I Examined 7 Finest Observe Taking Apps: Right here’s My Arms-On Assessment!

I’ve all the time been a note-taker. Whether or not it’s a fast grocery checklist, a random concept I don’t wish to overlook, or a full-blown define for a venture, jotting issues down looks like my approach of constructing sense of the chaos.

Over time, my notice taking habits have advanced— from scribbling in numerous notebooks to typing furiously on my telephone when inspiration strikes on the most inconvenient instances. And whereas I nonetheless love the texture of pen on paper, I can’t deny the magic of contemporary note-taking apps. They’re like an extension of my mind, solely far more organized.

What I’ve realized is that not all the perfect notice taking apps are created equal. Some are modern and easy, whereas others are feature-packed and designed that can assist you handle your whole life. The perfect half? There’s one thing on the market for everybody, irrespective of your type or wants.

For those who’re seeking to stage up your notice taking recreation or interested in what these notice taking apps can provide, this checklist may simply be the productiveness enhance you’ve been ready for. Let’s dive into the checklist of the perfect notice taking apps!

7 finest notice taking apps I examined and liked!

For me, the perfect note-taking apps are like having a private assistant in my pocket—they assist me seize concepts, keep organized, and even remind me of issues I’d in any other case overlook. 

Some instruments are extremely versatile, letting you sketch, report audio, or collaborate with others, whereas others shine of their simplicity, specializing in simply jotting issues down shortly. What I’ve observed is that the perfect note-taking instruments are those that match seamlessly into your routine, making note-taking really feel easy moderately than a chore. As soon as you discover the precise notice taking software program, it’s arduous to think about the way you ever managed with out it.

Whether or not you’re somebody like me who loves to put in writing issues down, or somebody seeking to manage your ideas successfully, I hope my perspective helps you discover the right instrument to your wants. 

What makes the perfect notice taking apps price it? My perspective

Testing note-taking apps is about discovering what works finest for you. A few of you may want easy and quick options whereas some could desire feature-rich apps. Determining which instruments are price investing time (and typically cash) into is essential. Listed below are some elements I prioritized whereas evaluating these instruments. 

• Writing and enhancing expertise: A note-taking app ought to provide a clean and versatile writing expertise. Primary textual content formatting choices like daring, italics, bullet factors, and headers must be simple to make use of. Some apps additionally help tables, checklists, and markdown formatting for extra structured notes.

  For those who ceaselessly connect pictures, hyperlinks, or paperwork, see how nicely the app integrates multimedia parts. An intuitive textual content editor ought to help you concentrate on capturing your ideas with out getting slowed down by formatting limitations. I examined the instruments based mostly on the writing and enhancing expertise they provide, how seamless the method is, and the way simply I can format my notes.

• Cross-device syncing: An awesome note-taking app ought to sync seamlessly throughout a number of units, guaranteeing you possibly can entry your notes whether or not you are utilizing a smartphone, pill, or laptop. Listening to how shortly modifications made on one system replicate on one other. Delayed syncing can disrupt workflow and result in inconsistencies. I additionally checked out how nicely the app performs throughout totally different working programs—some apps work higher on Apple units, whereas others have stronger help for Home windows or Android.

  A very versatile means that you can take notes wherever, with out worrying about system compatibility. Notes typically have to be accessed on the go, whether or not in your telephone, pill, or laptop computer. I regarded for the sync options of the highest apps.

