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Best Note-Taking Apps: Necessity and Utility for modern-day writers
As Tom Wuejec once said, “Why take notes? The obvious reason is to remember. However, visual note-taking translates what we hear into pictures giving context, color, and meaning. Using symbols, visual metaphors, likenesses of people, and room layouts, we add several dimensions.” So, Let’s dig into the modern techniques to take notes discussing the best note-taking apps available in the market. Shall we?
We are here to talk about the importance of the Best Note-Taking Apps in this digital era of technological advancements. Although, the writers can join Content Writing Courses in a renounced educational institute for convenience. Therefore, this article is an eye-opener for writers who struggle to structure their notes beforehand and take more time scribbling down their thoughts with pen and paper till now.
Why take notes?
Firstly, we should consider that taking notes isn’t just about penning down everything we think, see, or hear. It’s about staying focused on our write-ups, being interactive with our thoughts and visions, and recalling information that otherwise is long lost down memory lane. Therefore, taking notes is crucial for every devoted writer besides the well-organized people who structure their work before executing it.
Why note-taking apps instead of old-school pen-n-paper?
Typically when we get an idea, we prefer looking for a piece of paper to jot it down in a reflex. However, modern technological advancements are changing the course of our minute actions in day-to-day life. Presently we live in an era of information overload. Sadly it is relatively easy to lose information these days as well. Likewise, our daily lives are getting faster, busier, and clumsier due to the info-tech-led AI-based rapid work process rush. As a result, we lose even the information we jotted down somewhere. Hence, the apps for taking notes come in handy in this modern-day scenario.
Though we have a profuse array of apps and tools for organizing, creating, saving, and sharing notes, that we can use at home, at work, and even on the go, the hardest part is- “ How to choose the best note-taking apps according to our needs?”
Hence, below we’ve discussed some of the best note-taking apps and software besides their usage, merits, and limitations. Let’s dive right into the list.
The Best Note-Taking Apps to make digital notes nifty
We are here to discuss the features, advantages, and limitations of the preferable note-taking apps available on the market. So, without further delay, let’s dive into our objective. The note-taking apps we’re about to discuss are as follows:
1. Evernote
It is the best note-taking app overall. Being a pioneer in the field, Evernote was launched in 2000 and ranks the cream of the best note-taking apps even today. Therefore, dealing across all major platforms, this is the app we’d recommend for anyone who wants to begin their note-taking habit. In Addition, it’s available in the free version, and you can access your notes practically anywhere on your laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or phone. Also, Evernote flaunts many nifty features.
However, the ability to set reminders for your events and merge with Siri for taking voice notes is quite fascinating here. Explicitly, you can search your jotted notes by the texts, the date of creation, the tags, the media type, the location, and more.
There are two paid-for versions
- Evernote Premium
For individual use. This version includes a 200MB maximum note size, access to notes offline, a 10GB monthly upload limit, and the ability to annotate PDFs. It syncs across unlimited devices. In comparison, you only get two in the free plan.
- Evernote Teams
For office use. However, this version aims at businesses. It offers even larger uploads and work-efficient team collaboration tools.
Admittedly, neither of these paid-for versions comes cheap, but if your work craves the cream choice of note-taking apps, this is it.
App Specifications
- Available for: iOS, Mac, Windows, and Android
- Developer: Evernote Corporation
- Free trial for paid version: available for 14 days
- Free version: available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Cross-platform, Granular search options, Range of features. | Paid plans expensive |
2. Simplenote
Emphatically, it is a free note-taking app with a vast range of users. There are Simplenote apps available for Android, Windows, Mac, and iOS. Though Simplenote is even accessible through a web app.
Therefore, Simplenote targets those who want to jot down and organize text notes. Unfortunately, this app does not support keeping or storing webpages and clippings. Although, it also blends flawlessly with the popular long-form writing app Scrivener.
Previously, I have used Simplenote to take digital notes, plan events, and jot down ideas to frame my work plan on the go on my phone. So, I found Simplenote way handier than other note-taking apps with complex features. Moreover, you can categorize your notes using tags here. These tags organize your notes well and make them easy to find afterward.
