Best note taking apps in 2025: Top 6 to Boost Productivity

Key Highlights:

• Top picks for 2025: Discover the best note-taking apps that cater to different needs and preferences.
• Free and paid options: Explore both free and premium apps with powerful features.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Find apps that seamlessly sync across your devices.
• AI-powered features: See how AI is transforming note-taking with features like text generation and summarization.
• Collaborative tools: Choose apps that make it easy to share and work on notes with others.

Finding the best note-taking apps can be a game-changer for staying organized, capturing ideas, and boosting productivity. But with so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start.

In this article, we’ll dive into the 6 best note-taking apps in 2025, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you find the perfect fit. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who wants to keep their thoughts in order, we’ve got you covered.

Best Note-Taking Apps at a Glance

App	Best for	Standout Feature	Free Plan
Microsoft OneNote	A free option	Very freeform—click anywhere to add text	Free for up to 5GB of notes
Apple Notes	Apple users	Very native-feeling on Macs and iPhones, with easy syncing	Free for 5GB of storage across all iCloud services
Google Keep	Google power users	Connected to all Google apps, so everything is always right there	Free for 15GB of storage across all Google apps
Notion	Collaboration	Ridiculously feature-rich	Free for personal use
Obsidian	Tinkerers and power note-takers	Internal bi-directional linking between notes	Free for personal use
Joplin	Anyone looking for an Evernote alternative	Open source	Free

The 6 Best Note-Taking Apps in 2025

1.Microsoft OneNote: The Best Free Note-Taking App

• Best for: Anyone looking for a free, versatile, and widely available note-taking app.
• Standout feature: Completely freeform note-taking, allowing you to add text, images, and even drawings anywhere on the page.

OneNote is a fantastic option for those seeking a free note-taking app without compromising on features. It’s available on virtually every platform, making it accessible to everyone. Its freeform canvas allows for ultimate flexibility, making it ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who prefers a visual approach to note-taking.

OneNote’s integration with other Microsoft apps and services is a major plus. You can easily attach files, clip web pages, and even record audio notes. While the interface might feel a bit corporate, its versatility and accessibility make it a top contender for the best note taking apps in 2025.

Pros:

• Free plan with 5GB of storage
• Cross-platform availability
• Freeform canvas for flexible note-taking
• Integration with other Microsoft services

Cons:

• Can feel a bit corporate
• Limited offline functionality

2. Apple Notes: The Best Note-Taking App for Apple Users

• Best for: Apple users seeking seamless integration across their devices.
• Standout feature: Native integration with Apple devices, providing effortless syncing and a familiar interface.

Apple Notes is a no-brainer for those living in the Apple ecosystem. It comes pre-installed on all Apple devices and offers seamless syncing across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. While it used to be quite basic, Apple Notes has evolved into a robust app to take notes on phone 2025 and other Apple devices.

With features like tags, sharing, and a powerful search, Apple Notes makes it easy to organize and retrieve your notes. You can also add images, scan documents, and even use your Apple Pencil for handwritten notes. While it might not be the most feature-rich app on this list, its simplicity and tight integration with Apple devices make it a winner for Apple users.

Pros:

• Free with iCloud account
• Seamless integration with Apple devices
• Simple and easy to use
• Supports Apple Pencil for handwriting

Cons:

• Limited features compared to some competitors
• Not ideal for cross-platform use

3.Google Keep: The Best Note-Taking App for Google Power Users

• Best for: Google users who want a simple note-taking app that integrates seamlessly with other Google services.
• Standout feature: Tight integration with Google Workspace apps, making it easy to access and use notes within Gmail, Docs, and other Google services.

Google Keep is a minimalist note-taking app that shines with its deep integration with the Google ecosystem. It’s perfect for Google power users who rely on Gmail, Google Docs, and other Google services. Keep allows you to quickly jot down notes, create lists, and set reminders, all within a clean and uncluttered interface.

