University of Kwazulu-Natal

10 Best Note Taking Apps 2025 We Tested Them All

Bonisiwe Shabane
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10 best note taking apps 2025 we tested them all

Digital alternatives that will help you stay organized across devices Taking notes with pen and paper works just fine for some, but if you have a smartphone or tablet, using an app designed for note-taking can truly change the way you get things done. Here are 10 of the best to consider, whether you're using a Windows or Mac computer, an Android device, iOS, Chrome OS, or another operating system. Works with most popular platforms and devices. Text notes only; no images or other media. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Here’s how it works. We list the best note-taking apps, to make it simple and easy to manage your notes on the go. Note-taking apps have become increasingly popular, not least with the wide availability of mobile devices, especially business smartphones. This means mobile apps for taking notes now allow you to write wherever you are, whether in the office or on the go, and there are a large range of apps available. However, while there are basic software apps for taking notes, sometimes bundled as free software with mobile devices, these can be quite limited and offer little more than text notes. These days much more feature-packed note-taking apps are now available, allowing you to not just take notes with text, but also use multimedia.

These more advanced apps can work in multiple forms, from trying to replicate the word processing experience, to imitating blank notepads in digital form and so allow for handwriting and sketching. Compare top note-taking apps for 2025: Notion, Obsidian, OneNote, Evernote, and more. Find the best app for students, teams, and professionals. From Notion's flexible workspaces to Obsidian's knowledge graphs, discover which note-taking app matches your workflow, ecosystem, and long-term productivity goals. If you’re also upgrading the rest of your setup, you may want to pair your chosen app with the tools in our productivity tools roundup. Updated for 2025 with AI features, pricing changes, and the latest trends in personal knowledge management.

You’ll also find practical migration tips and real-world examples so you can move confidently from older tools like Evernote or OneNote into more modern systems. The note-taking app landscape has transformed dramatically. What started as a digital replacement for paper notebooks has evolved into sophisticated knowledge management systems, collaborative workspaces, and AI-assisted thinking environments. Whether you're a student capturing lectures, a professional managing projects, or a knowledge worker building a "second brain," the app you choose will shape how you think, plan, and remember information every day. A good system also connects neatly with your devices, storage, and wider workflow—something we cover in related guides like our PC performance optimisation and cloud storage comparison. 8:18 am September 9, 2025 By Julian Horsey

Imagine this: it’s 2025, and your notes aren’t just static lists or scribbled reminders, they’re living, breathing ecosystems. With a single tap, your app connects ideas across projects, suggests relevant resources, transcribes meetings in real time, and even organizes your thoughts before you’ve had a chance to. Sounds futuristic? It’s not. The world of note-taking apps has undergone a profound transformation, evolving into indispensable tools for productivity and creativity. Whether you’re a student juggling assignments, a professional managing complex workflows, or simply someone who loves capturing ideas on the go, the right app can feel like an extension of your mind.

But with over 100 options on the market, how do you find the perfect fit? The answer lies in understanding the trends and innovations shaping this space. In this overview Paperless Movement explore the best note-taking apps of 2025, highlighting the tools that are redefining how we think, work, and create. From AI-powered personalization to seamless collaboration features, these apps aren’t just keeping up with modern demands, they’re anticipating them. You’ll discover which platforms excel at turning chaos into clarity, which cater to visual thinkers, and which offer all-in-one solutions for those seeking simplicity. Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflow or unlock new levels of creativity, this guide will help you navigate the crowded marketplace with confidence.

The future of note-taking isn’t just about writing things down, it’s about transforming how we interact with information. The global note-taking app market continues to grow at an impressive pace. In 2023, the market was valued at $11 billion and is projected to reach $23 billion by 2029. With over 100 apps available, 41 of which are regularly reviewed, there is no shortage of options to meet diverse needs. Whether you prioritize features like collaboration, personal knowledge management (PKM), or AI-driven automation, there is likely a solution tailored to your requirements. However, the abundance of choices can lead to decision fatigue, making it essential to understand the key features and trends driving the industry.

