Google Keep is designed for fast capture: short notes, checklists, reminders, and quick collaboration. Some people stay with that minimal style forever. Others eventually want more structure, stronger privacy controls, richer formatting, or deeper project workflows. This guide compares well-known Google Keep alternatives using verifiable plan details and product capabilities, without taking sides.
What “Alternative” Usually Means for Keep Users
If you like Keep, you probably care about speed, cross-device sync, and low friction. Alternatives tend to diverge in three places: (1) how much structure they add (folders, databases, links), (2) how your data is stored (cloud-first vs local-first), and (3) what the paid plan actually unlocks.
Comparison Table
Plan figures below reflect what vendors published on their official plan pages in January 2026. Pricing and limits can change, so treat numbers as a snapshot rather than a promise.
| App | Numbers You Can Compare | Best Fit for Keep-Style Use | Data Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keep [Source-1✅] | Real-time sync across devices; offline edits sync later; reminders and real-time collaboration are built-in. | Ultra-fast capture, light organization, simple sharing. | Google-account sync, note tiles, labels, colors. |
| Evernote [Source-2✅] | Free plan: 50 notes, 1 device, 20MB storage; Starter: 1000 notes, 3 devices, 1GB storage; Advanced: unlimited notes and devices. | Keep-like capture with stronger organization and search. | Notebooks, tags, tasks, attachments. |
| Notion [Source-3✅] | Free: $0 per seat/month; Plus: $10 per seat/month; Business: $20 per seat/month. Offline is listed for desktop and mobile apps. | Notes that grow into wikis, docs, and lightweight project hubs. | Pages + databases (structured blocks). |
| Obsidian [Source-4✅] | Sync: $4 USD/user/month billed annually or $5 billed monthly; Publish: $8 USD/site/month billed annually or $10 billed monthly. | Keep-like quick notes that evolve into linked knowledge. | Local-first vaults with optional paid services. |
| Standard Notes [Source-5✅] | Standard (Free): $0/year; Productivity: $90/year; Professional: $120/year. | Simple notes with a privacy-first focus and clear plan tiers. | Encrypted sync service + apps. |
| Notesnook [Source-6✅] | Pricing page lists: “Trusted by over 200,000 people.” Free plan includes 50MB/mo storage, 10MB file size, 7 colors, 50 tags, 10 active reminders. | Keep-like reminders with more privacy-oriented positioning. | Cloud sync with plan-based limits. |
| Zoho Notebook [Source-7✅] | Essential: cloud storage 2GB/user (personal) or 5GB for entire org; uploads up to 100MB each. Business: 1TB for up to 10 users (+100GB per added user); AI transcription 100 mins/user/month is listed. | Notes + cards + light team collaboration. | Notecards + notebooks; team plans available. |
How Google Keep Typically Works
Keep’s published product description emphasizes three practical strengths: quick capture (notes, lists, drawings, audio), real-time syncing across devices, and lightweight organization with labels, colors, pins, and search. It also highlights reminders, offline editing that syncs later, and real-time collaborative editing for shared notes. [Source-8✅]
A useful baseline when comparing alternatives: if an app slows down capture or makes retrieval harder, it may feel “worse” even if it has more features. For many Keep users, speed beats depth.
Decision Factors That Matter for Keep Alternatives
Capture Speed and Friction
Keep is built around “open, type, done.” If you capture dozens of notes per day, prioritize apps that open fast and support one-tap checklists or quick text.
- Fast note creation (including on mobile)
- Widgets, shortcuts, or notification capture
- Simple tagging or lightweight labels
Organization Depth
Alternatives differ most in how they structure information. Some stay close to Keep (lists + tags). Others introduce folders, pages, or even databases that can replace a lightweight project tool.
- Tags vs folders vs nested pages
- Search quality and filters
- Linking between notes (optional but powerful)
Offline Behavior
Some apps treat offline as “view-only,” while others let you create and edit freely, then sync later. If you travel often or work in inconsistent connectivity, this becomes a core requirement.
Security and Privacy Posture
Many note apps support account security features like 2FA. Some also highlight end-to-end encryption for synced content. Decide how important encrypted sync is versus convenience and integrations.
App-by-App Breakdown of Popular Alternatives
Below are widely used options that people compare with Keep. Each one is “good” in a slightly different way. The goal is simply to match the product’s shape to your workflow.
Evernote
Evernote sits close to Keep on the “capture first” side, but adds more built-in organization and plan-defined usage limits. Its official plan comparison lists concrete caps such as note counts, device syncing limits, and storage allocations, which makes it easier to estimate fit. [Source-9✅]
- Good match if you want Keep-like quick notes plus stronger structure (notebooks, tags, tasks).
- Useful if you prefer plan clarity (device limits and storage are published per tier).
- Consider if you want a clean path from short notes into larger reference material.
Notion
Notion is often chosen when “notes” become docs, shared knowledge, and lightweight project systems. Its plan page states per-seat pricing (including Free, Plus, and Business tiers) and also lists features like offline support on desktop and mobile apps, which matters for people leaving Keep. [Source-10✅]
- When It Feels Better Than Keep
- When you need structured pages, shared workspaces, and reusable templates that keep simple notes from turning into clutter.
