Feb 19, 2025
For years, Evernote has reigned as the go-to app for capturing notes, organizing thoughts, and managing tasks. However, recent changes in pricing, feature limitations, and performance issues have prompted users to search for better alternatives. Whether you’re a student looking for a distraction-free note-taking space, a professional who wants seamless collaboration, or a creative needing more customization, there’s no shortage of options to suit your style.
In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 alternatives to Evernote, each offering unique features to enhance your productivity and simplify your note-taking experience. From robust Markdown support to real-time collaboration tools, these apps go beyond what Evernote offers—making them worthy contenders for your next productivity upgrade.
Let’s explore the best Evernote replacements and find the perfect match for your needs in 2025!
Why Look for an Evernote Alternative?
Evernote revolutionized note-taking with its ability to store, organize, and sync notes across devices. However, over time, users have started seeking alternatives due to various limitations that no longer meet their needs. Here’s why you might be considering a switch:
Pricing Changes: Evernote’s free plan now restricts users to just one notebook and limits the number of notes, forcing many to upgrade to premium plans that can feel expensive.
Performance Issues: Slow syncing and lagging interfaces have frustrated users managing large amounts of data.
Complexity: While feature-rich, Evernote’s interface can feel cluttered and unintuitive for new users.
Lack of Collaboration: Unlike many modern apps, Evernote doesn’t offer robust real-time collaboration tools for teams.
Limited Customization: Advanced users often find Evernote’s organizational structure restrictive, especially when compared to highly customizable apps.
The Rise of AI and Voice-First Note-Taking
As technology evolves, so do our note-taking needs. AI-first note-taking apps are changing the game by offering automated organization, summarization, and contextual search, making it easier to manage and retrieve information.
Voice-first note-taking tools are also gaining popularity, allowing users to dictate notes hands-free and instantly transcribe audio. This offers a more natural and efficient alternative to traditional typing. These newer solutions cater to users who seek smarter, more adaptable tools that fit seamlessly into their workflow.
Whether it’s for a smoother interface, better collaboration, or more advanced options, the right alternative can help you stay more productive and organized. In the next section, we’ll explore the best Evernote alternatives that cater to various workflows and priorities.
The Best Evernote Alternatives for 2025
If you’ve outgrown Evernote or need a fresh perspective on note-taking, there’s good news—several apps offer innovative solutions tailored to your workflow. Let’s look at some of the top picks for 2025:
1. AudioNotes
Traditional note-taking methods aren’t enough, especially for professionals, students, and creatives who need to capture, organize, and recall information effortlessly. While Evernote has been a trusted tool for years, it often falls short in handling voice recordings, AI-powered summaries, and real-time transcription.
That’s where AudioNotes steps in. Designed for efficiency and ease, AudioNotes goes beyond simple note-taking by integrating AI-driven transcription, voice recognition, and automated summaries, making it the perfect upgrade from Evernote.
Why AudioNotes is a Game-Changer
Unlike Evernote, which relies on manual note organization and basic voice memo storage, AudioNotes actively transforms your spoken words into structured, searchable text without extra effort. Whether you’re in a meeting, brainstorming session, lecture, or interview, AudioNotes ensures that every word is accurately captured, transcribed, and ready for use. Its comprehensive set of capabilities includes:
AI-Powered Transcription: Convert voice memos into text instantly, eliminating the need for manual typing.
Smart Summarization: Get actionable insights, key takeaways, and bullet points from lengthy recordings.
Speaker Recognition: Automatically detects different speakers in meetings or group discussions.
Multi-Language Support: Transcribe and translate notes in multiple languages, ideal for global teams and bilingual users.
Quick Content Conversion: Instantly convert your recordings into various formats, including blog posts, social media content, emails, or flashcards.
Interactive Note Chat: Engage directly with your notes—ask questions, clarify points, and extract more insights, making your notes work harder for you.
Secure & Encrypted: Protect your data with top-tier encryption, ensuring both privacy and security.
Offline Access: Transcribe and access notes anytime, anywhere—no Internet required.
Pricing: Free trial available; Paid plans start at $9.99/month and $19.99/month for the Pro version. The app is available on iOS, Android, and the web, ensuring accessibility across all devices.
