Evernote has long been a note-taking app used for capture, organization, and searchable archives. Today’s market offers many Evernote alternatives with different storage models, privacy choices, and pricing structures. This page stays focused on verifiable data points—limits, plans, formats, and platform coverage—so you can compare options with clear facts and low guesswork.
Scope: Each section highlights platform support, storage orientation, pricing patterns, and export/import formats. Product teams update details over time, so the official pages linked below are the reference point for any specific numbers.
Alternatives Comparison Table
This table is a high-level snapshot of modern note apps. It summarizes how data is stored, the typical workflow, and any public plan numbers that are explicitly stated on official pages. When a row includes exact pricing or a hard limit, it includes a single footnote source.
| App | Primary Orientation | Storage Model | Platform Coverage | Public Plan Numbers (Where Explicit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UpNote | Focused writing + structured notebooks | Account sync with offline use | Mac, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux | $1.99/month or $39.99 lifetime; free tier allows up to 50 notes ✅Source |
| Obsidian | Knowledge vault + linking | Local files (vault) with optional add-ons | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Optional add-ons list Sync ($4/month) and Publish ($8/month) ✅Source |
| Joplin | Notes with sync and sharing options | Local-first with optional cloud/server | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Joplin Cloud lists Basic €2.99/month (2GB) and Pro €5.99/month (30GB) ✅Source |
| Standard Notes | Privacy-first notes | Encrypted sync | Web + desktop + mobile | Plans list Productivity $90/year and Professional $120/year ✅Source |
| Bear | Writing with tags and Markdown | Device + sync (subscription unlocks sync) | macOS, iOS, iPadOS | Bear Pro shows $2.99/month or $29.99/year, with a 14-day trial ✅Source |
| Microsoft OneNote | Notebook-style organization | Account-based notebooks | Web + desktop + mobile | Often used with Microsoft accounts and Microsoft 365 ecosystem |
| Notion | Workspace pages + databases | Cloud workspace | Web + desktop + mobile | Tiered plans; feature sets differ by plan and workspace type |
| Apple Notes | Everyday notes + attachments | Device + iCloud sync | Apple platforms + web via iCloud | Commonly paired with iCloud for cross-device syncing |
| Google Keep | Fast capture + reminders | Cloud notes tied to Google accounts | Web + mobile | Simple, lightweight note model |
| Simplenote | Minimal notes + tags | Cloud sync | Web + desktop + mobile | Designed around lightweight text notes |
| Zoho Notebook | Cards + notebooks | Cloud sync | Web + desktop + mobile | Notebook-style organization with multiple note “card” types |
| Craft | Document-centric notes | Workspace documents | Web + desktop + mobile | Strong export options in official help documentation |
Evernote In Context
When comparing Evernote alternatives, it helps to start with the current plan caps that are publicly listed for Evernote. The Free plan is shown with 50 notes, 1 notebook, and 1 device, while Starter is shown with 1000 notes, 20 notebooks, and 3 devices; Advanced is shown as unlimited for several caps. ✅Source
| Plan | Notes | Notebooks | Devices | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 50 | 1 | 1 device | 20MB |
| Starter | 1000 | 20 | 3 devices | 1GB |
| Advanced | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (with safeguard limits noted) |
Those caps do not automatically mean one product is “better.” They simply define a starting point for comparison: if your usage emphasizes offline access, local control, or a different pricing philosophy, an alternative may align more closely with your note volume and device mix.
Comparison Criteria That Stay Useful
A stable comparison avoids marketing language and focuses on measurable traits. These criteria help you map a note app to a real workflow without turning it into a step-by-step guide. Each point below connects to data portability, daily usability, and long-term flexibility.
- Storage Orientation: local-first vaults versus cloud workspaces.
- Organization Model: notebooks, tags, folders, and linked knowledge graphs.
- Search Surface: title/text search, filters, and attachment indexing where supported.
- Offline Behavior: what stays available without a network and what syncs later.
- Export Formats: PDF, HTML, Markdown, and other portable formats.
- Collaboration: sharing, comments, and workspace permissions.
- Pricing Structure: subscriptions, one-time payments, and team tiers.
Cloud Workspaces and Collaboration
These options emphasize shared knowledge, structured pages, and team-friendly organization. They typically work best when your notes behave like living documents—edited, reorganized, and linked across projects.
Notion
Profile: pages + databases designed for structured information and shared workspaces.
- Pages
- Databases
- Templates
- Collaboration
- Organization: nested pages, databases, and linked references.
