15 Best Evernote Alternatives You Need to Try in 2024

If you’re looking for better Evernote alternatives, this guide is for you.

There was a time when the term “note-taking” became synonymous with the app, Evernote—not anymore.

Users want more out of a note-taking app today—be it seamless synchronization across devices, advanced organizational features, or integration with other productivity tools. They want a digital notebook that’s also a powerful assistant to manage information, ideas, and tasks.

We’ll help you make the switch by comparing 15 free alternatives to Evernote, from features and pricing to pros and cons of each tool.

Why Look for Evernote Alternatives?

Most people who have moved on from Evernote cite valid reasons such as:

• Less features for more pricing: Evernote altered its Free plan to now include the ability to create only 1 notebook and 50 notes. Loyal Evernote users who have been using the app for many years suddenly came face to face with the idea of having to let go of their important notes. Additionally, users face challenges when migrating their Evernote notes to other platforms, as certain features like notebook stacks, reminders, and internal links may not transfer perfectly.
• Performance issues: Users have also been reporting performance problems with the app, such as slow speed
• Higher prices for premium plans: If a user wants to use the brand’s premium features, they need to shell out more money
• Lack of advanced features: The biggest problem with Evernote is that it lacks format options, productivity-enhancing features, real-time collaboration functionalities, and more

How We Evaluated These Evernote Alternatives

To save you time, we’ve done the research. In this guide, we’re evaluating powerful Evernote alternatives across five critical areas:

• Features: We examined each app’s functionalities, such as the ability to create and organize notes, tagging, multimedia support, and collaboration tools. Apps with unique features such as handwriting recognition, voice notes, and web clipping were also considered.
• Ease of use: We assessed the user interface and overall experience. After all, if the app does not have an intuitive design and easy navigation, its learning curve will be steep. We also considered the availability of tutorials and customer support.
• Pricing: We compared the cost of premium plans, free tiers, and overall value for money.
• Integration: We looked at how well each app integrates with other tools, such as cloud storage, task management apps, email clients, etc.
• Security: We reviewed the security measures of each app—from encryption and data privacy policies to user control over data.

15 Free Evernote Alternatives Worth Considering

1. Nifty

Nifty is an all-in-one free project management tool that also helps you jot down notes and work with enhanced productivity. However, it’s not just a note taking app—it’s a full-fledged Evernote alternative that does so much more.

With Nifty, you can chat with your team in real-time, set up milestones to track your progress, and connect with apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, Google Drive, etc. to streamline your workflow:

Key Features:

Here’s a quick run-through of Nifty’s note-taking capabilities:

• Docs: Nifty’s built-in Docs feature is extremely intuitive to use. You can format your notes with rich-formatting options such as adding images and to-do lists, embedding videos, and so on:

• Commenting capability inside docs: Nifty’s Highlight Text to Comment feature is its shining feature, as you can add a comment within the document itself and tag team members to get the latest status updates:

• Full-stack tool that manages your entire project: Nifty offers every kind of feature imaginable to manage projects, such as:
  • Centralized Dashboard where you can add project resource links and other documents
  • Gantt-chart style Roadmaps to get a bird’s eye view of your project’s progress
  • Quick overview of Tasks in the Timeline, Kanban, List, Swimlane, and Calendar views
  • Discussions feature within your project to share ideas and drive real time conversations

Pros:

• Docs feature is ideal for collaborative note-taking
• Offers plenty of collaboration functionalities like in-built chat and Zoom/Slack integration, etc.
• Intuitive UI and UX
• Prompt customer support

Cons:

• Does not offer the voice notes feature yet
• Mobile apps lack some advanced features like PDF annotation and OCR, which might be a deal-breaker for some users

Pricing:

• Free forever plan: $0 (unlimited tasks and users)
• Starter plan: Starts at $5/user
• Pro plan: Starts at $10/user
• Business plan: Starts at $16/user

G2 review: (4.7/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.6/5 stars)

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2. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote offers powerful collaboration features along with simplified note-taking.

