12 Best Notes Apps for Windows 11 in 2026

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Microsoft OneNote is the best overall notes app for most Windows 11 users. It combines notebooks, sections, pages, search, automatic saving, cloud access, sharing, and handwriting support in a free standalone app or Microsoft 365. It is the safest choice for school, office, meeting, and Surface workflows.

It is not the best fit for everyone. Choose Obsidian for local Markdown files and linked knowledge, Notion for notes combined with databases and projects, Joplin for open-source offline-first notes, or Standard Notes and Notesnook when encrypted privacy matters most. For quick reminders, Google Keep and Microsoft Sticky Notes are simpler than a full notebook.

This ranking compares current Windows 11 desktop, Store, and browser options by features and documented behavior. It is not a hands-on speed, battery, or reliability test. Prices, storage limits, plan names, and feature availability can change, so check the provider before subscribing.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Amazon Basics Mesh Desk Organizer with Pen Holder, Pullout Drawer and Office Caddy Storage, 9.25" x...	$9.44	Buy on Amazon
2		SKYDUE 360 Rotating Plastic Desk Pen Organizer with 5 Slots, Dual-Purpose Art Supply Pencil Cup for...	$9.98	Buy on Amazon
3		Marbrasse Pen Organizer with 2 Drawer, Multi-Functional Pencil Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and...	$9.99	Buy on Amazon
4		SUPEASY Pen Holder Desk Organizer, Office Supplies Pencil Holder with 3 Compartments, Desk...	$8.99	Buy on Amazon
5		Amazon Basics Mesh Pen Holder and Desktop Desk Organizer, Office Caddy Storage for Writing Utensils,...	$15.59	Buy on Amazon

What counts as a Windows 11 notes app?

A Windows 11 notes app can mean three different things:

• Native desktop software: an installable Windows application such as OneNote, Obsidian, Joplin, or Evernote.
• Microsoft Store software: an app such as Sticky Notes that is installed and updated through the Store.
• A usable browser app: a service such as Google Keep that works at keep.google.com and can be saved as a browser shortcut, but is not a current native Windows client.

That distinction matters if you need offline access, local files, system integration, or a taskbar application. All of the apps below have an official Windows installation route except Google Keep, whose current Windows experience is browser-based.

#1 Best Overall

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The providers’ Windows documentation confirms the desktop availability of the major apps in this list. Always download from the provider or Microsoft Store rather than an unofficial software mirror.

Quick comparison

1. Microsoft OneNote — best overall for Windows 11

Choose OneNote if you want one flexible notebook for school, work, meetings, research, or handwritten notes. Microsoft describes OneNote on Windows as its primary supported Windows note-taking experience. The app supports notebooks, sections, pages, search, automatic saving, cloud access, sharing, and handwriting with a compatible pen or touchscreen. It is available as a free standalone download and through Microsoft 365. Microsoft’s current OneNote guidance explains the supported Windows experience.

OneNote’s notebook structure is particularly useful when notes need more organization than a stream of short cards. A student can keep separate notebooks or sections for classes; an office worker can group meeting pages by department or project; and a Surface owner can combine typed text, ink, drawings, and images in the same workspace.

If you already use Microsoft 365 with OneNote, it is the logical first app to try because it fits naturally with the Microsoft account and Windows ecosystem. You do not need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use the free standalone app, although account and storage behavior can vary by setup.

The important OneNote warning

Do not install or recommend OneNote for Windows 10 as a current Windows 11 choice. Microsoft says that client reached end of support on October 14, 2025, entered read-only mode, and no longer supports creating, editing, or syncing content. Use the current OneNote on Windows instead.

Main limitation: OneNote is a cloud-connected notebook rather than a plain folder of Markdown files. If owning readable local files, using backlinks, or working with a completely local archive is your highest priority, Obsidian or Joplin is a better match.

2. Obsidian — best local-first knowledge base

Choose Obsidian if your notes are a long-term knowledge base rather than a collection of isolated pages. Obsidian stores notes as files in a local vault and is designed to work offline. The Windows app is deployed locally and is not a web-based application. This local-file model gives you direct control over your notes and works especially well for Markdown writing, research, software documentation, linked ideas, and personal knowledge management.

