Evernote Free vs. Paid: Which Version is Better (2024)?

Evernote is a popular note-taking app that has transformed how users organize their thoughts and tasks. With its free and paid versions, users often wonder which option best suits their needs.

Since 2020, the digital note-taking industry has seen significant growth as remote work and online learning have surged. With over 225 million users, Evernote is a key player, continually enhancing its platform to meet the evolving demands of users.

The main difference is that Evernote Paid offers significantly higher storage limits, advanced task management features, and offline access, making it more suitable for power users and professionals who need a comprehensive note-taking solution.

This guide will dive into the growth of digital note-taking, the key features of the free and paid Evernote, and what factors to consider when choosing the right one.

An Overview Feature Comparison of Evernote Free vs Paid

Here’s a table that shows exactly how the key features compare:

Personal Note

I love the free version of Evernote! While the paid plan has more features, the free version meets my needs perfectly. I appreciate being able to organize my thoughts and tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, the web and mobile access allows me to jot down ideas on the go, making it super convenient. I find the basic features more than enough for my day-to-day life, and sticking with the free plan allows me to focus on simplicity without spending extra money.

What is Evernote Free and How Does it Work?

Evernote Free allows users to create, organize, and sync notes across devices, making it a fantastic option for casual users or students. With a 60 MB monthly upload limit, users can capture text, images, and web clippings. However, the free version lacks some advanced features like offline access and advanced search options.

Pros of Evernote Free

• Free to use
• Easy to set up and navigate
• Multi-device syncing
• Basic task management

Cons:

• Limited storage
• No offline access
• Basic search functionality
• Fewer integrations

What is Evernote Paid and How Does it Work?

Evernote Paid offers a richer experience, catering to professionals and power users. It includes all the features of the free version, plus enhanced capabilities like 10 GB monthly uploads, offline access, advanced search, and premium integrations with other applications. This version is ideal for those needing robust note-taking and organizational tools.

Pros of Evernote Paid

• Increased storage and note size
• Advanced search features
• Offline access for notes
• Priority customer support

Cons:

• Monthly subscription cost
• May have features beyond casual needs
• Requires a learning curve for advanced features

Evernote Free vs Paid: Side-by-Side Comparison of Key Features

Let’s delve into a detailed comparison of the 7 key features of Evernote Free vs. Paid, providing an insightful look at their differences:

1. Storage Capacity

Evernote Free: The free version offers users a monthly upload limit of 60 MB, which can be restrictive for those who frequently take notes with images, PDFs, or web clippings. Users often find themselves hitting this limit, especially if they rely on multimedia content for their notes. Additionally, the total storage capacity is capped at the monthly limit, which can hinder extensive projects or long-term usage.

Evernote Paid: In contrast, the paid version allows for a substantial 10 GB of uploads per month. This is particularly beneficial for power users or professionals who manage extensive documentation, research, or multimedia-rich notes. The larger capacity supports greater flexibility, enabling users to work without the anxiety of hitting storage limits.

Verdict: Evernote Paid wins due to its significantly higher storage capacity, making it ideal for heavy users.

2. Note Size Limit

Evernote Free: Users of the free version can create notes up to 25 MB each. While this might be sufficient for simple text notes or small images, it often proves inadequate for users who need to incorporate larger files or high-resolution images. This limitation can be frustrating for anyone trying to compile extensive information in a single note.

Evernote Paid: The paid version increases the note size limit to 200 MB, accommodating larger documents, high-resolution images, and comprehensive multimedia content. This upgrade is particularly useful for professionals who work with extensive reports, presentations, or creative projects requiring substantial information and detail.

Verdict: Evernote Paid is the clear winner, offering a significantly higher note size limit that caters to users needing more extensive notes.

3. Search Functionality

Evernote Free: The free version features basic search functionality, which allows users to search for keywords within their notes. However, it lacks advanced filtering options, making it challenging to locate specific information within extensive note collections. This limitation can slow down workflow and reduce overall productivity, especially for users with a large volume of notes.

Evernote Paid: In comparison, the paid version provides advanced search capabilities that can locate text within images and scanned documents, making it much easier to find information quickly. Users can also search by tags and note attributes, which streamlines the retrieval process. This advanced search feature is essential for users who frequently refer back to past notes or rely on visual data.

Verdict: Evernote Paid wins for its advanced search functionalities that save time and enhance productivity.

4. Offline Access

Evernote Free: A significant drawback of the free version is the lack of offline access. This limitation means that users cannot view or edit their notes without an internet connection, which can be particularly inconvenient for those who travel or work in areas with poor connectivity.

Evernote Paid: The paid version offers offline access to all notes, allowing users to read and edit them without an internet connection. This feature is crucial for users who need to access information on-the-go or work in environments where internet access is limited. The offline capability enhances flexibility and ensures that users can always have their essential information at their fingertips.

Verdict: Evernote Paid clearly wins for providing offline access, making it more user-friendly for professionals and frequent travelers.

5. Task Management

Evernote Free: The task management features in the free version are relatively basic. Users can create simple checklists and reminders, which may suffice for casual users. However, those who need more sophisticated task management options, such as due dates or task prioritization, will find the free version lacking.

