Note Taking Apps reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 474 Reddit reviews across 50 subreddits and 74 posts to rank the best Note Taking Apps brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/ipad, r/macapps, r/androidapps, r/iPadPro, r/XiaomiPad6. Top-rated brands include GoodNotes (4.5/5), Obsidian (4.7/5), Apple Notes (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews474
Subreddits50
Posts74
Brands100
Products4
474 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
GoodNotes
4.5
(57)
"Goodnotes"
"For handwritten, Goodnotes would be my pick."
"Goodnotes or Notability, either one, it’s the same"
"GoodNotes 6, and stock calendar or Fanastical if you want to pay a sub."
"I bought the one time offer for GoodNotes 2-3 weeks ago, it’s a good deal."
"One thing I like about Goodnotes is that I bought Goodnotes 4 and have been upgraded twice at no cost."
"I would suggest you goodnotes it is.one of the best with yearly plan"
"Good notes is amazing imo"
"I like Goodnotes the most."
"GOODNOTES"
#2
Obsidian
4.7
(41)
"I use Obsidian for pretty much everything."
"Obsidian. Love markdown text."
"Definitely Obsidian."
"I always suggest Obsidian to people"
"Obsidian +1"
"OBSIDIAN"
"Obsidian would be great for you🌟 Highly recommended🌟"
"My second favorite is obsidian."
"Obsidian"
"Obsidian is essential for serious work & organisation."
#3
Apple Notes
4.3
(29)
"Apple Notes"
"Apple Notes is just simply far superior."
"I think Apple Notes is really amazing."
"I’ve tried everything and landed on apple notes."
"Apple Notes, Simplenote"
"I use Apple Notes"
"Smart Script is killer in Notes."
"You won’t find better free."
"I do all of my field notes in Apple notes."
"I recommend the apple note app.. seriously, its enough."
#4
Notability
4.3
(26)
"Notability."
"Goodnotes or Notability, either one, it’s the same"
"I’ve been using notability for the past 4 years and its goated."
"I’m a Notability person; Goodnotes didn’t scratch the itch for me."
"I use Notability on my iPad Pro to write my own notes."
"Notability is awesome if you have an ipad."
"Notability for handwritten notes."
"Notability has all this. Best app ever."
"Notability is super solid for note-taking."
"Can’t believe no one has said Notability yet. I tried every app I could find when I got an iPad a few months ago, and I always go back to Notability."
#5
Microsoft OneNote
4.5
(20)
"Love the organisation system, can easily sync with your phone and laptop, great for taking handwritten notes."
"What I found works best is OneNote since I can just insert the lecture slides."
"Is all the way free if you sign up with your .edu."
"Onenote is the app you need! as a student you should have free access to Microsoft office."
"OneNote all the way."
"I really like OneNote. It is accessible on computers, Ipads, and other devices."
"One note is actually really nice!"
"OneNote is honestly the best."
"I use OneNote. It’s free and can sync with Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android."
"The fact it’s free. Although having tried the ones already mentioned (notability/good notes) they’re pretty dope."
#6
Notion
4.2
(19)
"I like notion, mainly because of the integrated 'notion ai' and the ability to just /code"
"Notion is free, if you'd like to see some pre-made templates."
"[Notion] is the absolute best."
"Check out free notion templates here: www.notionplates.com"
"Craft, Notion"
"Keep & notion."
"Notion so and obsidian are two a strong free choices."
"Notion"
"I've heard good things about the Notion app for note-taking."
"I've heard good things about Notion."
#7
OneNote
4.1
(15)
"OneNote is great imho."
"I used OneNote, and I loved it."
"I love OneNote and alot of the Microsoft suite."
"I use one note and notion depending on the style of content."
"I use onenote. Should be part of your school's Office 365 subscription."
"I use OneNote but any of the note taking apps are great."
"I use OneNote for work and Apple notes for personal use."
"I use one note so that I can access it on my phone, tablet, and Laptop."
"One note."
"I’ve used one note a bunch."
#8
UpNote
4.4
(14)
"UpNote was my clear winner. Intuitive, feature-rich, one-time purchase for premium."
