12 Best Note-Taking Apps for Students, Professionals & Designers

Whether you’re at a business meeting or reading a book at home, having a note-taking app is extremely useful.

However, nowadays, there are so many apps to take notes out there!

That means finding the best note-taking app for your needs is more complicated.

So in this blog post, we’re going to show you the twelve best Note-taking apps out there.

If that sounds interesting, then keep on reading.

1. Evernote

Starting off, we have one of the most popular note-taking apps, Evernote.

The reason why it’s so popular is for a couple of reasons. First, Evernote is straightforward to use. It shouldn’t take you long to get familiar with this app and start using it to your advantage.

But additionally, to that, Evernote comes with some impressive features.

For example, with Evernote, you can scan paper documents and make them digital. Further, you can integrate it with your calendar to prepare for the meeting.

Main Features:

• Templates help you start taking notes in a faster and more organized way.
• Calendar helps you attach your notes to a calendar event like a meeting.
• Web clipper helps you to save articles and screen captures to your Evernote account with just a click.

Pros:

• Extensive Amount Of Features
• Effortless to Take Notes

Cons:

• Restrictive Free Plan – You can only attach 60MB worth of files every month.

2. AmpleNote

Next up, we have AmpleNote.

This app is relatively new to the list of note-taking apps. However, that doesn’t mean this is a bad app. Actually, it’s quite the contrary.

What makes AmpleNote so great is that it has multiple functions.

You could create notes and to-do lists, and even use AmpleNote as a calendar. However, what I love the most is the “Jots.” These are quick notes where you can quickly write down the random thoughts you have that distract from your work.

That way, you’ll remember it later while letting you focus on the task at hand.

AmpleNote also is very well designed. The interface is clean and reminds me of Evernote, making it easy to start using it.

And it has a generous free plan. That means you won’t have to spend any money before you’re certain that it works for you.

Main Features:

• All-in-One Hub: Notes, To-Do Lists, and Calendar.
• Jots let you quickly write down simple ideas and information to help you focus on the task at hand
• Shortcuts allow you to filter your notes for quick access

Pros:

• Free Version Available
• Easy to Use
• All-in-One Productivity App

Cons:

• Unoptimized Tablet Version

3. Notion

Next up, we have Notion.

If you’ve ever checked out any productivity Youtubers, you know that this is a top-rated note-taking app. And that’s for some good reasons.

One of the biggest reasons is that you can create anything you want with it.

You could create documents, databases, Kanban boards, to-do lists, and so on. And you can do all of that without writing a single line of code.

And when compared to Evernote, this app has a much more generous plan.

You’re not limited by how many devices you can sync. The only reason why you’d want to upgrade is if you’d like to collaborate.

It’s pretty tricky for beginners to start. You need to learn the different commands before you can create what you want.

Main Features:

• Templates help you build more than just notes. You can create Kanban boards, databases and much more.
• Notion Databases help you to store your files in an organized manner.
• Hundreds of integrations help you to be more productive and do better with team collaboration.

Pros:

• Highly Customizable
• Generous Free Plan
• Databases

Cons:

• High Learning Curve

4. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is another impressive note-taking app to try out.

One of the reasons you’d want to is that it’s 100% free to use. You get access to all features on whatever device you’re on. You won’t even need the Microsoft 365 plan.

What I love about this app is how many advanced features it has.

For example, if you don’t want to write, you could create voice notes. All you need is a microphone, and you’re ready.

One Note’s desktop app is pretty resource-heavy.

While that might not be a big flaw for most of you. If you have an older or low-end PC, you might struggle using this.

Main Features:

• Keep your notes organized with sections and pages.
• Use a stylus or finger to draw out your thoughts
• Insert media including audio notes, videos and other files.

Pros:

• Intuitive & Easy To Use
• 100% Free To Use
• Advanced Features

Cons:

• Resource-heavy app on Desktop

5. Bear

If you want something simple and isn’t distracting, then Bear might be the app for you.

That’s because Bear was designed to look as simple as possible.

When you first boot up, you see that the interface is very clean. There are no unnecessary buttons. All you have is a blank sheet where you can write on it.

Another great benefit is that it has a focus mode. Bear removes all the unnecessary features in this mode, so all you can do is write. That makes it a handy app for blog writers.

And once you’ve done writing, you can export this in various formats. These include Pdfs and Docx files.

If you do not own an Apple product, then this note-taking app isn’t available for you. So you’ll have to find something else if you’re a Windows or Android user.

Main Features:

• Focus mode lets you concentrate on writing by removing any unnecessary distractions.
• Customize the look of your page with beautiful themes and custom typography.
• Export your documents in various files, including pdf, Docx, and even jpg.

Pros:

• Clean Interface
• Focus Mode
• Multiple Export Options

Cons:

• For Apple Products Only

6. Apple Notes

Next up is Apple’s native note-taking app, Notes.

As the name says, this is an app made by Apple, so it’s not available for Windows and Android users. But those who use Apple products shouldn’t overlook this app.

One of the biggest strengths of this app is that it’s 100% free! You won’t need to subscribe to any other subscription. Instead, you can have all the features.

But the best part is that you don’t even have to download it as it becomes standard. That helps you to free up space for other things.

And also, it’s straightforward to use! Within seconds you should be familiar with this app and use all of its features.

Main Features:

• Sync your notes with all your Apple devices with iCloud.
• Create notes how you want! You can attach files, create tables. scribble, and much more.

Pros:

• 100% Free
• Simple to Use

Cons:

• For Apple Products Only
• Limited Features

7. Obsidian

Not interested in any of the previously mentioned note-taking apps?

Well, then this might be for you. Obsidian is a relatively new platform. Notion and Obsidian, both belong to the Second Brain App ecosystem.

