DEVONthink vs Evernote

DEVONthink

• Researchers, lawyers and writers with large document archives on a Mac
• People who want their documents stored locally rather than on a vendor's servers
• Buyers who prefer a one-time license to a subscription

Evernote

• People who save web pages, scans and documents and need to search across them
• Keeping notes, tasks and calendar events in a single app
• Teams that want shared notes with central administration and single sign-on

DEVONthink

• The desktop app is Mac only and requires macOS Ventura or later; the vendor develops solely for macOS and iOS.
• A license includes 1 year of updates. The app keeps working afterwards, but more updates cost $49 to $149 a year depending on the edition.
• The web interface is part of the $499 Server edition only, and generative AI, OCR and email archiving start at Pro.
• Standard does not include DEVONthink To Go, which needs a $2.99 monthly or $19 yearly subscription for full use.

Evernote

• The Free plan is limited to 50 notes, 1 notebook and sync on a single device.
• Starter is capped at 1,000 notes, 20 notebooks, 5 GB of storage and 3 synced devices.
• There is no Linux app; the desktop apps are for Mac and Windows only.
• In-note encryption is offered only in the Mac and Windows apps, and AI Cleanup only on mobile.

DEVONthink

Document databases

Stores texts, PDFs, web pages, images, emails and spreadsheets in databases on your Mac, organized with groups, tags and smart groups.

Notes, annotations and links

Write notes as Markdown, plain text or rich text and attach annotations to documents. Cross-references and item links connect items into a personal wiki.

Built-in and generative AI

Built-in AI suggests related documents and filing locations. Pro and Server connect online or local chat models for summaries, tagging and chat.

Automation

Smart rules run actions on documents when their conditions are met, and AppleScript or JavaScript for Automation scripts can extend them.

Encrypted sync

Databases sync between Macs, iPhones and iPads over the local network or a cloud service of your choice, with the synced data encrypted.

Scanning, OCR and email archiving

Pro and Server make scanned documents searchable, archive email independently of the mail app and imprint PDFs with stamps or Bates numbers.

Evernote

Web Clipper and document scanning

A browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Safari saves web pages into notes, and paper documents can be scanned in alongside them.

Advanced and semantic search

Search supports Boolean, geographic and filtered queries, and semantic search surfaces related notes based on their content.

Tasks and calendar

Tasks take due dates, reminders and assignees. Google and Microsoft calendars can be connected: 1 on the Free plan and 5 on paid plans.

AI Assistant

A chat assistant searches, organizes and enriches notes, with monthly and per-chat usage limits. AI Edit writes, summarizes, tidies and translates notes.

AI Transcribe

Records meetings and conversations, then produces a transcript and summary inside a note.

Collaboration and MCP

Shared notes support real-time editing, comments and task assignment. An MCP connector lets Claude, ChatGPT and other compatible AI tools use your notes.

DEVONthink

• Standard$99

  one-time license with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates

  Importing, indexing, sync, encrypted databases, versioning, tagging, annotations, smart groups and rules, and scripting. Extra seats cost $49.

• Pro$199

  one-time license with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates

  Adds generative AI integration, OCR, email archiving, custom metadata and DEVONthink To Go with 5 mobile seats. Extra seats cost $99.

• Server$499

  one-time license with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates

  Adds a web interface and granular access management for teams, plus 25 mobile seats for DEVONthink To Go. Extra seats cost $99.

• DEVONthink To Go$2.99

  per month, or $19 per year, as an App Store subscription

  The iPhone and iPad app. It works with restrictions without a license and is included with Pro and Server licenses that still receive updates.

Evernote

• Free$0

  50 notes, 1 notebook, 1 GB of storage and sync on 1 device.

• Starter$99

  per year ($14.99 if billed monthly)

  1,000 notes, 20 notebooks, 10 spaces, 5 GB of storage, 5 external calendars and sync across 3 devices.

• Advanced$249.99

  per year ($24.99 if billed monthly)

  Unlimited notes, notebooks, spaces, storage and synced devices, subject to safeguard limits against abuse.

• Enterprise (Flexible, Unlimited)Custom

  Team plans with centralized account administration, user activity logs and single sign-on. Pricing is by quote.

DEVONthink

• Education

  20% off for students and educators

  Full-time students and teachers get 20% off new licenses, extra seats and update extensions once their status is approved in their customer account.

• Nonprofit

  20% off for volunteer-run charities

  Charities working in children's aid, human aid, ecology, wildlife protection or renewable energy get 20% off. Educational institutes and religious organizations are excluded.

• Other savings

  Lower price for extending updates early

  Extending before the update year ends costs $44, $89 or $134 for one more year instead of $49, $99 or $149, with two- and three-year options.

Evernote

• Education

  40% off Evernote Advanced for students

  Eligible college students who are not already paying subscribers get 40% off a one-year Evernote Advanced subscription, with student status verified through UNiDAYS.