Google Keep vs Samsung Notes

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

Samsung Notes

• Galaxy phone and tablet owners, especially those with an S Pen
• Recording a lecture or meeting while taking notes
• Marking up PDFs by hand on a Galaxy tablet

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.

Samsung Notes

• Samsung documents the app for Galaxy phones, tablets and Galaxy Book PCs; no iPhone, Mac or web version is listed.
• The Windows app is optimized for Galaxy Book models, and Samsung says other Windows computers may have issues running it.
• Syncing with Microsoft OneNote is not available on devices running One UI 9; notes sync through Samsung Cloud instead.
• Note Assist needs a supported Galaxy device, a Samsung account and an internet connection, and shared notes are still labeled beta.

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.

Samsung Notes

S Pen handwriting

Handwriting can be altered, moved and converted to text, using pens, fountain pens, pencils and highlighters in a range of colors and thicknesses.

Voice recordings synced to notes

A recording made while you type or write is synced to the note, so playback follows along with what you wrote during a lecture or meeting.

PDF import and annotation

PDFs can be imported, written on and annotated. Notes export as PDF, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, image or text files.

Folders, page templates and locked notes

Notes are organized into folders and subfolders, with page templates such as grids and lined paper. Individual notes can be locked, which requires a Samsung account.

Shared notes

Up to 10 people, including you, can edit the same note at the same time on Galaxy phones and tablets, invited from contacts or by link. Samsung labels the feature beta.

Note Assist with Galaxy AI

On select Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 6.1 or later, Note Assist formats notes automatically, summarizes them, corrects spelling and translates them.

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.

Samsung Notes

• Free$0

  The full app on Galaxy phones and tablets and on Galaxy Book PCs, with sync through Samsung Cloud using a Samsung account.

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.

Samsung Notes

No public discounts listed.