• Voice and audio integration: Some note-taking apps provide built-in voice recording, making them perfect for capturing lectures, conferences, or brainstorming classes. For those who depend on audio notes, check whether or not the app means that you can report whereas taking notes concurrently. Some superior instruments, like Otter.ai and Notability, even present computerized transcription, changing speech into textual content. This function is especially helpful for college kids and professionals who want correct assembly minutes or lecture summaries.
• Search and retrieval effectivity: The power to shortly discover info inside an app is simply as necessary as taking notes within the first place. A robust search operate ought to be capable of find notes utilizing key phrases, tags, and even handwritten textual content (if OCR know-how is supported). Some superior apps help you filter outcomes by date, notice kind, or class, making retrieval much more environment friendly. For those who ceaselessly take in depth notes, testing how nicely the search operate performs is important to make sure you received’t waste time digging by outdated entries. I regarded for apps with highly effective search options, like key phrase search, scanned paperwork, and filters to find notes by date, tags, or content material kind. Because the variety of notes grows, discovering what you want shortly turns into a problem.
• Media integration: I examined how nicely apps deal with multimedia parts like pictures, movies, sketches, and audio recordings, as these improve the flexibility of note-taking. Notes are not restricted to textual content. The power to embed pictures, sketches, movies, or audio permits customers to seize concepts in no matter format fits the context, making the app extra versatile and creative-friendly.
• Stylus help: For individuals who desire handwritten notes, stylus help is a game-changer. Some apps enable for pure handwriting enter and even provide handwriting-to-text conversion. An excellent handwriting-supported app ought to present clean pen strokes, customizable pen kinds, and the power to spotlight and annotate straight on paperwork or PDFs. For those who use an Apple Pencil, Samsung S Pen, or one other stylus, check how responsive the app is to your handwriting type.
• Collaboration and sharing: Collaboration options may be extremely helpful, particularly for groups or college students who work on shared notes. Some apps enable for real-time collaboration, the place a number of customers can edit the identical notice concurrently—very similar to Google Docs. Examine whether or not the app helps totally different permission ranges, similar to “view-only” or “edit” entry. For those who typically share notes with others, see if the app permits simple exporting in a number of codecs like PDF, Phrase, or Markdown. Robust collaboration instruments be certain that teamwork and communication stay seamless.

These are the principle elements that guided my testing and analysis course of. My checklist accommodates choices that cater to totally different wants and budgets. Whether or not you’re a person person or seeking to jot staff assembly notes and collaborate, there’s an answer current. 

To be included on this class, an answer should:

• Create editable, text-based paperwork
• Enable customers to create and retailer a number of notes
• Present restricted performance for lists, similar to entry cross-off or verify bins
• Supply collaborative note-taking instruments or notice sharing

*This knowledge was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some critiques could have been edited for readability.  

For those who love staying organized and having all of your notes in a single place, Notion may simply be your new favourite factor.

As somebody who makes use of Notion for all my note-taking and venture monitoring wants, I like how versatile it’s. Want a to-do checklist? Performed. An in depth venture tracker? Straightforward. A spot to handle your staff’s workflow, shopper databases, or perhaps a private studying checklist? Notion’s received you coated. 

Whereas it might take a while to regulate to all of Notion’s options (there’s a lot you are able to do!), when you get the grasp of it, it’s a recreation changer for certain. Notion is a type of instruments you should use each personally and professionally. Right here’s a method I take advantage of Notion to trace my day by day duties. 

One other game-changer? Customized templates & automation. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel each time I arrange a brand new venture or workflow. I take advantage of templates that pre-fill fields, dashing up my course of dramatically. The power to create database templates is very helpful for issues like content material calendars and recurring duties.

For these of us who love textual content formatting, Notion helps Markdown and wealthy textual content. It even permits for code blocks with syntax highlighting, which is a big plus for builders conserving documentation in a single place. I like the truth that I can write freely and format simply with out having to cope with clunky menus.

Whereas Notion does a lot proper, it isn’t good. The studying curve is actual—it takes time to determine one of the simplest ways to construction your workflow, and new customers can really feel overwhelmed by the limitless prospects. I undoubtedly needed to watch tutorials to get essentially the most out of it. After which there’s the offline limitation. Notion isn’t a real offline-first app, which may be irritating after I’m touring or working in a spot with poor web. Whereas just lately accessed pages stay accessible, it’s not as seamless as I’d like.

