7 Best Free Evernote Alternatives in 2026 (Android & PC)
Evernote was the go-to notes app for years, but its free plan now only allows 50 notes and 1 notebook. If that's not enough for you, there are excellent free Evernote alternatives that let you take notes, save web pages and sync across your phone and PC. Here are the 7 best free note-taking apps in 2026.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft OneNote | Closest Evernote replacement | Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, web |
| Notion | Notes plus tasks and planning | Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, web |
| Google Keep | Quick notes and lists | Android, iPhone, web |
| Obsidian | Offline, private notes | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone |
| Joplin | Free, open-source Evernote clone | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone |
| Simplenote | Simple, fast text notes | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone, web |
| Zoho Notebook | Beautiful, card-style notebooks | Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, web |
1. Microsoft OneNote
OneNote is the closest thing to Evernote and it's completely free. You organise notes into notebooks, sections and pages, and you can type anywhere on the page, draw, add images, record audio and clip web pages. Notes sync through your Microsoft account's OneDrive storage.
Why choose it: no limit on the number of notes or notebooks, and it works on every major device.
2. Notion
Notion is more than a notes app. It combines notes, to-do lists, tables, calendars and wikis in one workspace. It's popular with students, creators and small teams who want to plan projects and keep notes in the same place. The free plan is generous for personal use.
Why choose it: great if you want to organise your whole life or business, not just notes.
3. Google Keep
Google Keep is perfect for quick notes, shopping lists, reminders and voice memos. Notes look like colourful sticky cards, and you can add labels, checklists and location or time reminders. It's already installed on many Android phones and syncs with your Google account.
Why choose it: the fastest way to jot something down. It's less suited to long documents.
4. Obsidian
Obsidian stores your notes as plain Markdown files on your own device, so they work offline and stay private. You can link notes together to build your own knowledge base, and thousands of free community plugins add extra features. It's free to use, with an optional paid add-on for syncing between devices.
Why choose it: you own your files and don't depend on any company's servers.
5. Joplin
Joplin is a free, open-source notes app that feels a lot like Evernote, with notebooks, tags and a web clipper. You can sync your notes for free using Dropbox, OneDrive or your own server, with optional end-to-end encryption. It can also import your notes from Evernote.
Why choose it: the best free option if you want to move your Evernote notes over.
6. Simplenote
Simplenote does one thing well: fast, clean text notes that sync everywhere. There are no folders, just tags and search, which keeps it light even on older phones. It's free, made by Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com).
Why choose it: ideal if you just want simple text notes without clutter.
7. Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook lets you create colourful notebooks with text, checklist, audio, image and file cards. It looks great, syncs across devices and is free.
Why choose it: a good-looking, easy notes app for visual organisers.
Which Evernote alternative should you pick?
- Want Evernote without limits? Go with OneNote or Joplin.
- Planning projects or a business? Notion.
- Quick notes and lists on your phone? Google Keep.
- Privacy and offline notes? Obsidian.
FAQs
Is Evernote still free?
Yes, but the free plan is limited to 50 notes and 1 notebook.
What is the best free alternative to Evernote?
Microsoft OneNote is the closest free replacement. Joplin is the best free choice if you want to import your Evernote notes.
Can I move my notes from Evernote?
Yes. Export your notes from Evernote as an ENEX file, then import them into an app like Joplin.
Which notes app works offline?
Obsidian and Joplin both store notes on your device, so they work fully offline.
Which notes app do you use? Tell us in the comments.
Comments