Apple Notes vs Google Keep

Apple Notes

• People who use only Apple devices
• Quick capture with Quick Note, Siri or dictation on Apple Watch
• Scanning receipts and documents into searchable notes
• Families and friends sharing notes and folders over iCloud

Google Keep

• Quick notes, shopping lists and reminders on a phone or smartwatch
• People who already work in Google Docs and other Google apps
• Households sharing lists that update in real time

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.

Google Keep

• Keep allows up to 50 labels, and labels, colors and pins on a shared note are visible only to you.
• No desktop app is listed: Keep runs in a browser, as a Chrome extension and as Android, Wear OS, iPhone and iPad apps.
• Creating lists with Gemini in Keep requires a Google AI plan or a Pixel device.
• Workspace Business editions are capped at 300 users; larger organizations need Enterprise pricing from Google sales.

Apple Notes

Rich notes

A note can combine text styles, checklists, tables, photos, PDFs, maps and web links. Section headers collapse to hide the text under them.

Audio recording and transcripts

Audio sessions are recorded inside a note with a live transcript, and transcripts are searchable to find a particular moment.

Document scanner and handwriting

A built-in scanner captures paper documents. Sketches and handwriting are added with a finger, or with Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad, including on inline PDFs.

Folders, tags and Smart Folders

Notes sit in folders and subfolders or carry typed or handwritten tags. Smart Folders collect notes by rules such as date created, checklists or attachments.

Search and links between notes

Search covers typed text, handwriting and the text inside scanned documents and photos. Notes can link to one another, with >> as a typing shortcut.

Shared and locked notes

Notes and folders can be shared with other iCloud users, with changes shown in real time and an Activity view. A note can be locked with the device passcode or a custom password.

Google Keep

Notes, lists, photos, drawings and audio

A note can be text, a checklist, a photo, a drawing or an audio recording. Voice memos are transcribed automatically, and text inside images is picked up by search.

Labels, colors and pins

Notes are organized with up to 50 labels, color codes and pins. Search filters by color and by attributes such as lists, audio notes with reminders or shared notes.

Time and location reminders

A reminder brings a note back at a set time or on arrival at a place, such as a grocery list that appears at the store.

Shared notes

Several people can edit the same note or list at once, with checked-off items showing up in real time. Notes can also be shared with a Google family group.

Keep inside Google Docs and Slides

A side panel in Docs and Slides lists Keep notes, which can be dragged into the document. Highlighted text or images can be saved back to Keep.

Chrome extension and offline use

The Chrome extension saves URLs, text and images to Keep and lets you add labels. Notes can be updated offline, and changes sync once you reconnect.

Apple Notes

• Free$0

  Every feature of the app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, plus browser access at iCloud.com.

Google Keep

• Personal Google Account$0

  Keep on the web, in the free Android and iOS apps and as a Chrome extension, with labels, reminders and shared notes.

• Business Starter$7

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($8.40 flexible)

  Google Workspace for up to 300 users with 30 GB pooled storage per user. Keep shared notes come with every Workspace plan.

• Business Standard$14

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($16.80 flexible)

  Google Workspace with 2 TB pooled storage per user.

• Business Plus$22

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($26.40 flexible)

  Google Workspace with 5 TB pooled storage per user.

• EnterpriseCustom

  For companies with more than 300 users; priced through Google sales and resellers.

Apple Notes

No public discounts listed.

Google Keep

• Annual discount

  Lower Workspace rate with a 1-year commitment

  Business Starter costs $7 per user per month on the Annual/Fixed-Term Plan versus $8.40 on the Flexible Plan. Standard drops from $16.80 to $14 and Plus from $26.40 to $22.

• Nonprofit

  Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0

  Eligible nonprofits get Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0 per user, or Business Standard at $3.50 and Business Plus at $6.16 per user per month on a 1-year commitment.