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Apple Notes alternatives · Note-Taking

Alternatives to Apple Notes with a one-time purchase

The Apple Notes listing shows no one-time purchase. 46 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Apple Notes is free to use. 31 of them are free or have a free plan.

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

The 12 closest to Apple Notes

  1. 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.
    Goodnotes vs Apple NotesGoodnotes pricing and details

  2. 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 vs Apple NotesKeep It pricing and details

  3. 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.
    Notability vs Apple NotesNotability pricing and details

  4. 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.
    Noticky vs Apple NotesNoticky pricing and details

  5. CollaNote

    Handwriting and PDF markup notes for iPad, iPhone and Mac

    • CollaNote starts at $13.90 one-time (Lifetime Premium). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • CollaNote can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • CollaNote also covers templates.
    CollaNote pricing and details

  6. Notewise

    Handwriting canvas and AI notes for iPhone, iPad and Android

    • Notewise starts at $2.42 per month, billed yearly ($28.99); Classic Unlimited is $16.99 one-time. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Notewise lists an Android app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a macOS app.
    Notewise pricing and details

  7. UpNote

    Cross-platform notes app with a lifetime purchase option

    • UpNote starts at $1.99 per month, or $39.99 once for lifetime (Premium). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only UpNote lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only UpNote lists a browser extension.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    UpNote pricing and details

  8. DEVONthink

    Document and information manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • DEVONthink starts at $99 one-time license, with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates. Apple Notes is free.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. DEVONthink does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only DEVONthink lists a browser extension.
    • DEVONthink can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    DEVONthink pricing and details

  9. MarginNote

    Study reader that turns highlights into mind maps and cards

    • MarginNote starts at $12.99 one-time (Pro Lifetime, iPhone and iPad only). Apple Notes is free.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. MarginNote does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • MarginNote can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    MarginNote pricing and details

  10. LiquidText

    Document review workspace that links excerpts to notes

    • LiquidText starts at $8.99 per month, paid annually (LIVE). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only LiquidText lists a Windows app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • LiquidText can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    LiquidText pricing and details

  11. Tinderbox

    Mac tool for mapping, analyzing and sharing notes

    • Tinderbox starts at $289 one-time license, with a year of free updates. Apple Notes is free.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. Tinderbox does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    Tinderbox pricing and details

  12. The Archive

    Plain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten

    • The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase. Apple Notes is free.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    The Archive pricing and details

34 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 46 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Apple Notes that you buy once?

Yes. Goodnotes, Keep It, Notability, Noticky, CollaNote, Notewise, UpNote, DEVONthink and 38 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Apple Notes once instead of subscribing?

The Apple Notes listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these note-taking apps are free?

Goodnotes, Notability, Noticky, CollaNote, Notewise, UpNote, LiquidText, Octarine and 23 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Apple Notes: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.