The Best Google Keep AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Google Keep

Google Keep is described as 'Has several features including color coding notes, inserting images, creating lists, geo-fencing, shareable notes, and search by color' and is a leading Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Google Keep for a variety of platforms, including Android, Windows, Mac, Linux and Android Tablet apps. The best Google Keep alternative is NoteLedge, which is free. Other great apps like Google Keep are Obsidian, Joplin, Simplenote and Microsoft OneNote.

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Google Keep alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools.  Other popular filters includes Free + Privacy focused and Android + Open Source. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Google Keep.
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Google Keep has several features including color coding notes, inserting images, creating lists, geo-fencing, shareable notes, and search by color.

More about Google Keep
Google Keep alternatives page was last updated Jan 10, 2025
  1. NoteLedge icon
     195 likes

    Note-taking tool tailored for creatives offering idea capture from Pinterest, YouTube, and the web. Allows mood board creation, drawing, and sketching with varied brushes. Present work, share with teams using multimedia and exportable notes in PDF format

    36 NoteLedge alternatives
    NoteLedge screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet

    Top NoteLedge Features

    1.  Audio Recording
    2.  Drag and Drop
    3.  Web Clipper
    4.  Sync on many devices
    5.  Handwritten Notes
    6.  Multi-choice brushes
    7.  Portable
    8.  Video Import
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  Tag based
    11.  Better formatting
    12.  Stickers
    NoteLedge iconGoogle Keep Icon

    NoteLedge VS Google Keep

    Is NoteLedge a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about NoteLedge as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
    Rosalind Morris

    NoteLedge is feature rich and more versatile than Google Keep.

    Positive commentFeb 22, 2019
    16
    Google Keep Icon
    NoteLedge icon
    • Almost everyone thinks NoteLedge is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • NoteLedge is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Google Keep.

    • NoteLedge is the most popular free alternative to Google Keep.

    • NoteLedge is Freemium and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
  2. Obsidian icon
     919 likes

    Obsidian is a note-taking app that lets you create a personal knowledge graph with ease. It is designed for non-linear thinking and allows you to easily link your notes together wiki-style.

    90 Obsidian alternatives
    Obsidian screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Safari

    Top Obsidian Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Local Storage
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Graph view
    5.  Bidirectional links
    6.  Mind Mapping
    7.  Personal Information Manager (PIM)
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  Knowledge Management
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Backlink
    Obsidian iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Obsidian VS Google Keep

    Is Obsidian a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
    zlelmefs

    Obsidian seems great, but one important caveat. Google Keep is free and uses Google's cloud service to sync between devices as a matter of course... but Obsidian ties sync into their backup/cloud service which is $8/month. So you're going to probably be using Google's cloud to sync anyway... And if you want privacy you'll also have to set up something like cryptomator and... it's a lot less attractive for multi-device users- i.e. everyone

    CommentJan 14, 2024
    0
    Google Keep Icon
    Obsidian icon
    • Most users think Obsidian is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Obsidian is the most popular Linux alternative to Google Keep.

    • Obsidian is Free Personal and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
  3. Joplin icon
     795 likes

    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

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    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

    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 iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Joplin VS Google Keep

    Is Joplin a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
       
    Tommi

    It offers everything that Google Keeps offer, without any cost in terms of privacy and ads targeting

    Top positive commentOct 12, 2020
    2
    V H

    Open Source, Cross-platform, Encryption, Sync with numerous cloud services, Markdown Support with WYSIWYG support...NOW what else do you need from a note editor.

    Positive commentSep 19, 2020
    -1
    Guest

    Clean UI, open-source, synchronization with several platforms (Dropbox, Nextcloud, etc.), markdown, mermaid syntax, etc. One of the best note taking app.

    Positive commentAug 30, 2020
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Google Keep Icon
    Joplin icon
    • Most users think Joplin is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Joplin is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Google Keep.

    • Joplin is the most popular Open Source alternative to Google Keep.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  4. Simplenote icon
     588 likes

    Made by the company behind WordPress, Simplenote enables users to take notes, lists, and ideas. These notes are stored on the cloud and are accessible across multiple devices.

    62 Simplenote alternatives
    Simplenote screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Clean design
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Cross-device syncing
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Search by tags
    4.  Simple text editor
    5.  Protected by Password
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Text Based Format
    8.  Full-Text Search
    9.  Portable
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  Ad-free
    Simplenote iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Simplenote VS Google Keep

    Is Simplenote a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about Simplenote as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
       
    Kelson V

    A lot, well, simpler than Keep, plus it has cross-platform desktop apps to go along with the web and mobile apps. And if you trust Automattic more than you trust Google, that's a plus as well.

    Top positive commentMay 26, 2022
    1
    Guest

    Does not support pictures.

