Best Notes Writer Alternatives in 2026
The top Notes Writer alternatives are Microsoft OneNote, Notion and Evernote: 15 Note-Taking apps our editors would look at instead of Notes Writer, in our ranking order.
Notes Writer: A versatile Apple note app for handwriting, documents, scanning, and PDF work. Where it falls short: its verified platform coverage is limited to apple devices.
Switching from Notes Writer? For most note-taking apps buyers the best Notes Writer alternative is Microsoft OneNote, built for microsoft-focused users and collaborative teams. On a budget, Notesnook starts at $1.67/mo.
Why People Look for a Notes Writer Alternative
- Its verified platform coverage is limited to Apple devices
- Paid access uses in-app purchases with regional price variation
- Mac compatibility is listed but marked as not verified in the App Store
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft OneNote9.3
Microsoft-focused users and collaborative teams
Visit Microsoft OneNote - Lowest priceNotesnook7.8
Paid plans from $1.67/mo
Visit Notesnook - Best free optionMicrosoft OneNote9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Microsoft OneNote - Most storage limitMicrosoft OneNote9.3
5 GB
Visit Microsoft OneNote
All 15 Notes Writer Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMicrosoft-focused users and collaborative teams
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 3.0
A broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
9.3/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forCollaborative notes and knowledge bases
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 3.0
A flexible workspace for teams that want notes and knowledge bases alongside databases and collaboration.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Notion -
Best forFeature-rich personal and business note taking
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 3.0
A broad note-taking workspace for organizing information, tasks, calendars, and documents.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Evernote -
Best forHandwritten notebooks and PDF annotation
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.0
A broad note-taking app for handwriting, PDFs, collaboration, and AI across five platforms.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Goodnotes -
Best forStudents using handwriting, PDFs, and recordings
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 3.0
A flexible notes app for handwriting, PDFs, recordings, and AI study tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Notability -
Best forOpen-source, privacy-conscious note takers
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 3.0
A privacy-focused Markdown notebook that works across desktop, mobile and web.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Joplin -
Best forUsers wanting free notes with broad integrations
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 3.0
A flexible free note-taking app with broad platforms, integrations, and content types.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Notebook -
Best forNetworked-note and knowledge-management users
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 3.0
A flexible local-file workspace for connected notes, research, and personal knowledge.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Obsidian -
Best forPolished collaborative documents and notes
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 3.0
Craft brings polished notes, documents, tasks, collaboration, and AI into one workspace.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Craft -
Best forSimple, free notes and shared lists
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 3.0
A free, approachable choice for notes, lists, reminders, and lightweight collaboration.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Google Keep -
Best forCollaborative team note libraries
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 3.0
A flexible note library with real-time collaboration, offline access, and broad capture options.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Notejoy -
Best forHandwriting, PDF annotation, and study sets
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 3.0
A strong choice for handwritten notes, PDF annotation, and study materials.
- Note sharing
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit MyScript Notes -
Best forOutliners, linked journals, and task-focused notes
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 3.0
A flexible local-first workspace for connected notes, tasks, journals, and research.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Logseq -
Best forAffordable encrypted notes across many devices
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 3.0
A privacy-focused note app with broad platform support and low-cost paid plans.
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Notesnook -
Best forPower users combining notes, tasks, and calendars
- Better than Notes Writer:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 3.0
A broad productivity workspace for connecting notes, tasks, calendars, and linked information.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Amplenote
Notes Writer Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Notes Writer?
Microsoft OneNote: #1 in our Note-Taking Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.
Is there a free alternative to Notes Writer?
Yes. Microsoft OneNote, Notion, Evernote, Goodnotes and Notability have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Notes Writer?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Notesnook starts lowest, at $1.67/mo.
Why do people look for Notes Writer alternatives?
Its verified platform coverage is limited to Apple devices; Paid access uses in-app purchases with regional price variation; Mac compatibility is listed but marked as not verified in the App Store.
Which Notes Writer alternative has the most storage limit?
Microsoft OneNote, with 5 GB.
How do I switch from Notes Writer?
Export your data from Notes Writer (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Notes Writer.
How to Switch from Notes Writer
- Export your data from Notes Writer (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Notes Writer.
Notes Writer vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Offline access | Supported platforms | Note sharing | Real-time collaboration | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Notes Writer | Yes | Yes | iOS, iPadOS, macOS | Yes | 3.0 | ||
| 1 | Microsoft OneNote | Yes | $99.99/yr | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | Notion | Yes | $10/user/mo | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | Evernote | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Goodnotes | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Notability | Yes | $14.99/user/yr | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 6 | Joplin | Yes | €2.40/mo | Yes | web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | Zoho Notebook | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 8 | Obsidian | Yes | $4/user/mo | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | Craft | Yes | $6.40/user/mo | Yes | web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 10 | Google Keep | Yes | Free | Yes | web, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | Notejoy | Yes | $5/mo | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 12 | MyScript Notes | Yes | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | Yes | No | 8.0 | ||
| 13 | Logseq | Yes | Free | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 14 | Notesnook | Yes | $1.67/mo | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 15 | Amplenote | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android, chrome_extension, api | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update