Key Features:

• Desktop app with themes you can personalize
• Capable of handling voice memos, audio notes, text notes, etc.
• Encrypts notes for secure sharing
• Organizes notes using folders
• Includes digital sticky notes

Pros:

• Handwritten notes are supported
• Sharing notes and folders via email or URLs is easy
• The app includes many simple and handy shortcuts
• You can access the sticky note feature
• Available as an android app for non-Apple users

Cons:

• Some users report that the mobile app is not as user-friendly as the web version

Pricing: Available free of cost to Microsoft users

G2 review: (4.5/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.6/5 stars)

3. ClickUp

ClickUp empowers you to create in-depth docs, meeting agendas, wikis, and more and connect them to your workflows. Use this versatile tool to organize unlimited notebooks.

Key Features:

• Add images, checklists, hyperlinks, audio files, etc. to your notes
• Version control and real-time collaboration features
• Built-in Notepad allows for quick note-taking

Pros:

• Create as many notes as you need with nested pages
• Excellent formatting and styling options for notes
• ClickUp AI doubles up as a helpful note-taking assistant

Cons:

• Some users complain of a steep learning curve with the app

Pricing:

• Free Forever: $0
• Unlimited: $7/user/month, billed annually
• Business: $12/user/month, billed annually
• Enterprise: Contact the team

G2 review: (4.7/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.6/5 stars)

ClickUp is a good Evernote alternative. But Nifty is better. Know why!

4. Notion: Fantastic alternative to Evernote

With Notion, you can jot down notes, assign tasks, organize your work, and even post updates in a team wiki. It’s a fantastic alternative to Evernote, letting you create endless pages for anything you need—whether it’s managing tasks, setting up company policies, or drafting project plans.

Key Features:

• Supports diverse content types such as bookmarks, code snippets, etc.
• Web clipping feature
• Diverse viewing options such as timeline, list, and gallery
• Numerous customizable templates

Pros:

• Unlimited options for creating nest pages within pages
• Offers real-time collaborative editing

Cons:

• Does not have a PDF annotation feature or Gantt charts

Pricing:

• Free: $0
• Plus: $8/seat/month, billed annually
• Business: $12/seat/month, billed annually
• Enterprise: Contact the team

G2 review: (4.7/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.7/5 stars)

5. Zoho Notebook

Zoho Notebook’s most basic plan, Notebook Essential, allows you to sync notes across unlimited devices. If you use a lot of Zoho apps such as Zoho CRM, Flows, etc., using this note-taking app will make your life and work easier.

Key Features:

• Web clipper saves images, text, etc.
• Integrations with useful apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Suite, etc.
• Touch ID secures notes

Pros:

• Provides most of Evernote’s features along with productivity features
• Available for Linux, Windows, and Mac users
• Users can leverage the services of Zia, an AI-powered writing assistant

Cons:

• View and integration options are limited
• Lacks task management features such as creating tasks or assigning them
• Migrating exported Evernote notes can be challenging, especially when using the desktop app and selecting specific notebooks for migration

Pricing:

• NOTEBOOK ESSENTIAL: $0
• NOTEBOOK PRO: $19.99/year

G2 review: (4.4/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.5/5 stars)

6. SimpleNote

SimpleNote is a cross-platform note-taking app that you can access from any web browser. All you need to do is download this open-source app and you are good to go.

Key Features:

• Available for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, or your browser
• Tagging feature for notes helps find them easily
• Auto-backing up of notes 

Pros:

• One of the best evernote alternatives because of it’s ease of use
• Syncs notes across platforms and devices
• Compatible with Markdown format

Cons:

• Does not allow you to attach PDFs, files, audio files, etc., to your notes
• When compared with Evernote, lacks flexibility

Pricing: Available for free

G2 review: (4.2/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.3/5 stars)

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7. Quip

Quip provides teams with a simple tool for creating collaborative documents. It incorporates documents, spreadsheets, task lists, and messaging into a single unified note-taking tool. It is one of those selective evernote alternatives that can use Quip on iPad, Android, iPhone, iOS, Windows, and other devices, making it accessible across a wide range of platforms.