    Top negative commentMay 30, 2019
    5
    Guest

    Even simpler than Keep, WAY less laggy when you have a lot of notes though, better on desktop than Keep is, very easy to switch to

    Positive commentNov 12, 2020
    2
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Google Keep Icon
    Simplenote icon
    • Most users think Simplenote is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Simplenote is the most popular Web-based alternative to Google Keep.

    • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Simplenote is LightweightGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  5. Microsoft OneNote icon
     1132 likes

    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

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire

    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 iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Microsoft OneNote VS Google Keep

    Is Microsoft OneNote a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about Microsoft OneNote as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
    Dreadfuldark

    Onenote is far better than Google Keep since you can really organize all of your notes. Google keep is just plain and simple sticky notes

    Positive commentApr 21, 2018
    7
    BarnMTB

    Google Keep is like a corkboard where you post your sticky notes, and put them out once irrelevant. OneNote is like your notebook where you jot down things.

    Negative commentMay 13, 2021
    2
    Guest

    OneNote is a full and robust application with lots of features, where Keep is pretty basic sticky notes with tags. I came looking for an alternative to Keep and I already know the amount of features in OneNote is too much -- a user looking for simple software that just gets out of the way like Keep does isn't going to enjoy it.

    Negative commentJun 14, 2021
    1
    Google Keep Icon
    Microsoft OneNote icon
    • Some users think Microsoft OneNote is a great Google Keep alternative, some don't.

    • Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
  6. Standard Notes icon
     640 likes

    Standard Notes is a simple and private notes app. It allows you to write and sync your notes across all your devices, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and web browser.

    69 Standard Notes alternatives
    Standard Notes screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design
    3.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Encrypted Notes
    4.  Support for MarkDown
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Encrypted Backup
    8.  AES Encryption
    9.  Sync on many devices
    10.  Distraction-free Writing
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Mobile friendly
    Standard Notes iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Standard Notes VS Google Keep

    Is Standard Notes a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
       
    3SDDd8g3

    SN is privacy focused and has a long-term vision

    Top positive commentMay 31, 2021
    -1
    BarnMTB

    Standard Notes is like a notebook. You write things down and organize them with robust feature. Unlike Google Keep where you just post some sticky notes, usually shorter & less detailed info, onto one big board with basic tagging & barebones organization.

    Top negative commentNov 14, 2021
    1
    gunther

    End-to-end encrypted, privacy-focused, cloud synced notes. An excellent alternative to any note-taking app. The free tier has some restrictions, but shouldn't bother most users.

    Positive commentFeb 28, 2023
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Google Keep Icon
    Standard Notes icon
    • Most users think Standard Notes is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused and Security-focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  7. Evernote icon
     2474 likes

    App designed for cross-platform note-taking and organizing. Create notes with text, images, and audio, tag and search them. Features offline access, business card scanning, and presentation modes. Integrate with LinkedIn and secure with a passcode lock.

    52 Evernote alternatives
    Evernote screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire

    Top Evernote Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Text formatting
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Hyperlinks
    5.  Folders
    6.  Tagging
    7.  Note organization
    8.  Screenshot OCR
    9.  OCR
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Handwritten Notes
    12.  Support for MarkDown
    Evernote iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Evernote VS Google Keep

    Is Evernote a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    Comments about Evernote as an Alternative to Google Keep
     
    Guest

    Evernote can be used on only 2 devices (on free plan)...

    Negative commentJul 2, 2016
    32
    Google Keep Icon
    Evernote icon
    • Some users think Evernote is a great Google Keep alternative, some don't.

    • Evernote is Freemium and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
  8. Notesnook icon
     118 likes

    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

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak

    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 iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Notesnook VS Google Keep

    Is Notesnook a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    • Notesnook is the most popular SaaS alternative to Google Keep.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  9. Typora icon
     317 likes

    A minimalist Markdown editor offering cross-platform synchronization, live preview, and seamless export/import in various formats like PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX. Features include distraction-free Focus and Typewriter modes, file management with tree and articles panels, and content organization through an outline...

    161 Typora alternatives
    Typora screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Live Preview
    3.  Write files in markdown
    4.  WYSIWYG Support
    5.  Save as Markdown
    6. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    7.  Syntax Highlighting
    8.  Simple text editor
    9.  Multiplatform
    10.  Export to PDF
    11.  Spell Checking
    12.  No registration required
    Typora iconGoogle Keep Icon

    Typora VS Google Keep

    Is Typora a good alternative to Google Keep?
     
    • Typora is the most popular commercial alternative to Google Keep.

    • Typora is Paid and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Typora is LightweightGoogle Keep is not according to our users
9 of 66 Google Keep alternatives