GoodNotes Free Alternative: Top 7 Apps for Note-Taking

We live in a digital world where efficient note-taking is crucial for students, professionals, and creatives.

GoodNotes is a popular choice, but its premium price tag can be a hurdle. Fortunately, several free alternatives offer robust features without breaking the bank.

For instance, Microsoft OneNote boasts over 100 million downloads, highlighting its popularity among users looking for versatile note-taking solutions.

In this guide, we’ll explore 7 free alternatives to GoodNotes, highlighting their unique features, benefits, and ideal use cases. Let’s get started.


1. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a feature-rich note-taking application that seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft Office suite. It allows users to create organized, flexible notes that can include text, images, audio recordings, and even drawings. This versatility makes it suitable for various tasks—from lecture notes to project management.

Use Cases: Students often use OneNote for class notes and organizing study materials, while professionals rely on it for meeting notes and brainstorming sessions. Its collaborative features make it an excellent tool for team projects.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: OneNote’s cross-platform compatibility and integration with Microsoft products provide a comprehensive solution for those already within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its free availability makes it accessible to all.

Key Features of OneNote:

  • Flexible note-taking: Capture text, images, and drawings freely.
  • Organization: Use notebooks, sections, and pages to structure notes efficiently.
  • Collaboration: Share notes in real-time with colleagues or classmates.
  • Search functionality: Easily find content within notes using keywords.
  • Cross-device sync: Access notes on any device via OneDrive.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.4/5 (8,000+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.6/5 (5,500+ reviews)

Pros of OneNote:

  • Extensive integration with Microsoft Office tools.
  • Free with a Microsoft account.

Cons:

  • Some users find the interface cluttered.
  • Limited formatting options compared to some competitors.

Microsoft OneNote Pricing:

  • Free with a Microsoft account.
  • Premium features are available through a Microsoft 365 subscription.

2. Evernote

Evernote is a long-standing note-taking app that allows users to create notes in various formats, including text, images, and audio. It offers a powerful organizational system with notebooks and tags, making it easy to manage a large volume of notes.

Use Cases: Users can leverage Evernote for personal organization, project management, and collaboration. Its ability to clip web pages for reference makes it a favorite among researchers and content creators.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: Evernote’s cross-platform syncing and ability to handle diverse note formats make it ideal for users seeking a versatile, all-in-one note management solution.

Key Features of Evernote:

  • Multi-format notes: Combine text, audio, and images in a single note.
  • Web clipping: Easily save articles or web pages for reference.
  • Tagging system: Organize notes with tags for quick retrieval.
  • Task management: Create to-do lists and reminders within notes.
  • Cross-device sync: Access notes on various devices seamlessly.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.1/5 (10,000+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.5/5 (7,000+ reviews)

Pros of Evernote:

  • Robust organizational tools.
  • Excellent web clipping feature.

Cons:

  • Limited functionality in the free version.
  • Some users report synchronization issues.

Evernote Pricing:

  • Free with limited features.
  • Premium plan starts at $7.99/month.

3. Zoho Notebook

Zoho Notebook is a visually appealing note-taking app that allows users to create a variety of note types, including text, images, audio, and sketches. Its unique design emphasizes aesthetics, making it an attractive option for users who value style in their note-taking experience.

Use Cases: This platform is perfect for users looking to capture ideas creatively, whether through sketches or detailed notes. Students and professionals alike can benefit from its multimedia capabilities.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: Zoho Notebook’s beautiful interface, coupled with robust features, offers a refreshing take on digital note-taking. It’s a strong contender for anyone wanting to make their notes visually engaging.

Core Features of Zoho Notebook:

  • Variety of note types: Create text, audio, image, and sketch notes.
  • Note cards: Different formats for different types of content (e.g., checklists, images).
  • Cloud synchronization: Access notes across devices without storage limits.
  • Cross-platform support: Available on the web, iOS, and Android.
  • No ads: Enjoy a clean interface free from advertisements.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.5/5 (1,000+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.4/5 (800+ reviews)

Pros of Zoho Notebook:

  • User-friendly and visually appealing interface.
  • It’s completely free with no storage limits.

Cons:

  • Limited integration with third-party applications.
  • Some advanced features may be lacking.

Zoho Notebook Pricing:

  • Free for all users.
  • Additional features are available in the Zoho ecosystem.

4. Simplenote

Simplenote, developed by Automattic (the same team behind WordPress), lives up to its name by offering a minimalist, distraction-free note-taking experience. It focuses on simplicity, providing a clean interface with essential features like note creation, searching, and syncing across devices.

Use Cases: Simplenote is ideal for users who want a no-frills note-taking app. Writers, bloggers, and individuals looking for a distraction-free environment for jotting down ideas or to-do lists will find it perfect for everyday note-taking.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: If you’re searching for an app with a straightforward interface and fast performance, Simplenote is a great option. It’s excellent for those who don’t need a lot of bells and whistles, just a reliable tool to keep notes organized.