"Both are lightweight and feature rich apps that go beyond basic note taking."
"It has most of the features I need and also sync and cross device support."
"It's expensive but I ended up settling on UpNote and love it."
"One of the very best imo is [UpNote]."
"UpNote for simplicity and compatibility."
"Upnote."
"Upnote"
"Upnote?"
"Upnote & notesnook are my current testing apps."
#9
Samsung Notes
4.0
(15)
"Samsung Notes or Notein"
"I use a combination of Samsung Notes, Nebo and Flexcil; each has their qualities"
"I am using samsung note in xiaomi pad 6."
"Samsung notes, kilo notes, penly, notewise."
"Use the inbuilt samsung notes."
"Samsung Notes is more functional."
"You can sync across devices, too."
"It’s built-in and solid for handwriting and text."
"Solid for handwriting and text."
"Both have the ability to search handwritten notes."
#10
Google Keep
4.0
(13)
"Normally I just use Keep."
"I find Google notes to be simple and meets my needs."
"I am using Google keep."
"Google Keep."
"No BS, Google Keep Notes."
"I like Google Keep, it’s basic but that’s why I like it."
"Try Google Keep."
"Google keep, FoxyNotes, QuillPad are others great for simpler note takers."
"Google keep."
"Syncs flawlessly between devices and I can share notes with others."
#11
Noteful
4.4
(11)
"I suggest Noteful :) !"
"It’s been the BEST so far!"
"Highly recommend you check out Noteful."
"Noteful."
"A (cheap) one time payment app (5$) that does a very good job"
"I use noteful. $5 for lifetime access."
"Noteful - low price - the same functionality as the other expensive alternatives."
"Noteful."
"Noteful"
"Noteful."
#12
Joplin
4.2
(11)
"Joplin"
"Joplin 100%."
"I'm using Joplin."
"Joplin."
"Joplin can do likewise."
"Joplin? Uses your choice of editor."
"Joplin"
"Joplin has rich text editor (which extend MD I believe) It keeps note history."
"I use Joplin. It suits me more than all the others I've tried."
"Standard Notes or Joplin."
#13
Nebo
4.2
(9)
"Nebo. You can also try microsoft Whiteboard for diagrams."
"I use Nebo. It does what you ask for and more."
"Nebo is great in recognising your hand writing."
"Nebo is great for PDF annotation and highlighting"
"Nebo is good"
"Because their OCR is quite good."
"I can recommend nebo."
"I can recommend nebo."
"I was a Nebo App fan but not much organization."
#14
Collanote
4.2
(9)
"I personally mostly use Collanote."
"I use Collanote on mine and have no complaints."
"Collanote."
"A freemium app but you don’t have to pay if you are okay with the features that are free"
"U can use collanote better than goodnotes."
"I use Collanote currently."
"I recommend it if you prefer to write your notes digitally instead of typing."
"Collanote."
"Collanote."
#15
Bear
4.0
(8)
"Bear. It is great."
"Perhaps one of these? * [Bear] * [Spaces] * [Paper]"
"More options: Bear, Spaces, Paper."
"Have you tried Bear? It's really pretty, but it's paid."
"Have you tried Bear? It's really pretty, but it's paid."
"The new version of Bear is really nice."
"I’ve been a user of Bear for awhile now and don’t have much to complain about."
"Bear... For Android? 🤯🤣"
#16
Notein
4.6
(7)
"Notein for me."
"Notein. Hands down the best note taking app for this tablet."
"Notein is great with a lifetime subscription of 1300rs."
"It had all features on par with others + supported hyperlinks within documents."
"I personally use Notein but there is one feature that I am quite found of in Jnotes."
"I have three note-taking apps that I love and use: 1. Notein for handwritten notes."
"Notein"
#17
Freenotes
5.0
(6)
"Freenotes. Especially after other apps started doing outrageous cash grabs."
"As others have mentioned I use Free Notes."
"Freenotes. Hands down."
"A totally free app with most features of paid app"
"I recommend Freenotes."
"I use freenotes, it’s great tbh."
