Free and open first
Best Note And Writing Apps in 2026
Note and writing apps help you capture ideas, keep reference material, draft long work, and organize text. This list is for people comparing tools for personal notes, study, planning, or writing on a budget.
- 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.
- 3
- 4
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.
- 5
- 6
- 7
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.
- 10
- 11
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.
- 14
- 15
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.
- 16
- 17
- 18
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.
- 23
- 24
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
Check what the free plan includes, whether a free trial is available, and what a paid plan costs. Compare offline access, Markdown, live collaboration, cross-device sync, export formats, and supported platforms. If you need to read or change code, check the licence.
Questions
Do note and writing apps have free plans?
A free plan is offered by items on this list. Check the app's pricing details for limits and included features.
Which platforms do these apps support?
The list covers apps for macOS, iOS, web, Windows, Android, and Linux. Check the platform details for the tool you are considering.
Can I try a paid plan before buying?
Free trials are offered by items on this list. Trial length and terms differ, so check the pricing note for the app.
Which apps have a listed starting price?
Bear starts at $2.99/user/mo, Dabble at $19/mo, Heptabase at $8.99/user/mo on an annual plan, and Joplin at €2.99/mo.
Why compare export formats?
Export formats affect how easily you can move notes or drafts to another app. Check supported formats before committing your writing or archive.