Free and open first
Best Note And Writing Apps in 2026
- 32 apps
- Research read 10 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
- 2
Bear
Free plan APIExtensioniPhone+2Bear offers a capable free local-note option and a Pro tier for sync, security, OCR, and extra exports. Its strongest fit is for users working within Apple’s ecosystem.
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Capacities
by CapacitiesFree plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Capacities combines note-taking with offline access, sharing, and integrations across multiple platforms. The free plan has a defined media allowance, while Pro costs $9.99 a month.
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Google Keep
by Google KeepFree plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+1Google Keep combines notes, reminders, offline access, and shared editing at no cost. Check the shared-note deletion behavior and browser support if those matter to your use.
- 8
Heptabase
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Heptabase combines visual knowledge tools with source-based AI and offline desktop access. Review the free-plan exclusions and the limits on editing after a trial or subscription ends.
- 9
Joplin
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+5Joplin combines offline notes, multiple sync options, and end-to-end encryption. Its paid plans set storage and file-size limits, so check those against the material you plan to keep.
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Logseq
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Logseq combines local note-taking, knowledge links, tasks, and PDF annotation across a broad set of platforms.
- 12
Mem Agent
Free plan APIExtensioniPhone+3Mem combines workspace search, note tools, voice capture, and several integrations. Review its monthly activity allowances and AI-processing privacy details before choosing a plan.
- 13
Microsoft OneNote
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2OneNote combines note organization with sharing, collaboration, digital ink, and transcription across a broad set of platforms.
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Manuskript
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsManuskript focuses on planning and organizing writing, with tools for outlines, story notes, and novel development. Its early-development status makes regular backups particularly important.
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Novlr
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebNovlr combines manuscript work, planning, publishing tools, and multiple export formats.
- 19
Simplenote
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Choose Simplenote for free, synchronized notes across a wide range of platforms, with Markdown, offline editing, and sharing. Look elsewhere if you need to add uploaded attachments to notes.
- 20
Standard Notes
by Standard NotesFree plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Standard Notes covers plain-text note keeping in its free plan, with offline access and device sync. Paid plans add editing features, revision history, storage, and account capacity.
- 21
Tana
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1Tana combines call capture with proposed follow-up work that people can review before it is applied. Check its free-plan limits and the lack of listed mobile apps against your workflow.
- 22
yWriter
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2Choose yWriter if you want a free desktop novel-writing tool with chapter-and-scene organization, offline mode and publishing tools.
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Reedsy Studio
by Reedsy StudioFree plan WebReedsy Studio provides a free web-based starting point, with Craft and Outlining adding distinct writing tools. Consider its web-only access and basic export formats when choosing it.
- 25
Dabble
Free trial AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Dabble brings fiction planning, drafting, editing, and collaboration tools together for novelists.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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