Backlinks, graph-style connections, templates, and plugins let advanced users build a system around how they think. The trade-off is that you must decide how to structure the vault, which plugins to trust, and how to synchronize or back up the files. It is more configurable than a conventional cloud notebook, but that flexibility also creates more setup work.

Obsidian’s optional first-party Sync service supports end-to-end encryption, version history, selective syncing, and shared vaults. The base application is free and does not require an account; Sync is a separate paid service. Read Obsidian’s deployment documentation and its sync documentation before choosing a multi-device workflow.

Main limitation: Obsidian is not a fully hosted collaborative workspace by default. Collaboration and first-party synchronization are separate features. Do not point the same vault at Obsidian Sync and another live sync provider without understanding the conflict risks; Obsidian warns that combining sync systems can create conflicts and recommends maintaining a separate backup strategy.

Rank #2

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3. Notion — best for notes, projects, and databases

Choose Notion if your notes need to become tasks, project pages, content calendars, or databases. Notion’s block-based pages can contain prose, checklists, tables, task properties, web clips, and linked databases. That makes it a strong option for teams, project planning, editorial calendars, personal knowledge management, and documentation that needs more structure than a traditional notebook.

Notion provides a native Windows desktop app with x64 and Arm MSIX installers. It also has Free and paid workspace plans, although limits and features can change by plan and region.

Notion now supports offline pages in its desktop and mobile apps, but offline access is more deliberate than in a local-first application. On the Free Plan, users generally need to download individual pages. Subpages do not automatically download, and some advanced blocks remain unavailable offline. Notion’s offline-page documentation lists the current constraints.

Main limitation: If you regularly lose connectivity or want every note to exist as a normal local file, Notion’s page-download model may feel restrictive. It is strongest when you want an organized workspace and reliable online collaboration, not when local ownership is the primary requirement.

4. Joplin — best open-source and offline-first alternative

Choose Joplin if you want open source, Markdown, strong offline access, and a choice of synchronization targets. Joplin is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Its notes use Markdown, and the application supports full-text search, plugins, themes, web clipping, imports from Evernote, and synchronization through Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3, or the local filesystem.

Joplin’s offline-first design stores data locally on the device. It also supports end-to-end encryption across its applications. The combination of open-source software, Markdown portability, and multiple sync options makes it appealing to technical users, self-hosters, and anyone who does not want to be locked into one hosted workspace. Joplin’s documentation covers the supported apps, synchronization, encryption, imports, and exports.

For a Joplin setup, Joplin sync with OneDrive is one supported route, but read the setup instructions for the chosen target before adding another device. Joplin’s documentation recommends completing the initial upload before configuring additional devices so that the first device establishes the synchronized data correctly.

Main limitation: Joplin gives you choices, and choices require configuration. Beginners may find the sync setup, encryption settings, and plugin decisions less immediate than OneNote or Zoho Notebook.

5. Standard Notes — best for privacy-conscious text notes

Choose Standard Notes for private journaling, sensitive text, secure personal records, and Markdown-focused writing. It provides Windows downloads, cross-platform synchronization, offline access, open-source clients, and end-to-end encryption. Depending on the plan, it supports Markdown, rich text, checklists, code snippets, tasks, and other note formats.

The free tier supports unlimited notes and devices. Paid plans add additional editors, history, and encrypted file storage. The service is designed around privacy rather than databases, visual project boards, or broad team-workspace features. The official download page lists its current clients and plan-related capabilities.

Rank #3

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Main limitation: Standard Notes is primarily a secure notes tool. If you want linked research, a visual project database, or a notebook that combines many kinds of media and layouts, Obsidian, Notion, or OneNote may fit better.

6. Evernote — best for mature capture, clipping, and task workflows

Choose Evernote if you already depend on its notebook, web-clipping, and task workflow. Evernote supports Windows 10 and newer, so it runs on Windows 11. Its Windows app and web service provide note organization, synchronization, note-based tasks, due dates, recurrences, reminders, and task views. It remains a practical migration destination for people who have built a large Evernote archive or routinely collect information from the web.

Evernote’s official installation guidance says that using the service on more than two devices requires a paid subscription. Check the current plan terms before moving a multi-device archive. Evernote’s installation documentation covers supported Windows versions and account use.

