The 10 Best Evernote Alternatives & Competitors

Evernote has been around for years, but it’s no longer the automatic choice it once was. Higher pricing, device limits, and feature restrictions have pushed many users to look for better options. The good news? There are plenty of reliable Evernote Alternatives that handle notes, ideas, tasks, and research just as well or better.

In this guide, you’ll find 10 proven tools that people actually use daily. Some focus on speed, some on privacy, and others on deep organization. If you’re switching workflows, your existing Evernote Shortcuts knowledge will still help you adapt quickly. Let’s get straight to the tools that make sense today.

Why People Look for Evernote Alternatives?

People usually don’t leave Evernote because it’s broken they leave because it no longer fits their workflow. Common reasons include:

• Paid plans becoming expensive
• Limits on device syncing
• Slower performance with large notebooks
• Need for better privacy or offline access
• Preference for simpler or more flexible tools

Because of this, many Evernote Competitors now offer cleaner interfaces, better pricing, and faster performance, making them solid Top Note-taking Tools for different use cases.

Top 10 Evernote Alternatives & Competitors

1. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote feels like a digital binder with unlimited space. You can mix typed notes, handwriting, images, and audio in one place. It syncs smoothly across devices and integrates tightly with Microsoft 365. The free plan is generous, which makes it appealing for long-term use. Organization is flexible, though sometimes a bit too free-form. It’s especially useful if you already live inside the Microsoft ecosystem.

Pros:

• Free with generous storage
• Strong multimedia note support
• Excellent cross-device sync

Cons:

• Can feel cluttered for minimalists
• Search isn’t always instant

Best For: Students and professionals using Microsoft tools

⇒ 100 Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts

2. Notion

Notion is more than a notes app it’s a workspace. You can combine notes, databases, tasks, and docs in one system. It’s extremely customizable, which is both its strength and weakness. Once set up, it can replace multiple apps at once. Among modern Evernote Alternatives, Notion stands out for flexibility.

Pros:

• Highly customizable layouts
• Notes + tasks + databases
• Strong collaboration features

Cons:

• Learning curve is real
• Offline mode is limited

Best For: Power users and teams

⇒ 45 Notion Keyboard Shortcuts
⇒ The 9 Best Notion Alternatives

3. Google Keep

Google Keep is built for speed. Open it, jot something down, close it done. Notes sync instantly and integrate well with Google Docs and Calendar. It’s not designed for long research, but it’s perfect for quick ideas. As far as Evernote Alternatives go, this one is intentionally simple.

Pros:

• Extremely fast and lightweight
• Free with Google account
• Great for reminders and lists

Cons:

• Limited organization
• Not ideal for long notes

Best For: Quick notes and reminders

⇒ 25 Google Keep Keyboard Shortcuts

4. Joplin

Joplin is an open-source, markdown-based note app with strong encryption. You own your data and choose how to sync it. It supports notebooks, tags, and attachments without locking you in. For privacy-focused users comparing Evernote Competitors, Joplin is a serious option.

Pros:

• Open-source and secure
• Markdown support
• Works offline

Cons:

• Interface is basic
• Setup can take time

Best For: Privacy-focused users

⇒ 25 Joplin Keyboard Shortcuts

5. Simplenote

Simplenote does exactly what the name suggests. No folders, no clutter just notes that sync everywhere. It supports markdown and version history, which is impressive for a free tool. If Evernote feels heavy, this is the opposite experience.

Pros:

• Clean and distraction-free
• Fast sync across devices
• Completely free

Cons:

• No attachments
• Limited organization

Best For: Minimal note-taking

⇒ 12 Simplenote Keyboard Shortcuts

6. Zoho Notebook

Zoho Notebook uses a card-based layout that feels modern and visual. Each note type text, checklist, audio gets its own card. It’s polished, easy to use, and part of the Zoho ecosystem. Compared to other Top Note-taking Tools, it balances simplicity and features well.

Pros:

• Attractive interface
• Supports multiple note types
• Good free plan

Cons:

• Fewer advanced features
• Search could be better

Best For: Visual note-takers

7. Obsidian

Obsidian stores notes locally and links them together like a knowledge graph. It’s markdown-based and extremely powerful once customized. There’s no forced cloud sync, giving you full control. Among advanced Evernote Alternatives, Obsidian is built for deep thinking.

Pros:

• Local-first data ownership
• Powerful linking system
• Huge plugin ecosystem

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Sync costs extra

Best For: Knowledge management and research

⇒ 28 Obsidian Keyboard Shortcuts
⇒ 6 Best Obsidian Alternatives

8. Bear

Bear focuses on beautiful writing. It uses markdown with a clean, Apple-style interface. Tags replace folders, keeping organization flexible. It’s limited to Apple devices, but within that space, it’s one of the smoothest alternatives to Evernote.

