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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Apple Notes alternatives

Apple Notes compared with 12 alternatives: Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, Bear, Evernote, Simplenote and 7 more.

Apple Notes is free to use. 10 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Apple NotesThis toolFreeFreeWeb, macOS, iOS
Google KeepFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Microsoft OneNoteFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
BearFree plan · from $2.99/moYesmacOS, iOS, Browser extension
EvernoteFree plan · from $99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
SimplenoteFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
AgendaFree plan · from $39.99/yrYesmacOS, iOS
DraftsFree plan · from $1.99/moYesmacOS, iOS
GoodnotesFree plan · from $11.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Keep ItFree trial · from $2.99Trial onlymacOS, iOS, Browser extension
MinimalFree trial · from $4.99/moTrial onlymacOS, iOS
NotabilityFree plan · from $14.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NotickyFree plan · from $4.99 one-timeYesmacOS, iOS

How each one differs from Apple Notes

  1. Google Keep

    Google's app for quick notes, lists and reminders

    • Google Keep starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Google Keep lists an Android app.
    • Only Google Keep lists a browser extension.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a macOS app.
    • Google Keep also covers web clipper and tasks.

    Suits: Quick notes, shopping lists and reminders on a phone or smartwatch

    Google Keep vs Apple NotesGoogle Keep pricing and details

  2. Microsoft OneNote

    Microsoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes

    • Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation and web clipper.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.

    Suits: People who already have a Microsoft account or a Microsoft 365 subscription

    Microsoft OneNote vs Apple NotesMicrosoft OneNote pricing and details

  3. Bear

    Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links

    • Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Bear lists a browser extension.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Bear also covers Markdown and web clipper.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription.

    Suits: Writers who want a focused Markdown editor on Mac, iPhone and iPad

    Bear vs Apple NotesBear pricing and details

  4. Evernote

    Note-taking app with web clipping, tasks, calendar and AI search

    • Evernote starts at $99 per year (about $8.25 a month), or $14.99 billed monthly. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Evernote lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Evernote lists a browser extension.
    • Evernote also covers web clipper, templates, tasks and calendar.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.

    Suits: People who save web pages, scans and documents and need to search across them

    Evernote vs Apple NotesEvernote pricing and details

  5. Simplenote

    Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform

    • Simplenote is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
    • Simplenote also covers Markdown.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription.

    Suits: Plain-text notes synced across phone, desktop and browser at no cost

    Simplenote vs Apple NotesSimplenote pricing and details

  6. Agenda

    Date-focused notes on a timeline, linked to your calendar

    • Agenda starts at $39.99 per year (Premium Subscription). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Agenda also covers web clipper, templates, tasks and calendar.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.

    Suits: People whose notes revolve around meetings and dates

    Agenda vs Apple NotesAgenda pricing and details

  7. Drafts

    Quick-capture notes app for Apple devices with text actions

    • Drafts starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Drafts also covers dictation, Markdown and workflow automation.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.

    Suits: Jotting text down quickly on iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch

    Drafts vs Apple NotesDrafts pricing and details

  8. Goodnotes

    Handwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant

    • Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Goodnotes lists Android and Windows apps.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.

    Suits: Handwritten notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil

    Goodnotes vs Apple NotesGoodnotes pricing and details

  9. Keep It

    Notebook and document organizer for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Keep It starts at $2.99 in-app subscription on the Mac App Store (billing period not labelled). Apple Notes is free.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. Keep It does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Keep It lists a browser extension.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Keep It can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Mac users who want notes and reference documents in one library

    Keep It vs Apple NotesKeep It pricing and details

  10. Minimal

    Meditation-inspired writing and notes app for Apple devices

    • Minimal starts at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year. Apple Notes is free.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. Minimal does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Minimal also covers Markdown and tasks.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.

    Suits: Writers who want a quiet, sparse page on Apple devices

    Minimal vs Apple NotesMinimal pricing and details

  11. Notability

    Handwritten notes with synced audio, transcripts and AI study tools

    • Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Notability lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Notability also covers templates.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.

    Suits: Students recording lectures alongside handwritten notes

    Notability vs Apple NotesNotability pricing and details

  12. Noticky

    Sticky notes for Mac that stay on top, even in fullscreen

    • Noticky starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $9.99 one-time for Mac. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Noticky can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Noticky also covers Markdown, templates, screenshots and menu bar app.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.

    Suits: Keeping a note in view above a fullscreen app on the Mac

    Noticky vs Apple NotesNoticky pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Apple Notes

  • Apps are listed only for Apple devices; on anything else, notes are reached in a web browser at iCloud.com.
  • Notes on iCloud.com works only with notes stored in iCloud, not with notes kept in other accounts such as Google or Yahoo.
  • Sync relies on iCloud, which includes 5 GB of free storage; iCloud+ plans with more storage start at $0.99 per month for 50 GB.
  • Sharing is limited to people who use iCloud, and Apple says certain features are available only in select languages and regions.
Apple Notes pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Apple Notes?

The alternatives to Apple Notes in this directory are Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, Bear, Evernote, Simplenote, Agenda, Drafts, Goodnotes, Keep It, Minimal, Notability and Noticky. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Apple Notes.

Is there a free alternative to Apple Notes?

Yes. Simplenote is free to use. Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, Bear, Evernote, Agenda, Drafts, Goodnotes, Notability and Noticky have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Apple Notes alternatives work on Windows?

The Apple Notes listing does not include a Windows app. Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, Simplenote, Goodnotes and Notability list one.

Which Apple Notes alternatives work on Linux?

The Apple Notes listing does not include a Linux app. Simplenote lists one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Apple Notes?

Simplenote is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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