Key Features:

• Client Notes template helps standardize the way users capture data

Pros:

• If you use a lot of Salesforce apps such as Salesforce CRM, for instance, you can use Quip to attach useful notes and streamline your data-gathering process

Cons:

• Does not allow users to see easily who made changes to the note and when

Pricing:

• Quip Starter: $10/user/month, billed annually
• Quip Plus: $25/user/month, billed annually
• Quip Advanced: $100/user/month, billed annually

G2 review: (4.2/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.4/5 stars)

8. Turtl

Turtl allows you to take notes, bookmark websites, and store documents easily. It keeps your information safe from unauthorized access, whether you’re sharing passwords with coworkers or tracking research for an article. The biggest advantage is that Turtl provides a private space for storing notes, passwords, documents, and so on.

Key Features:

• Turtl Spaces works as a collaborative workspace to create and edit documents together
• Tags and text queries allow for quick searching of notes
• Markdown format can be used to write notes

Pros:

• Leverages high-end cryptography to protect your data
• Offers the ability to choose who can access the notes
• Supports TeX math rendering

Cons:

• Limited integrations with other workflow apps
• The platform has glitches if a new feature is released

Pricing: Contact the team

G2 review: (4.4/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.7/5 stars)

9. Apple Notes: Evernote Alternative for iOS

As a native note taking app on all Apple devices, Apple Notes syncs effortlessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac through iCloud. This integration ensures that your notes are always up-to-date and accessible, no matter which device you’re using.

Key Features:

• Protect notes with a Face ID, password, or Touch ID
• Diverse formatting choices, such as headings, fonts, and images
• Robust search functionality
• Allows you to add websites and locations from other apps to your notes

Pros:

• Share Sheet feature allows you to share content, such as text, links, images, and documents, from one iOS app to another
• Offers drag-and-drop functionality for organizing folders

Cons:

• Does not have a web clipper or task management features
• Only Apple users have access to Apple Notes

Pricing: Available for free for iOS and macOS users

G2 review: NA

Capterra review: NA

10. Google Keep: Free Evernote Alternative

Google Keep is a free part of the Google Workspace app for Gmail users. It allows you to add textual notes, add photos to your notes, and create on-point to-do lists that sync seamlessly across platforms and devices. If you’re looking for a free alternative to Evernote, Google Keep is for you.

Key Features:

• Voice-to-text helps record notes on the go
• Allows users to categorize notes using pins, colors, and labels

Pros:

• Allows users to take notes in four ways: by typing, drawing, talking, or taking images

Cons:

• Does not allow you to attach PDF to your notes
• Storage is restricted to 15GB

Pricing: Available for free

G2 review: (4.6/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.7/5 stars)

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11. Joplin

An open-source note-taking app, Joplin is completely free to use. You can take images from the mobile app and save them as notes—it’s that easy to use!

Key Features:

• Multimedia notes support images, PDFs, audio files, and videos within notes
• Joplin Cloud helps users share notes on the fly

Pros:

• Web Clipper extension helps save web pages as notes or take screenshots
• Customize the app with plugins, themes, etc.

Cons:

• Collaboration features only function well with the Joplin cloud

Pricing: Available for free

G2 review: (4.8/5 stars)

Capterra review: NA

12. ProofHub

ProofHub is an excellent alternative to Evernote if you want advanced team collaboration and project management features that are complemented by a user-friendly interface.

This feature-rich software helps teams manage tasks, projects, and interactions without much effort.

Key Features:

• User-friendly note-taking app
• Integrated chat app
• Task creation with deadlines
• Personalized workflows and Kanban boards
• Online proofing checker

Pros:

• Flexible all-in-one task management tool
• Allows users to share files easily and communicate in real time

Cons:

• Does not offer a free plan
• Integration can be better

Pricing:

• Unlimited Control: $89/month, billed annually
• Essential: $49/month, billed annually

G2 review: (4.5/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.6/5 stars)

13. Box Notes

Box Notes is a great alternative to Evernote for users who want collaborative workflows. Whether you want to take live notes online or brainstorm ideas, Box Notes makes the process easy.

Key Features:

• Concurrent editing allows multiple users to view the same note and make real-time annotations and edits collaboratively
• Box AI helps build a variety of content, such as sales emails, meeting summaries,  blogs, etc.

