3rd May, 2024
Replace Evernote with one of these note-taking apps. From the visual note-taking tools to the traditional Evernote alternatives to consider. Here's the best Evernote alternatives to explore in 2024 as you look to replace Evernote.
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Evernote was once the best note-taking app in the world.
But since 2018, that has been under threat from tools like Notion, the PKM concept & a greater level of innovation in the note-taking space, combined with Evernote's lack of innovation - and many people are seeking Evernote alternatives.
Let's help you find and get to the perfect Evernote alternative for you. The best Evernote alternatives the ones that match your needs, but here's how we picked these solutions.
Let's unpack some of the key things to look out for when seeking an Evernote alternative to replace Evernote in this list, this checklist should help:
Good Evernote Alternative | Bad Evernote Alternative |
---|---|
Allows you to import notes | Doesn't allow import |
Reliable and easy to use | Unstable & lacks uptime |
Features match your needs | Not fresh or newly launched |
Let's take a look at the Evernote alternatives at a glance before we dig into each one:
There are very many of them to choose from so let's break them down to understand them further and why they make good Evernote alternatives.
Moving note-taking apps is like moving house, it is a big move. We've created a helpful "do I need to leave Evernote?" video that might help before you make the leap.
Here's a full list of the best alternatives to Evernote, if you want to get right in:
Obsidian has been a growing go-to for many Evernote users. That's primarily because Obsidian avoids costs with a free experience, offers regular updates & comes local first.
Obsidian is rightfully one of the fastest-growing note apps on the market and is attractive for many reasons as an Evernote alternative. The first is price, Obsidian is free with no sync meaning you can store as many notes as you like and access all the features on one device, without paying a penny. This is one of the reasons why people are considering it to replace Evernote, thanks to Evernote's subscription hike in late 2023.
Now, Obsidian isn't for everyone moving from Evernote. Remember, Obsidian is more of a PKM tool which means it offers more advanced note-taking features like linking notes, graph view, and networked thought, things Evernote has but in smaller doses. But if you're looking for a more systems-based approach to your notes, Obsidian is a good tool.
Obsidian as an Evernote alternative isn't all about pricing and the change in feature focus, but the regular updates they offer, which come thick and fast for a free access application. For those who like the syncing abilities of Evernote, they have something called Obsidian Sync and Publish, sync allowing you to store across devices for easy note-syncing and is cheaper than Evernote's pricing scheme at $8 per month.
Obsidian is best recommended if you're looking for a change of scenery, Obsidian takes you into a world of personal knowledge management apps & tools, which are more focused on how a note connects, reflection on notes, and more systems-based note-taking. If you're moving from Evernote thanks to the lofty pricing introduced, then there's no better alternative than Obsidian for packing the value for money.
Amplenote is a like-for-like alternative to Evernote, and what we mean by this is the features are most similar to Evernote. Amplenote isn't the most attractive to look at, with the more classic design and some of the features do take learning, much like Obsidian, but largely it offers a combination of tasks, notes & calendars in one that presents well.
For those who like GTD (getting things done) then we think Amplenote is the perfect balance between Evernote's core feature set (and more in ways) and the GTD feel and process. The best representation is this is in our video explaining how GTD correlates well with Amplenote, and you can get an idea of how many people might like this for GTD use.
In terms of like-for-like features, Amplenote has tasks for task management, with more powerful features like "task score" which allows you to break down a task based on a score of importance, great for prioritization. This is a much-loved feature in Amplenote, and whilst not as attractive as Evernote's presentation of this - this goes for calendar management too, that combination of three new features (tasks, calendar & notes) in one is something Evernote does very well.
The combination gives a good match to Amplenote, but if the design is important to you as you open your note-taking app every single day, then Amplenote does not offer a compelling look and feel. But if the design doesn't matter, then Amplenote packs away more power features than Evernote, and even for the premium pricing, much better overall.
This is the closest Evernote alternative on this list in direct feature comparisons.
OneNote is one of those safe, Evernote alternatives.
When we refer to safe, we mean the fact that it comes with what you need, better sketch abilities, and houses it within your existing Microsoft account, but it is safe in terms of the features which are just solid, but not exciting or actively progressive like tools that might come from 3rd party providers that you see within this list of Evernote alternatives.
Microsoft OneNote will master the note-taking part of the Evernote experience very well, with tabs, sketches, great Windows app access, great ways to connect with docs like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and beyond - and the exciting new AI abilities found in Co-Pilot continue to grow to make it a more comprehensive tool.
This is a safe bet when it comes to picking a note-taking app, which isn't a bad thing when you're just looking for an alternative that has all-round use like Evernote.
If note-taking is the key, and you want a free alternative to Evernote that is supported by Microsoft, even with features like Co-Pilot. Then OneNote is the best out there for all of that, if you're looking for something a bit more spunky in terms of optionality, features, and the combination of tasks, calendar, and notes - then OneNote isn't that sadly.
