Notes AlternativesNote-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Notes

Notes is described as 'Use Notes to capture a quick thought, create checklists, sketch ideas, and more. And with iCloud, you can keep your notes up to date across all your devices' and is a Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Notes for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad and Android apps. The best Notes alternative is Joplin, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Notes are Microsoft OneNote, Notesnook, Zim and CherryTree.

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Notes alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Digital Painting Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Notes.
Notes iconNotes
  37
  • ...

Use Notes to capture a quick thought, create checklists, sketch ideas, and more. And with iCloud, you can keep your notes up to date across all your devices.

More about Notes
More about Notes
Notes alternatives page was last updated Aug 2, 2024
  Suggest Alternatives
  1. Joplin icon
    Joplin icon

    Joplin

     795 likes
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    Joplin is a open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, can be copied, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.

    65 Joplin alternatives
    Desktop and mobile apps

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Example
    Cli version!
    +3
    Table inside table with KaTeX Math notations. (Live-editing with Vim)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Web Clipper
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Local Storage
    7.  Tagging
    8. Android icon  Android Sync
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  File Sync
    11.  Encrypted Notes
    12.  WebDAV Support
    Joplin iconNotes Icon

    Joplin VS Notes

    Is Joplin a good alternative to Notes?
     
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Notes
     
    RemovedUser

    Effective open source privacy respecting note-taking solution solution. Provides end-to-end encrypted(E2EE) auto-syncing capabilities and built-in support for popular solutions like Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive or the provided Joplin Cloud. The E2EE safeguards your data against misuse by Joplin or any other service provider you choose for your notes.

    Positive comment •Aug 2, 2024
    1
    Notes Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Joplin is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Notes.

    • Joplin is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Notes.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceNotes is Free and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focusedNotes is not according to our users
  2. Microsoft OneNote icon
    Microsoft OneNote icon

    Microsoft OneNote

     1132 likes
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    Comprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.

    85 Microsoft OneNote alternatives
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 1
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 2
    +4
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 3

    Top Microsoft OneNote Features

    1.  Handwritten Notes
    2.  Web Clipper
    3.  Visual Organization
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Text formatting
    6.  Insert images
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Support for styluses
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Pressure Sensitivity
    12.  Multiple Account support
    Microsoft OneNote iconNotes Icon

    Microsoft OneNote VS Notes

    Is Microsoft OneNote a good alternative to Notes?
     
    Comments about Microsoft OneNote as an Alternative to Notes
     
    asphaltkisser

    One Note is overkill and more of an alternative the likes of Evernote.

    Negative comment •Nov 21, 2018
    1
    Guest

    It's quite similar to native Notes, and it is rich in functionality.

    Positive comment •Apr 2, 2018
    -4
    Notes Icon
    Microsoft OneNote icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Microsoft OneNote is a legitimate Notes alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Microsoft OneNote is the most popular Web-based alternative to Notes.

    • Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryNotes is Free and Proprietary
  4. Notesnook icon
    Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     118 likes
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    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    234 Notesnook alternatives
    Notesnook screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
    Notesnook screenshot 2
    +6
    Notesnook screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Notes
    2.  Private notes
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Note organization
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Web Clipper
    12.  Reminders
    Notesnook iconNotes Icon

    Notesnook VS Notes

    Is Notesnook a good alternative to Notes?
     

    • Notesnook is the most popular SaaS alternative to Notes.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceNotes is Free and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focusedNotes is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    ClickCharts icon

    ClickCharts

    Clickcharts flowchart software allows for easy drawing of diagrams and flowcharts to provide a way of organising and displaying data. Lay out your ideas, organisation and processes or create UML, Venn or mind map diagrams with th...

    http://www.nchsoftware.com
    Learn More
  6. Zim icon
    Zim icon

    Zim

     492 likes
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    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    290 Zim alternatives
    Zim screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Graphviz graph using Diagram plugin
    Formatting options available
    +1
    Hiding all toolbars and statusbar for maximum screen space

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Plain text file
    3.  Wiki-like interface
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Cross-Platform
    6.  Note organization
    7.  WYSIWYG Support
    8.  Outliner
    9.  Text formatting
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Notebook
    Zim iconNotes Icon

    Zim VS Notes

    Is Zim a good alternative to Notes?
     
  7. CherryTree icon
    CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     309 likes
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    A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.

    63 CherryTree alternatives
    CherryTree screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    CherryTree screenshot 1
    CherryTree screenshot 2
    +3
    CherryTree screenshot 3

    Top CherryTree Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Infinite hierarchical depth
    4.  Includes images in notes
    5.  Outliner
    6.  Tree view
    7.  Tree Style Tabs
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Portable
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Support for MarkDown
    12.  Code Formatting
    CherryTree iconNotes Icon

    CherryTree VS Notes

    Is CherryTree a good alternative to Notes?
     