2. NotePlan
NotePlan is a note-taking and task-management app that focuses on helping users stay organized through a structured yet flexible system. Unlike traditional note-taking tools, NotePlan integrates daily planning, calendar scheduling, and to-do lists into a unified workspace. With its clean interface and Markdown support, NotePlan caters to users who want a streamlined, distraction-free environment to manage their projects, meetings, and ideas effectively.
Key Features:
Markdown Formatting: NotePlan supports Markdown for quick and easy note formatting, making it useful for users who prefer structured text-based note-taking.
Bi-Directional Linking: It enables users to connect related notes, creating a web of interconnected ideas that enhance organization and knowledge retrieval.
Time Blocking for Productivity: Users can allocate specific time slots for tasks and view them within their calendars to stay on top of their daily plans.
Tagging and Filtering: The tool helps users categorize and quickly find important notes using tags and filters.
Task Management Integration: NotePlan combines task management with note-taking, allowing users to create to-do lists and set reminders directly within their notes.
Calendar View: The built-in calendar view allows users to see both their notes and scheduled tasks in one place, making it easier to manage deadlines and appointments.
Why Choose NotePlan Over Evernote?
While Evernote is known for its robust note-archiving capabilities, NotePlan is designed for users who need an integrated task management and scheduling solution. Its focus on daily planning, lightweight design, and Markdown compatibility make it a good alternative for those who prefer a structured yet flexible way to manage their work. For individuals who like a balance between note-taking and action-based planning, NotePlan provides a more seamless workflow.
Pricing:
NotePlan offers a 7-day free trial for new users. After that, it operates on a subscription model, priced at $99.99 per year, covering access to all features across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and web platforms.
3. Notion
Notion is a highly flexible, all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, project management, task tracking, and databases. Unlike traditional note-taking apps, Notion allows users to create customized workflows tailored to their needs, making it a powerful alternative to Evernote. With its modular design, Notion is used by individuals, teams, and businesses to organize notes, manage tasks, and collaborate efficiently.
Key Features:
Integrated Workspace: Notion combines notes, tasks, databases, and calendars, allowing users to manage diverse aspects of their workflow within a unified interface. This integration facilitates seamless navigation between different types of content.
Customizable Templates: Users can access a variety of templates for tasks such as project management, meeting notes, and personal planning. These templates can be tailored to fit specific requirements, enhancing efficiency.
Database Functionality: Users can build structured databases with different views, such as lists, tables, and galleries, to organize notes and projects efficiently.
Collaborative Capabilities: Teams can share documents, assign tasks, and communicate within Notion, reducing the need for multiple productivity tools.
Web Clipper: The Notion Web Clipper allows users to save web content directly into their workspace for future reference, aiding in research and information gathering.
Why Choose Notion Over Evernote
Evernote is great for storing and organizing notes, but Notion offers far more customization and flexibility. If you want a platform where you can not only take notes but also manage projects, track progress, and build a personalized productivity system, Notion stands out. While it has a learning curve, its adaptability makes it a powerful choice for those who need more than just note-taking.
Pricing
Free Plan: Includes basic features with limited block storage.
Plus Plan: $10 per user/month, with unlimited file uploads and advanced sharing options.
Business & Enterprise Plans: Additional features for larger teams and organizations.
4. Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook designed for users who need a flexible and feature-rich note-taking solution. Unlike rigidly structured note-taking apps, OneNote offers a freeform workspace where you can jot down ideas, sketch diagrams, clip web pages, and even record audio notes. Its deep integration with Microsoft 365 makes it a good choice for professionals, students, and anyone already using Microsoft’s suite of productivity tools.
Key Features
Notebook Structure: OneNote mimics a physical notebook with sections and pages, allowing for intuitive organization.
Handwritten Notes: The app supports handwritten notes and drawings, allowing users to use a stylus for more personal or creative inputs, which can later be converted to searchable text.
Cross-Device Syncing: Notes automatically sync across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, ensuring accessibility from any device.
Collaboration Tools: Multiple users can collaborate on the same notebook, which is perfect for group projects or team-based work environments.
Web Clipper: The built-in web clipper allows users to save articles, images, or web content directly to their notebooks for later reference.
Search Functionality: A powerful search feature allows users to quickly locate notes, images, or audio clips by typing keywords, making it easy to find specific content.
Why Choose OneNote Over Evernote?
