10 Best Evernote Alternatives for 2023 (Free & Paid) | Friday.app

Top 10 Best Evernote Alternatives fo Note Taking in 2023

Posted by The Friday Team
Last updated: September 24, 2023

Evernote is a great note taking and organization application used by a lot of teams and users for a variety of personal and professional projects and goals. While it is known for its simple user-friendly interface, there is always room for something new and innovative that will help keep your notes organized, stored safely and accessible from anywhere.

In this blog post, we'll look at 10 of the best Evernote alternatives for those seeking out an alternative note taking system in 2023. We'll discuss cloud storage options, organization systems, user interfaces and more to make sure you know exactly which one is right for you! So if organizational solutions are high on your priority list this year – check out out list below!

1. ClickUp

ClickUp is a powerful productivity platform designed to manage everything—tasks, goals, ideas, roadmaps, notes, and even your entire workflow, all on a single screen. Whether you're new to bullet journaling or simply looking for a reliable app to reflect on your personal growth, ClickUp is packed with hundreds of intuitive features to enhance your creativity in and outside of work. 

Maintaining the practice of regular journaling can be difficult without the proper tools to hold yourself accountable, and ClickUp's unique organizational Hierarchy is ideal for cultivating that healthy habit. When it comes to bullet journaling, ClickUp's private Lists, tasks, subtasks, and Checklists can break down any idea into a clear structure, while Custom Statuses and its Goals feature help you track your progress every step of the way. 

Best Features

  • Customizable settings for privacy, guest, or public access for any type of journal entry
  • Access ClickUp on your mobile device to journal at any time
  • All Docs are connected directly to Workspace

Current Limitations

  • Short learning curve due to number of customization options

Pricing

  • Free Forever – Free
  • Unlimited- $7/user/month
  • Business- $12/user/month 
  • Enterprise- Contact for pricing

Get started with ClickUp for free, no credit card required

2. Joplin

Joplin is a simple open source application that offers a cloud solution that lets users share notes with anyone. Joplin also allows users to publish a note online and share the URL with others. This notes app has a web clipper extension which makes it easy to save web pages and take screenshots as notes. This is great for individuals who do a lot of online research to keep their notes organized all in one place.

Best Features

  • Access your notes from your computer, phone, or tablet
  • Sync notes with Joplin Cloud across devices
  • Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS

Current Limitations

  • Limited storage space
  • No collaboration tools

Pricing

  • Joplin is a free to use open-source application
  • Joplin Cloud is available for purchase
  • Basic plans start at $1.60 per month
  • Pro plans start at $6.40 per month

3. Google Keep

Google Keep is a simple and free note-taking app that can be accessed with a Google account along with the rest of Google Workspace apps. This online application is great for quick random notes. While it is great for a variety of users, Google Keep works best for Google users. Google Keep features a simple interface which gives users the ability to copy notes into Google Docs and add collaborators. It is a basic tool that is a great addition for every Google user.

Best Features

  • Simple and easy to use interface
  • Add collaborators with Google access
  • Copy notes directly to Google 

Current Limitations

  • Embed option is not available
  • Storage is limited to 15GB which includes all other applications under user’s Google account

Pricing

  • Google Keep is free with a Google Account

4. Quip

Quip is a collaborative platform that combines document sharing and spreadsheets with chat, task management, and real-time collaboration features. The software offers a unique blend of features such as live chat, task lists, and spreadsheets, making it a versatile tool for teams. The document collaboration features available in Quip are designed to improve team communication, productivity, and collaboration. 

Best Features

  • Access notes, tasks, and other information with iOS and Android mobile applications
  • Real-time editing allows users to work simultaneously in real-time, allowing for quick and efficient collaboration
  • Integrates with other tools to make it easy to share documents and collaborate with team members

Current Limitations

  • Can be expensive for small teams
  • Steep learning curve due to its unique blend of features and functionality

Pricing

  • Starter: $10
  • Plus: $25

5. Notion

Notion is often considered as a versatile alternative to Evernote, offering a range of features that make it a compelling option for note-taking and organization. Like Evernote, Notion provides a platform for capturing and organizing notes. Users can create various types of notes, including text, images, files, and more, all within a flexible and customizable interface. The app allows users to tailor the appearance and layout of their notes, creating personalized templates, adding rich media content, and even embedding external resources such as videos or websites.

Best Features

  • Clean and simple space for users to write down their thoughts and ideas
  • Collaboration and commenting features
  • Dashboard makes it easy to organize complex and detailed notes and ideas

Limitations

  • Steep learning curve for some features
  • Limited customization options for some elements
  • Can get expensive for larger teams

Pricing

  • Free for individuals with limited features
  • Plus: Starts at $8 per user per month
  • Business: Starts at $15 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing

6. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a note-taking software that offers various features to its users. With OneNote, users get access to a free note-taking app that allows them to create notes, voice notes, text translations, sticky notes, and handwritten notes. OneNote is designed for free-form information gathering and multi-user collaboration, making it an excellent choice for those who want a versatile note-taking app. It also offers advanced formatting and search features,

Best Features

  • Integration with other Microsoft apps
  • Advanced formatting and organization options
  • Can be used on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. 