- Strength: content can behave like a knowledge base, not only “notes.”
- Portability angle: imports and exports are relevant when comparing ecosystems.
Click to visit the official website: Notion
Microsoft OneNote
Profile: a notebook-and-section structure that supports freeform capture, inking, and multi-device access. ✅Source
- Notebooks
- Sections
- Pages
- Ink
- Organization: predictable hierarchy that maps well to projects.
- Strength: mixed media notes with freeform layout.
- Typical fit: users who prefer digital notebooks over databases.
Click to visit the official website: OneNote
Craft
Profile: document-centric notes with clean writing and export flexibility that matters for future switching.
- Docs
- Blocks
- Sharing
- Export
- Organization: documents inside spaces/workspaces.
- Strength: content reads like a structured document.
- Portability angle: exports to multiple formats (covered later).
Click to visit the official website: Craft
Zoho Notebook
Profile: a card-based notebook approach with visual organization and multiple note types under one account.
- Notebooks
- Cards
- Web
- Mobile
- Organization: notebooks that group different “card” styles.
- Strength: fast sorting for users who like visual cues.
- Typical fit: everyday notes plus lightweight organization.
Click to visit the official website: Zoho Notebook
Local-First and Markdown Vaults
This group centers on files you can see, usually Markdown, stored in a folder on your device. The practical effect is simple: your notes remain portable, and sync is either optional or handled through a service you choose.
Obsidian
Profile: a local vault built around linked notes and Markdown. Optional paid add-ons exist for sync and publishing, which is useful for users who want separation between storage and app.
- Local Files
- Markdown
- Links
- Plugins
- Organization: folders + links + tags, depending on preference.
- Strength: notes remain readable as plain files.
- Typical fit: research notes, writing, and personal knowledge systems.
Click to visit the official website: Obsidian
Joplin
Profile: a notes app that supports sync across devices while keeping an eye on portable storage. Joplin Cloud publishes clear numbers for storage and attachment limits on paid sync plans. ✅Source
- Local-First
- Sync Options
- Sharing
- Publishing
- Plan examples: Basic shows 2GB storage and 10MB per note/attachment; Pro shows 30GB and 200MB per note/attachment.
- Strength: published plan limits make comparisons straightforward.
- Typical fit: users who want a structured notes app plus optional cloud sharing.
Click to visit the official website: Joplin
Privacy and Security Considerations
Security claims should be treated as product-specific, not as a broad label. Some apps emphasize end-to-end encryption, while others rely on account security plus device protections. The key is to compare what is stated publicly and what affects search, sharing, and multi-device access.
Standard Notes
Profile: designed around end-to-end encryption and a privacy-preserving approach. Its plans page lists both annual pricing and security features in one place. ✅Source
- E2EE
- Multi-Device
- Paid Plans
- Files
- Plan examples: Productivity is listed at $90/year; Professional is listed at $120/year.
- Storage example: the page references a plan that includes 100GB of encrypted storage.
- Typical fit: users prioritizing privacy posture as a primary selection factor.
Click to visit the official website: Standard Notes
UpNote
Profile: a clean writing experience with notebooks and locking options. The Premium FAQ page publishes several hard limits that can be useful for heavy note collections. ✅Source
- Notebook Lock
- Offline
- Attachments
- Cross-Platform
- Offline detail: Premium can be used offline after confirming Premium status on a device.
- Limit examples: FAQ lists a 1MB per-note limit (about 300,000 characters depending on elements) and attachments limited to less than 20MB per upload.
- Scale note: FAQ mentions a recommended range under 20,000 notes for optimal syncing performance.
Click to visit the official website: UpNote
Lightweight Capture and Daily Notes
If your priority is fast capture—short notes, reminders, and small checklists—lighter tools can feel more direct. They usually trade advanced databases or heavy customization for speed, simplicity, and low friction.
Apple Notes
Profile: tightly integrated notes that work across Apple devices and the web via iCloud. The official user guide documents the Notes app as a system-level tool with attachment-friendly notes. ✅Source
- iCloud Sync
- Attachments
- Apple Ecosystem
- Web Access
- Typical fit: personal notes that benefit from device integration.
- Portability angle: exporting and sharing methods vary by platform and ecosystem.
Click to visit the official website: Apple Notes
Google Keep
Profile: designed for quick notes, lists, and reminders, with a simple structure that supports fast capture and search. Google’s product page positions Keep as part of the broader Google ecosystem. ✅Source
- Reminders
- Labels
- Search
- Mobile
- Typical fit: short notes, checklists, and quick capture.