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UpNote in a sense is like a downgrade from Evernote, but a good value one.
Think of UpNote as a lightweight alternative to Evernote with a focus on managing notes, organizing them, and in a healthy value lifetime premium. UpNote won't give you tasks, it won't give you calendar management like Evernote, but it will offer you a way to handle your notes in a lightweight layout with notebook security and text formatting options you'll find in Evernote like tables, notebooks, backup history, web clipper access and even linking between notes like you see in PKM tools.
UpNote also comes on Linux, and a Chrome extension which is the perfect add-on for adding notes to UpNote speedily from the web.
Packing a lot of lightweight note-taking features this is a perfect Evernote alternative for basic notes and management. It won't give you the heavy powers of tasks, calendar, and some of the advanced note annotation in Evernote, but what it will give you is a powerful editor, brilliant value for money with their lifetime plan, and resembles one of the tools coming up Bear Notes, as almost a super, more cost-effective Bear Notes alternative too.
Reduce your expectations, as this is a downsize to Evernote, but if price matters, then this $29.99 lifetime pricing combines lifetime access with sync between devices, forever.
NotePlan is a solid alternative to Evernote with a markdown feel. The application has grown in the last few years powering many features now and the ability to take daily notes, add markdown tasks, add calendar items from Apple Calendar, and much more.
Many people like NotePlan as more of a combination of an outliner and a notes app that allows you take more simple notes and build an agenda for the day. A lot of people like the clean and minimal style of NotePlan because it removes the focus on attachments and images that many Evernote users have become accustomed to.
If you're looking for something that resembles a task, calendar, and notes setup without the complexity of the feature set that Evernote had, then NotePlan 3 is a good option to consider, the markdown brings you back to basics that you might like from PKM apps but the traditional structure allows you to take and make notes on the go.
NotePlan is a different type of app than Evernote but works well for people who want a way to manage their tasks alongside their calendar and notes, which Evernote has evolved into for sure. So this is a consideration if you love markdown, Apple devices & light notes.
If you're looking at markdown note-taking apps, we have you covered too.
Bear Notes is a good alternative for those wanting to move away from Evernote due to the pricing changes. You can still take and organize notes very effectively with Bear Notes due to its simple and streamlined interface.
Bear Notes has recently been expanding, a lot. Much like Upnote, Bear Notes presents a lighter way of note-taking, making it easy for users to quickly write, organize and share notes. Both Evernote and Bear Notes give you a space to use multi-media inside notes.
Bear Notes is considerably cheaper than Evernote, you now pay $29.99 per annum.
This gives you a one-week trial to test the application, which we always say is a great idea. Bear Notes has a more sleek, simple interface, which makes it easy for new users to get used to the application, whereas Evernote presents a more detailed feature-rich workflow.
If you're a macOS and iOS user, Bear will also be one of your notes apps you'll fall in love with as Bear has won many awards for their design and performance and with their Bear 2.0 release introduced much better stability for note editing in markdown.
Great for light notes and building a note with light tables, media and markdown. Bear Notes isn't a hard system or hub like Evernote, but comes, like UpNote as a friendly, portable note-taking application that Apple users will love.
Mem can be used very differently from Evernote. Mem used to be very similar to Evernote, however, it's since traveled down the expanding AI route, adding more and more artificial intelligence to its application making a faster experience for its users.
Of course, Evernote is also introducing AI into its space, but Mem is more well-established in this area right now. We believe Craft is another good consideration if you like Mem too.
Although it is a good alternative, overall Mem presents a different way of taking and organising notes compared to the Evernote system. If you are looking for a way to link notes, rather than store them in files, Mem could be a good alternative in this case.
Disclaimer, we are an investor in Mem Labs, this does not affect our opinion or recommendation on whether this is the right Evernote alternative for you.If you're exploring the world of AI, then Mem might be a consideration. But for many people a move from Evernote to Mem might be more of a risk than a benefit - they recently gutted their roadmap of features like templates and tasks. So the future isn't solid for Mem yet.
Here's our review of Mem AI for more depth.
Reflect Notes is very different to Evernote, if you want to stick with note-taking web clipping and organising as you would inside Evernote, Reflect Notes presents a very different idea using connections with bi-directional links and tags that act like objectives.
Reflect Notes does however link with your calendar, allowing you to add tasks alongside it. This makes it great for meeting notes and using features like the transcription function can help save a lot of time. Reflect users tend to be those who like the look of PKM apps but want something well-designed and structured to a traditional notes app.
This makes it a good alternative to Evernote if you are looking to expand your abilities in-app. Reflect Notes is $10 per month with a 14-day free trial, so if you were wanting to explore other applications outside the norm of Evernote, you have a good opportunity here.
Looking for a PKM app that doesn't feel like a PKM note-taking app, Reflect is that. Reflect Notes might be a good Evernote move if you're wanting to make the leap, want more secure focused notes and focused on taking lighter notes.
