Free and open first
Best Notes apps in 2026
Notes apps give you a place to write and keep notes on supported devices. This list covers tools for people choosing a notes app on a budget.
- 83 apps
- Research read 23 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Amplenote
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+5Choose Amplenote if you want notes, tasks, and calendar scheduling with offline access, collaboration, and calendar connections.
- 2
- 3
AppFlowy
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5AppFlowy combines project and wiki workspaces with AI features and several deployment choices. Check the Free plan's workspace, member, and storage limits against your team's needs.
- 4
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.
- 5
- 6
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.
- 7
- 8
Disorganized
by DisorganizedFree plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Disorganized combines broad note formats, synchronization, offline access, and an open-source project.
- 9
Atlas Notes
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Atlas Notes if you want free, local note-taking with semantic search and AI question answering across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- 10
Beaver Notes
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsBeaver Notes combines offline, open-source note-taking with extensive Markdown features, sharing, encryption, and optional synchronization.
- 11
- 12
FUTO Notes
by FUTO NotesFree plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3FUTO Notes combines local-first storage, Markdown files, and broad platform support without a hosted sync service.
- 13
- 14
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.
- 15
HelixNotes
by HelixNotesFree plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2HelixNotes focuses on local files, offline access, structured personal notes, and flexible synchronization.
- 16
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.
- 17
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.
- 18
- 19
JotterPad
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1JotterPad focuses on distraction-light creative writing while adding offline work, backups, cloud storage, publishing, and screenplay tools.
- 20
Linwood Butterfly
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4Butterfly brings handwriting, sketching, imported materials, and reusable assets together on an infinite canvas.
- 21
Logseq
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Logseq combines local note-taking, knowledge links, tasks, and PDF annotation across a broad set of platforms.
- 22
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.
- 23
Memos
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+6Memos gives self-hosters a searchable note timeline with flexible storage and sharing choices.
- 24
- 25
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Compare supported platforms, free plans, trial periods and paid prices before choosing. If you need to read or change code, check the licence for the tool you are considering.
Questions
What device platforms are supported by these notes apps?
The apps cover macOS, Windows, iOS, web access, Linux and Android. Check the product page for the platform support of the tool you want.
Can I use a notes app without paying?
Yes. Free and freemium products appear here, and tools such as Amplenote, AppFlowy, Atlas Notes, Bear, Beaver Notes and CintaNotes have free plans.
Do any notes apps offer free trials?
Yes. Amplenote offers 15 days, CintaNotes 10 days and Bear seven days. Check the terms before starting.
What does freemium mean here?
A freemium app provides a free tier as well as paid plans. Check the tool's pricing page for what the free plan includes.
How do I check whether I can read or change the code?
Read the software licence and project terms on the tool's site. They state whether code access and changes are allowed.
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