Limitations

  • Limited customization options for some elements
  • Occasional bugs and glitches
  • Steep learning curve for some features

Pricing

  • Free with a Microsoft account

7. Boost Note

Boost Note is an open-source application designed for developers who are handling coding and technical documentation. Boost Note not only serves the purpose of taking notes but also provides key features for team organization and streamlining productivity. This tool comes with a markdown editor which allows other users to easily write tech spec with Charts.js, Mermaid, Latex, PlantUML, and more. 

Best Features

  • Real-time editing allows users to collaborate with various users
  • Public API offers a customizable workspace depending on developer needs
  • Add various views such as Kanban, Table, and Calendar to build your workflow

Current Limitations

  • Limited sync capabilities with third-party services such as Dropbox
  • Offline editing currently not available

Pricing

  • Free version available

8. Simplenote

Simplenote is a free, fast, lightweight application for making and saving notes. There's a web app as well as apps for all major platforms. The tool supports tags and Markdown language. You can invite collaborators to edit or co-author notes with you. Simplenote also lets you publish notes publicly. One big way that Simplenote differentiates from others is that it shows your notes in list format in a left sidebar which helps in terms of being able to see more of your notes at once and jump among them easily. 

Best Features

  • Clutter-free interface that allows you to stay focused on writing notes
  • Fast syncing across devices
  • Ability to publish notes as webpages

Limitations

  • No collaboration features
  • Does not support attachments or embedded images

Pricing

  • Free with Simplenote account

9. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a document management software that emphasizes team communication and collaboration. Just like Evernote, Dropbox Paper allows users to create and edit documents in a collaborative environment. Multiple team members can work together on the same document in real time, making it easy to brainstorm ideas, review content, and provide feedback. It offers a modern approach to writing and editing that makes document creation more efficient. Dropbox Paper has a user-friendly interface that encourages teamwork among team members and helps get work done faster.

Best Features:

  • Real-time editing and commenting
  • Online document workspace that allows users to keep all documents in one place
  • Seamless planning and coordination using Paper templates

Limitations:

  • Limited customization options compared to other document collaboration software
  • Limited offline editing access 

Pricing:

  • Free plan available
  • Plus plan starting at $11.99/month/user
  • Professional plan starting at $19.99/month/user

10. Notability

Notability is often considered as a viable alternative to Evernote for note-taking purposes. While both applications serve the purpose of capturing and organizing notes, there are some key differences in their features and functionalities. Notability excels in its support for handwriting and drawing capabilities. It provides a smooth and responsive writing experience, making it ideal for users who prefer taking handwritten notes or sketching diagrams.

Best Features

  • Allows users to incorporate various multimedia elements, including images, audio recordings, PDFs, and web clips, into their notes
  • Offers comprehensive annotation tools that enable users to annotate and mark up documents, including PDFs
  • Handwriting Recognition incorporates handwriting recognition technology that can convert handwritten text into typed text

Current Limitations

  • Slight issues with desktop version
  • Limited third-party app integration

Pricing

  • Free version available
  • Plus: Price varies per region

Factors to Consider in Choosing an Evernote Alternative

When considering an alternative to Evernote, there are several factors to take into account:

  1. Features: Assess the features offered by the alternative. Ensure that it supports the core functionalities you require, such as note-taking, organization options, collaboration tools, and search capabilities. Additionally, consider any additional features that may enhance your productivity and workflow.
  2. User-Friendliness: Evaluate the user interface and ease of use. Look for an alternative with an intuitive design and a simple, clean layout. A user-friendly interface can make it easier to navigate and access your notes quickly.
  3. Platform Compatibility: Check if the alternative is compatible with the platforms you use. Whether you work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or a combination of these, ensure that the alternative has apps or web-based access available for your preferred devices.
  4. Privacy and Security: Pay attention to the privacy and security measures provided by the alternative. Your notes may contain sensitive information, so look for options that offer end-to-end encryption, secure cloud storage, and a strong privacy policy.
  5. Pricing: Evaluate the pricing plans offered by the alternative. Determine whether the cost aligns with your budget and if the pricing structure suits your needs. Some alternatives offer free plans with limitations, while others have subscription-based models. Consider the value you receive for the price you pay.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and find an Evernote alternative that best fits your requirements and preferences.

Finding the Best Evernote Alternative

It's important to note that finding an alternative to Evernote may depend on individual preferences and specific use cases. Assessing your needs and comparing the features and capabilities of both tools will help determine which one better aligns with your requirements.

With ClickUp, you get more than a note-taking tool and document software. You are also able to connect all of your notes and docs with trackable tasks for better task management and organization. Get these features for free with a ClickUp account! Sign-up for free here!

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