OneNote stands out for its freeform note-taking and seamless integration with Microsoft tools. Unlike Evernote’s structured tagging system, OneNote offers a more visual, notebook-like approach. It’s also completely free, making it a budget-friendly alternative for those looking to avoid subscription costs.
Pricing: Free; included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
5. Google Keep
Google Keep is a simple, easy-to-use note-taking app designed for users who need a quick and efficient way to capture and organize their ideas. Known for its minimalist interface, Google Keep allows users to quickly jot down notes, create checklists and set reminders with just a few taps. Its seamless integration with the Google ecosystem makes it a great choice for those already using Google services like Gmail or Google Docs.
Key Features
Voice Memos: Users can record voice notes that are automatically transcribed into text, providing a hands-free way to capture thoughts when typing isn’t convenient.
Task Management: Create checklists and to-do lists within the app to organize tasks and track progress, which is perfect for managing daily responsibilities.
Color-Coding and Labels: The ability to color-code and label notes makes it easy to organize and categorize different types of content, helping users stay organized without any hassle.
Cross-Platform Syncing: Google Keep syncs across all devices in real-time, allowing users to access their notes from any device, whether on mobile or desktop.
Image and Drawing Support: Users can add images and drawings to their notes, enhancing the visual representation of ideas and ensuring that more creative thoughts are captured.
Location-Based Reminders: Google Keep can set location-based reminders, alerting users to tasks or notes when they reach a specific place.
Why Choose Google Keep Over Evernote?
Google Keep shines with its simplicity and ease of use. While Evernote offers a more feature-rich platform, Keep is ideal for users who need quick note-taking, task management, and seamless integration with Google’s suite of tools. It’s perfect for those who want a lightweight solution without the complexity, and it’s free, making it a great choice for those looking to stay organized without the cost.
Pricing
Free Plan: Unlimited note-taking with Google account sync.
Storage: Uses Google Drive storage (15GB free, with paid upgrades available).
6. Obsidian
Obsidian is a knowledge management tool designed for users who need to create, organize, and connect their notes in a more structured and flexible way. Known for its emphasis on linking thoughts and creating a "second brain," Obsidian is perfect for those seeking an advanced note-taking solution. It goes beyond simple lists and paragraphs to offer a deeper, more interconnected approach to organizing information.
Whether you're a researcher, writer, or anyone who needs to organize complex ideas, Obsidian gives you the freedom to build a network of connected notes that can grow with you.
Key Features
Markdown Support: Obsidian uses markdown, which allows for clean, easy-to-read notes with full control over formatting. This ensures your notes remain simple yet visually effective.
Bidirectional Linking: This feature allows you to create connections between notes, helping you build a web of related ideas. It makes navigating your knowledge base seamless and intuitive.
Graph View: The graph view offers a visual representation of how your notes are interconnected, allowing you to see the bigger picture of your ideas.
Customizable Interface: Obsidian allows you to tweak the layout, themes, and plugins, offering flexibility to match your unique workflow.
Local Storage: Your notes are stored locally, meaning you have full control over your data without relying on cloud storage.
Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: With access to a wide range of plugins, you can easily extend Obsidian's functionality to suit your needs, from task management to advanced search tools.
Link Previews: Obsidian shows previews of your linked notes so you can quickly get context without having to open each note individually.
Why Choose Obsidian Over Evernote?
Obsidian is ideal for users looking for a more detailed, connected approach to note-taking. Unlike Evernote, which offers a simpler structure for basic notes, Obsidian focuses on helping you build a complex network of ideas, perfect for research or in-depth planning. Its advanced features and customization options cater to those who want more from their note-taking app.
Pricing
Free Plan: Full access to core features with local storage.
Obsidian Sync: $8/month for encrypted cloud syncing.
Commercial Use: $50/year for business users.
7. Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook is a visually appealing note-taking app designed for users who prefer a creative and organized way to manage their notes. With its intuitive design and range of multimedia options, Zoho Notebook allows you to capture and store ideas in various formats, from text to images, audio, and sketches. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a lightweight yet feature-packed note-taking tool, especially if you need a visually rich experience.
Key Features
Note Cards: Each note is represented as a "card," making it easy to organize and view your notes at a glance. You can create different types of cards, such as text, audio, and sketch notes, and group them into notebooks.