- Portability angle: exports and migrations are often centered on simple text.
Click to visit the official website: Google Keep
Simplenote
Profile: a minimal tool for plain text notes with tags and sync. The official help page documents supported platforms and how the app works at a practical level. ✅Source
- Plain Text
- Tags
- Sync
- History
- Strength: low-friction writing for users who prefer simple structure.
- Portability angle: plain text is typically easy to move between tools.
Click to visit the official website: Simplenote
Bear
Profile: writing-focused notes with Markdown and a tag-based organization style. Bear Pro publishes clear pricing numbers and subscription periods on its official FAQ page. ✅Source
- Markdown
- Tags
- Apple Platforms
- Subscription
- Public pricing: $2.99/month or $29.99/year; the page also notes a 14-day trial.
- Typical fit: writers who like clean formatting and strong tagging.
Click to visit the official website: Bear
Data Portability and Formats
People usually switch note tools because their needs evolve—new devices, new teams, or a new way of organizing information. In practice, switching becomes easier when the original tool supports exports and the new tool supports imports in formats like ENEX, Markdown, HTML, or PDF.
- Evernote Export Format
- ENEX is a common export option for Evernote content, which helps when evaluating import support across alternatives. ✅Source
- Notion Import Formats
- Notion documents supported imports such as text, Markdown, Word, CSV, HTML, and PDF for its workspace, which matters when comparing future portability. ✅Source
- Craft Export Formats
- Craft’s official help documentation lists multiple export formats across platforms, including Markdown, PDF, and DocX, which can be relevant for document-first workflows. ✅Source
- UpNote Evernote Import
- UpNote documents importing from .enex (Evernote export files), which is a direct signal for users who want an app that acknowledges the Evernote ecosystem. ✅Source
From a portability perspective, plain files tend to age well: Markdown and HTML are widely supported, while PDF is useful as a read-only archive. If your workflow depends on embedded attachments and rich structure, checking the destination app’s handling of imports is a more reliable signal than comparing feature lists.
Official Pages for Each Alternative
These are the official websites for the tools mentioned above. If you compare plan details, limits, and supported platforms, the official pages are the most reliable place to confirm current information.
- Microsoft OneNote: Click to visit the official website: OneNote
- Notion: Click to visit the official website: Notion
- Obsidian: Click to visit the official website: Obsidian
- Joplin: Click to visit the official website: Joplin
- Standard Notes: Click to visit the official website: Standard Notes
- Apple Notes: Click to visit the official website: Apple Notes
- Google Keep: Click to visit the official website: Google Keep
- Bear: Click to visit the official website: Bear
- Simplenote: Click to visit the official website: Simplenote
- Zoho Notebook: Click to visit the official website: Zoho Notebook
- UpNote: Click to visit the official website: UpNote
- Craft: Click to visit the official website: Craft
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which exported format is most common when leaving Evernote?
ENEX is widely referenced because it is a dedicated export format for Evernote notes and notebooks, and many alternative tools talk about it when they document migration support. Portable formats like Markdown or HTML can also be useful depending on your destination app.
Do all Evernote alternatives support direct ENEX imports?
No. Import support depends on each product’s roadmap and parser quality. Some apps document direct ENEX import, while others emphasize importing Markdown, Word, or HTML. Checking each app’s official documentation is the reliable way to confirm.
What does “local-first” mean for note apps?
Local-first typically means your notes exist as files on your device (often Markdown) and the app is primarily a viewer/editor. Sync can be optional or configurable, which can be appealing if you value storage control and format portability.
How should pricing models be compared across note apps?
A fair comparison looks at what the plan unlocks (sync, attachments, collaboration), plus any published limits like storage caps or note size restrictions. Some products offer one-time options, others offer subscriptions, and teams often have separate tiers.
Does stronger privacy always reduce search and convenience?
It depends on implementation. Some privacy-focused apps still offer fast search and modern editors, while others may trade certain convenience features for security guarantees. The important point is to compare published claims and the specific features you rely on most.
Is offline use a standard feature in modern note apps?
Offline behavior varies. Some tools are built around offline-first usage, while others are more cloud-centric and may require connectivity for certain features. If offline matters, focus on what the product documents about offline access and how it syncs later.
Which formats keep future switching easier?
Formats that are widely supported—plain text, Markdown, and HTML—tend to preserve content in a flexible way. PDF is useful for archiving, while richer structures (databases, custom blocks) can require app-specific exports.