The ability to access Keep notes directly within other Google apps is a major time-saver. You can also collaborate on notes with others, making it a handy tool for teams. While Keep might not be the most powerful app to take notes on phone 2025 or desktop, its simplicity and integration with Google services make it a valuable tool for Google users.

Pros:

• Free with Google account
• Minimalist and easy to use
• Seamless integration with Google Workspace
• Collaborative features

Cons:

• Limited features compared to some competitors
• Can feel too basic for some users

4.Notion: The Best Note-Taking Apps for Collaboration

• Best for: Teams and individuals who need a powerful and versatile note-taking app with robust collaboration features.
• Standout feature: Combines note-taking, task management, and wikis in one platform, making it a versatile tool for individuals and teams.

Notion is more than just a note-taking app; it’s a complete workspace for individuals and teams. It combines note-taking, task management, and wikis into one powerful platform. Notion’s flexibility is its greatest strength. You can create databases, kanban boards, calendars, and more, all within the same app.

Notion’s collaborative features are top-notch, making it easy to share notes, assign tasks, and work together on projects. While it can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, its versatility and power make it a great choice for those who need more than just a simple note-taking app.

Pros:

• Free for personal use
• Powerful and versatile
• Excellent collaboration features
• Combines note-taking, task management, and wikis

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for beginners
• Offline functionality could be improved

5.Obsidian: The Best Note-Taking Apps for Power Note-Takers

• Best for: Power users and those who want to create a interconnected network of notes.
• Standout feature: Unique graph view that visualizes the connections between your notes, helping you discover new insights and relationships.

Obsidian is a powerful note-taking app designed for those who want to go beyond basic note-taking. It allows you to create a network of interconnected notes, forming a personal knowledge base. Obsidian’s graph view is a game-changer, providing a visual representation of how your notes relate to each other. This can help you uncover new connections and insights that you might otherwise miss.

With features like Markdown support, backlinks, and extensive customization options, Obsidian is a dream for power users. While it has a steeper learning curve than some other apps, its unique approach to note-taking makes it a valuable tool for researchers, writers, and anyone who wants to organize their thoughts in a non-linear way.

Pros:

• Free for personal use
• Powerful and customizable
• Unique graph view for visualizing connections
• Supports Markdown and backlinks

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Can feel complex for beginners

6.Joplin: The Best Evernote Alternative

• Best for: Those seeking a free and open-source alternative to Evernote.
• Standout feature: Open-source and cross-platform, providing a secure and flexible note-taking experience.

Joplin is a fantastic free and open-source note-taking app that closely resembles Evernote. If you’re looking for an Evernote alternative without the price tag, Joplin is worth considering. It offers a familiar interface with notebooks, notes, and tags, making it easy to organize your thoughts.

Joplin supports Markdown, making it a great choice for writers and developers. It also offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring your notes are kept private. While it might not be as polished as some of the other apps on this list, its open-source nature and Evernote-like functionality make it a strong contender.

Pros:

• Free and open-source
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Supports Markdown
• End-to-end encryption

Cons:

• Interface could be more polished
• Limited features compared to some competitors

Choosing the Best Note-Taking Apps for You

With so many great best note-taking apps available, it ultimately comes down to your individual needs and preferences. Consider factors like:

• Features: Do you need a simple app for jotting down quick notes, or a more powerful tool for organizing complex projects?
• Platform compatibility: Do you need an app that works seamlessly across all your devices?
• Price: Are you looking for a free app or are you willing to pay for premium features?
• Collaboration: Do you need to share and collaborate on notes with others?
• User interface: Do you prefer a minimalist interface or a more feature-rich environment?

By considering these factors, you can narrow down your options and choose the best app to take notes on phone 2025 and other devices that perfectly suits your needs.

No matter which app you choose, remember that the best note taking apps is the one that you actually use. So experiment with a few different options and find the one that helps you capture your ideas and stay organized.