Cloud Sync: Zoho Notebook ensures all your notes are synced across devices, whether you're on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
Web Clipper: The built-in web clipper allows you to save web pages, articles, and images directly to your Zoho Notebook for later reference, eliminating the need to manually copy-paste content.
Handwriting & Drawing Support: If you prefer handwritten notes or sketches, Zoho Notebook's built-in drawing tool lets you create and annotate content using a stylus or your finger on touch-enabled devices.
Cross-Platform Support: Zoho Notebook works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, providing flexibility for users across different devices.
Voice Notes: The app allows users to quickly record audio notes, making it easy to capture ideas and thoughts without typing them out.
Why Choose Zoho Notebook Over Evernote?
Zoho Notebook is a great alternative to Evernote for users who prefer a more visually organized and user-friendly interface. Unlike Evernote, which follows a more structured note hierarchy, Zoho Notebook offers a more flexible and aesthetically pleasing approach with its card-based system. It’s also a budget-friendly option, providing most of its core features for free without the restrictive pricing plans that come with Evernote.
Pricing
Free Plan: Includes core features with unlimited devices.
Premium Plan: Starts at $1.99/month, adding enhanced features like AI-powered search and version history.
8. Bear
Bear is a clean and minimalistic note-taking app designed for users who prefer simplicity with powerful features. It offers a distraction-free environment for writing notes, making it ideal for anyone who needs to capture thoughts quickly and efficiently. With its elegant design and versatile capabilities, Bear is perfect for creatives, writers, and professionals who enjoy organizing their notes with tags and markdown support. Bear is exclusive to Apple devices, providing seamless integration across macOS and iOS.
Key Features
Markdown Support: Bear allows users to write notes using Markdown, offering formatting flexibility and easy organization. This is perfect for those who prefer a text-based approach to structure their notes.
Tagging System: Notes can be organized and searched using hashtags, making it simple to group related content. The tag system enables easy navigation and quick access to specific notes.
Rich Media Support: Bear supports images, sketches, links, and attachments, making it versatile for various types of content, from text notes to multimedia documents.
Focus Mode: The app features a distraction-free writing mode that eliminates unnecessary clutter, helping users focus entirely on their notes and ideas.
Export Options: Bear provides multiple export formats, such as PDF, HTML, and DOCX, allowing you to easily share or back up your notes in the format that suits you best.
Advanced Search: The app has a powerful search function that enables you to find notes based on keywords, tags, or specific content.
Custom Themes: Users can personalize the look of the app by choosing from a variety of themes, creating a comfortable and visually appealing writing experience.
Why Choose Bear Over Evernote?
Bear is ideal for users who value simplicity, aesthetics, and a streamlined note-taking experience. With its focus on minimalism and markdown support, Bear provides a clean environment that helps users stay productive without distractions. While Evernote offers more advanced features, Bear’s simplicity, elegant design, and focus on privacy make it an appealing alternative for those who prefer a minimalist approach.
Pricing
Free Plan: Includes basic features with limited syncing.
Bear Pro: $2.99/month or $29.99/year, offering device syncing, themes, and advanced export options; Bear also offers a 7-day trial!
9. Notability
Notability is a versatile note-taking app designed for those who need to combine handwriting, typing, and multimedia in their notes. Known for its intuitive interface and powerful tools, Notability is particularly popular among students and professionals who want to capture ideas quickly and effectively. Whether you're taking lecture notes, sketching diagrams, or annotating PDFs, Notability offers a flexible solution for all types of note-taking.
Key Features
Handwritten Notes: Notability offers solid support for handwritten notes, allowing users to write with a stylus or Apple Pencil. It also provides the option to convert handwriting into text, making it easier to organize your notes alongside typed content.
Audio Recording: Notability allows users to record audio while taking notes, making it ideal for meetings or lectures. The audio syncs with your written notes, so you can easily replay sections when needed.
Multi-Device Syncing: Notes sync across all your Apple devices, ensuring that you have access to your notes whether you're using an iPad, iPhone, or MacBook.
PDF Annotation: The app allows you to import, annotate, and edit PDFs, making it a useful tool for reviewing documents, marking up research, or sharing feedback on reports.
Note Organization: Notability lets you organize notes by subjects or categories. You can color-code and arrange them easily, making it simple to find the right notes when you need them.
