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19th Apr, 2024
Replace Evernote with one of these note-taking apps. From the visual note-taking tools to the traditional Evernote alternatives to consider.
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Evernote was once the best note-taking app in the world.
But since 2018, that has been under threats with 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.
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 to your needs | Not fresh or newly launched |
Let's explore what Evernote alternatives are out there for you.
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.
As one of the fastest-growing applications on the market, Obsidian is attractive for many reasons, the most popular being offline mode - allowing your notes to be locally stored to the folders on your device, a focus on networked thought allowing you to connect up your notes and ideas together and express them in graph view, and finally the ability to visualize your notes in the new Obsidian Canvas view.
For many, this might seem like a big leap and yes Obsidian isn't the easiest to learn in comparison with Evernote, but it is possible using a course like ours. Development at Obsidian continues to grow too, with features being added each month to evolve the offering. Obsidian has an Evernote importer meaning you can bring all your notes directly in without many headaches. Obsidian Sync is one of the biggest turnoffs for people who are looking at Obsidian as an Evernote alternative.
Obsidian Sync is a paid experience with $8 per month pricing, which means without it sync won't work between devices and on the internet for your notes, but compared to the $14.99 pricing that Evernote has this is a far cry from that pricing.
If you're hunting for something more simple in note-taking nature, want more local security for your notes, and want to save the money you pay for Evernote each month.
Obsidian is a hot bet! Learn Obsidian in 2024 with our course, worth exploring this tool.
Amplenote indeed stands out as a commendable alternative to Evernote.
Especially for those who are deeply invested in the realm of personal knowledge management or PKM like many people like to call it. Features like bi-directional linking allow users to create a web of interconnected thoughts like the concept Second Brain.
This makes information retrieval intuitive and contextually rich, and helps to connect ideas between one another. Moreover, Amplenote doesn't just stop at being a robust note-taking platform. It seamlessly integrates task and calendar management into the mix, which many people have come from accustom to with Evernote's hub like productivity setup.
The platform's unique blend of note-taking and PKM functionalities offers a balanced ecosystem between intense feeling notes app and less intense. For many people, this is a nice move from Evernote's stale structure.
In a nutshell folks, Amplenote could be seen as a bridge between traditional note-taking and the more advanced realms of PKM, offering the best of both worlds.
Amplenote has a lot going for it and most importantly of all the tools we've reviewed in the notes app space, it really brings the closest Evernote like for like experience. If you're more old-school in your approach with GTD, Amplenote is a good fit for you.
Microsoft OneNote is like a digital notebook that's perfect for everyone, especially popular in schools. Students can write, type, or draw in it, and it's easy to keep different subjects organized. You can even search through your notes quickly, which is super helpful.
OneNote makes a great Evernote alternative because it is free, acts in a similar way without tasks and calendar, and provides sketch abilities for those with tablets. Teachers also find OneNote great. They can create lessons and share them with their class. Plus, students can work on group projects in OneNote, even from different places.
OneNote works with other Microsoft tools like Word and PowerPoint, making it handy if you're already using them. Plus, you can use it on your tablet or phone too, so your notes are always with you.In short, OneNote is user-friendly and really useful for school work, whether you're taking notes or working on a group project.
If you're hunting for a safe bet, this could be your go-to option in 2024. Microsoft OneNote is a perfect move if you've got a Microsoft account and looking to keep a simple structure.
Combine tasks, calendar, meeting booking links & task consolidation into one.
Bring tasks from ClickUp, Notion, Gmail, Todoist & more in Akiflow for organizing in one.
UpNote is kind of like Evernote, just a more lightweight easy-to-use application, more suitable to those who just want to take smaller simpler notes, rather than extensive tasks like notes. If you are wanting to move away from Evernote to a simpler, cleaner application for smaller notes, Upnote can provide a great platform for this.
If you enjoy the advanced features or even want to expand on the use of advanced features, you might want to stick with Evernote or keep looking through this list of Evernote alternatives. Bear Notes is very similar to Upnote too in nature and feel. One of the best bits about UpNote is the lifetime pricing of $29.99 that offers everything in one.
If your goal is to slim down your notes, go back to a less-media based notes app and want to bring down the cost of your note-taking app per year, then this is a solid bet.
Yes, if you want to downgrade your typical note. UpNote brings a simplistic nature and a focus on lightweight notes, you won't be able to import lofty project notes and big files into this, UpNote works better for on the go simple note-taking.
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 between an outliner and 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 accustom too.
If you're looking for something that resembles a task, calendar and notes setup without the complexity of 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, organise 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 travelled 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.
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.
Learn Capacities from beginner to advanced with our course
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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.
Combine tasks, calendar, meeting booking links & task consolidation into one.
Bring tasks from ClickUp, Notion, Gmail, Todoist & more in Akiflow for organizing in one.
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.
Used by over 100,000 teams worldwide — Try it now for free / No credit card needed
Run all your work on one platform with customizable products that scale with your needs.
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