Efficiency is one other subject when dealing with massive quantities of knowledge. For those who go overboard with nesting pages and databases, issues begin to decelerate. It’s not a deal-breaker, nevertheless it’s one thing to bear in mind when you depend on Notion for heavy-duty venture administration.

What I dislike about Notion: 

• After I first began utilizing Notion, I felt overwhelmed. It’s not the form of instrument you possibly can simply decide up and use effortlessly; I needed to watch tutorials and experiment loads earlier than I felt comfy.
• Notion is nice when I’ve an web connection, however after I’m offline, it’s irritating. I can solely entry just lately opened pages, and actual offline performance continues to be missing.

What G2 customers dislike about Notion: 

“The one drawback with the offline mode in Notion is that it doesn’t work too nicely, and it has a problem when my web just isn’t too secure. It has solely delayed me after I wanted these notes throughout a gathering. The search performance is one other downside because it fails to hint older recordsdata. The options are additionally sophisticated with crusing, so it makes onboarding slower for brand spanking new staff members, which in flip will get in the best way of effectivity with workflow.”

– Notion Assessment, Ron H. 

First off, the convenience of use relating to Google Workspace is unimaginable. The whole lot simply works. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides make collaboration easy. I can actually see my staff making edits in actual time, go away feedback, and observe modifications with out ever hitting the save button. It’s all cloud-based, which implies I can entry my recordsdata from wherever—whether or not I’m on my laptop computer, telephone, and even borrowing a buddy’s system.

Talking of entry, Google Drive is a lifesaver. It integrates completely with Gmail, making it tremendous simple to connect recordsdata, share paperwork, and manage every little thing. And let’s not overlook Types—in all probability some of the underrated instruments within the suite. I take advantage of it for surveys, suggestions assortment, and even easy knowledge entry duties.

One other huge win? Google Meet. It’s a strong video conferencing instrument, and because it’s constructed into Gmail and Calendar, scheduling and becoming a member of conferences is a breeze. I don’t must obtain additional software program—simply click on a hyperlink, and I’m in.

Whereas Google Workspace integrates nicely inside its personal ecosystem, connecting it to third-party instruments (like CRMs) isn’t all the time seamless. Some integrations really feel clunky, and I’ve run into occasional compatibility points.

Lastly, the training curve. For those who’re used to Microsoft Workplace, switching over can really feel a bit bizarre at first. Some options work in another way, and there are minor limitations (like fewer superior formatting choices in Docs in comparison with Phrase).

What I dislike about Google Workspace: 

• It’s nice for fast notes, however I’d love folders or higher tagging choices to maintain every little thing structured.
• Google’s note-taking instruments don’t provide superior stylus help or handwriting-to-text conversion.

What G2 customers dislike about Google Workspace: 

“The search performance inside Google Drive may be irritating, because it typically struggles with finding older recordsdata or paperwork with generic names. Moreover, the dearth of some superior options in comparison with desktop software program (e.g., Excel for energy customers) may be limiting for particular use instances.”

– Google Workspace Assessment, Verified person in medical providers.  

I’ve been utilizing Fathom, and I’ve to say—it’s been a game-changer in how I seize and manage my assembly notes. One of many greatest benefits is its extremely correct transcription, which makes reviewing conversations easy. I additionally love the way it robotically generates notes and motion gadgets, saving me tons of time. The search performance is extremely highly effective, permitting me to immediately discover previous discussions with out digging by limitless recordsdata. Plus, the seamless integrations with Zoom, Groups, and GoTo make it tremendous handy to make use of in my day by day workflow.

That stated, there are some things that might be improved. Whereas I personally haven’t confronted main points, I would love a bigger display screen view. There are occasional minor glitches, however nothing that has considerably disrupted my expertise.

See the underside left? That’s the place you possibly can entry the transcript and abstract particulars! There’s a function on the prime to seek for notes. 