  8. Beaver Notes icon
    Beaver Notes icon

    Beaver Notes

     38 likes
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    Your personal note-taking haven for privacy and efficiency.

    45 Beaver Notes alternatives
    Beaver Notes screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Beaver Notes screenshot 1
    Beaver Notes screenshot 2
    +3
    Beaver Notes screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  File Tagging
    3.  Tag based
    4.  Focus Mode
    5.  Note organization
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Cloud Sync
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Support for @mentions
    12.  WYSIWYG Support
    Beaver Notes iconNotes Icon

    Beaver Notes VS Notes

    Is Beaver Notes a good alternative to Notes?
     
  10. Cryptee icon
    Cryptee icon

    Cryptee

     90 likes
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    Cryptee is a safety and privacy focused, encrypted and cross-platform personal data storage service. You can write personal documents, notes, journals, store photos (including raw photos from DSLR cameras) and all sorts of other files.

    39 Cryptee alternatives
    Cryptee screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Cryptee screenshot 1
    Cryptee screenshot 2
    +9
    Cryptee screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Notes
    3.  Rich text editing
    4.  Encrypted Photo Storage
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Cloud Hosting
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  File Storage
    11.  WYSIWYG Support
    12.  Evernote import
    Cryptee iconNotes Icon

    Cryptee VS Notes

    Is Cryptee a good alternative to Notes?
     
  11. Turtl icon
    Turtl icon

    Turtl

     168 likes
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    Whether it's bookmarks or passwords, files or shopping lists...Turtl organizes it all and makes it easy to find later. Sync across your devices. Leave nothing behind.

    157 Turtl alternatives
    Turtl screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    Turtl screenshot 1
    Turtl screenshot 2
    +1
    Turtl screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Notes
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Sync on many devices
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Data portability
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  To do lists
    9.  Notebook
    10.  List management
    11.  Client side encryption
    12.  Password encryption
    Discontinued

    The last update is from 2019.

    Turtl iconNotes Icon

    Turtl VS Notes

    Is Turtl a good alternative to Notes?
     
  12. Dendron icon
    Dendron icon

    Dendron

     63 likes
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    Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.

    187 Dendron alternatives
    Dendron screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1
    Dendron screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Local Storage
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Hierarchical Structure
    4.  Block reference
    5.  Graph view
    6.  VSCode
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Backlinks
    9.  Quick reference lookup
    10.  Publishing
    11.  Tagging
    12.  Bidirectional links
    Dendron iconNotes Icon

    Dendron VS Notes

    Is Dendron a good alternative to Notes?
     
  13. UpNote icon
    UpNote icon

    UpNote

     36 likes
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    UpNote is an elegant and powerful note app that works seamlessly across platforms: iOS, Android, Mac and Windows.

    303 UpNote alternatives
    UpNote screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    UpNote screenshot 1
    UpNote screenshot 2
    +3
    UpNote screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Note organization
    2.  Nested Folders
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Notebook
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  No Coding Required
    12.  Markdown preview
    UpNote iconNotes Icon

    UpNote VS Notes

    Is UpNote a good alternative to Notes?
     
    Comments about UpNote as an Alternative to Notes
     
    procreator

    Finally, an app that can replace Apple Notes. I was looking for a cross-platform Apple Notes alternative and this is it!

    Positive comment •May 31, 2022
    1
    Notes Icon
    UpNote icon
    • UpNote is Freemium and ProprietaryNotes is Free and Proprietary
    • UpNote is LightweightNotes is not according to our users
  14. Bear icon
    Bear icon

    Bear

     93 likes
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    Bear is a beautiful and flexible writing app for note-taking and prose, both on the go for iOS devices and for the Mac OS desktop.

    222 Bear alternatives
    Bear screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Bear screenshot 1
    Bear screenshot 2
    +5
    Bear screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Distraction-free Writing
    5.  Nested tags
    6.  Search by tags
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Web Clipper
    11.  No registration required
    12.  WYSIWYG Support
    Bear iconNotes Icon

    Bear VS Notes

    Is Bear a good alternative to Notes?
     
  15. Craft icon
    Craft icon

    Craft

     32 likes
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    Craft offers document creation with stunning visuals, seamless navigation, and effortless sharing. Nest notes, use AI for summaries, and export in multiple formats.

    53 Craft alternatives
    Craft screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Craft screenshot 1
    Craft screenshot 2
    +9
    Craft screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Note organization
    2.  Sheet linking
    3.  Knowledge Management
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  Kanban Board
    6.  File Versioning
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Handwritten Notes
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  Full-Text Search
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Notebook
    Craft iconNotes Icon

    Craft VS Notes

    Is Craft a good alternative to Notes?
     
12 of 114 Notes alternatives