Privacy deserves special attention. Evernote’s current privacy information says its systems may analyze content to provide and protect the service. Selected text can receive additional encryption through a passphrase created by the user, but Evernote should not be described as equivalent to a zero-knowledge notes service. Review Evernote’s security information if your notes contain confidential material.

Main limitation: Evernote’s device and subscription rules matter more than they do for many free minimalist apps. It is best for people who specifically value its capture and task ecosystem, not simply anyone looking for a blank Windows notebook.

7. Zoho Notebook — best free visual notebook

Choose Zoho Notebook if you want a free, visual, attachment-friendly notebook. Its card-based interface handles text, checklists, photos, files, and other content. The Windows app supports offline editing and automatic synchronization, while the service also provides web and mobile access.

Zoho describes its Windows app as free and ad-free. It also documents migration from Evernote and OneNote, which makes it worth considering when leaving a legacy notebook system. Zoho’s Windows documentation lists the app and its supported capabilities.

Main limitation: The card layout is distinctive. Some people will find it easier to scan than a long notebook page; others will prefer the plain files of Obsidian, the page-and-database model of Notion, or the traditional notebook structure of OneNote and UpNote.

8. UpNote — best clean, traditional cross-platform notebook

Choose UpNote if you want a polished, conventional notebook without a database-heavy workspace. It supports Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Its feature set includes nested notebooks, tags, rich formatting, Markdown, attachments, links between notes, offline writing, automatic sync, backups, version history, note locking, templates, and focus mode.

UpNote can export notes to text, PDF, HTML, or Markdown. That range is useful if you want a traditional app today but still care about moving your notes later. The free version is limited to 50 notes; Premium removes that limit and unlocks advanced features. Pricing can vary by region and tax, so verify the current price before purchasing. UpNote’s official product page lists its current feature and platform support.

Rank #4

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Main limitation: Several of the features that make UpNote compelling, including broader organization, attachments, export, and locking capabilities, are tied to Premium. It is a good clean notebook, but compare the paid feature list with your actual needs before subscribing.

9. Notesnook — best encrypted alternative with a modern desktop app

Choose Notesnook if you want encrypted notes, offline access, and a modern Windows application with more formatting and attachment support than a minimalist secure notepad. Notesnook offers desktop, web, and mobile clients, encrypted synchronization, encrypted local storage, app locking, and exports to Markdown, HTML, PDF, and plain text.

Its download page lists Windows x64, Arm64, and portable builds. Current plans include a free tier and paid tiers with different storage and feature limits. Because plan names, allowances, and prices are volatile, check the current terms directly before treating a specific tier as the best value. See Notesnook’s current download options.

Main limitation: Notesnook is a privacy-focused hosted notes service, not a local Markdown vault in the same sense as Obsidian. It is a better fit than a database workspace when encryption is the priority, but users who want maximum direct file control may prefer Obsidian or Joplin.

10. Google Keep — best for fast capture in the Google ecosystem

Choose Google Keep for quick reminders, shopping lists, short ideas, colors, labels, pins, and Google-connected reminders. Keep supports text notes, lists, drawings, images, reminders, sharing, search, labels, and a Chrome extension for saving webpage content.

On Windows 11, Google Keep is a web application at keep.google.com. You can create a browser shortcut or install it as a browser app, but Google’s old Chrome app is no longer current; support for that app ended in February 2021. Google’s Keep help page describes the current access model.

Main limitation: Keep is not designed for long-form documents, large structured archives, advanced Markdown, or local-file ownership. It is excellent for capture and reminders, but a poor replacement for OneNote, Evernote, or a document workspace when notes need images, files, and deep organization.

11. Simplenote — best minimalist Markdown option

Choose Simplenote if you want plain-text notes, lightweight lists, and free synchronization with almost no setup. It provides a Windows desktop app and sync across computers, phones, tablets, and the web. Features include tags, pins, instant search, collaboration, publishing, checklists, Markdown, import, and export.

The decisive limitation is attachments: Simplenote’s official help center says notes do not support image or file attachments. Simplenote’s product information documents this text-first approach.

