A superb note-taking app is a giant a part of each productiveness toolkit. Listed here are six note-taking apps I integrated into my workflow, and why I believe UpNote is one of the best one.
What Makes a Good Be aware-Taking App?
I’ve been on the hunt for the proper note-taking app for so long as I can bear in mind. Not solely are these apps essential for my workflow, however I additionally use them to prepare my private life. Whether or not it’s making a grocery record, to-dos for the week, or lists of my favourite albums, a very good note-taking app is important.
I attempted six completely different apps seeking the proper digital pocket book. A number of elements influenced my decision-making course of.
First, I take advantage of an iPhone, an iPad, and a Home windows PC, so I want an app that natively helps all three platforms and syncs throughout all my gadgets.
At any time when doable, I additionally strive the premium model of the app I’m utilizing, partly to see whether or not paying is important for an honest expertise.
Lastly, there are various nice apps that aren’t on this record, reminiscent of Joplin, Evernote, and Bearnote, however a lot of them have overlapping options with the apps I discussed, so I opted to maintain it to those six.
1 Apple Notes
Apple Notes is a well-liked note-taking device, and for good motive. Not solely is it utterly free and included with each Apple gadget, however Apple Notes has all the core features you’d expect from a contemporary note-taking app. The writing interface is clear and simple, and notes robotically sync between gadgets. There’s additionally sturdy integration with Siri for rapidly transcribing voice notes.
Given all that, Apple Notes was the primary app I thought of. One among its solely drawbacks is its lack of sturdy help for non-Apple working methods, reminiscent of Android, Home windows, and Linux, which eradicated it from my choices.
Whereas there’s a internet app, it’s clunky, and signing in to your iCloud account in a browser may be tough. If I commonly used a MacBook, I may be extra inclined to contemplate it as my principal note-taking app. Nonetheless, for many individuals, this app is actually the gold customary for a free note-taking answer.
Obtain: Apple Notes (Free)
2 Obsidian
Obsidian is a note-taking app you may have never heard of; it stands aside from different instruments available on the market. Not like apps that include built-in syncing and a formatting UI, Obsidian is completely constructed round your pc’s current file construction and markdown—a coding language used to create wealthy textual content with easy instructions.
Each Obsidian observe is a textual content file positioned inside a folder that acts as a pocket book. All of your information are saved domestically in your pc, however you may pay a further $4 per thirty days for Obsidian Sync to easily sync your notes throughout gadgets.
The app is designed with data administration in thoughts, that includes a sturdy set of instruments that help you view associations between completely different notes. It’s an ideal selection in order for you a central place to handle all of your data. It’s extremely highly effective for planning educational papers or constructing a community of associated notes.
Nonetheless, for on a regular basis note-taking like grocery lists and fast jots, the training curve round markdown formatting may be barely overwhelming, particularly when in comparison with a extra streamlined expertise like UpNote.
Obtain: Obsidian (Free, Obsidian Sync prices $4/month)
3 Simplenote
Simplenote is what I used for years earlier than switching to UpNote. Amongst all of the apps on this record, it has probably the most easy function set. All of your notes are in a single folder and sorted by the newest. The notes provide minimal formatting choices upfront, with checkboxes obtainable for to-do lists. You may activate markdown, however there aren’t any buttons within the interface to assist format the textual content.
Regardless of its simplicity, Simplenote stays one of the vital elegant note-taking options obtainable. All of your notes sync rapidly throughout all platforms, and you may again up your notes with a neighborhood import at any time.
Whereas it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of apps like Obsidian or UpNote, it’s a wonderful choice for these in search of a stripped-back various to Apple Notes.
Obtain: Simplenote (Free)
4 OneNote
Microsoft’s flagship note-taking app has been a gradual presence for a few years as a consequence of its inclusion within the well-liked Workplace suite. It’s not exhausting to see why: it’s easy, often comes with a brand new Home windows set up, is extremely versatile, and gives a really acquainted expertise. Moreover, the file management on OneNote is highly intuitive, with simply accessible notebooks that sync robotically throughout gadgets.
I’ve tried to make use of OneNote many instances through the years, however the interface and design has by no means actually resonated with me. Nonetheless, somebody extra attuned to the Microsoft ecosystem who values tight integration would possibly take pleasure in it. It’s additionally a great app for these utilizing Home windows tablets due to its robust compatibility with the contact show.
Obtain: OneNote (Free)
5 Notion
Notion is great for productivity-boosting and is without doubt one of the most versatile apps I’ve ever tried. It combines the options of a note-taking device, venture administration software program, database supervisor, and web page designer multi functional. Which means it might create advanced databases, venture dashboards, and even elegant webpages. There are millions of templates available for all the pieces from sorting your private library to managing your funds.
Nonetheless, the interface, with all its complexity, doesn’t lend itself effectively to fast notes, and you might discover it difficult to maintain random ideas organized. Notion’s deeply built-in AI device makes it much more tough to maintain issues easy. Nonetheless, in case you’re searching for a sturdy device to handle each facet of your life, venture, or enterprise, Notion would possibly match the invoice.
Obtain: Notion (Free, premium model begins at $10/month)
6 UpNote
After hopping between note-taking apps, I finally found UpNote. Regardless of its relative newness to the market, UpNote gives a remarkably polished expertise. It combines lots of the greatest options from completely different apps: the jot-friendliness of Simplenote, the streamlined group of OneNote, and the elegant interface of Notion.
Native apps can be found for iOS, Home windows, Linux, Android, and Mac, with notes syncing seamlessly throughout gadgets.
The note-taking interface is feature-packed with out being overwhelming, providing native help for wealthy textual content, photos, tagging, and tables. Notes are organized intuitively with customized notebooks, tags, and straightforward linking between notes. You can even simply create templates for continuously made notes.
Importantly for me, the interface may be very visually interesting. Notebooks have customized icons, and you may regulate line and paragraph spacing within the settings, with numerous design parts feeling thoughtfully thought of. It’s the proper all-in-one note-taking app for my wants.
Obtain: UpNote (Free, premium model for $1.99/month or $39.99/lifetime)
Whereas I’ve settled on UpNote as my major note-taking app, there isn’t one good selection for everybody. Some would possibly want the straightforwardness and out-of-the-box expertise of Apple Notes, whereas others would possibly favor the facility and data administration capabilities of Obsidian. You may even mix two apps in your workflow, reminiscent of utilizing Simplenote for fast jots and Notion for highly effective database administration.
I’ve discovered that UpNote excels at combining one of the best of each worlds: offering an area to rapidly seize my ideas whereas nonetheless permitting me to prepare them into notebooks and format them extensively later. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply it’s your best option for everybody. In case you’re nonetheless trying to find the proper app, all of the note-taking instruments on this record are both free or provide a free model, so strive them for your self!
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