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Apple Notes alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Apple Notes: no Windows or Android apps, only iCloud.com in a browser, and weak export and no Markdown files. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Apple Notes, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Bear currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Bear logoBearFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS2 of 380.3
2Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 373.3
3Craft logoCraftFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +24 of 470.3
4Google Keep logoGoogle KeepFreeNoWeb, Android, iOS +14 of 462.6
5Simplenote logoSimplenoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
6UpNote logoUpNoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +34 of 453.6
  1. Bear logo

    1. BearTop pick

    Best for: Apple users who want a fast, beautiful Markdown writing app

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS

    80.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Notes

    Still Apple-only, but adds Markdown, tags and a nicer writing experience.

    Pros

    • Polished, distraction-free editor
    • Nested hashtags for organizing
    • Many export formats

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Sync requires Bear Pro
    Visit Bear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bear a good Apple Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    macOS, iOS, iPadOS
    Checked Oct 24, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Bear Pro subscription
    Not checked yetbear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Editor
    Markdown
    Checked Oct 24, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Obsidian logo

    2. Obsidian

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    73.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Notes

    Local Markdown files with backlinks and plugins when notes outgrow simple folders.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good Apple Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Craft logo

    3. Craft

    Best for: People who want beautiful, shareable documents and notes, especially on Apple devices

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

    70.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Notes

    A polished Apple-first app with richer documents and sharing, plus Windows and web.

    Pros

    • Very polished native apps
    • Easy publishing of documents as web pages
    • API and MCP access for automation
    • Free plan includes every feature up to a content limit

    Cons

    • Free plan caps you at 1,500 blocks
    • Proprietary format and cloud storage
    • Lighter team and database features than Notion
    Visit Craft Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Craft a good Apple Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Up to 1,500 blocks
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
    API
    API and MCP access
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
    Award
    Mac App of the Year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
    Security
    SOC 2 certified
    Checked Oct 25, 2026craft.do(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Google Keep logo

    4. Google Keep

    Best for: Google users who want quick notes, lists and reminders that sync across phone and browser

    FreeWeb, Android, iOS, Browser extension

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Notes

    Similar quick-capture notes that also work on Android and Windows via the web.

    Pros

    • Free with any Google account
    • Very fast capture of notes, lists, photos and voice notes
    • Real-time sharing for shopping lists and shared notes
    • Works with Docs, Gmail and Calendar

    Cons

    • Basic formatting and no nested notebooks
    • Not suited to long documents or linked notes
    • No desktop apps, only the web and mobile
    Visit Google Keep Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Google Keep a good Apple Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Note types
    Notes, lists, photos, drawings, audio
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Reminders
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Real-time collaboration
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026workspace.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Simplenote logo

    5. Simplenote

    Best for: People who want fast, free plain-text notes on every device

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Notes

    Free, plain-text notes that sync to every platform, including Windows and Linux.

    Pros

    • Completely free, with no paid tier or ads
    • Apps for every major platform plus the web
    • Fast and distraction-free
    • Markdown preview and version history

    Cons

    • No images, attachments or rich text
    • No folders or backlinks, only tags
    • Slow pace of new features
    • No end-to-end encryption
    Visit Simplenote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Simplenote a good Apple Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Automattic
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. UpNote logo

    6. UpNote

    Best for: Former Evernote users who want simple, synced notes at a low one-off price

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apple Notes

    Clean cross-platform notes with a cheap lifetime option if you leave Apple devices.

    Pros

    • Clean, fast interface
    • Lifetime licence option
    • Apps on every major platform
    • Offline access with automatic sync

    Cons

    • Free version stops at 50 notes
    • No end-to-end encryption
    • No real-time collaboration
    Visit UpNote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is UpNote a good Apple Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Up to 50 notes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getupnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium price
    $1.99/month or $39.99 lifetime
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getupnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getupnote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getupnote.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Apple Notes alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Bear logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for most people

Bear

Still Apple-only, but adds Markdown, tags and a nicer writing experience.

Google Keep logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for a free option

Google Keep

Similar quick-capture notes that also work on Android and Windows via the web.

Obsidian logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Obsidian

Local Markdown files with backlinks and plugins when notes outgrow simple folders.

Craft logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for Mac

Craft

A polished Apple-first app with richer documents and sharing, plus Windows and web.

Simplenote logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for Windows

Simplenote

Free, plain-text notes that sync to every platform, including Windows and Linux.

UpNote logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for Linux

UpNote

Clean cross-platform notes with a cheap lifetime option if you leave Apple devices.

Obsidian logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for iPhone and Android

Obsidian

Local Markdown files with backlinks and plugins when notes outgrow simple folders.

Craft logo

Best Apple Notes alternative for working in the browser

Craft

A polished Apple-first app with richer documents and sharing, plus Windows and web.

Apple Notes alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Apple Notes?

Bear ranks first right now. Still Apple-only, but adds Markdown, tags and a nicer writing experience. Obsidian and Craft follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Apple Notes?

Yes. Bear (free plan + paid), Obsidian (free plan + paid), Craft (free plan + paid) and Google Keep (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Apple Notes?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Apple Notes alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian, Simplenote and UpNote run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Apple Notes?

The complaints we hear most: no Windows or Android apps, only iCloud.com in a browser; weak export and no Markdown files; no backlinks, templates or plugins.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Apple Notes, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.