7 Best Note Taking Apps You Need in 2024

It is undeniably necessary to take a note or two in our personal and professional lives. Relying on memory for crucial details in a distracting world would be illogical.

 

With our work nowadays transferred to digital spaces, our meetings require note taking too, preferably using the best note taking apps available. Thus, it’s necessary to learn how to take notes too. 

 

But which tools should you use exactly? 

In this guide, we’ll discover the principles of note taking and the best note taking app for your specific needs. Let’s dive in. 

What Are The Best Note Taking Apps For?

It is a no-brainer that, in most cases, our attention can only be directed towards one particular thing at a time. This means that during meetings, your attention may be diverted when trying to take a note manually, especially when active participation is needed. 

 

You are probably aware of some of the best note taking methods, mainly using pen and paper or tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. However, all these manual techniques are time-consuming, unproductive, and destructive.

 

For instance, crucial post-meeting information can easily get lost if you do not know how to take notes in meetings. 

 

Hence, the world is now shifting towards note taking apps. 

 

The best note taking apps aim to resolve this issue. They remove the burden of manually and disorganizedly taking notes and allow you to focus on the discussion.

What to Look For When Choosing a Note Taking App

When you’re in the market for the best note taking app, there are a few essential things to consider:

Functionality

First and foremost, the best note taking app needs to do its main job well: allow you to take a note. This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many apps overpromise and underdeliver.

 

If the app boasts features like image-to-text conversion or stylus support, ensure these features are smooth and reliable, not just flashy selling points.

Ease of Use

You want an app that’s as easy to use as grabbing a pen and paper. If it takes more effort to open the app and jot something down than it does to find a scrap of paper, it’s now worth it. The same goes for editing and organizing your notes.

 

The ​​best note taking app should allow such actions intuitively and without a steep learning curve or frustrating user interface.

Accessibility

Ensure your chosen app works on your desktop and mobile devices and syncs seamlessly. Offline functionality is necessary for some use cases—you don’t want to be locked out of your notes without Wi-Fi.

Value for Money

Free apps are great, but sometimes you get what you pay for. It’s worth considering the best note taking apps that charge a reasonable subscription fee if they offer robust features and long-term stability.

 

After all, you don’t want to invest time into an app only for it to disappear or stop syncing your notes correctly.

Versatility

You need an app that fits various use cases, whether making a quick grocery list or taking detailed meeting notes. While some niche apps cater to specific needs like fiction writing or coding, a good note-taking app should be flexible enough to handle everyday tasks.

AI Features

The new wave of AI-powered note-taking apps offers cool features like smart organization and research. However, ensure that the core functionality—taking and accessing notes isn’t compromised.

 

With these points in mind, you can choose the best note taking app that meets your needs and makes your life easier. Now, let’s see what specific purpose each app we review fulfills.

 

	Best For	Free Options	Supported OSs
Krisp	Regular attendees of virtual meetings	Free unlimited multilingual transcripts and notes	MacOS, Windows
Obsidian	Tech-savvy, productivity-driven note-takers	Free plan for personal use	Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux
Google Keep	G Suite enthusiasts	Free for 15GB of storage across all Google apps	Android, iOS
Microsoft OneNote	Those preferring free options	Free for up to 5GB of notes	iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Notion	Visual learners and personal note-takers	Free plan for personal use	Android, iOS, macOS, Windows
Apple Notes	Apple users	Free for 5GB of storage across all iCloud services	iOS, MacOS
Joplin	Those looking for Evernote alternatives	Free with optional paid services	Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux

Krisp: The Best AI Note Taking App for Meetings

Krisp is a strong choice as the best note taking app for anyone who frequently attends virtual meetings. Here’s why:

AI-Driven Transcriptions 

Krisp offers real-time, multilingual transcriptions during calls, ensuring that every word spoken in a meeting is accurately documented. It provides automatically documented summaries and meeting notes highlighting key points and action items that are shareable and easy to edit.

 

Noise Cancellation

One of Krisp’s original features is canceling background noise and echo. It can cancel background noise, making note-taking and communication more precise. There’s no need to use additional services during your meetings because Krisp covers all the aspects. Thus, you get professional and productive meetings. 

 

Multi-Platform Integration 

Krisp can be used with almost all communication apps, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Slack. This compatibility ensures that you can take advantage of Krisp’s features regardless of the platform your team uses.

 

User-Friendly Interface

As the best note taking app for meetings, Krisp’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. It lets you quickly enable or disable noise cancellation and transcription features, making it accessible for users of all technical skill levels.

 

 

 

Obsidian For Productivity Notes

 

Obsidian is ideal for those who value a highly customizable note-taking system. Its top features include:

• Knowledge base creation: Obsidian allows you to link notes together, creating a web of information that mirrors your thought processes.

 

• Markdown support:  the app uses Markdown, making it easy to format notes and ensure they look professional.

 

• Plugins and themes: various plugins and themes are available, allowing users to tailor the app to their specific needs.