Here's our Reflect Notes review in more detail.
Now Capacities provides a whole different space to Evernote, but is still seen as a good alternative, because if you are moving away from Evernote, why not try something completely different like this object-based note-taking experience?
Capacities is very different to Evernote. It is in this list to present to you a whole new way of note-taking especially if using Evernote didn't really fulfil your needs. By creating connected thoughts using limitless objects, you can create system that works for you and your brain.
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Capacities build notes from objects, this is a new form of note-taking called object-based note-taking. Basically, instead of writing notes and organizing with files, you create objects that can be on going and expand with the more notes you take.
Capacities is a good one to explore, whilst currently in early days, many people love the clean design, connecting of notes in links and graph view too. This app is growing on many people and the love is centered around the new thinking of linking objects, not notes.
MyMind is like if Pinterest and Google Keep had a baby. This note taking application is a good Evernote alternative as it presents a more visual and fun way of taking, storing and sharing notes.
MyMind encourages you to create a more visual, fun layout for taking and organising notes. This is perfect for visual thinkers as it creates a space for learning, creativity and expression. Use images, media, links, videos in your notes. The interface is also very fun to look at and use, like Pinterest with more abilities and AI note taking features. This app is slowly becoming quite popular and worth a look if you are moving from Evernote.
MyMind may be a good application to consider if you are wanting to move away from a more traditional note app like Evernote. It has a more visually appealing aspect, and more people are finding this a better way to save and share their notes and knowledge.
If you wanted a change in scenery, this might be the biggest. MyMind presents a clean, less-cluttered interface and in the last few years if you've found yourself collecting screenshots, images, ideas and quick notes, this visual capture tool is a great consideration to move from.
Here's our in-depth look at MyMind review.
Notesnook stands out as a noteworthy alternative to Evernote, particularly for those who prioritize privacy and security in their note-taking.
One of the biggest advantages of Notesnook over Evernote is its emphasis on end-to-end encryption. This means that your notes are encrypted before they leave your device, and only you have the key to decrypt them. It's like having a personal safe for your notes where only you know the combination.
Notesnook is available across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and the web. This cross-platform availability ensures that you can access your notes from any device, anytime, which is a major convenience for users who are always on the go or switch between devices frequently. For users who are looking for a secure and private alternative to Evernote, Notesnook is an excellent option.
Heptabase is perfect for researchers, visual thinkers and those who want a new, creative way to note-take. Unlike Evernote, Heptabase is built around a visual open canvas for notes allowing you to connect notes on a Miro-like canvas that allows for creative expression.
Many people are flocking to these visual note-taking apps for this very reason, being able to get ideas, thoughts and visuals down (like images, video embeds) in one location is a great way to bring everything into one. Researchers are liking it to bring information and house it next to the media, and those who traditionally note-take in list format like with Evernote are finding it a shift in their thinking and much more open plan.
Heptabase is still fairly new, but as an application is presents a lot of what Evernote didn't have. Sadly it doesn't have a free plan, but as a whole it allows for visual thinkers to get notes down, connect them up, add images and organize them into whiteboard notebooks for resurfacing and connecting together.
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Let's zone in on which one is best for you from all these Evernote alternates:
Microsoft OneNote is the best free alternative to Evernote that allows you to store notes, notebooks & know you have the backing of the Microsoft ecosystem.
UpNote is an outstanding Android available Evernote alternative with a lighter framework than Evernote but a quality well-built lightweight app for notes.
Best for iOS users including iPad and macOS, Bear Notes offers a friendly and approachable way to take notes as an iOS focused Evernote alternative.
Markdown might be a change of scenery and in our opinion, the best Markdown Evernote alternative is NotePlan 3 with a balance between tasks, notes & events (calendar).
Notesnook wants to keep your note secure and in a cost-effective manner. One of the best E2E Evernote alternatives is Notesnook.
The best all-round PKM alternative to Evernote has to be Obsidian, a brilliant application with a generous free plan and local notes storage.
Evernote is still one of our most highly rated note-taking apps, but does it have the same scoring and innovative features as this time 5 years ago?
Our answer is no, very simply, Evernote is going through a transition period taking on new owners who are trying to make it more profitable, changing the focus to AI, and rapidly trying to catch up with years of lackluster releases. So we don't see it as the best note-taking app anymore, but it still features within our top 10 notes apps comfortably.
We've hand-picked a wider range of note-taking tools above, but Evernote has plenty of other alternatives to Evernote that could be considered as you go ahead.
Recommended reading is our best note-taking applications of 2023 and our extensive, growing list of note-taking apps added to Tool Finder every single week.
Before we begin, let's look at a few reasons to ditch Evernote in 2024 for other applications in our list and why many people are looking to call it a day with Evernote:
These are all valid concerns to have when exploring whether it is time to ditch Evernote, but remember housing your note-taking is an important decision so make sure you do it with the research and focus that you apply to choosing any note-taking applications.
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