Note-Taking Apps
Note-taking apps for Mac
107 of the 147 note-taking apps in this directory list a Mac app.
87 of them are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| NotionWorkspace for docs, wikis, databases and projects with built-in AI | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| ObsidianMarkdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| CapacitiesObject-based note-taking app with daily notes and backlinks | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| AnytypeLocal-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| LogseqOpen-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| EvernoteNote-taking app with web clipping, tasks, calendar and AI search | Free plan · from $99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| CraftNotes and documents app with tasks, daily notes and whiteboards | Free plan · from $96/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| BearMarkdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| ReflectOpen-source daily notes app with backlinks and local Markdown | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| Tana OutlinerOutliner with supertags, daily notes and built-in AI features | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Roam ResearchOutliner for networked notes with bidirectional links | Free trial · from $15/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, iOS |
| HeptabaseVisual notes app that arranges linked cards on whiteboards | Free trial · from $8.99/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Microsoft OneNoteMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Apple NotesApple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web | Free | Free | Web, macOS, iOS |
| GoodnotesHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant | Free plan · from $11.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| NotabilityHandwritten notes with synced audio, transcripts and AI study tools | Free plan · from $14.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| JoplinOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose | Free plan · from €2.40/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| SimplenoteFree plain-text notes that sync across every major platform | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Standard NotesEnd-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients | Free plan · from $90/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| WorkflowyOutliner that keeps notes, to-dos and plans in one nested list | Free plan · from $6.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Zoho NotebookCard-based notes app with a web clipper, scanner and AI add-ons | Free plan · from $1.67/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| NotesnookOpen source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| UpNoteCross-platform notes app with a lifetime purchase option | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| RemNoteNote-taking app with built-in flashcards and spaced repetition | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| AppFlowyOpen-core workspace for docs, wikis and projects you can self-host | Free plan · from $6/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| AFFiNEOpen-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases | Free plan · from $6.75/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| DraftsQuick-capture notes app for Apple devices with text actions | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| DEVONthinkDocument and information manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad | Free trial · from $99 one-time | Trial only | Web, macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| AmplenoteNotes, to-do lists and a task calendar in one app | Free plan · from $7.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Trilium NotesFree, open-source hierarchical notes for a personal knowledge base | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Browser extension |
| SiYuanOpen-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks | Free plan · from $64 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| NoteshelfHandwritten note-taking and PDF annotation for stylus devices | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| MyScript NotesHandwriting notes app that converts pen strokes to typed text | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| NotePlanMarkdown notes, tasks and calendar in one daily note | Free trial · from $8.33/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, iOS |
| AgendaDate-focused notes on a timeline, linked to your calendar | Free plan · from $39.99/yr | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| SupernotesCollaborative note-taking built on short, linkable notecards | Free plan · from £6/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| mymindPrivate AI-tagged store for bookmarks, notes and images | Free plan · from $4.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| TiddlyWikiOpen-source personal wiki kept in a single HTML file | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Xournal++Open-source handwriting notes and PDF annotation for desktop | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| DynalistOutlining app for nested lists, notes and tasks | Free plan · from $7.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| InkdropMarkdown note app for developers with encrypted sync | Free trial · from $8.31/mo | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| CollaNoteHandwriting and PDF markup notes for iPad, iPhone and Mac | Free plan · from $13.90 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| MarginNoteStudy reader that turns highlights into mind maps and cards | Free trial · from $12.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| LiquidTextDocument review workspace that links excerpts to notes | Free plan · from $8.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| TheBrainVisual knowledge network linking notes, files and web links | Free plan · from $15/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| FabricAI workspace for notes, files, bookmarks and meeting notes | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| AudioPenVoice notes rewritten into clear text in a chosen style | Free plan · from $33/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| ScrintalVisual note-taking on an infinite canvas of linked docs | Free trial · from $9/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
| TwosDaily lists for notes, to-dos and reminders in one app | Free plan · from $3.33/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| SagaAI workspace for connected notes, docs and tasks | Free plan · from $6/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows |
| TolariaFree, open-source desktop app for Markdown knowledge bases | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| OmniOutlinerOutliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro | Free trial · from $24.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| TinderboxMac tool for mapping, analyzing and sharing notes | Free trial · from $289 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Bike OutlinerFast outliner and structured writing app for Mac | Free plan · from $29.99 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| Keep ItNotebook and document organizer for Mac, iPhone and iPad | Free trial · from $2.99 | Trial only | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| EagleFilerDocument organizer and mail archiver for Mac | Free trial · from $69.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| CurioFreeform Mac notebook with mind maps, lists and Kanban | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | macOS |
