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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
1Simplenote logoSimplenoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 459.6
2Notesnook logoNotesnookFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 555.3
  1. Simplenote logo

    1. SimplenoteTop pick

    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)
  2. Notesnook logo

    2. 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.