Core Features:

  • Tagging: Organize notes with tags for easy retrieval.
  • Version history: Access past versions of your notes.
  • Cross-device sync: Available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and web.
  • Collaborative notes: Share and collaborate with others in real-time.
  • Markdown support: Format notes easily using Markdown.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.3/5 (1,000+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.6/5 (500+ reviews)

Pros:

  • Simple, distraction-free interface.
  • Excellent syncing capabilities across devices.

Cons:

  • Lacks rich media support (e.g., no image or file attachment).
  • Not suited for complex note-taking tasks.

SimpleNote Pricing:

  • Completely free with all features included.

5. Notion

Notion is a versatile productivity tool that goes beyond simple note-taking. It’s an all-in-one workspace where you can write, plan, collaborate, and organize tasks.

Notion’s flexibility allows users to create databases, manage projects, and even build wikis, making it a popular choice for both personal and team use.

Use Cases: Notion’s adaptability makes it useful for various applications, from personal journaling and class notes to project management for small businesses. Teams use it for collaboration on documents and task tracking.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: For users who want more than just a basic note-taking app, Notion offers an all-in-one solution that merges note-taking with project management. It’s perfect for those looking to consolidate their work into one tool.

Key Features of OneNote:

  • Drag-and-drop interface: Organize notes, tasks, and databases with ease.
  • Collaboration: Share workspaces and collaborate in real time.
  • Templates: Access a variety of templates for note-taking, project management, and more.
  • Custom databases: Create custom tables, calendars, and databases.
  • Cross-platform support: Available on the web, iOS, Android, and desktop.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.7/5 (10,000+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.8/5 (8,000+ reviews)

Pros:

  • Highly customizable and versatile.
  • Suitable for both personal and professional use.

Cons:

  • The steep learning curve for new users.
  • Offline functionality is limited.

Notion Pricing:

  • A free version is available with basic features.
  • Personal Pro plan starts at $4/month.

6. Joplin

Joplin is an open-source note-taking app that emphasizes privacy and security. It allows users to create notes in Markdown and sync them across devices using cloud services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Joplin’s focus on privacy makes it a great choice for users concerned about data security.

Use Cases: Joplin is a go-to solution for users who prefer open-source software and need to store their notes securely. It’s particularly favored by those who want to write in Markdown or manage their cloud storage.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: For users who prioritize privacy, Joplin offers a secure, flexible, and open-source platform. It’s perfect for developers, privacy enthusiasts, and those who prefer using Markdown for note-taking.

Core Features of Joplin:

  • Markdown support: Create and format notes using Markdown.
  • Encryption: End-to-end encryption for all notes.
  • Cross-device sync: Sync across multiple devices using Dropbox, OneDrive, and other cloud services.
  • Plugins: Extend functionality with community-built plugins.
  • Open-source: Free and customizable for those with technical skills.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.4/5 (500+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.5/5 (300+ reviews)

Pros:

  • Strong focus on privacy and data security.
  • Completely free and open-source.

Cons:

  • Lacks collaboration features.
  • The interface is not as polished as some competitors.

Joplin Pricing:

  • Free for all users.
  • Optional donations to support development.

7. Apple Notes

Overview: Apple Notes is the default note-taking app available on all Apple devices. It provides a seamless experience across iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, making it a go-to choice for Apple users. Apple Notes allows users to create text notes, checklists, drawings, and even scan documents.

Use Cases: Apple Notes is perfect for users within the Apple ecosystem who want a simple, integrated solution for note-taking. It’s commonly used for everything from grocery lists to class notes, making it versatile for everyday tasks.

Why It’s a Good Alternative: For users heavily invested in Apple products, Apple Notes offers unmatched integration with iOS and macOS. It’s great for users who need an intuitive, no-frills solution that syncs effortlessly across all Apple devices.

Core Features of Apple Notes:

  • Rich media support: Add photos, sketches, and scanned documents.
  • Collaboration: Share notes with other Apple users for real-time collaboration.
  • Search function: Search across all notes for keywords and content.
  • Document scanning: Built-in feature for scanning documents and adding them to notes.
  • Cross-device sync: Sync across iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.5/5 (4,000+ reviews)
  • Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,500+ reviews)

Pros:

  • Seamless integration with Apple devices.
  • Supports rich media and document scanning.

Cons:

  • Limited functionality for non-Apple users.
  • Lacks advanced organizational features.

Apple Notes Pricing:

  • Free for all Apple users.
  • Requires an Apple device for access.

Which GoodNotes Alternative is Better?

When it comes to finding the perfect free alternative to GoodNotes, it’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences.

Microsoft OneNote is ideal for those deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, while Evernote offers powerful organizational tools for researchers and content creators. For a more visually appealing and creative experience, Zoho Notebook stands out.

As a starting point, Simplenote is a great option for those seeking simplicity and focus, while Notion offers robust functionality for users looking to blend note-taking with project management.

If privacy and security are your main concerns, Joplin offers unmatched data protection. And for Apple enthusiasts, Apple Notes provides seamless integration across all Apple devices.

To get started, consider your current needs. If simplicity and ease of use are key, start with Simplenote. As your requirements grow, explore more advanced alternatives like Notion or Evernote.