Pros:

• Clean, elegant design
• Excellent markdown support
• Fast and lightweight

Cons:

• Apple-only
• No web app

Best For: Writers on macOS and iOS

⇒ 72 Bear Keyboard Shortcuts

9. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is designed for collaborative notes. It supports comments, tasks, and real-time editing. While it’s not as structured as Evernote, it works well for shared documents. It fits nicely among Todo List Managers like Evernote for team use.

Pros:

• Real-time collaboration
• Clean writing environment
• Free with Dropbox account

Cons:

• Limited offline use
• Basic organization

Best For: Team collaboration

⇒ 41 Dropbox Paper Keyboard Shortcuts

10. UpNote

UpNote is a lightweight but powerful note app with markdown, folders, and quick sync. It feels familiar to Evernote users without the bloat. Pricing is simple and affordable, making it one of the most underrated Evernote Alternatives right now.

Pros:

• Clean and fast interface
• Affordable pricing
• Works across platforms

Cons:

• Smaller ecosystem
• Fewer integrations

Best For: Evernote-style notes without complexity

⇒ 98 UpNote Keyboard Shortcuts

Comparison Table: Evernote Alternatives

How to Choose the Right Evernote Alternative?

Choosing from so many Evernote Alternatives can feel confusing, but it gets simple once you match the tool to how you actually take notes. Here’s a straight-up way to decide without overthinking it:

• If you want something close to Evernote: Go with Microsoft OneNote or UpNote. Both support rich notes, folders, and syncing without feeling overwhelming.
• If you like clean writing and focus: Bear or Simplenote are great. They remove distractions and keep you writing instead of managing features.
• If you need an all-in-one workspace: Notion works best when your notes, tasks, and docs need to live together.
• If privacy and data ownership matter most: Joplin and Obsidian give you full control over your notes, including offline access and local storage.
• If you just want quick notes and reminders: Google Keep is fast, simple, and always available.
• If collaboration is your priority: Dropbox Paper makes sense for shared notes and team documents.

In short, the best choice isn’t the most popular one it’s the tool that fits your workflow with the least friction. Pick based on how you take notes, not how many features the app advertises.

How to Move Notes from Evernote to Another App?

Switching from Evernote sounds harder than it actually is. Most Evernote Alternatives support imports, so you don’t have to start from zero. Here’s the simplest way to move your notes without breaking anything.

Step 1: Export Notes from Evernote

Evernote lets you export your notebooks as ENEX files. You can export one notebook at a time or multiple notebooks together, depending on how your notes are organized.

Step 2: Choose the Right Import Format

Most tools handle ENEX files well:

• Microsoft OneNote and Notion support direct Evernote imports
• Joplin imports ENEX with attachments and tags
• Obsidian works best if you convert notes to Markdown

If attachments and formatting matter, test with a small notebook first.

Step 3: Check Tags, Images, and PDFs

After importing, quickly scan your notes:

• Make sure images and PDFs are intact
• Confirm tags or folders imported correctly
• Reorganize notebooks if needed

This step avoids surprises later.

Step 4: Keep Evernote for a Short Backup Period

Don’t delete Evernote immediately. Keep it installed for a few weeks until you’re confident everything transferred correctly.

Once done, you’ll be fully set up on your new app and free to use the alternatives to Evernote that better match your workflow.

Conclusion

Evernote isn’t the only serious option anymore. Depending on whether you value speed, privacy, writing, or collaboration, there’s an app that fits better. These Evernote Alternatives cover every major workflow from simple checklists to deep knowledge systems. Pick the one that matches how you think and work, not just what looks familiar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Evernote still worth using in 2026?

Evernote still works, but many users feel the pricing and limitations no longer justify sticking with it. That’s why interest in Evernote Alternatives keeps growing several tools now offer better value, faster performance, or simpler workflows.

Which Evernote alternative is best for free users?

If you want a solid free option, Microsoft OneNote, Google Keep, and Simplenote are strong choices. They cover core note-taking needs without forcing upgrades, which makes them popular Evernote Competitors.

Which Evernote alternative is best for privacy and offline use?

For privacy-focused users, Joplin and Obsidian stand out. Both store data locally and work offline, making them reliable alternatives to Evernote if data ownership matters to you.

Can I use Evernote alternatives across multiple devices?

Yes. Most Top Note-taking Tools like OneNote, Notion, and UpNote support syncing across desktop and mobile devices. Just check whether sync is free or part of a paid plan before switching.