- When Keep Still Wins
- If your priority is ultra-fast capture with almost zero structure.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a strong option when you want your notes to live as a personal knowledge base. Its pricing page publishes optional add-ons like Obsidian Sync (with end-to-end encryption) and Obsidian Publish, including monthly and annual billing figures. [Source-11✅]
- Best fit if you like writing in Markdown and want notes to connect through links and structure.
- Strong choice when you want optional encrypted sync rather than mandatory cloud storage.
- Practical note: workflows can scale from quick notes to long-form knowledge without changing tools.
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is typically evaluated by people who want a straightforward notes app with a privacy-first orientation and clearly stated annual plan prices. Its plans page lists three tiers with published yearly pricing. [Source-12✅]
- Best fit if you want a calm, focused writing experience and predictable tiers.
- Helpful when you care about clear cost boundaries rather than feature surprises.
- Also relevant if you prefer tools that explain what each plan unlocks in a structured way.
Notesnook
Notesnook publishes unusually specific limits on its pricing page (for example storage per month, file size, tag and reminder caps on the Free tier). It also states a public user count (“Trusted by over 200,000 people worldwide”), which some readers use as a confidence signal. [Source-13✅]
If you liked Keep’s reminders, pay attention to reminder limits and recurrence features. Notesnook lists these limits directly on its plan page, which makes comparisons less vague.
Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook is often shortlisted by people who want visual “cards,” scanning features, and a path to team usage. Its pricing page includes measurable storage figures (for personal and business contexts) and also mentions offline access and import support from other apps. [Source-14✅]
- Best fit if you want a note app that mixes text with “card” types and light collaboration.
- Strong for people comparing storage allowances and upload size limits.
- Good to know if your workflow includes reminders and scanned content.
Bear
Bear is positioned as a “powerfully simple” Markdown note-taking app with tags and flexible organization. Its official site highlights Markdown formatting, tags, and mixed content inside the same note (including tables and to-do lists). [Source-15✅]
Joplin
Joplin is commonly compared with Keep by people who prefer an open-source approach. The project describes itself as an open source note-taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities. [Source-16✅]
Apple Notes
Apple Notes is often considered when you live primarily in the Apple ecosystem and want notes available via iCloud. For many Keep users, the appeal is zero setup and fast capture across Apple devices. [Source-17✅]
Simplenote
Simplenote is typically chosen for minimalism: short notes, quick syncing, and a low-distraction interface. A Windows listing for Simplenote is available via Microsoft’s app store, which is useful if desktop availability is part of your checklist. [Source-18✅]
Export and Portability Notes
If you are switching from Keep, portability is mostly about getting your notes out in a reusable format and understanding what metadata transfers (labels, collaborators, attachments). A safe comparison is to look at what each vendor explicitly documents.
Exporting from Google Keep
Google Keep’s help documentation states that exports can include note text and list items, attachments (including voice recordings and drawings), note color, pinned/archived status, collaborators, and labels. [Source-19✅]
Exporting a Google Data Archive
Google Account Help describes how Google Takeout creates a downloadable archive and notes that exports may not include changes made between requesting a download and creating the archive. [Source-20✅]
Evernote Export Formats
Evernote’s Help & Learning documentation describes exporting notes and notebooks as ENEX or HTML, which is relevant if you want a structured intermediate format for migration. [Source-21✅]
Notion Export Options
Notion’s help documentation explains exporting content and the available formats (which can matter if you want to keep a portable copy outside the workspace). [Source-22✅]
Obsidian Data Storage Model
Obsidian’s help documentation describes data storage, which is central to why many people pick it: a local vault model where notes are stored on your device (with optional syncing approaches). [Source-23✅]
Standard Notes Backups
Standard Notes provides a help article on creating and importing backups, which is useful if your definition of “safe” includes a routine export that you control. [Source-24✅]
Notesnook Export
Notesnook documents exporting notes in its help center, which is the most dependable place to confirm how portable your data is before you commit. [Source-25✅]
A Practical Way to Narrow the List
If you want the closest feel to Keep, start with options that optimize capture speed and light structure. If you want your notes to become a system (projects, databases, long-term knowledge), lean toward tools that make structure natural. If you care most about portability, prefer products that publish clear export and backup documentation.
None of these apps is “the best.” They simply make different trade-offs so different people can work comfortably.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which alternative feels most similar to Google Keep?
Look for apps that prioritize quick capture, lightweight tagging, and fast search. Tools like Simplenote or an “inbox-first” setup in a larger app can feel closer to Keep’s rhythm, while still offering different strengths.
If I care most about published plan limits, which apps are easiest to compare?
Evernote, Notion, Obsidian, Standard Notes, Notesnook, and Zoho Notebook all publish plan pages with measurable limits or prices. That makes budgeting and capacity planning more concrete.
Do these apps support offline use?
Many do, but offline behavior differs. Some apps support full offline editing with later sync, while others emphasize online-first collaboration. Checking the vendor’s plan or help documentation is the most reliable way to confirm the exact offline scope for your devices.
What should I expect when exporting from Google Keep?
Exports commonly include note text, list items, and metadata such as labels, plus attachments like audio recordings and drawings. The most important step is confirming what is included so you can choose a destination app that can store the same types of content cleanly.
Is a local-first approach better than cloud-first?
It depends on your priorities. Local-first tools (often paired with optional sync) can feel more controllable for personal knowledge bases. Cloud-first tools often shine in collaboration and shared workspaces. Both can be valid; the key is choosing the model that matches your workflow.