The best Apple Notes alternatives in 2026

1. 1

   Kalend

   A free planner: to-dos, calendar, habits and a voice journal 9.6 +0.6 vs Apple Notes
   • More features +0.9
   • More private +0.8
   • Better design +0.5
   • Faster +0.4

   Best for: People who want tasks, a calendar, habits and a journal in one private, free app

   Apple Notes vs Kalend Read review
2. 2

   Google Keep

   Quick notes and lists that sync to any phone or browser 8.3 -0.7 vs Apple Notes
   • Less private -2.0
   • Weaker design -0.7
   • Fewer features -0.5
   • Slower -0.4

   Best for: Android users and families who want quick shared lists and simple notes

   Apple Notes vs Google Keep Read review
3. 3

   Jotter

   Sticky notes, checklists, handwriting and voice notes in one app 9.1 +0.1 vs Apple Notes
   • More private +0.5
   • Better design +0.4
   • Slower -0.4

   Best for: iPhone and iPad users who want a quick, private notepad with handwriting

   Apple Notes vs Jotter Read review
4. 4

   Bear

   Beautiful Markdown notes for Mac, iPhone and iPad 9.1 +0.1 vs Apple Notes
   • Worse value -0.7
   • Better design +0.5
   • More private +0.4

   Best for: Writers and Apple users who want fast, good-looking Markdown notes

   Apple Notes vs Bear Read review
5. 5

   Obsidian

   Private, local-first notes linked like a second brain 9.3 +0.3 vs Apple Notes
   • More features +0.9
   • More private +0.7
   • Weaker design -0.5

   Best for: Writers, students and researchers building up their notes for years

   Apple Notes vs Obsidian Read review
6. 6

   Craft

   Polished docs and notes that look great by default 8.4 -0.6 vs Apple Notes
   • Worse value -2.2
   • Slower -1.0
   • Less private -1.0

   Best for: Writers and Apple users who want beautiful notes and docs with little effort

   Apple Notes vs Craft Read review
7. 7

   Microsoft OneNote

   Free digital notebook with freeform pages and inking 8.1 -1.0 vs Apple Notes
   • Less private -2.0
   • Slower -1.6
   • Weaker design -1.3
   • Worse value -0.5

   Best for: Students and tablet users who take handwritten or mixed-media notes

   Apple Notes vs Microsoft OneNote Read review
8. 8

   Evernote

   Veteran note app with strong search and web clipping 7.7 -1.3 vs Apple Notes
   • Worse value -4.1
   • Less private -2.5
   • Slower -1.6
   • Weaker design -0.9

   Best for: Long-time users with large archives of clipped articles and scanned documents

   Apple Notes vs Evernote Read review
9. 9

   Todoist

   Clean, cross-platform to-do list with natural language input 9.0 -0.1 vs Apple Notes
   • Worse value -1.4
   • Less private -0.8
   • More features +0.6

   Best for: People and small teams who want a fast, reliable task list on every device

   Apple Notes vs Todoist Read review
10. 10

    Notion

    Docs, wikis and databases in one flexible workspace 9.0 -0.1 vs Apple Notes
    • Less private -1.4
    • More features +1.2
    • Worse value -1.1
    • Slower -0.7

    Best for: Teams who want docs, wikis and task boards in one place

    Apple Notes vs Notion Read review
11. 11

    Fantastical

    The calendar that understands what you type 8.9 -0.2 vs Apple Notes
    • Worse value -2.3
    • More features +0.8
    • Less private -0.6

    Best for: Busy Apple users juggling work and personal calendars

    Apple Notes vs Fantastical Read review
12. 12

    Things 3

    Beautifully designed task manager for Mac and iPhone 8.9 -0.2 vs Apple Notes
    • Worse value -1.7
    • Better design +0.6
    • Fewer features -0.4

    Best for: Apple users who want a calm, personal task manager without a subscription

    Apple Notes vs Things 3 Read review
13. 13

    Logseq

    A free, open-source outliner for linked notes and journals 8.5 -0.6 vs Apple Notes
    • Slower -1.9
    • Weaker design -1.6
    • More private +0.6

    Best for: Students, researchers and writers who like outlines and linked daily notes

    Apple Notes vs Logseq Read review
14. 14

    Microsoft To Do

    A free, simple to-do list that syncs with Outlook 8.4 -0.6 vs Apple Notes
    • Less private -1.6
    • Slower -0.8
    • Weaker design -0.5

    Best for: Windows and Outlook users who want a free, no-fuss to-do list

    Apple Notes vs Microsoft To Do Read review
15. 15

    Structured

    Plan your day on a visual timeline you can drag around 8.4 -0.6 vs Apple Notes
    • Worse value -1.6
    • Less private -0.8
    • Slower -0.7
    • Weaker design -0.4

    Best for: People who think in time blocks and want a visual plan for each day

    Apple Notes vs Structured Read review
16. 16

    TickTick

    Tasks, calendar, habits and focus timer in one app 8.4 -0.6 vs Apple Notes
    • Less private -2.1
    • Worse value -1.3
    • Weaker design -0.9
    • More features +0.5

    Best for: Students and planners who want tasks, a calendar, habits and focus in one app

    Apple Notes vs TickTick Read review

Guides with these apps

2 1 3 Productivity & Notes 6 Best Note Taking Apps for iPad with Apple Pencil in 2026 Handwritten notes are lovely right up until you need to find one. Then they're a very pretty haystack. Read the guide 2 1 3 Productivity & Notes The 6 Best Daily Planner Apps in 2026 Your day already has a plan. It's just scattered across a calendar, a to-do app and the back of a receipt. Read the guide 2 1 3 Productivity & Notes The 6 Best Note-Taking Apps in 2026 Your best idea of the week is currently on the back of a receipt, in a coat pocket, heading for the wash. Read the guide

Still deciding on Apple Notes?Read our full review, pros and cons.