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Review of Note-Taking Apps 2023 September
By Derek | September 29, 2023
Summary
I’m switching from storing notes in three different apps.
- nvAlt for easy and quick searching,
- BBEdit (not listed here) for plain text notes, and also
- Evernote for stuff that I need synced to my other devices via Cloud.
For me, personally, Evernote has been my go-to for nearly a decade. I’m switching away from it due to recent issues like slowness, especially with search, (very) occasional sync issues and of course, they are going to nearly double the price of it this coming year. For years Evernote’s Pro subscription was $60-75/yr, with small increases over time, but this coming year, they have increased prices by over 100%. Apparently Everrnote feels like people are locked in and will just accept it and stick around. Nope. Especially as I was already looking to switch for other reasons, before they announced the pricing changes.
I’m migrating everything all-in to Obsidian. Give me a year or two with it, and I’ll determine if that was the right place after all.
Currently I’m simply syncing Obsidian’s content with iCloud, but plan to pay for Obsidian’s Cloud sync within the next couple of months, as my annual Evernote subscription gets closer to expiration. I’m also still working on migrating my notes from Evernote. I’m choosing to do a more manual migration, rather than an export and import, as I’m finding a bunch of notes that I no longer need, but also due to the fact that Obsidian allows me to organize things in a far better manner (for me) than Evernote did. Evernote relied on “notebooks” and “tags” with search to find stuff, but that doesn’t make your data very discoverable or “organizable”. Obsidian seems to be far better in that regard.
For the record, while researching this article, I discovered NotesNook, which I hadn’t heard of. If, for whatever reason, Obsidian doesn’t work out for me, NotesNook looks pretty nice, and I think I will give that a try.
Some of the apps listed in this review were excluded by me right away, as I need multi-platform (Windows/Linux/Mac/iOS) support, and I need it to work well, but included here as they may fit your needs.
If I’ve missed an app you know of, or are interested in, let me know, and I’ll add it to the list. If I’ve missed a favorite feature of yours in one of the apps I’ve already listed, let me know, and I’ll add it.
Apple Notes
Pros
- Cloud sync included with iCloud, free plan available, storage plans are very inexpensive https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201238
- Very easy to use, but also very flexible
- Supports Apple Pencil stylus with a compatible iPad.
- Sharing included
Cons
- Closed Source
- Platforms: MacOS, iOS, Web, no native Windows or Linux version
- Almost all but requires an Apple device
Bear
Pros
- Cloud Sync $30/yr https://bear.app/#price
- Beautiful
- Notes stored in markdown format by default
- E2EE (End 2 End Encrypted) using iCloud, but you can add additional encryption to individual notes
Cons
- Closed Source
- Platforms: Mac, iOS, no Web or native Windows or Linux version
Evernote
Pros
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Web
- Web clipper (browser extension)
- Document scanner
- Import calendars
- Sharing notes with other users
Cons
- Closed Source
- Expensive $170/yr https://evernote.com/compare-plans
Google Keep
Pros
- You probably already have a Google account, so “free”, although the storage plans are reasonably priced, when you do need to upgrade
- Cloud sync included
Cons
- Closed Source
- Platforms: Web, no native versions
- Google discontinues software all the time, can this app really be trusted?
- Also, are you sure you want more of your life archived and sold by Google?
- Basic note-taking app, but online only.
Joplin
Pros
- Cloud Sync $50/yr https://joplinapp.org/plans/
- Open Source https://github.com/laurent22/joplin
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Terminal
- Web clipper (browser extension)
- Publishing with Joplin Cloud
Cons
- E2EE (End 2 End Encrypted) https://joplinapp.org/e2ee/ , but not by default, must be enabled.
Microsoft OneNote
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onenote/digital-note-taking-app
Pros
- Comes “free” with Office365, storage plans are very generous
- Cloud sync included
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
Cons
- Cloud Source
- … do you really want more proprietary lock-in software from Microsoft?
- Sharing is not easy
Notational / NVAlt
https://brettterpstra.com/projects/nvalt/
Pros
- Free
- Open Source https://github.com/ttscoff/nv
Cons
- It used to be very fast. For some reason, on MacOS Ventura it now hangs for random periods of time. App is supposedly being replaced by the developer with an “Ultra” version. Not yet available even though it was announced over 3 years ago.
- MacOS only.
- No Cloud Sync, local only.
NotesNook
https://notesnook.com/downloads/
Pros
- Cloud Sync $50/yr https://notesnook.com/pricing/
- Open Source https://github.com/streetwriters/notesnook
- Platforms Windows, macOS & Linux with 100% feature parity. Also, available: iOS and Android (via both F-Droid & GooglePlay).
- E2EE (End 2 End Encrypted)
Cons
- I haven’t used it personally, so I do not know, but I don’t see any right off the bat.
Notion
Pros
- Cloud sync $96/yr per user for small teams, allows 100 guests, pricing higher across multiple teams https://www.notion.so/pricing
- Designed for organizing teams, not just individuals
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android
- Easily create a centralized wiki included
- Roadmap/project features included
- Integrations with Slack, Github, etc.
- Added new AI features, for additional cost
- Public API
Cons
- Closed Source
- Seems like it might be online-only
Obsidian
Pros
- Cloud Sync $96/yr https://obsidian.md/pricing
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Notes are stored in markdown format by default.
- Robust plugin support.
- Web clipper (as a plugin).
- Publish (additional $96/yr) https://obsidian.md/publish
Cons
- Closed Source, but very responsive to feedback, and releases new features like clockwork. Published roadmap ( https://obsidian.md/roadmap/ )
Standard Notes
Pros
- Cloud Sync $0, but doesn’t include simple things like Folders
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
- Open Source https://github.com/standardnotes/app
- E2EE (End 2 End Encrypted)
- Run your own server?
Cons
- Cloud sync $90/yr to get Folder support, and email support. For $120/yr you can also “share” with 5 other accounts, and you gain 100GB storage for photos https://standardnotes.com/plans
- Markdown is only supported with paid plans.
Version 1.4
Additional clarifications, URL additions, and other corrections
Version 1.3
Added Notion
Version 1.2
Added Apple Notes
Topics: Apple, Linux, Me, Microsoft, Reviews, Technology, Work | No Comments »
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