Here is a list of some of the best note-taking apps for iPad and iPhone.
Apple Notes
Shared notes let you create a note collaboratively with your friends. The Apple Notes app supports sharing even the entire folder of notes. All the participants can see the latest changes for easier collaboration. It will keep your notes synced on all devices. You can even use the search function to look for text in the images, handwritten notes, and more. The Apple Notes app also supports adding tables, applying different text styles, lines and grids, voice notes, and more. Also, you can lock notes using FaceID/TouchID easily. Key Features: Customization options | Smart search | iCloud sync Allows sharing notes
Default app for iPhone & iPad Easy to access Collaborative notes Supports multimedia
Cons
Cannot share with non-Apple users Cannot export notes to an importable format
Download: Apple Notes (Free)
Bear
Bear is a powerful note app that comes with much quick organization and editing tools. It allows you to combine text, photos, checklists, and code snippets. You can also export your notes and share them via other apps. Bear also has a markup editor that supports over 150 programming languages. You can also encrypt individual notes and lock Bear with your Face/Touch ID. There are many stunning themes in Bear to suit different categories. It also allows you to add hashtags to your notes. That way, you can quickly find and organize your notes in the app. You can sync your notes between Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch via iCloud. However, you will need a Bear Pro subscription for that. Key Features: Free/Premium | Themes and personalization | Powerful export tools | Advanced markup editor
Markup editor Multimedia support Encrypt notes
Cons
Sync feature needs the pro plan No text formatting Cannot search in individual notes
Download: Bear (Free, Premium)
Simplenote
Simplenote is just what the name says – a simple way to jot down notes. Yet it comes with many options to help you stay organized too. You can add tags and pins to your notes, making it easy to find them later. Simplenote also syncs your notes across all iOS devices automatically. You can easily share notes and collaborate with your peers using Simplenote. It allows you to log in with your email or using your WordPress.com account. You can also sync everything seamlessly across any computer, phone, or tablet. There is an option to publish your content directly to your connected WordPress site as well. Simplenote allows you to use markdown to add formatting to your notes. You can determine the sorting order of your notes and tags as well. It supports protecting your notes using a passcode. The lightweight iPad note-taking app can also be integrated with Siri. This allows you to create new notes directly from Siri. Key Features: Free to use | WordPress publishing | Siri integration | Sharing and collaboration tools
Easy-to-use WordPress integration Sharing options Siri integration
Cons
Not many formatting options Cannot include multiple file types to notes
Download: Simplenote (Free)
Evernote
Evernote is one of the best note-taking apps for iPad, iPhone, and Android. You can create notes in a variety of formats in the app. This includes text, sketches, screenshots, image files, web clippings, audio, and more. You can also upload scanned handwritten notes to the app. The app organizes everything in a simplified way. Evernote automatically syncs across your devices as well. This makes it easy to access all your information when you need it. You can start writing on your iPhone and finish that later on your iPad. There is even an option to share the notes with anyone for easy collaboration. Evernote supports securing your notes and files using the app passcode. It has a smart search function that allows you to search within images. You can also annotate pictures for quick feedback. Evernote even allows you to set reminders for your important activities. It is compatible with Apple Watch as well. You can upgrade to Evernote Premium for even more features. Key Features: Compatible with Apple Watch | Smart search | Fast sync | Multiplatform | Multipurpose note-taker | Note security
Easy and fast sync across devices Powerful features Supports various media types Multipurpose note-taking app for iPad
Cons
Needs premium for many features Text formatting is not great Confusing for minimalists
Download: Evernote (Free, Premium)
Todoist
Todoist is an intelligent, best iPad note-taking app. It allows you to create notes with a single tap and organize them for later use. You can also set reminders and due dates in the app. This helps you to keep track of all your important things on the go. You can also share and collaborate on notes with others using Todoist. The app allows you to prioritize tasks and projects as needed. You can also monitor your progress with custom productivity trends in Todoist. It also supports integration with Siri, Today widget, and other quick actions on iOS devices. The free version allows you to create and collaborate on up to 80 projects. You can upgrade that to up to 500 projects by choosing a subscription plan. Key Features: Reminders and due dates | Task priorities | Integrates with Siri | Mail integrations | Task managing tool
Smart reminders Prioritize tasks Siri integration
Cons
Not suitable for micro scheduling
Download: Todoist (Free, Premium)
Google Keep
Google Keep is arguably the best free note-taking app for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. It includes setting location-based reminders, time-based reminders, and more. These added functions set Google Keep apart from the other note-taking apps. You can also share your notes with your friends and family using Google Keep. The Google Keep app even allows you to collaborate on your notes on any preferred device. It syncs your notes automatically across your devices. You can also set filter notes by color and other attributes like tags and pins. This helps you to search for the information easily when you need it. Google Keep also supports creating notes via voice memo. You can simply record the voice memo and have it automatically transcribed in the app. It also allows you to add photos and audio files to your notes. You can also search within images using the app. Google Keep is compatible with Apple Watch as well. Key Features: Free to use | Location and time-based reminders | Easy sharing and collaboration options | Create notes via voice memo | Works with Apple Watch
Free to use Sync across devices Can integrate with Google platforms
Cons
No handwritten note support Text formatting is not extensive
Download: Google Keep (Free)
Any.do
Any.do is a productivity app designed as an iPhone and iPad note-taking app. It can work as a project management tool, a daily planner, or a simple notepad. It all depends upon how you want to use Any.do. There are tons of features to explore in the app. It supports adding tasks directly via email as well. You can attach files to your notes and even upload from Dropbox and Google Drive, etc. The app syncs seamlessly in real-time across mobile, computer, and web platforms. You can also set scheduled or recurring reminders using the app. Any.do allows you to share lists and assigned tasks with your peers as well. You can integrate it with any preferred calendar as well. This makes it very convenient to organize your projects on the go. Key Features: Free/Premium | Subscription plans start at $5.99 per month | Best note taking app for iPad in terms of flexibility | Integrates with all calendars | Scheduled and recurring reminders