For starters, it has a straightforward and beautiful interface. That makes it a specific app to start using. All you need is a few minutes, and you’ll be harnessing its benefits.

And one of these benefits is that it’s an open-source platform. That means users can create plugins for it to make it add additional features.

For example, you could download plugins to make Kanban boards and so much more.

And to top it all off, you have a very generous free version.

With it, you get full access to all features.

The only difference between the paid and free versions is that with paid, you can get access to early-access builds and some special badges.

While Obsidian might be easy to pick up and start taking notes, it does have a significant learning curve before you start benefiting from all the features.

I recommend starting with this Youtube tutorial on Obsidian.

But once you’ve learned it, you get one of the best note-taking apps out there.

Main Features:

• Graph view lets you see your notes at a glance and keeps you inspired to write.
• See all the links to other relevant notes.
• Add new functionality with community plugins. These include a Calendar and Kanban boards.

Pros:

• Community Plugins
• Clean & Easy to Use Interface
• Generous Free Plan

Cons:

• High Learning Curve

8. Typora

Continuing down the list is Typora.

That is yet another impressive app for taking notes.

What makes this is so great is its interface. While it might look straightforward on the surface, it is pretty powerful. In the app, you can do a lot of things.

For example, you could code, do mathematics, add pictures, and more.

Another benefit of using this is that it’s cross-platform. So that means you won’t have to worry if you have a Macbook or a Windows PC; both users can use this.

Since this is a markdown editor, this doesn’t have any in-app storage. That means you’ll have to store your text files in a separate folder.

Main Features:

• The interface is simple but powerful. You can create diagrams, mathematics, lists and much more.
• Outline Structure lets you quickly find the information you need with a click of a button.
• Focus Mode and TypeWriter Mode let you stay focused on your task.

Pros:

• Cross-platform
• Distraction-free Interface
• Powerful Uses

Cons:

• No in-app storage
• No Mobile App Available

9. Google Keep

Are you using Google products instead of Microsoft?

Well, the best alternative to OneNote is Google Keep!

What makes this so great is just like with OneNote; this one is also completely free to use. All you need is a Gmail account, and you can use it!

Additionally, if you’ve used any other Google products like Google Docs or Sheets, then you should feel right at home. The interface is identical, so using it is super easy!

However, there’s one thing you should know about.

While you can make unlimited notes, there’s one place where you’re limited, and that is in the character count. You can only write up to 20,000 characters per note.

But at the same time, this is quite a lot, so Google Keep is still a fantastic note-taking app.

Main Features:

• Quickly add notes, photos, and audio wherever you are.
• Share your notes with family and friends.
• Use the search bar to quickly find the note you are looking for.

Pros:

• Voice notes
• 100% Free
• Easy to Use

Cons:

• Limited to 20,000 characters per note

10. Roam Research

This note-taking app is unique!

Not only is it not as popular as many other alternatives, but it also works quite differently from other apps.

When you look at other apps like Notion and Evernote, they work hierarchically. That means that a note can live another message, where additional notes live, etc.

However, with Roam, it’s different.

Instead of hierarchy, this one works like a web. Each note is connected to something. That should make you remember things better.

Another thing that I like about this platform is its easy-to-use interface. It’s clean and straightforward.

Main Features:

• Daily Note works like a journal. It lets you write down your ideas and thoughts but log them historically.
• /TODO command lets you turn your bullet points into tasks.
• Block references let you link to other relevant notes.

Pros:

• Easy-to-Use Interface
• No Hierarchy

Cons:

• No Free Version
• It Takes Time to Change

11. Joplin

Next up is Joplin.

That is yet another fantastic app for taking notes. What makes this so great is that it’s effortless to use. All you need is a few minutes, and you can start using it.

Other than that, it’s also quite powerful.

For example, you can use a web clipper to add links to your notes quickly. Then you can add many display options. You can even add math formulas!

But what makes this so great is that it’s entirely free.

So you can get full access without having to type in your credit card information.

Main Features:

• Add any file you need. This includes images, videos, PDFs, and audio files.
• Share your notes and collaborate together with friends, colleagues, or your family.
• Use Joplin’s clipper to quickly save web pages and take screenshots of them.

Pros:

• 100% Free
• Cross-Platform
• Web Clipper

Cons:

• No Collaboration – You can only do that if you subscribe to their cloud service.

12. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox isn’t just a file-sharing platform. Instead, you can also take notes with their app called Dropbox Paper.

This platform has unique features.

For example, it has one of the most extensive lists of different display options.

You can add YouTube videos, Gifs, Pinterest Boards, And even SoundCloud clips. And that’s just scratching the surface.

It also comes with some great integrations. One of my favorites is that you can connect with a Calendar.

This way, it’s straightforward to find the meeting notes.

However, there isn’t a way to organize as you don’t have any tagging options.

Main Features:

• Keep your team organized by assigning to-dos and adding due dates to your team members inside the document.
• Add any type of media you need YouTube video, GIF, Pinterest board, Google Maps, or even a SoundCloud clip.
• With a click of a button, you can turn your notes into a professional presentation.

Pros:

• Many Display Options
• Great Integrations
• User-Friendly Design

Cons:

• Limited Features

Main Features:

• Use note version history to see what changes you made throughout time, and get some accidentally deleted information back.
• Share your notes with anyone!
• Simplenote automatically syncs all your notes, making it available to use anywhere on any device you have.

Pros:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility
• Note Version History
• 100% Free to Use

Cons:

• Lacking some features

Conclusion

And those were the twelve best note-taking apps.

Now all that is left is to pick the one that suits you the most.

Be sure to look to see if it’s available on your device, has the features you need, and you’re golden.

Then you can start taking notes and see your productivity skyrocket.