Best Apple Notes alternatives in 2026

Looking for an alternative to Apple Notes? Whether you've outgrown it, find the pricing steep, or just want to weigh your options, these are the strongest note-taking apps alternatives in 2026 — ranked on pricing, features, and who each one fits best. Apple Notes itself has a free tier, so we've flagged where each option is cheaper, simpler, or more specialized.

1
Bear
Best for: writers
Beautiful Markdown notes for Apple. A popular note taking alternative to Apple Notes with a genuinely usable free tier — free – $2.99/mo. Particularly strong for writers.
4.7Free – $2.99/moVisit
2
Craft
Best for: apple-users
If Apple Notes feels like overkill or over-budget, Craft is a leaner option with a genuinely usable free tier. Beautiful documents and notes. Pricing: free – $10/mo.
4.6Free – $10/moVisit
3
Google Keep
Best for: individuals
Google Keep goes head-to-head with Apple Notes on features with a genuinely usable free tier. Quick notes and lists. Best suited to individuals. Free.
4.5FreeVisit
4
Evernote
Best for: individuals
A well-rated note taking pick. Classic note-taking and web clipping. Evernote offers a free plan and starts at free – $14.99/mo, making it a credible Apple Notes replacement.
4.0Free – $14.99/moVisit
5
Notion
Best for: startups
Connected workspace for notes, docs, and databases. A popular note taking alternative to Apple Notes with a genuinely usable free tier — free – $10/user/mo. Particularly strong for startups.
4.6Free – $10/user/moVisit
6
Obsidian
Best for: researchers
If Apple Notes feels like overkill or over-budget, Obsidian is a leaner option with a genuinely usable free tier. Local-first Markdown knowledge base. Pricing: free – $4/mo.
4.7Free – $4/moVisit
7
Heptabase
Best for: researchers
Heptabase goes head-to-head with Apple Notes on features. Visual note-taking on an infinite canvas. Best suited to researchers. From $8.99/mo.
4.6From $8.99/moVisit
8
Capacities
Best for: researchers
A well-rated note taking pick. A studio for your mind (object-based notes). Capacities offers a free plan and starts at free – $10/mo, making it a credible Apple Notes replacement.
4.6Free – $10/moVisit

Still considering Apple Notes itself? Read our Apple Notes review →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Apple Notes alternative?

Bear is our top-rated Apple Notes alternative for 2026. Beautiful Markdown notes for Apple. Free – $2.99/mo.

Is there a free Apple Notes alternative?

Yes — Bear, Craft, Google Keep all offer a free tier you can start on without a credit card.

Why switch from Apple Notes?

Common reasons are price, a simpler feature set, better fit for a specific use case, or platform support. Each tool above notes where it has an edge over Apple Notes.