| FSNotesOpen-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| The ArchivePlain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| NotebooksWriting, documents and tasks organized in nested books | Free trial · from $17.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| TotSeven-note text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch | Free plan · from $19.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| SideNotesScreen-edge notes panel for Mac, with a separate iPhone app | Free trial · from $9.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| HeynoteBlock-based scratchpad for developers on Mac, Windows and Linux | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| AntinoteMac scratchpad for temporary notes, quick math and checklists | Free trial · from $5 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| OctarineLocal Markdown notes app with daily notes, views and optional AI | Free plan · from $79 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, Browser extension |
| Tangent NotesOpen-source Markdown notes app that maps the path between notes | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Beaver NotesOpen-source, local-first Markdown notes app for desktop | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| LockbookOpen-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Mimiri NotesEnd-to-end encrypted notes in a tree, with encrypted sharing | Free plan · from $1.20/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| FUTO NotesLocal-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| SaberOpen-source handwritten notes app for phones, tablets and PCs | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| RnoteOpen-source app for sketching and handwritten notes with a stylus | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Linwood ButterflyOpen-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| ZoomNotesHandwriting, sketching and PDF notes with a near-unlimited zoom range | Free plan · from $7.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Notes WriterHandwriting, PDF annotation and document editing in one Apple app | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| CleftVoice notes turned into structured notes on Apple devices | Free plan · from $39.99/yr | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| LazyKeyboard-shortcut capture tool for notes and clippings on Mac | Free trial · from $6/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| NotePlusNative Markdown notes app with kanban boards and AI chat | Free plan · from $29 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| MiaoYanNative Mac Markdown notes app with a split editor and preview | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| VNoteFree desktop Markdown note-taking app with plain-file notebooks | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| NotenikFree Mac notes app with Markdown, custom fields and outlining | Free | Free | macOS |
| NoteGenOpen-source Markdown notes app that organizes captures with AI | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| ZavalaFree open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| Cloud OutlinerOutliner for iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud sync | Free plan · from $4.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| NoteeyOffline infinite-canvas app for visual notes, PDFs and video | Free plan · from $90/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows |
| BlinkoAI-assisted card notes, self-hosted or on Blinko Cloud | Free plan · from $5.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| SilverBulletScriptable Markdown knowledge base, self-hosted or on desktop | Free plan · from $50/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| CherryTreeHierarchical desktop notes with rich text and code highlighting | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| QOwnNotesOpen-source Markdown notes app with Nextcloud and ownCloud support | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, Browser extension |
| ZimDesktop wiki that keeps linked pages as plain text files | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| NotezillaDesktop sticky notes for Windows with phone and web access | Free plan · from $19.95/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| NoteCase ProCross-platform outliner and note manager with Lua scripting | Free plan · from $5 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| TreeSheetsOpen-source hierarchical spreadsheet for free-form notes and data | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| StrflowChat-style notes timeline for iPhone, iPad and Mac | Free plan · from $1.49/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| SnipNotesNotebook and clipboard app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| GravitySingle-stream notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android | From $9.99 one-time | No | macOS, iOS, Android |
| Quick NoteMenu bar sticky notes that float above other Mac windows | Free trial · from $12.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| NotchkinLocal notes panel that drops down from the MacBook notch | From $4.99 one-time | No | macOS |
| NotickySticky notes for Mac that stay on top, even in fullscreen | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| CoppiceMac app for linking notes together on a spatial canvas | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS |
| Stylus Labs WriteOpen-source handwriting word processor for desktop and mobile | Free plan · from $8.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| MinimalMeditation-inspired writing and notes app for Apple devices | Free trial · from $4.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| UnderstoryMac notes app for outlining and drafting essays, papers and books | Free plan · from $24.99 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| StickierSticky notes for Mac with iCloud sync and an iPhone companion app | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| DeepNotesEnd-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes | Free plan · from $3.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| MarknoteKDE's rich text note-taking app that saves notes as Markdown files | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| MindForgerOpen-source Markdown notebook that links related notes for you | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
Common questions
Which note-taking apps work on Mac?
107 of the 147 note-taking apps in this directory list a Mac app. They are Notion, Obsidian, Capacities, Anytype, Logseq, Evernote, Craft, Bear, Reflect, Tana Outliner, Roam Research, Heptabase, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, Goodnotes and 92 more.
Which of these note-taking apps are free?
Notion, Obsidian, Capacities, Anytype, Logseq, Evernote, Craft, Bear, Reflect, Tana Outliner, Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, Goodnotes, Notability, Joplin and 72 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 4, 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 each listing names the pages it was read from.