#18
Microsoft
4.1
(7)
"OneNote is perfect for this. I use it to track all my investment research and it syncs across devices."
"Microsoft OneNote is one of the most useful and feature-packed note taking app out there."
"Microsoft OneNote"
"Ich nutze OneNote schon relativ lange und finde es echt gut, es ist einfach zu nutzen und man kann alles wichtige damit erledigen."
"Maybe try onenote"
"OneNote?"
"And what about OneNote? I don't like the UI myself, but it has endless possibilities."
#19
Flexcil
4.1
(7)
"I suggest flexcil I guess is the best app for taking notes"
"Flexcil"
"I'm using Flexcil, but as you can see, everyone has their own favorite app."
"Flexcil for pdfs until Bluebeam actually has a worthy android app."
"Flexcil is great for bringing everything together and adding post it notes or stickers for reference"
"2 in one note taker + pdf reader. The standout feature is simultaneous voice recording and note taking."
"Flexcil (paid) and Samsung Notes (free)."
#20
Notesnook
4.5
(6)
"NotesNook"
"Notesnook
FOSS, available on F-Droid."
"I use Notesnook its amazing; nice code block feature."
"It's cheap. Opensource and is E2EE, you can also self host it."
"Notesnook."
"Check out Notesnook and Joplin."
#21
JNotes
4.3
(6)
"I love Jnotes"
"Jnotes by far are the best that i have used"
"I suggest Jnotes"
"Jnotes and Notein. Try and pick your favourite."
"Jnotes, Touchnotes"
"The best one I've found is [JNotes] but it's not perfect."
#22
Apple
4.2
(6)
"It’s awesome now and can auto clean up your handwriting, record/transcribe, do everything."
"Apple notes does a good job"
"I just use apple notes. Works out well for my needs."
"Start with the built-in Apple Notes app. Baked right in and syncs with your other Apple devices."
"There are some staples like apple notes, notion and good notes."
"Apple notes has a ruler"
#23
Simplenote
4.6
(5)
"I have used Simplenote for years."
"My whole life functions around Simplenote."
"I've been using it and Simplenote ever since I got mi new phone(4+ months) and have never experienced a single bug/glitch/stutter."
"It's cross platform and also have web version."
"These ones are similar to Bear and Notes: * [Simplenote] * [Bear] * [Spaces] * [Taio] * [Noto] * [Paper]"
#24
Notewise
4.0
(5)
"I use the Notewise 100GB cloud plan. It's the best for me."
"Notewise has a better sync for me."
"Notewise but paid version works for me."
"Notewise!"
"I switched to Notewise in September, it's just great."
#25
Zoomnotes
4.8
(4)
"I like ZoomNotes for both."
"One app that no other app can approach is ZoomNotes."
"Zoomnotes gives you layers, fully adjustable tabs on the top, bottom, left or right side."
"Any recommendations for pen settings in ZN similar to the ball pen in GN."
#26
Standard Notes
4.5
(4)
"Standard notes"
"Standard notes, OneNote"
"I use standard notes. At least it is private."
"Standard Notes or Joplin."
#27
Notes+
4.3
(4)
"Theres an app called notes+ and it actually looks really good."
"Notes+ and Collanote."
"Try Notes+. It’s free."
"Notes +."
#28
Logseq
4.0
(4)
"[Logseq] once you learn to use it there’s no coming back."
"Logseq https://github.com/logseq/logseq"
"Logseq
Foss and locally stored in markdown."
"Based on your features I might suggest Logseq."
#29
FSNotes
4.7
(3)
"FSNotes ;)"
"1. 100% open source
2. Uses iCloud Drive for storage, so is end-to-end encrypted if you turn on Advanced Data Protection."
"[FSNotes] has really great iCloud integration."
#30
Samsung
4.3
(3)
"Why search for gold when you already have diamond, just use Samsung notes."
"Just use Samsung Notes, optimize and enough."
"I use Samsung notes for notes and PDF reading annotation."
#31
Capacities
4.0
(3)
"Quite good for non linear note taking."
