Not all note-taking tools work seamlessly on your devices. If you are using an Apple computer or operating system, it would be prudent to look out for the best note-taking apps for Mac. These tools are either specifically designed to work on macOS systems or are versatile enough to accommodate these requirements.
To enable you to save the most out of your meetings on a Mac, we have highlighted five of the best note-taking apps for Macs that should be on your to-get list in 2024.
Best Note-Taking Apps for Mac
- Apple Notes
- OneNote
- Notion
- Ulysses
- Obsidian
1. Apple Notes
Apple Notes offers one of the easiest ways of taking notes on your Apple device. This in-built note-taking app for iOS and macOS devices is available on most Apple phones and computers. This tool is known for its seamless integration across the Apple ecosystem and is used primarily for taking notes and creating simple lists.
It is a simple and easy-to-use app that makes it easy to know how to create notes and lists and add attachments such as PDFs, photos, maps, and web links.
You can also scan paper documents with the built-in document scanner. Apple Notes is a great option for those who want a basic note-taking app that is easy to use and has a clean interface.
Some of the key features of Apple Notes are:
- Powerful note-taking capabilities including adding attachments such as PDFs, photos, maps, web links, and more. You can also scan paper documents with the built-in document scanner.
- A locked note feature that secures sensitive or personal data.
- Seamlessly create checklists or a to-do list, then tap to check off items.
- You can apply different text styles, such as heading or body, bulleted lists, and more.
- Apple Notes keeps it simple with an intuitive interface, making it accessible for users of all levels.
Although Apple Notes is a free note-taking app for Mac, it offers great convenience for those using Apple products. However, this tool may not incorporate many advanced features that other note-taking apps may have, such as using AI for taking meeting notes.
Moreover, you may not get automation assistance, especially for fast-paced meetings.
Nevertheless, Apple Notes is a great option if you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use note-taking app.
2. OneNote
OneNote is Microsoft’s comprehensive note-taking app, offering a versatile platform for capturing and organizing ideas.
This digital note-taking app lets you create, organize, and share your notes across your devices. You can access your notes from anywhere, even offline.
Some of its key features include:
- Ability to create and assign tasks inside your notes with due dates, flags, and reminders so nothing falls through the cracks.
- OneNote allows users to embed multimedia elements, including audio, video, and links, creating dynamic and interactive notes.
- You can scan important documents and keep them handy on all your devices.
- Save web pages and mark them with arrows, highlights, and text to make them more useful.
- For those who prefer handwriting, OneNote can convert handwritten notes into typed text, offering the best of both worlds.
Microsoft OneNote is one of the best note-taking apps for Mac users. Its ability to mark your notes with due dates and embed multimedia elements makes this a great tool to include in your list in 2024.
However, it would be prudent to note that some premium features are only available to users with a Microsoft 365 subscription. This means you may not gain access to features like being able to highlight important content on the free plan.
Nevertheless, OneNote is still a powerful and versatile note-taking app for Mac that is free to use and can be used on different Mac devices.
3. Notion
Notion is a cloud-based app that can be accessed from multiple web browsers such as Chrome and Safari. It is also available as a downloadable desktop application compatible with the macOS operating system.
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that allows you to write notes, manage tasks, set goals, and even create spreadsheets. Moreover, this tool is versatile, meaning that it can be customized to suit your needs.
Some of the key features of using Notion as a note-taker for Mac include:
- Ability to visualize the relationships between your notes, helping you to find hidden patterns in your thinking through a visually engaging and interactive graph.
- Notion provides a unified platform where you can write notes and manage your tasks.
- The tool allows you to access your notes even when you’re offline.
- Notion has numerous customizable templates for various use cases, from project management to personal journaling.
- This tool provides a collaborative workspace, allowing you and your team to seamlessly share and edit notes.
Notion is a powerful tool perfect for Mac users who want to take their note-taking to the next level. However, it goes overboard with visual icons and comes up too short on key features for some users. Nonetheless, it is an excellent all-in-one productivity suite worth checking out.
4. Ulysses
Ulysses is a writing environment app for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users. It offers a distraction-free writing experience with effective document management, seamless sync, and flexible export options.
You can use this versatile tool for multiple purposes on your Mac or iOS, including creating graphs, canvases, and lecture notes to spark your creativity and share your ideas with others.