Main limitation: Do not choose Simplenote for research notes that need screenshots, PDFs, scans, or other files. For text-only writing and simple Markdown, its lack of media can be an advantage because the interface stays focused.

Best Value

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12. Microsoft Sticky Notes — best for quick Windows desktop reminders

Choose Sticky Notes for short reminders that should be immediately visible or searchable on a Windows PC. It supports typed notes, handwriting or drawing on compatible touch devices, pictures, search, colors, basic formatting, and Microsoft-account synchronization across supported apps and devices. It can be installed through the Microsoft Store and pinned to the taskbar. Microsoft’s Sticky Notes guide covers installation and basic use.

Sticky Notes is best used as a quick-capture companion to a fuller notes system. It is suitable for a phone number, a short task prompt, a temporary checklist, or a reminder while working at the desktop.

Main limitation: Microsoft documents limitations including no custom font or font-size controls and no current always-on-top behavior. It is not a notebook, knowledge base, or project-management system.

Offline access: which Windows 11 notes apps work without the internet?

If offline work is your deciding factor, separate true local-first storage from an account-based app that has downloaded some content.

Before traveling or working somewhere unreliable, open the notes you need while online and confirm that the app can edit them offline. Do not assume that seeing a note in a sidebar means every attachment, subpage, or embedded block is locally available.

Privacy, encryption, and file ownership

• Maximum local control: Obsidian stores notes as files in a local vault. You choose how to sync and back up them.
• Open source and flexible synchronization: Joplin supports Markdown, multiple sync targets, and end-to-end encryption.
• End-to-end-encrypted hosted notes: Standard Notes and Notesnook are strong privacy-oriented choices. Joplin can also use E2EE when configured.
• Traditional cloud notebooks: OneNote, Notion, Evernote, Zoho Notebook, UpNote, and Google Keep are convenient, but their storage and privacy models differ. Check the provider’s current documentation for sensitive data.
• Do not confuse encryption with total invisibility: A provider may still handle account information or metadata, and service-specific claims require service-specific documentation. Do not assume every encrypted notes app is zero-knowledge in every respect.

Portability also varies. Obsidian and Joplin use Markdown-based workflows. Simplenote supports Markdown and import/export. UpNote exports to text, PDF, HTML, and Markdown. Notesnook supports Markdown, HTML, PDF, and plain text export. Notion and Standard Notes also provide export capabilities, but the exact formats and plan limits should be checked before migration.

Handwriting on Windows 11: do you need a pen?

Windows 11 alone does not make an ordinary display pen-enabled. Handwriting requires a compatible touchscreen and pen hardware. Microsoft documents a Windows pen menu, Surface Pen compatibility, and shortcuts for opening Sticky Notes or writing in OneNote, but compatibility is specific to the computer and pen model.

For handwriting, OneNote is the most natural general recommendation in this list because it supports notebook organization alongside ink. Sticky Notes is better for a short handwritten reminder. A non-touch desktop PC should use a keyboard, mouse, or separate drawing tablet instead.

How to choose the right app

1. Identify the device. A Surface or touchscreen laptop makes OneNote more attractive. A desktop with a keyboard and multiple monitors may favor Obsidian, Notion, Joplin, or OneNote.
2. Decide whether local files matter. Choose Obsidian for a local Markdown vault or Joplin for open-source, offline-first notes with flexible synchronization.
3. Check attachment needs. OneNote, Evernote, Zoho Notebook, Notion, UpNote, and Notesnook are better suited to mixed media. Simplenote is intentionally text-only and does not support image or file attachments.
4. Separate notes from project management. Notion is the strongest choice when databases, tasks, and team documentation belong beside the notes. OneNote is better for a conventional notebook.
5. Set your privacy requirement. Standard Notes and Notesnook emphasize encrypted notes. Joplin provides E2EE and flexible storage. Obsidian maximizes local file control, but your chosen sync and backup method still matters.
6. Plan for collaboration. Notion is designed around shared workspaces. OneNote supports sharing. Obsidian collaboration and Sync are separate features, while the other apps have their own account and plan rules.
7. Check offline behavior before committing. If every note must be available without an internet connection, start with Obsidian or Joplin. If you choose Notion, download the pages you need and test them offline first.
8. Review migration and export. Test a representative sample containing headings, links, attachments, tags, and handwritten content. Keep the old app until you confirm that the new one preserved what matters.
9. Compare paid features, not just prices. A premium notes app plan may buy more devices, storage, history, editors, or encrypted file storage. Subscribe only for the feature that solves your actual limitation.

