Apple Notes alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data
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.
No alternatives match these filters.
Show all 6 alternativesThe best Apple Notes alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Apple Notes alternative for most people
BearStill Apple-only, but adds Markdown, tags and a nicer writing experience.
Best Apple Notes alternative for a free option
Google KeepSimilar quick-capture notes that also work on Android and Windows via the web.
Best Apple Notes alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
ObsidianLocal Markdown files with backlinks and plugins when notes outgrow simple folders.
Best Apple Notes alternative for Mac
CraftA polished Apple-first app with richer documents and sharing, plus Windows and web.
Best Apple Notes alternative for Windows
SimplenoteFree, plain-text notes that sync to every platform, including Windows and Linux.
Best Apple Notes alternative for Linux
UpNoteClean cross-platform notes with a cheap lifetime option if you leave Apple devices.
Best Apple Notes alternative for iPhone and Android
ObsidianLocal Markdown files with backlinks and plugins when notes outgrow simple folders.
Best Apple Notes alternative for working in the browser
CraftA 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.