App Specifications
- Available for: Windows, Linux, iOS, Mac, and Android
- Developer: Simperium (originally in 2008)
- Free trial for paid version: Free
- Free version: Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Minimalistic user outlook, Widely supported amongst other apps, User-friendly | Can’t interlink webpages, Not of much use for multimedia workers |
3. Google Keep
It is the best note-taking app for the Google connectivity array. Emphatically, Google Keep is the best way to interlink all your Google Docs and apps. Though the only Google app that Google Keep doesn’t connect with is YouTube. When the app is installed on any of your devices using your email ID, a little light bulb icon appears in the corner of all your assigned apps. Clicking on the bulb icon, you’ll easily link your notes with your Google docs, emails, and many more apps– and vice versa.
Essentially you can make notes and then email your notes or connect your Google Doc write-ups to your Google Keep notes for easy access and sharing. As it connects every app you use on all your devices, notes aren’t just simple short reminders with Google Keep. Instead, your notes get connected to broader work platforms for your convenience.
However, due to these features, Google Keep stands out with its uniqueness. As you’ve noted, it’s not strictly a note-taking app, but its usefulness and the way it connects all your Google apps come incredibly handy.
App Specifications
- Available for: Android, Chrome OS, Apple iOS, Linux, and Windows
- Developer: Google
- Free trial for paid version: Entirely free with up to 15GB of storage
- Free version: Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Excellent connectivity to all Google apps. Simple, user-friendly, and easy to use. 100% free | A little narrow in terms of cross-platform reaches. |
4. Microsoft OneNote
Notably, it is the best note-taking app for Windows OS. If you aid most of your work with Microsoft’s ecosystem, a Windows-optimized note-taking app makes more sense regarding work efficiency. Though OneNote is also a cross-platform app. Elaborately, feature-rich Microsoft OneNote serves across Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android.
In addition, you can attach images, Excel tables, symbols, audio files, etc.s to your notes with the unique feature of extracting text from images. You can also link web pages through a browser extension and add diagrams, sketches, etc.s to your notes drawn on a surface tablet.
Explicitly, Microsoft OneNote offers an Accessibility Checker to highlight problems like low contrast (which can make text difficult to read) or images missing alt text. However, there are some great sharing and collaboration features as well. For example, it allows others to add comments to your notes.
Most Intriguingly, even Microsoft OneNote’s free version includes most of its features. The only limitation I could catch is just 5GB of storage availability. For more storage access, you have to buy Microsoft 365 Business subscription.
App Specifications
- Available for: Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, Android, and web
- Developer: Microsoft
- Free trial for paid version: available for One month (with Office 365 days subscription plan)
- Free version: Not Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Feature-rich usability, Optimized for Micro Soft Softwares, Powerful free-trial version | Extra storage requires a subscription even for the free-trial plan. |
5. Apple Notes
Firstly, it is the best note-taking app for Apple iCloud users. Therefore, Apple Notes gets used on iPads, iPhones, or other Apple devices. Though it can be used in Windows without the efficient connectivity to the ApplePencil app. Hence, you may miss some of the ease-to-use offers for this note-taking app.
However, Apple Notes is a valuable treasure among the powerful note-taking tools at your fingertip when gripped with Apple Pencil. It includes features like attaching photos and documents, creating checklists, tables, etc.s and even sketching alongside your text notes to bring your ideas and visions to life. Apple’s signature security also ensures that your notes can be stored with assurance and shared securely.
In addition, Apple is keen to utilize iCloud alongside the connectivity of its devices. Therefore, collaboration amongst all Apple products is a crucial strength of Apple Notes. For example, Activity View enables an easy-to-identify feature to find amendments and alterations to your notes and files made by others.
Unfortunately, Apple Notes falls slightly in its print options because it is hard to print multiple files and docs together in one go. But digital note-taking hasn’t always been about creating hard copies or physical docs. Therefore, if you have an iCloud account, Apple Pencil, and friends, colleagues and family hooked into Apple’s ecosystem, then Apple Notes is the free option for note-takers.