The market’s growth is fueled by increasing demand for tools that enhance productivity and streamline workflows. As remote work and hybrid environments become the norm, note-taking apps are evolving to meet the needs of modern users, offering cross-platform accessibility and advanced features that cater to both individual and team-based tasks. Discover the leading note-taking apps of 2025. In today’s fast-paced digital world, the way we capture and manage information has evolved dramatically. With the increasing reliance on devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, note-taking apps have become indispensable tools for students, professionals, and anyone looking to stay organized. As we step into 2025, a plethora of note-taking applications are vying for users’ attention, each boasting unique features designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.

Here, we present a detailed overview of the top 10 best note-taking apps in 2025. Evernote has long been a favorite among note-takers for its comprehensive features and versatility. It allows users to create notes in various formats, including text, images, audio, and web clippings. Evernote’s accessibility across multiple platforms makes it a go-to app for those who need to access their notes on the go. Evernote offers a free tier with basic functionality. Premium plans, which include advanced features such as offline access and additional storage, start at $7.99 per month.

Part of the Microsoft Office suite, OneNote is a powerful note-taking app that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products. Its freeform canvas lets users click anywhere to add text, images, and drawings, making it ideal for creative minds. Meta Description: Discover the top 10 note-taking apps of 2025! Compare features, pros, cons, and pricing to find the best note-taking software for your needs. In 2025, note-taking apps have evolved far beyond simple digital notepads, becoming essential tools for students, professionals, and creatives. These apps streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and integrate AI to organize thoughts efficiently.

With features like real-time syncing, handwriting recognition, and AI-powered summaries, they cater to diverse needs—from managing lecture notes to coordinating complex projects. Choosing the right note-taking app in 2025 requires considering factors like platform compatibility, pricing, collaboration capabilities, and specialized features such as stylus support or bi-directional linking. This guide explores the top 10 note-taking apps, detailing their features, pros, cons, and a comparison to help you select the best tool for your needs. Description: Notion is a versatile, all-in-one workspace combining note-taking, project management, and collaboration. Ideal for teams and individuals needing a customizable platform. Description: OneNote is a robust digital notebook integrated with Microsoft 365, perfect for students and professionals in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Description: Evernote is a feature-rich app for organizing notes, tasks, and projects, suited for professionals needing robust multimedia support. Evernote truly is awesome, but it’s web clipper has had repeated issues over the years, as well as image display in notes (pics come out strange in the desktop versions sometimes). Most annoying: the note-size limit is extremely bad. As a “premium” subscriber, I expect larger note-size limits. The greatest thing I love about Evernote is the ease of which I can scrawl a note on regular paper, take a pic, and (if I wrote legibly) be able to search that text. Mind blowingly cool.

Very very useful for songwriting or creative writing. Whilst Google Keep doesn’t have a Windows desktop client you can create a shortcut to the Chrome App version that runs within Chrome if you have it installed. Create a desktop shortcut with this command line “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe” –new-window –app=https://keep.google.com/ Finding the right note-taking app can make a big difference in how you organize your life, whether you’re in school, at work, or just keeping track of personal ideas. Some people may need a simple way to jot down their thoughts, while others may want only the best note taking app that can be used across all their devices.

This guide highlights 10 of the best note-taking apps for students, professionals, iPad owners, iOS and Android users. We tested 21 different apps, including every major windows app and mobile option, and narrowed them to the ones that performed best for speed, layout, and reliability. Each note taking application here gives you the tools you need to help you organize projects, class notes, and work tasks. Many support cloud storage, allow you to handwrite or doodle, and include stuff like rich text editing, AI features, and integration with Microsoft Teams or Google Drive for action items, collaboration, and project management. Microsoft OneNote is a flexible note-taking app and one of the best app choices for students and professionals. A favorite app of many a diligent note-taker, it combines typed notes, images, and sketches, making it a great way to take notes and keep them organized.

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