"Capacities, like obsidian but a bit nicer with shortcuts and all"
"Capacities.io"
#32
craft
4.0
(3)
"For typed, I love Craft, but Bear and Obsidian are worth a look and maybe Agenda."
"I like craft because it’s fast and can be visually nice if you work with lots of images in your notes."
"Craft is great."
#33
FoxyNotes
4.0
(3)
"FoxyNotes"
"I switched to FoxyNotes because it had the option to show folders right after launching the app."
"Its a simple and fast notepad with some cool features and automatic Google Drive Sync."
#34
Zoho
4.0
(3)
"Neat feature with this is you can group your notes in different 'books.' Syncs easily too 👍"
"Don't forget Zoho Notebook."
"I use notebook, has visual notebooks that you can customize the covers on."
#35
Noteshelf 3
4.0
(3)
"I like using Apple Notes and Noteshelf 3."
"Is pretty good with their free version."
"Noteshelf 3. It’s $10 for a 1-time fee."
#36
Anytype
3.7
(3)
"Anytype. Works well if you have android."
"Anytype could be a good option for you."
"AnyType and LunaTask. And now also Sync offers this."
#37
Outline
3.7
(3)
"Outline for Mac."
"Hey, you can try Outline app for your apple ecosystem... It works great between my macbook pro and ipad."
"You should try it as an alternative to OneNote."
#38
Fantastical
5.0
(2)
"Fantastical is hands down the GOAT"
"It’s good and super c"
#39
Noteshelf
5.0
(2)
"My recommendation is Noteshelf 3"
"Or noteshelf3 with single payment for lifetime"
#40
Craft Docs
5.0
(2)
"I love its design."
"Huge fan of Craft Docs. Beautiful, simple, built-in linking across the entire database."
#41
Defter Notes
5.0
(2)
"I highly recommend you check out Defter Notes."
"I use a very underrated app called Defter Notes."
#42
reMarkable
5.0
(2)
"If you just want to take notes get a reMarkable. It’s only $200."
"I absolutely love my Remarkable2 it writes similarly to paper but it allows me to change it to a „typed“ page if I want to."
#43
Notally
4.5
(2)
"Notally - Minimalist Notes"
"Notally is pretty good, it has a nice UI, and is open source."
#44
MEM.AI
4.5
(2)
"I feel like if I needed a note taking app to do the absolute most with ease, quickness, and memory, I'd try seriously MEM.AI"
"Mem.ai."
#45
AmpleNote
4.5
(2)
"I use Amplenote (collect > organise > make actionable > schedule it)."
"I like AmpleNote a lot right now, especially the Jot feature and the organization of the app."
#46
LiquidText
4.0
(2)
"I am using 'liquid text' and it gets my job done."
"LiquidText, Nebo."
#47
Evernote
4.0
(2)
"Evernote can work for some."
"Evernote is a popular choice when it comes to note-taking apps. It offers a range of features to create and organize notes, including attachments and cross-device syncing."
#48
GoodNotes 5
4.0
(2)
"I used goodnotes 5 with apple pencil for most of my program."
"Goodnotes 5."
#49
Microsoft Word
4.0
(2)
"And notability."
"I use MS Word. Always worked fine for me."
#50
Kilonotes
4.0
(2)
"I really like Kilonotes!"
"Kilonotes. The free version allows you to have 7 notebooks."
#51
Freeform
4.0
(2)
"I honestly just use Freeform and i’m satisfacted with the features."
"I have been using Freeform a ridiculous amount this last semester."
#52
ColorNote
4.0
(2)
"I used ColorNote because it's reliable, simple."
"I used ColorNote for many years."
#53
Bundled Notes
3.5
(2)
"In active development"
"Bundled Notes"
#54
RemNote
5.0
(1)
"RemNote, Notion, Obsidian."
#55
Twos
5.0
(1)
"Twos app ✌️"
#56
OnlyOffice
5.0
(1)
"I really like OnlyOffice"
#57
Mac Whisper
5.0
(1)
"Mac Whisper -- creates transcripts and can run locally."
#58
Zotero
5.0
(1)
"Zotero is free, open, and works great for managing and citing sources."