App Specifications
- Available for: iPhone, iPad, and Windows
- Developer: Apple
- Free trial for paid version: Not available
- Free version: Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Optimized for the Apple Pencil app, Connected all across the iCloud | Printing can be awkward with this app |
6. Bear
It is another best note-taking app for Apple devices. As we know, Apple products are about elegant, classy, and intuitive simplicity Bear fits that philosophy perfectly. Therefore, Bear is one of the best note-taking apps for Macs, iPads, and iPhones.
Moreover, it allows you to create notes with the feature that syncs them across all your Apple devices via your iCloud account. However, there’s no blend between folders and notebooks; you only create notes to get them stored automatically. In addition, you can attach tags, multimedia, and other files with drawings created on your iPhone or iPad. Bear is available for Mac OS, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, and as a browser extension.
Though there’s a free version of Bear for those who only want to take notes on an iPad or iPhone to sync notes across devices, it’ll require the paid pro-subscription. Notably, the pro-subscription plan allows you to encrypt your data, gives you extra export options, password-protect your notes, and unlock them using Face or Touch recognition.
App Specifications
- Available for: Mac, iPad, and iPhone only
- Developer: Shiny Frog
- Free trial for paid version: One week for monthly subscription plans and one month for annual subscription plans.
- Free version: available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Minimalistic, elegant, and classy outlook, Syncs across Apple iCloud, Availability of the free version | Syncing in cross-platforms requires a paid subscription |
7. Nebo
We can consider it the best note-taking app for stylus use. Especially for taking lots of handwritten notes with a stylus, MyScript Nebo is the best note-taking app on the market. However, this app works best with modern digital pens like Apple Pencil and the Samsung S Pen.
Moreover, It also has some extraordinary features indeed. Speaking of which, you can write with both stylus and fingers, use a digital eraser, and change the color of your notes according to your need. In addition, it supports 66 languages, maths, and equations recognized by the app’s Artificial Intelligence.
With its advanced proprietary Interactive Ink technology, MyScript Nebo is also neat for transforming handwriting into digital text. However, It is highly versatile, combining handwritten notes and digital text in the same paragraph, in the same sentences, or even in a single word. Moreover, you can add customized words, like technical terms or jargon. Using this app, you can also see a preview of your handwriting conversion. Although the only downside of MyScript Nebo is that it only works on high-end devices.
App Specifications
- Available for: Mac OS, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Android, and Chrome OS (but for only Crome-supported devices)
- Developer: MyScript
- Free trial for paid version: One month free trial for Office 365 days of subscriptions only
- Free version: Not Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Excellent for handwriting conversion, Add custom words, Annotate PDFs | Can only use for high-end devices |
8. Dropbox Paper:
It is an excellent note-taking app essentially for collaborating works. Since its launch in 2016, Dropbox Paper toils across the cloud platforms throughout Windows, iOS, and Android. However, Dropbox Paper stands out in the note-taking app crowd with its focus on collaboration, allowing teams to share their images, videos, and ideas for projects.
Moreover, the app offers integration with high-productivity apps like Google Calendar, Slack, etc.s, and even some more surprising tools like Spotify. However, the recent additions include new organization tools in the updated version of Dropbox Paper. It allows you to create mobile folders on the go with the improved delete and archive features. Dropbox also redesigned the Dropbox-Paper homepage to put users’ Paper Docs and Dropbox-Files together.
In Addition, the Enterprise features of this app make it ideal for businesses. Although a Dropbox customer only can get the most out of it.
App Specifications
- Available for: iOS, Android, and web applications
- Developer: Dropbox
- Free trial for paid version: Free
- Free version: Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| 100% Free to use, Suitable for Collaborative working, Integrations are available | Installation and Initial setup aren’t easy enough for newbies |
9. Atom:
Atom is a text editor with immense possibilities. Something of an unusual choice, Atom is used primarily for coding, but its sheer range of customization options also allows you to customize it into a nifty text editor. Because it is common web standards-based, you can easily hack its CSS stylesheet to create any visual theme according to your visions and imagination.