Interactive Notes: You can add images, stickers, and web clips to your notes, which helps create more dynamic and engaging content.
Customizable Templates: Notability offers various templates to choose from, such as lined paper, grids, and music sheets, allowing you to customize your note-taking experience based on your needs.
Why Choose Notability Over Evernote?
Notability stands out with its strong support for multimedia content, particularly its combination of handwriting, audio, and PDF annotation. While Evernote is great for organizing and storing information, Notability provides a richer, more interactive note-taking experience, especially for users who rely on handwriting or audio content.
Pricing: Basic Plan is free; you can contact sales to learn more!
10. Joplin
Joplin is an open-source note-taking app designed for users who prioritize privacy, flexibility, and customization. It’s a great choice for those who want to create and organize notes, to-do lists, and even notebooks without relying on cloud-based services or subscriptions. Joplin supports end-to-end encryption and allows users to store their notes locally or sync them with various cloud providers.
Key Features
Open-Source: Joplin is open-source software, meaning you have full access to its source code, and it’s free to use. It’s also highly customizable, allowing users to modify the app as needed.
Multi-Platform Syncing: Joplin supports syncing across all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Markdown Support: Joplin uses Markdown for note formatting, making it ideal for users who want to write clean, organized notes with minimal distractions. It’s great for those who prefer working with code or need advanced formatting options.
To-Do Lists: Along with note-taking, Joplin supports task management. You can create to-do lists, checkboxes, and deadlines to help keep track of tasks and projects.
Cross-Platform Availability: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Web Clipper: The tool offers a web clipper extension for saving articles, images, or web content directly into your notebooks for easy reference later.
Note Organization: Joplin provides hierarchical note organization, allowing users to create notebooks, sub-notebooks, and tags for better structure. You can also search for notes by keyword or tag to quickly find what you need.
Why Choose Joplin Over Evernote?
Joplin’s open-source nature and emphasis on privacy make it a strong alternative to Evernote, particularly for users who prefer to have full control over their data. Joplin is also a great choice for users who enjoy Markdown for note formatting and those who want a more customizable note-taking experience.
Pricing
Free Plan: Full access to core features, including local storage and Markdown support.
Joplin Cloud (Premium): Starts at $2.99/month for syncing, collaboration, and additional storage options.
Finding the perfect note-taking tool is about aligning your needs with the features that make your workflow seamless and efficient. Whether you’re seeking enhanced organization, collaboration, or simplicity, the right app can transform the way you capture ideas and manage tasks. These alternatives open the door to new possibilities, empowering you to work smarter, stay productive, and keep your notes as dynamic as your ideas.
Why Choose Audionotes As An Evernote Alternative?
One of the top third-party solutions for transcribing voice memos is Audionotes, an AI-driven app that offers a seamless and highly accurate transcription experience. Audionotes is designed to cater to a variety of users, from students and journalists to business professionals who need efficient transcription on the go.
Key Features of Audionotes for Different Use Cases:
For Students: Automatically transcribe lectures and study materials, making it easier to organize notes and review content later.
For Journalists: Save time by quickly converting interviews into text with speaker identification and timestamps.
For Entrepreneurs: Record meetings, brainstorming sessions, and pitches and convert them into searchable notes.
For Content Creators: Record your spontaneous brainstorming sessions and convert them into blogs, articles, or other written content.
For Doctors: Record patient interactions and convert them into accurate, detailed medical notes for easy record-keeping and documentation.
For Lawyers: Record client meetings or consultations and convert them into detailed, searchable legal notes, saving time on manual documentation.
Unlike Evernote, which focuses on organizing and storing text-based notes, Audionotes specializes in converting spoken content into text, enabling users to transcribe lectures, interviews, client meetings, and brainstorming sessions effortlessly. With powerful speaker identification, timestamps, and easy-to-organize notes, Audionotes ensures that your recorded ideas are transformed into clear, searchable text in a matter of minutes.
Audionotes goes beyond general note-taking by catering to specific professional needs, like medical transcription for doctors and legal documentation for lawyers. Whether you're a student, content creator, or entrepreneur, it streamlines workflows and saves time with accurate, AI-driven transcription.
Give it a try and experience how simple yet powerful note-taking can be! Download Audionotes for iPhone, Android and web today, and start transforming your ideas into action!