Evernote Paid: The paid version enhances task management significantly with features like reminders, due dates, and the ability to assign tasks within notes. This advanced functionality is especially beneficial for project management and teamwork, allowing users to stay organized and track progress effectively. The integration of task management within notes also streamlines workflows and minimizes the need for separate task-tracking apps.

Verdict: Evernote Paid wins for its advanced task management capabilities that cater to users with more complex organizational needs.

6. Integrations

Evernote Free: The free version offers limited integrations with other applications, restricting users to basic functionalities. This can hinder the overall productivity of users who rely on various tools for their workflow, as they may need to switch between different applications frequently.

Evernote Paid: In contrast, the paid version supports extensive integrations with popular applications like Google Drive, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. This flexibility allows users to create a more streamlined workflow, accessing and sharing information across different platforms seamlessly. The ability to connect with other tools is particularly advantageous for teams and professionals who need efficient collaboration and communication.

Verdict: Evernote Paid wins for its extensive integrations, providing users with a more versatile and connected experience.

7. Customer Support

Evernote Free: Users on the free plan receive access to community support only. This can be limiting when seeking help for specific issues, as responses may vary in quality and speed. The lack of dedicated support can lead to frustration, especially for users encountering technical difficulties.

Evernote Paid: On the other hand, the paid version includes priority customer support. Users can reach out directly for assistance, ensuring quicker resolution times and more reliable help. This dedicated support is crucial for professionals who rely heavily on Evernote for their workflows and cannot afford downtime.

Verdict: Evernote Paid wins due to its superior customer support, providing peace of mind for users who may encounter issues.

Use Cases for Evernote Free

1. Student Note-Taking: Students can use Evernote Free to organize class notes and web clippings for research.
2. Simple Task Management: Individuals needing basic task tracking can benefit from the free version’s checklist features.

Use Cases for Evernote Paid

1. Content Creators: Bloggers and content creators can utilize Evernote Paid to manage research, drafts, and collaborative projects with advanced organization.
2. Professional Project Management: Teams can use Evernote Paid for project planning, tracking, and integrations with other work tools to streamline their workflows.

Evernote Free vs. Paid Pricing Breakdown

Here’s a table summarizing the pricing and features for Evernote Free and Paid plans:

Evernote Free Pricing

• Cost: Free
• Features: Limited storage and basic functionality

Evernote Paid Pricing

• Cost: $7.99/month (or $69.99/year)
• Features: Increased storage, advanced functionality, priority support

What to Consider When Choosing Between Evernote Free and Paid

Keep these factors in mind when choosing which version of Evernote to use:

1. Storage Limits

When choosing between Evernote Free and Paid, consider the storage limits. The free version allows up to 60 MB per month, which is suitable for light users. However, if you frequently save documents, images, or lengthy notes, the 10 GB monthly limit of the paid version becomes appealing. Higher storage ensures you won’t hit the cap too soon, allowing for more extensive note-taking without the worry of running out of space.

2. Offline Access

Offline access is crucial for many users. With the free plan, you cannot access your notes without internet connectivity, which can be limiting if you’re traveling or in areas with poor Wi-Fi. The paid version allows you to download notes for offline use, providing flexibility and convenience, especially for those who work in remote areas or during commutes.

3. Task Management Features

Effective task management is essential for productivity. Evernote’s paid plan includes advanced features like reminders, task lists, and integrations with other tools. While the free version offers basic checklists, it may not suffice for users who need comprehensive task management. If you’re balancing multiple projects, the enhanced capabilities of the paid version can significantly improve your efficiency.

4. Customer Support

Quality customer support can make a difference in your experience with any tool. Evernote’s paid users enjoy priority support, which means faster responses and more direct assistance with issues. In contrast, free users are limited to community forums and help articles, which may delay troubleshooting. If you rely heavily on Evernote, having reliable support can be invaluable.

5. Integration with Other Apps

Consider how well Evernote integrates with other apps you use. The paid version offers more integration options, allowing you to connect with tools like Google Drive, Outlook, and Slack. This feature enhances workflow efficiency, enabling you to sync notes and tasks seamlessly across platforms. If you rely on multiple tools for your work, the ability to integrate can significantly enhance your productivity.

FAQs

1. Is the Evernote Free version really free?
   Yes, Evernote Free is completely free, but it has limitations on storage and features compared to the paid version.
2. Can I upgrade from Free to Paid easily?
   Yes, you can upgrade your account anytime through the app’s settings.
3. Is my data safe with Evernote?
   Evernote implements strong security measures to protect your data, including encryption.
4. Can I use Evernote on multiple devices?
   Yes, Evernote syncs across devices, allowing you to access your notes anywhere.

Is Evernote Free Better Than Paid: Takeaway

Choosing between Evernote Free and Paid depends on your specific needs. If you’re a casual user or student, the Free version may suffice.

However, professionals and heavy users will benefit from the advanced features, increased storage, and integrations available in the Paid version.

For those serious about organization and productivity, upgrading to Evernote Paid is worth the investment.