However, Atom is far from perfect as a note-taking app or a text editor due to its lack of standard features like an automatic grammar corrector compared to other note-taking apps. But it is one of the capable tools when serving in the right hands.
Notably, it is a cross-platform editor compatible with Windows, iOS, and Linux. It also supports collaborative editing, where multiple people can edit the same file using different operating systems.
App Specifications
- Available for: Mac OS, Windows, and Linux
- Developer: GitHub ( a Microsoft subordinate)
- Free trial for paid version: 100% free
- Free version: Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Cross-platform accessibility, It can Edit multiple files in one go, Collaborative editing feature available | Not a rich-text editor for professional use |
10. Day One
Day One is a journaling app. However, one can use it to take notes of ideas about random topics and organize them into journals. Emphatically, you can tag photos of your index cards and other notes and add them to Day One.
Moreover, Day One syncs across all types of devices. The template feature of Day One allows you to jot down a series of questions and insert them immediately into individual notes. Therefore, Day One is a fair note-taking app to use regularly to syncing works effortlessly across devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
The Premium Annual Subscription Plan for Day One costs $2.95 per month.
App Specifications
- Available for: Mac OS, Android, and iOS
- Developer: Bloom Built, LLC
- Free trial for paid version: Not Available
- Free version: Available
Pros and Cons of the App
| Merits | Limitations |
| Pleasing to useIt contains templates for regular note-taking of the same type. Thus, heavy-work friendly. Ideal for professional writers | Windows only, Best suited only for writers |
As we’ve discussed the best note-taking apps for writers earlier in this blog. Now, let’s talk about the content writing courses you can attend to improve your writing abilities.
Henry Harvin’s Content Writing Course to upskill your scribble-dribble:
Being a writer myself, I can feel the urge to get upskilled within a writer’s wisdom for streaming organic traffic and gaining exposure in the industry. In other words, writing is way trickier in the professional world than keeping scrapbooks for journaling your personal life. Therefore, your writing abilities must get the upskilling makeover according to the industrial demands. Here comes Henry Harvin To aid you with the required knowledge and practical skills to make you industry-ready.
Why choose Henry Harvin Education?
Henry Harvin Education is one of the leading training providers conducting certain advisory services and ranks among the Top Educational Institutes. Emphatically, Henry Harvin is in working since July 2013. It has offices across 11+ cities in India and abroad.
Precisely, Henry Harvin’s physical reach expanded to the following area worldwide:
| Countries | Cities |
| in the United States | Fremont, San Francisco Bay Area, USA |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai-Mainland, UAE |
| India | Noida, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kochi, Chandigarh, etc. cities, India. |
Moreover, it holds the strength of 400+ employees and 650+ consultants working together as a team.
In addition, this Edu-Tech institute holds 400+ upskilling and reskilling training programs amongst 27+ categories of domains. Likewise, Henry Harvin conducts 7000+ classes/month, has trained 3,00,000+ learners, and is a registered training entity to more than 210+ corporates out of 900+ corporate clients and 130+ colleges and universities worldwide.
However, the business verticals of Henry Harvin reach for training solutions (for corporates, colleges, and individuals), staffing solutions, advisory services, books & select educational solutions.
Outlining the Content Writing Course by Henry Harvin
Henry Harvin Academy has launched a strategically structured 9-in-1 course for your convenience. Let me give you a quick guide to the Content Writing Course offered by Henry Harvin.
Distinctive 9-in-1 Course Structured by Henry Harvin Writing Academy
- 40 Hours of Two-way Live Online Interactive Classroom Sessions for your convenience at the comfort of your home.
- Get regular projects in Learning Skills, Technical Writing, Research Writing, Academic Writing, etc.s supervised by immensely experienced trainers.
- Guaranteed Internship program for you to gain practical experience of the learnings and get a clear-cut idea of the writing industry.
- E-Learning Access to Henry Harvin Education with an Abundance of free Tools and Trainer-guided Techniques, video content, assessments, and more.
- Groom business profile with the global credential of CDCW, Certified Digital Content Writer, and showcase your expertise with the Hallmark of CDCW next to your name.
