There are countless scenarios where note-taking is essential in your daily work, whether that’s writing down meeting notes, capturing ideas during brainstorming huddles, or just jotting down your latest inspiration. Or maybe you recently came across some insightful online news stories that you want to preserve for future reference.
When that happens, the last thing you need is an unreliable, disorganized system of handwritten notes. Instead, you want a note-taking app that makes it a breeze to write notes on the fly, organize them into effective categories, and transform your notes into actionable ideas.
If you’re an Android user, some of the best note-taking apps for Android offer unique, Android-specific features and benefits to power up your note-taking game.
10 Best Note-Taking Apps for Android in 2024
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat is a Note-Taking App?
A note-taking app is a digital way to write, store, and organize all your important notes. In some cases, it can even include storing and organizing handwritten notes, thanks to the ability to scan documents to add to your filing system.
Most Android note-taking apps are not just simple text editors with a folder system attached. Instead, they offer advanced features, such as the ability to:
- Organize notes into groups, depending on their purpose and origin
- Store video, voice, and text notes
- Share notes across devices, enabling you to take notes on your phone and later review them on your tablet
- Integrate images or audio notes and attach files to your notes for context
The best note-taking apps for Android also have advanced functionalities beyond all the basic features listed here, such as the ability to create sticky notes for brainstorming activities. Their core purpose, though, remains the same: notes apps help make the process of jotting down thoughts or information easier and more straightforward.
What to look for in a note-taking app for Android
While the options are plentiful, all the good note-taking apps tend to share a few features that are worth examining in more detail. Pay close attention to the features below when you take your note-taking strategies to the next level with your Android app.
- User-friendliness: The easier it is to write notes, manage notes, and share notes with other devices or users, the better
- Free or low price: You’ll likely come across some in-app purchases or premium tiers to access all the features. But a great note-taking app should offer a free version that allows you to create quick notes and to-do lists
- Clear organization: It’s not just about the ability to access notes. Instead, your app should make it easy to organize your notes according to topic or category
- Intuitive search: The easier it is to find recent note files or even text within those notes, the more usable the app is, which is especially important as your organization’s processes get more complex over time
- Advanced features: For example, does the note-taking app include artificial intelligence (AI) tools? Can you export notes into other apps, and how does the app interact with other Google services?
Summarize this article for me please10 Best Note-Taking Apps for Android
Keeping these nuances in mind, it’s time to get to the list. Let’s find out the best note-taking apps for Android that help you improve your organization and recall.
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform with note-taking tools like ClickUp Notepad and Docs. Thanks to its extensive and user-friendly feature set, it’s even one of the top Google Keep alternatives on the market.
ClickUp Notepad holds its own against any other note-taking apps on this list. The ClickUp Docs feature stores your work with a rich text editor and allows real-time collaboration with your team, and the whiteboard functionality is perfect if you like working with sticky notes.
But it’s the advanced functionality around those two features that really shines. For example, what if an AI assistant could summarize your notes and dynamically turn them into tasks? What if those tasks dynamically become part of larger workflows to ensure that you meet project deadlines every time? ClickUp has you covered!
With ClickUp apps for all devices, including Android, you can easily share your recent notes across your PC, phone, and tablet. It’s the perfect solution for anyone not just looking for a dedicated note app but a comprehensive suite of productivity apps combined in a single platform.
ClickUp best features
- Notepad: An easy way to quickly jot down notes, add images, and turn basic text notes into actionable tasks and to-do items
- Docs: The ideal tool for categorizing and collaborating on material notes that go beyond plain text notes that replace Google Docs and other word processors
- ClickUp AI Assistant: An AI assistant that generates meeting and note summaries in minutes, turns notes into action items, and formats or edits your notes automatically for better sharing and publication
- Extensive integrations: The ability to integrate with all the tools you need for productivity, including Google Calendar, Outlook, and Dropbox
ClickUp limitations
- Its rich set of features can create a learning curve for some users
- The mobile app has some limited functionalities for users looking to get the full ClickUp experience through their Android apps
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp AI: Available on all paid plans for $5/Workspace member/month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (8,700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,800+ reviews)
2. OneNote
Microsoft’s OneNote is among the best free note-taking apps, thanks to its simplicity and integration with other common productivity tools. It loops directly into apps such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word but works across all Apple, Windows, and, of course, Android operating systems.