Sync and backup are not the same thing

Synchronization keeps multiple devices aligned; a backup gives you a recoverable copy if notes are deleted, corrupted, or changed incorrectly. This distinction is especially important with local-first apps.

Joplin supports several synchronization destinations, including OneDrive, Dropbox, Nextcloud, WebDAV, S3, and local filesystem targets. Obsidian offers its own Sync service, but its documentation warns about conflicts when multiple sync systems are combined. Before relying on an Obsidian backup or a third-party folder, understand whether it provides versioned recovery or merely mirrors current files.

For a technical workflow, keep one primary synchronization method and one separate backup method. Do not place an active Obsidian vault in several competing sync systems at once. For Joplin, complete the first synchronization and verify the result before adding more devices. If you are not comfortable managing this, OneNote or another account-managed app may require less maintenance.

What to do if notes will not sync or appear offline

1. Confirm the app. If you are using OneNote for Windows 10, move to the current OneNote on Windows; the retired client is read-only and no longer syncs.
2. Check the account. Make sure every device is signed into the same account and workspace, and verify that the relevant plan has not changed.
3. Open the content online first. Notion pages and account-dependent apps may need to download content before it is available offline.
4. Allow the initial sync to finish. This is particularly important in Joplin before configuring additional devices.
5. Check for competing sync tools. In Obsidian, avoid simultaneously syncing the same vault through multiple providers unless you understand how conflicts are handled.
6. Use the provider’s support documentation. Do not delete a local notes folder or reinstall an app until you have confirmed which copy is current.

Our final picks by user type

• Most Windows 11 users: OneNote.
• Students, office workers, and Surface owners: OneNote, especially when handwriting or Microsoft 365 integration matters.
• Researchers, writers, developers, and power users: Obsidian.
• Project planners and teams: Notion.
• Open-source and self-hosting enthusiasts: Joplin.
• Privacy-focused text users: Standard Notes or Notesnook.
• Existing Evernote users: Evernote, unless its device, privacy, or plan model no longer suits you.
• Visual notebook users who want a free option: Zoho Notebook.
• People who want a clean conventional notebook: UpNote.
• Google users who need quick capture: Google Keep.
• Plain-text Markdown users: Simplenote.
• Short Windows reminders: Sticky Notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OneNote for Windows 10 still a good notes app for Windows 11?

No. Microsoft says OneNote for Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, entered read-only mode, and no longer supports creating, editing, or syncing content. Install the current OneNote on Windows instead.

Which Windows 11 notes app is best offline?

Obsidian and Joplin have the strongest local and offline models. Obsidian stores notes in a local vault, while Joplin is offline-first. Account-based apps such as OneNote, Notion, and Evernote may require content to be synchronized or downloaded before it is available offline.

Is Google Keep a native Windows 11 desktop app?

No. The current Windows experience is Google Keep in a browser at keep.google.com, optionally saved as a browser shortcut. Google ended support for the old Chrome app in February 2021.

Can any Windows 11 laptop use a Surface Pen?

No. Handwriting requires compatible touchscreen and pen hardware. Check the exact Surface or Windows device and pen combination in Microsoft’s compatibility documentation before buying a stylus.

What is the best private notes app for Windows 11?

Standard Notes and Notesnook are strong privacy-focused choices with encrypted synchronization. Joplin also supports end-to-end encryption when configured. Obsidian provides maximum local file control, but privacy and recovery depend partly on the sync and backup system you choose.

Quick Recap

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Bestseller No. 2

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SaleBestseller No. 3

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SaleBestseller No. 4

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Bestseller No. 5

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The Bottom Line

For most Windows 11 users, install the current Microsoft OneNote. It offers the best balance of notebooks, search, sharing, Microsoft integration, and handwriting. Pick Obsidian or Joplin when local files and offline ownership matter more, Notion when notes need databases and projects, Standard Notes or Notesnook when encryption is the priority, and Google Keep or Sticky Notes when you only need quick reminders.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.