Easy to use App integrations Collaborative tasks
Cons
Limited features in free version Cannot be used as a project management tool
Download: Any.do (Free, Premium)
Microsoft OneNote
OneNote has been renowned as a great note-taking app for a long time. The app allows you to capture your ideas or make to-do lists in a simplified way. You can jot down memos, create a digital sketchbook, and do a lot more with OneNote. You need to sign in with your Microsoft account to make the most of OneNote. It keeps your notes synced via OneDrive as well. This allows you to share, organize, and collaborate on your notes on the go. You can also add photos and scanned files to your notes using Office Lens. All the notes and information saved will be accessible across all of your connected devices. Microsoft OneNote comes with some powerful organizational tools as well. You can easily search, sort, tag, and pin your notes in the app. It even supports securing your notes with a passcode and Touch ID. OneNote allows you to create handwritten notes by writing or drawing on your iPad as well. Key Features: Free to use | The best note taking app for iPad users Supports creating handwritten notes | Syncs notes via OneDrive | Encryption with a passcode and Touch ID
Free to use Collaborative notes Handwritten note support
Cons
Limited integration with other platforms Formatting is not great
Download: Microsoft OneNote (Free)
Quip
Quip is a reliable and feature-rich iPad note taking app. It comes with smart tools to offer you the simplest way to collaborate on your projects. You can create notes, checklists, and edit docs using the app. It also supports real-time chat and messaging for easy collaboration. There is an option to embed full-featured spreadsheets in Quip as well. It supports over 400 functions and customized keyboards. That makes editing a breeze for you no matter which device you are using. Quip also has a smart slides feature. You can use them to make sure that everyone is aligned with your project requirements. You can also use interactive polls and prompts in Quip. It even allows you to create charts using real-time data from the spreadsheets. All the data is synced across your devices as well. This allows you to review changes and provide feedback to your collaborators quickly. Quip also supports importing documents from Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, and more. Key Features: Pricing starts at $10 per user per month | Free trial available | A powerful note app for project collaboration | Integrated chat features | Supports importing files from other apps
Fully-equipped not-taking app Live chat feature Third-party apps and files support Project collaboration
Cons
Only free trial Expensive premium plan
Download: Quip (Freemium)
Microsoft To Do
Microsoft To Do is a smart task management app. It comes with many features to help you stay organized and manage your day-to-day life. You can create checklists, take notes, save ideas, and do a lot more with Microsoft To Do. With Microsoft To Do, you can also set reminders for your tasks. The My Day and Suggestions sections in the app make it very easy to plan your day. Microsoft To Do gives you personalized recommendations as well. That way, you can be more productive and achieve your daily goals easily. The app syncs your lists and notes across your device as well. You can also share the notes and reminders with your peers using the app. It also allows you to customize your lists using colorful themes, emojis, and more. Key Features: Free to use | Daily planner | Add notes from other Microsoft apps | Automatically syncs tasks across devices | Personalized suggestions
Free to use Day planner Auto-sync
Cons
No handwritten notes No charts and shapes
Download: Microsoft To Do (Free)
Notebook
Notebook is a free and ad-free iPad note-taking app. Yet it comes with many amazing features that put it at par with the best note-taking apps. You can create notes in the app in many different ways. Notebook app can be used for writing notes, adding images, attaching audio files, and more. You can even add PDFs, Word docs, and Excel sheets to your notes. Notebook supports scanning and saving business cards and documents as well. You can also create handwritten notes and lists on your iPad using the note app. All the content you add to Notebook is formatted into stunning cards. This helps you to organize them properly and find any needed information quickly. You can also customize the cards in different colors and themes. There is an option to choose a custom notebook cover as well. Notebook supports many gestures too. You can swipe to view more information, pinch to group cards, flick to search, etc. Key Features: Free to use | Powerful features | Ideal replacement for the Apple Notes app | Gestures support | Allows creating handwritten notes
Completely free to use Gesture supports Handwritten notes
Cons
Cannot share notes for collaboration Not suitable for professional use
Download: Notebook (Free)
Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is a minimalist task management app. It allows you to create to-do lists and set reminders for them. You can schedule reminders via email, text, instant messaging, or mobile notifications. It even supports sending reminders via Twitter alerts. This makes it possibly the best note-taking app for iPad and iPhone users. You can share your lists and tasks with others using the app as well. Remember the Milk syncs everything automatically. The note-taking app can help you stay on top of your day-to-day tasks with ease. You can also organize the lists by due dates, priorities, tags, and more. That will help you to check the upcoming tasks and plan things accordingly. Remember the Milk has an advanced search tool as well. You can even save your favorite searches in the app as smart lists. The iPad note-taking app also integrates with Google Calendar, Evernote, Gmail, and more. This helps to make sure that you stay organized and productive. Key Features: Free/Premium | Good note app for keeping to-do lists | Smart reminders | Integration with third-party apps | Allows saving favorite searches
Simple and minimal Unique ways of adding tasks Good for to-do lists
Cons
Not a fully-fledged note-taking app for iPad or iPhone
Download: Remember the Milk (Free, Premium) Creating a list or saving a note might not have seemed a great idea a few years ago. However, a note app allows you to scan documents, snap images, set reminders, and do plenty of other things. The above list of the best note-taking app for iPad and iPhone is not all-inclusive. There are many more you can try. These will benefit you for sure, no matter what your needs are.
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