What I dislike about Fathom: 

• I’ve observed that the app’s digital camera stays on throughout conferences, which may be distracting and pointless.
• I’ve observed that fathom typically lacks voice recognition talents, which may be a problem when a number of customers are talking.

What G2 customers dislike about Fathom: 

“In relation to the forms of conferences with which Fathom works most successfully, I’ve recognized two important points – first, the occasional lack of voice differentiation in massive group conferences, and second, the failure to separate voices if contributors discuss concurrently. It might even be much more highly effective if its transcription accuracy might be enhanced in such circumstances.“

– Fathom Assessment, Rohit W.

I have been utilizing ClickUp for some time now, and total, it has been a fantastic expertise. One of many issues I respect essentially the most is how nicely the product and tech groups work collectively to persistently enhance the platform. The design is crisp, clear, and simple to navigate, which makes it a pleasure to make use of. 

First off, the activity administration options are completely good. You possibly can create duties and subtasks and even break issues down right into a hierarchy that works for you. There is a ton of flexibility, which implies you possibly can tailor it to match your workflow completely. The collaboration instruments are a game-changer. I additionally examined out the whiteboard! With options like feedback on duties, file sharing, and real-time updates, it looks like the entire staff is on the identical web page, even when you’re unfold throughout the globe. 

That stated, some customers (and I’ve observed this myself) complain about occasional slowness or bugs. For instance, sure options—just like the Gantt charts—don’t all the time load as shortly as you’d like, particularly throughout peak work hours.

The studying curve is price mentioning. Whereas the fundamentals are simple, mastering superior options like automation and detailed experiences may take a little bit of trial and error. One of many extra irritating limitations is the shortcoming so as to add each subtasks and important duties throughout totally different sprints, which is a typical want in agile workflows. Moreover, the best way filters and the “Me Mode” work just isn’t very intuitive—it took a number of help conversations to determine how one can correctly view solely assigned duties. Synchronization additionally doesn’t all the time replace in real-time, requiring handbook refreshes all through the day to make sure the newest model of the dashboard is seen. 

What I dislike about ClickUp: 

• One of many greatest frustrations I encountered was the shortcoming to assign important duties and subtasks to totally different sprints. For note-taking in an agile atmosphere, this was a noticeable downside since I typically manage assembly notes into totally different motion gadgets.
• Though I respect ClickUp’s capacity to combine with different apps, some integrations have been troublesome to arrange. I struggled with sure configurations.

What G2 customers dislike about ClickUp: 

“Wrestle to seek out one of the simplest ways to have a spot of simply note-taking through the name. I lump them collectively underneath totally different duties I’ve opened beforehand. Typically I discover myself working from the identical 5-8 duties and simply go away notes as we go.”

– ClickUp Assessment, Stephan B.

One of many issues I like most about Microsoft OneNote is its flexibility—it permits me to construction my notes precisely how I need, whether or not by freeform note-taking, embedded media, or a well-organized pocket book structure. The mixing with different Microsoft instruments like Phrase, Excel, and Outlook makes my workflow a lot smoother, and the power to sync throughout units ensures that I all the time have entry to my notes, whether or not I am on my laptop computer, pill, or telephone.

One other main plus is its search performance. Discovering particular notes, even from years in the past, is easy because of the highly effective search instrument that scans each typed and handwritten notes. 

From a technical perspective, OneNote’s efficiency may be inconsistent. Sometimes, it turns into sluggish and unresponsive, significantly when dealing with massive notebooks with numerous embedded media. One other subject is the dearth of superior export choices—whereas OneNote integrates nicely inside the Microsoft ecosystem, exporting notes into different codecs can typically be cumbersome and restricted. 

What I dislike about Microsoft OneNote: 

• Whereas the cloud-based sync is beneficial, it’s not all the time dependable, particularly when switching between a number of units or working offline. There have been moments the place my modifications took longer to replace, inflicting slight workflow disruptions.
• There are occasions when OneNote turns into sluggish or throws errors like “quota exceeded,” making it more durable to work easily.

