seeing a clean, styled preview in real time.

• Hashtags & Organization: Use hashtags to categorize notes dynamically without complex folder structures.

• Inline Media Support: Add images, sketches, and attachments directly into notes.

• Apple Ecosystem Integration: Works smoothly with macOS and iOS, including support for Siri, Apple Watch, and Shortcuts.

• Encryption & Privacy: Lock individual notes with Face ID or Touch ID for added security.

• Export Options: Save notes in multiple formats, including PDF, DOCX, HTML, and Markdown.

• Cross-Note Linking: Create connections between notes for better organization and research.

• Code Snippet Support: Write and store code snippets with syntax highlighting for developers.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Basic note-taking with core features.

• Bear Pro: $2.99/month or $29.99/year for syncing across devices, advanced themes, note encryption, and export options.

Best For: Apple users who want an elegant, Markdown-friendly note-taking app with seamless macOS and iOS integration.

Additional Considerations

If you are looking for something different, these note-taking apps offer unique features that might suit your workflow better:

• Apple Notes: A built-in option for Apple users that offers smooth iCloud syncing, rich text formatting, and handwriting support with the Apple Pencil. It is great for those who want a simple yet effective note-taking experience without extra costs.
  
  

• Notion: More than just a note-taking app, Notion combines notes, databases, and task management in one workspace. It is good for structured organization, making it a good choice for professionals, students, and teams.
  
  

• Evernote: Known for its powerful search, Evernote allows users to store text, images, audio, and web clippings in an organized way. Its cross-platform availability and strong integration with other apps make it a reliable choice for heavy note-takers.
  
  

• Simplenote: A distraction-free app that focuses on speed and efficiency with fast syncing across devices. It is ideal for those who prefer plain text notes and a minimal interface without extra formatting options.

So, this is a roundup of the top note-taking apps for Mac in 2025. You can check the reviews, try free trials, check your budget, and then choose the one for you.

Conclusion

Choosing the right note-taking app depends on your workflow, preferences, and the features that matter most to you. Whether you need AI-powered summaries, seamless syncing across devices, or a distraction-free writing experience, there is an option that fits your needs. The best app is the one that helps you stay productive without getting in the way of your ideas.

Audionotes is a standout choice for those who want AI-assisted transcription, summarization, and custom note outputs. With its voice-first approach and intelligent features, it transforms your thoughts into structured, actionable notes. Download Audionotes for iOS today and experience a smarter way to take notes. It is also available on Android and the web, so you can access your notes anytime from any device.