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Google Keep alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Google Keep: basic formatting and no nested notebooks, and not suited to long documents or linked notes. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Google Keep, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Microsoft OneNote currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Microsoft OneNote logoMicrosoft OneNoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 372.8
2Evernote logoEvernoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +22 of 367.4
3Apple Notes logoApple NotesFreeNomacOS, iOS, Web4 of 466.5
4Simplenote logoSimplenoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 459.6
5Zoho Notebook logoZoho NotebookFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
6Notesnook logoNotesnookFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 555.3
  1. Microsoft OneNote logo

    1. Microsoft OneNoteTop pick

    Best for: Handwritten and free-form notes inside the Microsoft ecosystem

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    72.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Keep

    Free notebooks with sections and pages if you need more structure than cards.

    Pros

    • Free with a Microsoft account
    • Great pen and handwriting support
    • Tight Microsoft 365 integration

    Cons

    • Notebook structure can get messy
    • Exporting to other apps is awkward
    Visit Microsoft OneNote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Microsoft OneNote a good Google Keep alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free with a Microsoft account
    Checked Oct 24, 2026onenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Through OneDrive
    Not checked yetonenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
    Not checked yetonenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Evernote logo

    2. EvernoteAcquired

    Best for: Capturing web clippings, scans and mixed media in one searchable archive

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

    67.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Keep

    For people who want web clipping, notebooks and search across large note archives.

    Pros

    • Excellent web clipper
    • Search inside images and PDFs
    • Mature apps on every platform

    Cons

    • Free tier is restrictive
    • Frequent plan changes since the acquisition
    Visit Evernote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    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 Evernote a good Google Keep alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, with limits
    Checked Oct 24, 2026evernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web clipper
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026evernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Bending Spoons
    Not checked yetevernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Apple Notes logo

    3. Apple Notes

    Best for: Apple users who want quick, reliable notes that sync with no setup or extra cost

    FreemacOS, iOS, Web

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Keep

    The built-in equivalent on Apple devices, with richer formatting and folders.

    Pros

    • Free and preinstalled on Apple devices
    • Scanning, sketching, audio transcripts and inline maths
    • Shared notes and folders for family or small groups
    • Fast, reliable iCloud sync

    Cons

    • No Windows or Android apps, only iCloud.com in a browser
    • Weak export and no Markdown files
    • No backlinks, templates or plugins
    Visit Apple Notes Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 Apple Notes a good Google Keep alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Audio transcription
    Yes, live transcripts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Inline maths
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Locked notes
    Yes, password protected
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free iCloud storage
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Simplenote logo

    4. Simplenote

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

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Keep

    Equally simple and free, with desktop apps for Windows, Mac 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 ×0.377
    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 Google Keep 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)
  5. Zoho Notebook logo

    5. Zoho Notebook

    Best for: People who want a free, attractive notebook app without ads

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

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Keep

    Free card-style notebooks with desktop apps and no ads.

    Pros

    • Free with no ads
    • Many note types, including audio and file cards
    • Works offline
    • Apps for desktop, mobile and web

    Cons

    • Basic formatting
    • No backlinks or knowledge-base features
    • No Linux app
    Visit Zoho Notebook 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 Zoho Notebook a good Google Keep alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, no ads
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Note types
    Text, audio, photo, file
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Notesnook logo

    6. Notesnook

    Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want an encrypted, Evernote-style notes app

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Keep

    Similar quick notes with end-to-end encryption for privacy-minded users.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted by default
    • Apps and sync server are open source
    • Free plan with unlimited notes and devices
    • Rich editor with attachments

    Cons

    • Limited real-time collaboration
    • Storage and notebooks capped on lower plans
    • Fewer integrations than mainstream apps
    Visit Notesnook Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Notesnook a good Google Keep alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Unlimited notes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days on paid plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open-source server
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Google Keep alternative for…

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

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Google Keep alternative for most people

Microsoft OneNote

Free notebooks with sections and pages if you need more structure than cards.

Apple Notes logo

Best Google Keep alternative for a free option

Apple Notes

The built-in equivalent on Apple devices, with richer formatting and folders.

Evernote logo

Best Google Keep alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Evernote

For people who want web clipping, notebooks and search across large note archives.

Notesnook logo

Best Google Keep alternative for open source

Notesnook

Similar quick notes with end-to-end encryption for privacy-minded users.

Notesnook logo

Best Google Keep alternative for self-hosting

Notesnook

Similar quick notes with end-to-end encryption for privacy-minded users.

Simplenote logo

Best Google Keep alternative for Mac

Simplenote

Equally simple and free, with desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Zoho Notebook logo

Best Google Keep alternative for Windows

Zoho Notebook

Free card-style notebooks with desktop apps and no ads.

Simplenote logo

Best Google Keep alternative for Linux

Simplenote

Equally simple and free, with desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Google Keep alternative for iPhone and Android

Microsoft OneNote

Free notebooks with sections and pages if you need more structure than cards.

Microsoft OneNote logo

Best Google Keep alternative for working in the browser

Microsoft OneNote

Free notebooks with sections and pages if you need more structure than cards.

Google Keep alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Google Keep?

Microsoft OneNote ranks first right now. Free notebooks with sections and pages if you need more structure than cards. Evernote and Apple Notes follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Google Keep?

Yes. Microsoft OneNote (free), Evernote (free plan + paid), Apple Notes (free) and Simplenote (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Google Keep?

Yes: Notesnook. Notesnook can also be self-hosted.

Which Google Keep alternatives work on Linux?

Simplenote and Notesnook run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Google Keep?

The complaints we hear most: basic formatting and no nested notebooks; not suited to long documents or linked notes; no desktop apps, only the web and mobile.

How is this list ranked?

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