It’s the note-taking standard on Windows devices in many ways, and many consider its competitors in the same category to be OneNote alternatives.
OneNote best features
- Option to clip notes and screenshots from external web pages and other tools to add your own basic notes and doodles
- Multimedia support for images, audio recordings, and hand-drawn notes
- Integrated scanner to add handwritten sheets or other documents to your to-do lists and other note types
- Note categorization based on importance, which can make it easier to search for and find what you need
OneNote limitations
- Notes save into Microsoft OneDrive by default, which can pose difficulties for users of other cloud storage alternatives
- Full integration with other apps in Microsoft’s productivity suite requires a Microsoft Office 365 subscription
OneNote pricing
- Free
- Some premium features included in Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions
OneNote ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (1,800+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (1,300+ reviews)
3. Evernote
A popular Google Keep competitor, Evernote is among the top note-taking apps for Android, thanks to its versatility. It offers a robust text editor, an array of templates, and seamless synchronization across devices, which sets it apart from other note-taking apps.
Evernote best features
- An extensive library of Evernote templates ranging from meeting planning to lecture notes and daily logs
- A powerful search function, which makes it easy to find audio notes, web clips, and other content within the app
- Keyboard shortcuts, which allow you to create or lock notes, share notes, or format notes as necessary
- Stylus support for mobile apps, which allow for taking freeform notes
Evernote limitations
- Unlike some other note-taking apps, the free version has some limitations, including small storage space, no custom templates, and no task management options
- Some users have reported slow load times on the desktop and web app compared to native mobile apps
Evernote pricing
- Free
- Personal: $10.83/month
- Professional: $14.17/month
- Teams: $24.99/month per user
Evernote ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (8,000+ reviews)
4. Squid
If you don’t want to move away from handwritten notes entirely, Squid—formerly known as Papyrus, which rebranded in 2015—may be your best option. Unlike other Google apps, the experience revolves around using your finger or a stylus to jot down your thoughts directly in the interface.
Squid best features
- Infinite paper editor, allowing you to create as many notes as you want on a single screen
- Dynamic handwriting adjustments, improving the legibility of your notes on the screen
- PDF import function, enabling you to manually mark up large documents
- Multiple background options and the ability to insert images and shares, enhancing opportunities for creativity when creating notes to present to others
Squid limitations
- The filing and organizational system is not as user-friendly as some of the other options on this list
- The software is not ideal for those who prefer to type up notes or create audio notes
Squid pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Squid ratings and reviews
- G2: No reviews to date
- Capterra: No reviews to date
5. Google Keep
Google Keep is a popular Evernote alternative, but it’s so much more than that. It’s among the most popular note-taking apps for Android, thanks largely to an extensive feature set that allows you to do anything from creating a quick note to building extensive multimedia minutes and documents.
Google Keep best features
- A reminder feature that you can also set to recurring so you never forget about creating notes again
- The ability to easily add images to any notes, including a direct integration from your camera roll into the app
- A to-do list feature with checkboxes that can automatically turn into tasks
- The ability to use the software for no cost, as all features are available for free
Google Keep limitations
- No permissions to lock your notes; recipients can edit any notes you share through the app
- Limited formatting options compared to some of the other free note-taking apps on this list
Google Keep pricing
- Free
Google Keep ratings and reviews
- G2: No reviews to date
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (150+ reviews)
6. ColorNote Notepad Notes
ColorNote is perhaps the most popular note-taking app on the Google Play store for a reason, with a 4.9 rating from more than 3 million reviews. It wins through a simple and intuitive user interface and enables note creation either through a checklist or plain text.