Pros:

• Tool is backed by enterprise-grade security, ensuring your content is always secure
• Offers third-party integrations, particularly for driving external collaboration

Cons:

• Limited features in the free trier

Pricing: Has a free plan; paid plans start at $5 a month

G2 review: NA

Capterra review: NA

14. Nimbus Note (now FuseBase)

Fusebase is one of the most visually-pleasing note-taking apps out there. What makes this app a better Evernote alternative is that it offers all of Evernote’s features, including web clipping, at a lower price. You can also embed videos, add images, etc. to enhance the quality of your notes.

Key Features:

• Rich-text formatting options
• Link notes to your CRM, workflow planner, website, etc.
• Nimbus Screenshot helps create full-page screenshots in one click

Pros:

• Regular product updates every month
• Access notes on the go
• Clean UI with multiple options for sharing notes
• Unlike Evernote, Nimbus Note allows you to create folders within folders and color-code them

Cons:

• Lacks robust workflow collaboration tools
• Grammar integration is not stable

Pricing:

• Free: $0
• Standard: $9/user/month, billed annually
• Plus: $12/user/month, billed annually
• Premium: $30/user/month, billed annually

G2 review: (4.7/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.6/5 stars)

15. Notejoy

Notejoy is one of the simplest note-taking apps, perfect for creating checklists. You can organize your notes better using nested notebooks and tags. Features such as note views, reactions, and threaded discussions help collaborate with the team and offer real-time feedback.

Key Features:

• Ability to share documents and build templates for emails
• Converts emails that are forwarded to the app into notes
• Allows fast searching for text within PDFs, images, etc.

Pros:

• Easy to use with a little learning curve
• Offers dark mode and focus mode 

Cons:

• Doesn’t offer automation or task and workflow management functionalities
• No multiple-view options

Pricing:

• Free: $0
• Solo: $4/month, billed annually
• Plus: $8/user/month, billed annually
• Premium: $12/user/month, billed annually

G2 review: (4.3/5 stars)

Capterra review: (4.3/5 stars)

How to Choose the Right Evernote Alternative for You?

Assess your note-taking needs: Start by listing your specific requirements:

• Do you frequently create multimedia notes where you need to embed photos or record audio memos?
• Do you need advanced organization options such as tags and notebooks? For example, if you’re a student, you might need robust organizational tools such as nested notebooks and tags for different subjects and projects.
• Do you want to collaborate with others in real-time to edit and share your notes—similar to Google Docs?
• Is it important for you to migrate and preserve all your notes when choosing an alternative?

Consider your budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend. If you need premium features but are on a tight budget, look for apps with affordable premium plans, such as Nifty, which offers many features for free or at a low cost.

Evaluate the integration capabilities: Identify the tools you already use and ensure the note-taking app integrates seamlessly with them. For example, if you:

• Rely on Google Drive for file storage, make sure the app supports direct uploads to Drive
• Use Slack for team communication. Check if the app allows you to send notifications and updates directly to your Slack channels

Test usability and user experience: Download trial versions of at least 2-3 apps and use them for a week. Pay attention to the interface—do you find it intuitive? Take note of how quickly you can access and organize your notes. You must also pay attention to whether the app offers helpful onboarding tutorials and has a responsive customer support process in place.

Check security features: Look into each app’s security measures. If you handle sensitive information, ensure the app uses end-to-end encryption as well as two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. Also, consider whether you can easily back up and export your data.

Try Nifty for Unlimited Access to Docs (aka Notes) For Life

There’s no denying that Evernote is a great app for note-taking but it is not one without flaws—the biggest one being lacking premium features in the free plan. And in today’s hybrid work environment, not being able to connect with your team virtually and in real-time is a significant drawback.

Choose from this list of 15 best Evernote alternatives. May we suggest one solid option: Nifty, as it offers free access to Docs for life! Plus, you get a host of helpful project management features such as task management, real-time collaboration, reporting, time tracking, and more. Nifty excels in organizing notes, enhancing productivity with its intuitive interface and robust features. So, don’t let limited note-taking features in Evernote hold you back.

Try Nifty now and enhance your note-taking (and project management) experience simultaneously. With Nifty as your trusted note-taking sidekick, you’ll never believe how much taking notes can be!

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