#59
Noteplan
5.0
(1)
"Noteplan"
#60
Weavernote
5.0
(1)
"I built Weavernote with Google Keep like simplicity and Obsidian like utility"
#61
Acreom
5.0
(1)
"Acreom"
#62
Saga AI
5.0
(1)
"The AI integration is very smooth for correcting and drafting."
#63
Huawei Notes
5.0
(1)
"The Huawei Notes app with The blue Icon ist by far The best."
#64
Scrivano
5.0
(1)
"You forgot Scrivano, it's my main app since about a year and i love it."
#65
Xodo PDF
4.0
(1)
"Xodo PDF? 😊"
#66
craft.do
4.0
(1)
"Craft.do"
#67
Write
4.0
(1)
"I use Write, works rly well on my laptop compared to trash whiteboard."
#68
Appflowy
4.0
(1)
"Appflowy."
#69
Scrbl Ink
4.0
(1)
"I use one called scrbl ink on my surface and it works pretty well!"
#70
Note Everything
4.0
(1)
"Note Everything."
#71
Black Note
4.0
(1)
"I like Black Note."
#72
Folino
4.0
(1)
"Notes in folders. Minimal. No ads. And Lifetime premium is $3."
#73
docFreak
4.0
(1)
"If you want a Note taking app that also has a tabbed word processor, take a look at docFreak."
#74
ProNotes
4.0
(1)
"The pre-installed Notes app, along with the free ProNotes extension."
#75
Lazy
4.0
(1)
"Possibly worth checking out: https://lazy.so/"
#76
WeNote
4.0
(1)
"Try WeNote which also supports sync to WeNote Cloud or Google Drive cloud storage."
#77
Brisqi
4.0
(1)
"Try Brisqi! It’s an offline-first personal Kanban tool."
#78
Drawboard
4.0
(1)
"I ended up liking this one best however, sometimes it does close randomly."
#79
Microsoft Whiteboard
4.0
(1)
"Is pretty usable."
#80
Penjo - Pencil Journal
4.0
(1)
"You may have a look at Penjo - Pencil Journal."
#81
Squid
4.0
(1)
"[Squid] and/or [Touchnotes]"
#82
Simple Notes
4.0
(1)
"[Simple Notes]"
#83
Ink&Paper
4.0
(1)
"The paid version of [Ink&Paper] after experiencing lag on [Xodo]."
#84
Devonthink
4.0
(1)
"My digital notes/documents/files are stored/organized in Devonthink."
#85
Spaces
4.0
(1)
"Have a look at these as well: * [Spaces] * [Paper]"
#86
Offline Notepad
4.0
(1)
"Offline Notepad if you don't need online synching or backup. Free and no ads."
#87
Pendo Note
4.0
(1)
"Pendo Note - besides checklist & jotting notes."
#88
Tana
4.0
(1)
"I’d suggest trying Tana or Capacities."
#89
Rnote
4.0
(1)
"I'm using Rnote which focuses on handwritten notes but also can do typed text and many other things."
#90
Edge
4.0
(1)
"Honestly, edge is great for pdf markup and notes with the pen."
#91
Notable
4.0
(1)
"Maybe Notable with Git?"
#92
Penbook
4.0
(1)
"I use penbook, idk what tablet platforms you can get it on but I got it off of the Microsoft store for free and I love it."
#93
Otter AI
4.0
(1)
"Otter AI, costs but is very good."
#94
Paperlike
4.0
(1)
"Paperlike has a free hyperlinked digital planner that I'm pretty excited to use."
#95
Bleep
4.0
(1)
"Shameless plug for the app I'm building: [https://bleep.is]."
#96
Foxy Note
3.0
(1)
"Try foxy note but im not sure if it has folder option."
#97
Touch Notes
3.0
(1)
"Try touch notes, it's a paid app tho."
#98
Default Notes App
3.0
(1)
"Default Notes app is more than good enough."
#99
Markor
3.0
(1)
"It is not really a note app, but a Markdown application."
#100
Material Notes
3.0
(1)
"Material Notes if you prefer Looks over Online backup."
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