ColorNote best features
- Reminders and notifications make it easy to manage basic tasks on your daily to-do list
- A widget feature allows you to add and create material notes on your device’s home screen
- Search function allows you to search for notes via text-based or voice search
- Passcode protection enables you to keep your notes private
ColorNote limitations
- Only available for Android, so you cannot share or create notes on desktop devices
- Limited filing system can struggle to maintain organization as file numbers increase
ColorNote pricing
- Free
ColorNote ratings and reviews
- G2: No reviews to date
- Capterra: No reviews to date
7. Simplenote
If you’re looking for note apps that prioritize simplicity, Simplenote is your best bet. It strips away all the fancy window dressing, focusing on what matters most: keeping your thoughts organized in a simple (and digital) way.
Simplenote best features
- Real-time syncing across all platforms, including the ability to go beyond Android
- Keyword tagging and pinning features make it easy to find and categorize your notes
- Public sharing feature, allowing anyone with a link to view your notes
- Markdown support, enabling you to format your notes without using a WYSIWYG editor
Simplenote limitations
- No image, audio, or drawing support
- No undo feature, which can make it difficult to correct mistakes
Simplenote pricing
- Free
- Sustainer Plan: $19.99/month, which the company frames as a donation to help with app maintenance and development expenses
Simplenote ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (30+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (10+ reviews)
8. Nimbus Note
With Nimbus Note, you can create what the creator calls super notes—audio, video, text, interactive checklists, spreadsheets, and tables—all in the same app. Add annotated web clippings, and you have what may be the most advanced option on this list.
Nimbus Note best features
- Advanced web clipping tool for PDFs and individual pages, including annotation options
- The most advanced multimedia support of any app on this list
- Highly searchable and intuitive user interface that makes onboarding simple
- Templates for common note types that minimize the time spent preparing for note-taking
Nimbus Note limitations
- Very limited feature set in the free version, which is largely a trial for the paid plans
- Limited functionality for spreadsheets and tables compared to alternatives such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets
Nimbus Note pricing
- Free
- Plus: $9/month per user
- Team: $12/month per user
- Business: $30/month per user
Nimbus Note ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (70+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (150+ reviews)
9. Bundled Notes
As its name suggests, Bundled Notes is about categorizing the notes you take in a given day, week, or month. But that doesn’t mean its editor has to hide, with an intuitive and sleek interface making the process of jotting down your thoughts a breeze.
Bundled Notes best features
- Sort notes into Kanban-style boards for greater visual associations
- Bundle and tag notes to make them easy to categorize and find later
- Set bundles up in exactly the way that works best for them with enhanced customizability features
Bundled Notes limitations
- No option to share notes with others who might benefit from them
- Unlimited notes and support for web browsers only available through the subscription plan
Bundled Notes pricing
- Free
- Bundled Pro: $1.89/month
Bundled Notes ratings and reviews
- G2: No reviews to date
- Capterra: No reviews to date
10. Standard Notes
Standard Notes is open source, making it more flexible than many of the other options on this list. It’s inherently customizable, yet it can still rely on its advanced set of features to be one of the top note-taking apps available.
Standard Notes best features
- Advanced end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication ensure that your private notes stay private
- Straightforward process of moving notes from other platforms into Standard Notes makes migrating from those platforms easy
- Real-time note syncing with a clear status bar keeps you updated on the sync and upload/download process
- Unlimited syncing across all platforms, including iOS and desktop devices
Standard Notes limitations
- Limited to plain text notes without a subscription
- Syncing and encrypting notes can be slow, especially on mobile devices note connected to WiFi
Standard Notes pricing
- Free
- Productivity: $15/month
- Professional: $18/month
Standard Notes ratings and reviews
- G2: 3.9/5 (10+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (10+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseTake Your Android Note-Taking to the Next Level With ClickUp
Finding a winner among the best Android note-taking apps is far from simple. And yet, once you consider all the larger context and integrations, ClickUp has to take the cake.
You can easily create as many notes as you want. Leverage features such as Notepad, Docs, and AI-enabled meeting summaries. Link your scribbles directly into task management to make your to-do list more actionable.
Best of all, it’s completely free, allowing you to test out its abilities as an Android app before you commit to some of the more comprehensive features.
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