- 100% Guaranteed Placement Support for 1-Year after completing the assigned course successfully.
- Free Access to #AskHenry Hackathons and Competitions.
- Regular Bootcamp sessions for 12 Months.
- 1-year Gold Membership to attend Henry Harvin Writing Academy for the Certified Digital Content Writing Course.
Advantages of Henry Harvin Content Writing Courses
- With Henry Harvin’s guidance, you’ll learn to write 30+ types of content and start earning with online projects immediately.
- Moreover, you’ll learn the skill to pen down thoughts into strategic words that attract target-specific readers.
- You’ll experience professional content writing as per current industry standards.
- Eventually, you’ll develop essential language skills to write for international clients.
- Henry Harvin will provide you with the basic knowledge of launching websites, portfolios, CVs, and personal blogs.
- Trainers here will teach you the graphic designing skills and tools to design logos, newsletters, PPTs, Social media posts, banners, etc., and give an overview of social media marketing.
- Likewise, you’ll gain advanced research skills to write on any topic flawlessly.
- Eventually, you’ll understand how to identify a potential target audience persona to upgrade your Content accordingly.
- However, Henry Harvin will help you build an effective content strategy to reach and engage the organic traffic stream of your target audience.
- Lastly, you’ll gather the knowledge to secure freelance projects from India, the US, the UK, etc. Yet you’ll be able to avoid the risk of bad debt in international payment procedures.
Now let’s conclude our discussion on the best note-taking apps for writers and content writing courses with a hint of further prospects in this domain.
Closure to the advancement of the best Note-Taking apps with or without a writing career:
As we have noted in this blog, the content writing courses with Henry Havin uplift you to become a pro-level writer. However, the best note-taking apps we’ve discussed here will aid your search for modern-era tools for writing while updating you according to the pace of digitalization.
In addition, content writing as a career is reaching the heights of success in every existing industry. Every organization, from small entrepreneurs to big-shot companies, seeks content writers these days. Moreover, content writing is quite a versatile career incorporating various prospective writing domains. For example, copywriting can be an excellent option for creative writers open to working as freelancers. Likewise, technical writing proves profitable for tech-savvy writers looking for stability in 9-to-5 jobs. Although, these domains are flexible enough to shift your working field in between for your convenience. Therefore, if you ought to make a career out of writing, you may consider joining the content writing course offered by Henry Harvin.
However, the best note-taking apps assist you in organizing your work and remembering important information. Besides professional writers, anyone can find these apps handy to sort out their lives. Hence, in this information-overloaded 21st century, we need to update our old-school habit of using pen-n-paper to take notes. Preferably we must upskill ourselves with the modern technology that offers the best note-taking apps and software to boost our pace of work more efficiently. Kudos to the technological advancement and digitalization that makes our complicated day-to-day lives easier with such tools.
Recommended reads
- Best MAC apps for Writers
- Simple and Effective Steps to writing a Journal
- How to Write Content Better and Faster: Secrets to Try now
- How to Write Content for More Readers
- What is content writing: a complete guide
- Reasons why Content Writing is the Best Career now
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a note-taking app?A. Note-taking apps let you keep everything from a small idea to detailed planning organized in one place. These apps come in handy on your desired device for your convenience.
Q. What to look for while choosing the best note-taking app?A. The best note-taking apps collect and organize short-term and long-term data or information in one place. Therefore, choosing the best note-taking app, you should focus on these traits.
Q. What are the best Note-taking apps we can access for free?A. You can access Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, or Evernote (free version). However, for iPhone, Mac, or iPad users, Apple Notes is an excellent choice for free.
Q. Name the best note-taking apps supported on iPads.A. For iPad users, AppleNotes is the best note-taking app. AppleNotes supports multi-media content efficiently working with Apple Stylus. Syncing is also fast and reliable. However, Simplenote is another popular choice for iPads.
Q. What are the best note-taking apps we can run on any operating system?A. Any good cross-platform note-taking app should be available on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows. Evernote can be one such choice. Moreover, it syncs across all these operating systems (as well as your devices) accurately in seconds.
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