What G2 customers dislike about Microsoft OneNote: 

“What I dislike about Microsoft Onenote is the dearth of superior formatting choices. Whereas does affords fundamental formatting, it does not have as many options as another note-taking/ phrase processing software.”

– Microsoft OneNote Assessment, Jasmine Ok.

One of many issues I like most about Fellow is the power to assign motion gadgets and observe them effortlessly. Having all my assembly notes in a single place, with clear follow-ups, has considerably improved my workflow. The built-in templates are one other main plus—they make structuring my notes a lot simpler, guaranteeing that I don’t miss important factors throughout discussions.

One other standout function is the AI-powered transcription and summaries. They’re surprisingly correct and save me numerous time when reviewing assembly outcomes. The power to combine with my calendar and collaborate with my staff in real-time can also be an enormous benefit. It’s a good way to maintain everybody on the identical web page with out juggling a number of apps.

Whereas it really works nicely as a meeting-focused instrument, it typically feels extra like a private to-do checklist moderately than a fully-fledged note-taking app. For individuals who depend on in depth notice group past conferences, it would really feel a bit restricted. Moreover, among the extra superior options, like personal notes and deeper integrations, are locked behind the paid plans, making the free model considerably restrictive.

I’ve encountered minor sync points and occasional lag when dealing with bigger units of notes. 

What I dislike about Fellow: 

• I discovered that there are occasional bugs or syncing delays, which might typically be irritating. 
• For those who’re wanting to make use of it for non-meeting notes, it’s a bit extra restricted in flexibility. Fortunately I used to be utilizing it for work.

What G2 customers dislike about Fellow: 

“How folks use it. Individuals have a tendency so as to add notes as speaking factors within the default template that are by no means checked off. Motion gadgets do not have clear reminders and might simply get misplaced. The AI options are cool, however their accuracy, particularly round motion gadgets, is low.” 

– Fellow Assessment, Verified person in laptop software program. 

One factor I like about taking notes in Lark is  that I can create structured notes with bullet factors, headings, and attachments, making it simple to doc assembly summaries, to-do lists, and venture concepts. The power to collaborate in real-time with my staff has additionally been a game-changer—everybody can contribute to shared notes, eliminating the necessity for limitless electronic mail chains and fragmented discussions.

That stated, there are just a few limitations. Formatting choices are considerably restricted, which may be irritating after I wish to customise my notes past the fundamentals. Moreover, whereas Lark’s cellular app is beneficial, it doesn’t provide the identical clean expertise because the desktop model—sure actions, like shortly accessing saved notes, can really feel barely clunky.

One other draw back is that syncing throughout units is not all the time prompt. There have been instances after I’ve made updates on my laptop computer that didn’t instantly replicate on my telephone, requiring a handbook refresh. This isn’t a serious subject however may be annoying after I want fast entry to the newest model of my notes.

One factor that basically stood out (sadly, not in a great way) is the dearth of split-screen or full-screen modes for notes. It might make multitasking approach simpler, particularly after I’m referencing slides or different paperwork. 

What I dislike about Lark: 

• I discovered that there have been some challenges with organizing or engaged on notes inside different workflows (e.g., importing/exporting notes or collaborating with non-Lark customers).
• Whereas I like the built-in communication options, video conferencing tends to lag often, particularly when sharing my display screen.

What G2 customers dislike about Lark: 

“I might say there are some unintuitive interactions – though minor.

One new function that I’ve an enormous gripe with is the default to opening docs in Lark moderately than in a browser tab like earlier than. It makes doc group messier – it is also potential to layer open docs contained in the Lark UI, so that you’d must “x out” of 3-4 docs inside Lark earlier than seeing the folder hierarchy once more.” 

– Lark Assessment, Tim L. 

Observe-taking and bettering activity administration go hand in hand. Discover the finest activity administration software program to extend total enterprise and private productiveness.