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Google Keep alternatives

Top Note-taking & Knowledge Bases like Google Keep

The most popular alternative to Google Keep is Apple Notes, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Google Keep are Simplenote, Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, and Google Tasks.

Most alternatives to Google Keep are in the Note-taking & Knowledge Bases category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Google Keep alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All Google Keep alternatives

  1. Apple Notes is the free notes app included with iPhone, iPad and Mac, synced through iCloud and also reachable on the web at iCloud.com. It handles checklists, tables, Apple Pencil sketches, document scanning and searchable text in images, plus shared notes and folders, tags, smart folders and locked notes.

    9 Apple Notes alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and built into every iPhone, iPad and Mac
    • Document scanning, Pencil sketches and text search inside images
    • Shared notes and folders with real-time collaboration

    Cons

    • No native apps for Windows or Android, only iCloud.com
    • Fewer organization options than dedicated knowledge tools
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Platforms
  2. Simplenote is a free note app from Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, that sticks to plain text with optional Markdown, tags and quick search. Notes sync instantly across web, desktop and mobile apps, every change is kept in version history, and notes can be shared with collaborators or published as a web page. The apps are open source.

    8 Simplenote alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, ad-free and fast plain-text notes
    • Instant sync across web, desktop and mobile
    • Version history keeps every change to a note

    Cons

    • No images, attachments or rich formatting
    • Organization is limited to tags and search
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
  3. Evernote is a long-standing note-taking app, owned by Bending Spoons since 2023, that stores notes, web clips, PDFs, scans and audio in notebooks with tags and full-text search, including text inside images. Recent versions add tasks, calendar integration and AI features, while the free plan has become very limited compared with the paid tiers.

    12 Evernote alternatives

    Pros

    • Mature web clipper and full-text search, even inside images
    • Stores notes, PDFs, scans and audio in one place
    • Tasks and calendar integration alongside notes

    Cons

    • The free plan is very limited compared with paid tiers
    • Paid plans are expensive compared with many note apps
    • Apps can feel heavier and slower than lighter note tools
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  4. Microsoft OneNote is a free digital notebook that organizes notes into notebooks, sections and pages, where text, images, drawings and handwriting can be placed anywhere on the page. It syncs through OneDrive, supports shared notebooks for classes and teams, and works closely with Outlook, Teams and the rest of Microsoft 365.

    9 Microsoft OneNote alternatives

    Pros

    • Freeform pages for text, drawings and handwriting anywhere
    • Free, with OneDrive sync on all major platforms
    • Works closely with Outlook, Teams and Microsoft 365

    Cons

    • The freeform layout gets messy and is hard to export
    • Sync can lag or conflict with large notebooks
    • No native app for Linux desktops
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
  5. Google Tasks is a free, minimal task manager tied to your Google account. Tasks can be created from Gmail messages, appear on their dates in Google Calendar and sync to the mobile apps, with support for subtasks, due dates and repeating tasks. It suits people who want basic lists inside Google Workspace rather than a full productivity system.

    8 Google Tasks alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and built into Gmail and Google Calendar
    • Turns an email into a task in a couple of clicks
    • Minimal interface with practically no learning curve

    Cons

    • No labels, priority levels or advanced filters
    • Very limited sharing and collaboration options
    • No dedicated desktop app
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
  6. UpNote is a note-taking app with a clean editor, notebooks, tags and links between notes, available on the web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. Notes are stored locally for offline use and synced across devices, with a web clipper and Markdown shortcuts. The free version is capped at a small number of notes, and Premium can be bought once or as a subscription.

    11 UpNote alternatives

    Pros

    • Clean editor with notebooks, tags and links between notes
    • Apps on every platform, including Linux and the web
    • Premium is available as a one-time purchase

    Cons

    • The free version is capped at a small number of notes
    • No shared notebooks or real-time collaboration
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  7. Notesnook is an open source note-taking app that encrypts every note end to end on your device before syncing it. It offers notebooks, tags, rich text with Markdown shortcuts, an app lock, a private vault and a web clipper, on the web, desktop and mobile. A free plan is available, and the sync server can also be self-hosted.

    9 Notesnook alternatives

    Pros

    • Every note is end-to-end encrypted on your device before syncing
    • Open source apps on web, desktop and mobile
    • The sync server can be self-hosted

    Cons

    • Fewer integrations and plugins than mainstream note apps
    • Some features are limited on the free plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  8. Standard Notes is an open source note-taking app focused on privacy, with end-to-end encryption for every note and file and apps on all major platforms. Notes work offline and sync across devices, and paid plans add rich editors, file storage and longer revision history. The company became part of Proton in 2024, and the sync server can be self-hosted.

    9 Standard Notes alternatives

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption for every note and file
    • Open source apps on all major platforms
    • The sync server can be self-hosted

    Cons

    • Rich editors, file storage and longer history need a paid plan
    • Collaboration features are minimal compared with mainstream apps
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source

Google Keep vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Google Keep, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Google Keep vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsCross-device syncOCRReal-time collaborationReminders
Google KeepFreeWeb, iPhone, Android, Browser extension
Apple NotesFreeWeb, Mac, iPhone
SimplenoteFreeOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
EvernoteFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Browser extension
Microsoft OneNoteFreeWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Browser extension
Google TasksFreeWeb, iPhone, Android

Google Keep alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Google Keep?

The most popular alternative to Google Keep is Apple Notes: Built-in notes app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Other great alternatives are Simplenote, Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, and Google Tasks.

Is there a free alternative to Google Keep?

Yes, 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Apple Notes, Simplenote, Evernote, and Microsoft OneNote.

Is there an open source alternative to Google Keep?

Yes, 3 open source alternatives are listed, including Simplenote, Notesnook, and Standard Notes.

Is Google Keep free?

Yes, Google Keep is free to use.

Compare Google Keep with its alternatives

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