 

• Local storage: notes are stored locally on your device, providing enhanced security and offline access.

This app is perfect for tech-savvy users who want a powerful tool to enhance productivity.

Google Keep For G Suite Users

 

Google Keep offers a simple and effective way to capture and organize notes, particularly for those already using G Suite. Benefits include:

 

• Integration with Google services: Keep integrates well with other Google apps, such as Google Docs and Google Drive, making it easy to move and manage information.

 

• Color-coded notes: you can color-code your notes for easy categorization and visual organization.

 

• Voice notes: the app allows you to record voice notes automatically transcribed into text.

 

• Reminders and labels: Google Keep includes features for setting reminders and adding labels, helping you stay organized and on top of your tasks.

 

This app is free and accessible on Android and iOS, making it a versatile option for G Suite users.

Microsoft OneNote For Windows Users

Microsoft OneNote is a robust and feature-rich app that excels in a Windows environment. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Multi-platform support: OneNote works seamlessly across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, ensuring your notes are always accessible.

 

• Rich text editing: you can create detailed notes with text, images, audio recordings, and even hand-drawn sketches.

 

• Section and page organization: OneNote’s structure allows you to organize notes into notebooks, sections, and pages, mimicking a physical notebook.

 

• Collaboration features: share notes with others and collaborate in real-time, making it an excellent tool for team projects and meetings.

 

With up to 5GB of free storage, OneNote is a top choice for users seeking comprehensive and reliable note-taking software.

Notion For Visual Representation of Ideas 

 

Notion is one of the best note taking apps for those who need to organize and manage information visually. Key features include:

• Flexible content creation: Notion supports a variety of content types. Those include text, images, databases, and Kanban boards, allowing for comprehensive project management.

 

• Templates: many templates are available for different use cases, from personal to professional.

 

• The intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to organize and rearrange content.

 

• Collaboration and sharing: Notion supports real-time and easy sharing, making it an excellent choice for collaborative team projects.

 

Notion is available on all major platforms and offers a free plan for personal use, making it a versatile and powerful note-taking app.

Apple Notes for Quick, Offline Notes

 

Apple Notes is a straightforward and reliable choice for Apple users. Here’s what it offers:

• Seamless integration: Apple Notes integrates seamlessly with iOS and macOS, providing a smooth user experience across Apple devices.

 

• Offline access: Notes are stored locally and can be accessed without an internet connection, making it ideal for quick, on-the-go note-taking.

 

• Rich text features: you can add images, checklists, and sketches to their notes, enhancing the information you capture.

 

• iCloud sync: notes sync across all Apple devices via iCloud, ensuring your information is always up-to-date and accessible.

With 5GB of free storage, Apple Notes is a reliable choice for users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem.

Joplin As a Free And Open-Source Evernote Alternative

 

 

Joplin is a robust and secure note-taking app, perfect for those looking for an Evernote alternative. Key features include:

• Open-source: as an open-source app, Joplin is continuously improved by a community of developers and offers complete transparency regarding its operations.

 

• Markdown support: Joplin supports Markdown, making it easy to format notes and ensure they look professional.

 

• Encryption: The app offers end-to-end encryption, providing a secure environment for your notes.

 

• Cross-platform syncing: Joplin syncs across Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, ensuring your notes are always accessible.

 

• Offline access: Notes can be accessed and edited offline, making it a versatile option for users on the go.

 

Unlike Evernote, which has moved many features behind a paywall, Joplin remains free, with optional paid services for additional features. Joplin’s open-source nature also ensures no hidden functionalities or privacy concerns, unlike some proprietary software. 

 

Joplin’s support for Markdown offers a more straightforward and less cluttered note formatting experience than Evernote’s rich text editor. For those prioritizing security and flexibility without the cost, Joplin stands out as an excellent choice.

 

	Pros	Cons
Krisp	AI-powered noise cancellation, enhanced audio quality,  and precise notes,	Only works with an internet connection: no offline functionality,
Obsidian	Securely and locally stored notes, accessed offline,	Lacks real-time collaboration tools compared to other note-taking apps,
Google Keep	User-friendly and available for free on Android and iOS,	Lacks advanced features and customization options,
Microsoft OneNote	Supports detailed note-taking with text, images, audio, and sketches, making it versatile,	Cluttered interface, not so easy to navigate,
Notion	Offers strong collaboration features, allowing real-time editing and sharing,	Overwhelming for new users due to its multipurpose toolbox of features,
Apple Notes	Supports offline access, making it ideal for quick, on-the-go note-taking,	The app offers limited formatting options compared to other note-taking apps,
Joplin	Open-source and end-to-end encrypted, ensuring a secure environment for notes.	Initial setup and configuration can be complex for non-technical users.

 

Summing Up

Choosing the best note taking app depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you need advanced AI features, seamless integration with other tools, or a versatile and customizable platform, there is an app that fits your requirements.

 

The options reviewed above are some of the best apps available in 2024, each offering unique features to enhance your productivity and organization.

 

FAQ About Best Note Taking Apps