Top 5 Free Note-Taking Apps You Should Try in 2025

Living in a fast-paced society today means coping with the speed as it comes. Staying organized is essentially what keeps one on top of the game, juggling tasks, ideas, and productivity. The appropriate note-taking app can change the whole perception of planning, whether one is a student, a professional, or a planner by nature. The good news, however, is that one does not have to spend a dime to search for free note taking apps to help organize one’s thoughts well. Today, we will be looking at the top five free note-taking applications available to meet particular different types of needs.

In a fast-paced society today, note-taking has become very significant in organizing, managing pending tasks, and increasing productivity. And now with the advent of mobile phones with their cloud-based services, note-taking can happen outside the pen-and-paper realm.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who likes to jot down handy ideas as they come, this article caters to you. The following is a list of the 10 best free note-taking apps we think could help in finding one that will fit your needs.

1. Notion

One of the simplest and most sophisticated note-taking apps on the market, Notion helps you better organize your personal and professional life. The app is your one-stop solution to streamline projects, collaborate with team members, and save and share notes and documents.

One of the most appealing features that I noticed about the app is it is a highly collaborative platform in which you can invite as many participants as you want. Moreover, your notes and tasks are organized in an array of categories that are displayed as a collapsible menu to one side.

Even though the app’s many templates can be quite useful, however, for a first-time user, Notion can be quite an intimidating tool. As soon as you open a new note, be ready to be bombarded with different types of templates that make it a confusing matter for the user.

Notion is free, with paid/subscription plans.

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2. Evernote

Evernote is one of the most popular note-taking apps, and there’s a good reason for this. From simple note-taking and documentation to complex task management, the app offers many big and small features to its users.

What I find most useful in Evernote is the app integration and multi-device synchronization features. You can integrate different apps, like Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, MS Teams, etc., into your account and share your notes with and from these apps. Similarly, you can sync your notes on different devices that are in your use.

However, most of Evernote’s best features are limited to the paid version only. The free version gives users only a handful of features, too, with a monthly bandwidth limit. So if you need to avail the best of this app, you better have deeper pockets.

Evernote is free, with paid/subscription plans.

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3. OneNote

Note-taking app from Microsoft, OneNote is a simple app without many bells and whistles. You can manage your notes and documents in different categories or notebooks and further arrange them into sections and pages (something we’re already familiar with). Other features include to-do tags, audio recording, single-click web content saving, and many more.

OneNote is best for people who avoid too many complex or fancy features. Moreover, you can sync your notes on different devices and various other apps. You can also collaborate with your team, group, or students and share notes.

On one hand, as OneNote is simple and easy to use, it does come off as too basic for some of its features. There’s a lack of formatting features for the notes, several people cannot edit the same document simultaneously, and the spectrum of integrated apps is not very vast. If you can live with the absence of these features, then OneNote would be your best choice.

OneNote is free, with no paid/subscription plans.

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4. Apple Notes

Apple’s default system note-taking app, Notes, comes built in with all iOS and macOS devices. At a glance, it does look too simple and basic. However, once you start using it and delve deeper into its features, you’ll realize the many benefits of the app.

The best thing about the Notes app is that it syncs at lightning speed across Apple devices and is very reliable with it. Surprisingly, it even syncs with Gmail, which makes things even easier for a user. You can do simple formatting of your notes and even add checkboxes to your lists.

Apple Notes does, however, fall behind when it comes to data sharing with other apps. There’s also no option to tag a note so you can find it later with its tag name (a pretty basic feature missing). Notes is best if you’re an all-Apple person. Also, all the features are free—meaning no fancy premium and barebones free version.

Apple Notes is free, with no paid/subscription plans.

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5. Google Keep

Google Keep is just what the name says—to keep your notes, documents, reminders, etc., saved for later use. It’s a simple cloud-based app by Google that allows you to jot down your thought process on the go or as a team.

With Google Keep, you can create an infinite number of notes and to-do lists, give them labels and color codes, share and collaborate on the notes with others, and access them from any other device. You can even record voice memos, and the app will transcribe and save it for you.

I did, however, feel a few things are lacking in the app, as there is no desktop app, no text formatting feature, and no integration with other apps, which is a bit off-putting. Nevertheless, Google Keep is a great app if your requirement is basic note-taking without having to pay anything.

Google Keep is free, with no paid/subscription plans.

Download Google Keep for:

What to Consider When Choosing Free Note-Taking Apps

Selecting the best free note-taking app depends on your needs. If you want a robust tool, OneNote is your best bet. For simplicity, Google Keep and Simplenote excel, while Zoho Notebook caters to creative users. Each of these apps offers a unique blend of features, ensuring that you’ll find the perfect fit for your workflow.

Choosing the Best Note-Taking App for You

The best note-taking app depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for robust features, Microsoft OneNote is a great choice. For quick and simple note-taking, Google Keep or Simplenote might be better suited. Creative professionals can benefit from the visually appealing Zoho Notebook, while Evernote remains a solid option for web clipping and task management.

Each of these apps provides excellent features without any cost, making it easier to organize your ideas and enhance productivity.

FAQs About Free Note Taking Apps

1. Are these free note-taking apps secure?
Yes, these apps implement strong encryption and other security measures to ensure your notes remain safe. However, it’s always wise to use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

2. Can I use these apps offline?
Most of the apps, like OneNote and Zoho Notebook, allow offline access. Check individual app settings for offline mode.

3. Which app is best for collaboration?
For team projects, Microsoft OneNote and Evernote are excellent choices due to their sharing and collaboration features.

By choosing the right free note-taking app, you can simplify your daily tasks, stay organized, and enhance productivity without spending a dime. Try these options and find the one that suits your workflow best!

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