Google Keep review
Quick notes and lists that sync to any phone or browser
- Free
- Android, iPhone & iPad, Web
4.6 from 29K App Store ratings 1B+ Google Play downloads #81 in Productivity on the US App Store
Does it deserve #15?
Is Google Keep worth it?
For most people, yes. Google Keep scores 8.3/10 and ranks #15 in Productivity & Notes. It's best for Android users and families who want quick shared lists and simple notes. Skip it if you write long documents or want your notes sorted into folders. Price: Free; uses your Google account's 15 GB of free storage.
The verdict
Google Keep is the sticky-note wall of notes apps. Jot a thought, tick off a shopping list, snap a photo or record a voice memo, and it syncs to Android, iPhone and the web in seconds. Shared lists update live for everyone, and reminders pop up at the right time or place. It's free with no ads. Formatting is basic, there are no folders, and your notes aren't end-to-end encrypted.
- Color-coded notes and labels
- Shared lists that update live
- Voice memos with transcripts
- Search for text inside images
- Time and place reminders
- Keep Live voice notes on Android
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026Keep Live turns spoken brain dumps into notes and lists (Android, Google AI plans)
- Sep 2026You can create and share Keep checklists right inside Google Messages on Android
Privacy 7.0/10
App Store label: no tracking, but location, contacts, note content, search history, IDs, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you. Google Play says no data is shared with third parties.
What we like
- Free, with no ads
- Works on Android, iPhone and any web browser
- Shared shopping lists update in real time
What could be better
- No folders or tables, and only basic formatting
- Notes aren't end-to-end encrypted
- Keep Live is Android-only and needs a paid Google AI plan
Android users and families who want quick shared lists and simple notes
you write long documents or want your notes sorted into folders
Questions about Google Keep
Is Google Keep worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Google Keep scores 8.3/10 and ranks #15 in Productivity & Notes. It's best for Android users and families who want quick shared lists and simple notes. Skip it if you write long documents or want your notes sorted into folders. Price: Free; uses your Google account's 15 GB of free storage.
Is Google Keep free?
Yes. Keep is free with a Google account and uses your 15 GB of free Google storage. Only the new Keep Live voice feature needs a paid Google AI plan.
Does Google Keep work on iPhone?
Yes. There's an app for iPhone and iPad, and you can also use Keep in any web browser at keep.google.com.
What are the best alternatives to Google Keep?
The closest alternatives are Jotter, Apple Notes and Microsoft OneNote. See all of them ranked on our Google Keep alternatives page.
Where does Google Keep rank?
Google Keep ranks #15 of 17 in our Productivity & Notes ranking, with an overall score of 8.3 out of 10.