Some of its key features include:
- Ulysses provides a platform where you can write and store your notes.
- With Ulysses’ extensive range of templates, you can easily design your pages according to your preferences.
- Facilitates team collaboration as you can share your notes with others, assign tasks, and track progress.
- This tool allows you to organize your notes visually and create tables, boards, and calendars to keep track of your notes and tasks.
Ulysses is a powerful tool perfect for Mac users who want to take their note-taking to the next level. It is a feature-rich app with a clean and simple interface, making it easy to use.
However, this tool is not freely available, hindering some people from being able to utilize it.
5. Obsidian
Obsidian is a note-taking app that is available for Mac users. It is a private and flexible writing app that adapts to your thoughts, making it one of the best note-taking apps for Mac users seeking well-organized meeting notes.
This tool stores notes on your device so that you can access them quickly, even offline. With hundreds of plugins and themes, you can shape Obsidian to fit your way of thinking.
Some notable features of Obsidian include:
- With Obsidian’s extensive range of templates, you can easily design your pages according to your preferences.
- This is one of the best note-taking apps for Mac if you’re looking for a collaboration feature where you can share your notes with others, assign tasks, and track progress.
- Obsidian allows you to organize your notes visually.
- The tool allows you to access your notes even when you’re offline.
Obsidian is a powerful tool perfect for Mac users who want to take their note-taking to the next level. It is a feature-rich app with a clean and simple interface, making it easy to use.
One of the best things about Obsidian is its ability to link notes with bidirectional links, creating a knowledge graph structure that shows the connections between your notes.
However, it can be overwhelming for beginners and requires a bit of a learning curve.
Best Note-Taking Tool for Meetings on Mac
Apple Notes, OneNote, Notion, Ulysses, and Obsidian are pretty good tools for generating notes when casually using your Mac.
However, when it comes to meetings, they may not be the ultimate solution for your needs. This is especially true for fast-paced environments where productivity and increased efficiency is the ultimate goal.
This is where Krisp comes in.
Krisp is one of the best note-taking apps for Mac users during meetings. You simply create an account, link Krisp with your preferred meeting platform, and start or join your meetings as usual.
Krisp works in the background and uses the latest and most advanced AI transcription technology to get you a highly accurate transcript. Thereafter, Krisp converts your transcripts into actionable meeting notes.
Here’s why Krisp is your go-to solution for taking meeting notes on Mac:
1. Highly accurate meeting transcriptions
Krisp uses its meeting transcriptions to generate meeting notes. When the transcript is accurate, the notes are on point. This saves you the time you’d have spent manually writing the notes.
2. Actionable notes
Krisp’s AI note-taker detects all the key discussion points in the meeting, capturing highlights such as decisions made, action items, and important questions raised.
3. Customizable summaries
When using Krisp as your dedicated note-taker for meetings, you can always rely on getting accurate meeting summaries, which you can share with colleagues and other meeting attendees.
Krisp doesn’t just stop at providing meeting summaries, though. You can choose between short and condensed meeting summaries with only the meeting takeaways or a more detailed summary that encapsulates all the important discussions.
4. Seamless collaboration
When using Krisp, it is easy for you to share your meeting notes with colleagues and other relevant stakeholders. This means you don’t always have to generate a meeting recap email, as Krisp handles all that for you with the click of a button.
5. Automated note-taking
Krisp’s AI meeting assistant jumps into action anytime you have a meeting. This means you don’t have to undergo extensive setup processes every time you have a meeting, as the tool automatically generates them whenever you have virtual discussions.
Krisp stands out as one of the best AI note-taking tools that can be used on Mac devices. Make your meetings more efficient and productive by trying Krisp for free today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you consider when searching for the best note-taking app for Mac?
Some main factors to consider when searching for the best note-taking app for Mac include compatibility, user interface, and key features.
How do you know a note-taking tool is good?
A good note-taking tool is good if it is easy to use and can help you generate accurate notes that don’t get lost along the way.
Can note-taking apps be used for more than just taking notes?
Yes, note-taking apps can be used for other functions like task management, project management, and collaboration.
What role does cloud storage play in note-taking apps?
Cloud storage is integral to note-taking for several reasons, including making it easier to access the notes at any time and on any device and enhancing collaboration as different people can work on the same document.
