Best Alternative To Evernote 2020

• Published on
  October 6, 2020
• Updated on
• Read time
  6 minutes
• Category

Note-taking is one of the most important skills that the managers or any other working professional should have. It helps you to note down all of the different tasks and activities that you have to do in your work and personal life.

As with project management, software plays a major role in the note-taking world as well. While we talk about nTask as the best project management application in the market, in this article, we will talk about the two big software in the note-taking world. Evernote and OneNote.

The comparison is named Evernote vs OneNote but when we talk about note-taking apps, nTask has a dominant place in that genre as well.

Here is a side by side comparison of Evernote vs OneNote vs nTask, so that you can get an idea of what these apps have in common, and how they are unique to each other.

Evernote vs nTask vs OneNote

• Best Evernote Alternatives You Should Try in 2020 - Evernote facilitates to Sync & organize, web clipper, templates, PDF & doc search, scan, team up, handwriting search.
• 17 Best Evernote Alternatives for Note-taking and Task Management OneNote – An Amazing Organizational Tool Microsoft OneNote is an amazing organizational tool that enables you to create different types of notes from scratch, different browsable notebooks, organize all of the different notes into a searchable format, and can sync all of that.

Fydeos- Best CloudReady alternative FydeOS which is formally known as FlintOS and for your information the FlintOS year ago was acquired by Neverware, the developer of CloudReady OS. However, the FlintOS was open source, so later a few Chinese students developers took an initiative to revive the FlintOS again and launched it under FydeOS name. Evernote is an application designed for note-taking, managing tasks, and archiving. It helps you capture and prioritize your ideas, to-do lists, and projects across more than one computing device.

Let’s take a look at Evernote and OneNote in detail.

Evernote – An Amazing Web-clipping Tool

One of the best note-taking applications in the market right now, Evernote is an incredible software that lets you note down all of your different thoughts and processes in its incredible database.

But the amazing thing about this software is that it doesn’t feel like it was designed as a note-editor to create notes from scratch.

It looks like it was designed to clip different types of content from the web.

This feature really sets apart the software from OneNote, as all of the other major functionalities between the two software are the same.

Best Alternative To Evernote 2020 Pdf

Key Features

• Web clipping support
• Mobile and Web interface
• Store notes, web clips, files, and images
• Web clipper browser extensions
• Share notes and collaborate on files
• Store all itineraries, confirmations, travel documents
• Other products include Skitch and Penultimate
• Annotation and markup
• Give feedback and share ideas
• Edit rich text and sketches
• Geolocation
• Content available on any device
• Save online resources in one place
• Snap photos, record audio, save documents
• Save favorite webpages
• Evernote Food for collecting food moments
• Evernote Clearly for clearing web content
• Shapes, arrows, and quick sketches

Pricing

• The basic version of the application is free to use
• The premium version of the application starts for $7.99/month
• The business version of the application starts for $14.99/month

Pros

• Offline access
• Syncing across multiple platforms and devices
• Quick to capture notes and thoughts
• Sharing capabilities
• Syncing to multiple devices
• Easy to use layout

Cons

• When the user is using images, most of the times it is extremely hard to input text from the bottom panel
• Sometimes the clipper feature of the application inputs the notes into random places
• Cannot turn notes into notebooks after published

Looking for apps like Evernote? Check this out:

OneNote – An Amazing Organizational Tool

Microsoft OneNote is an amazing organizational tool that enables you to create different types of notes from scratch, different browsable notebooks, organize all of the different notes into a searchable format, and can sync all of that data among a large variety of platforms.

One of the features in which Evernote excels and OneNote falls short of is Web clipping.

The software has a web-clipper extension for different browsers like Chrome, Edge IE, and Firefox, but that extension still lacks many capabilities of Evernote’s web-clipping.

Key Features

• Page Templates
• Custom Tags
• Internal Links
• Version History
• Integration with Outlook
• Integration with Other Apps
• Quick Notes
• Quick Access Toolbar
• Docked Note Taking
• Real-time Collaboration
• Audio/Video Recording

Pricing

• The application is Free with the Office 365 subscription that you purchase.

Pros

• Cloud syncing to save all of the information that you input into the application
• Outlook Integration to hook up your email with your note-taking application
• Flexibility to use the software however it suits you
• You can use the cloud-based version and link it to things like MS Teams and SharePoint

Cons

• The iPhone app doesn’t allow drawing
• No Task Management
• robust tools available in the desktop version as the cloud version

Issues-Wise Comparison

Before we head off to the conclusion, it’s best that we highlight some of the issues.

If tags are one of your key takeaway features in any note management software, then OneNote will do you solid. The program facilitates users with the ability to apply tags to a range of organizational elements.

Meanwhile, Evernote seems to struggle a bit in the tags department. With OneNote, tags can not only be applied to the conventional Notebooks, Sections, and Pages elements, but they can also be applied to multiple elements of the same page.

Moving on, Evernote tends to be a bit sluggish when a certain number of notes is reached. You cannot organize quick notes. They can become messy after a while and keeping track of all those quick notes is another story to share.

Evernote’s storage capacity is fair. Seriously, you could create thousands of notes. However, when you compare it with OneNote, the former app sets limits at 60MB upload capacity. This is… a bit… tedious at best.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use OneNote without a Microsoft account?

No, you cannot use OneNote if you don’t have a Microsoft Office 365 subscription.

2. What is the cost of Evernote?

Here are the pricing plans for Evernote:

• The basic version of the application is free to use
• The premium version of the application starts for $7.99/month
• The business version of the application starts at $14.99/month

3. What’s the difference between OneNote and OneDrive?

Both of these applications are from Microsoft. The difference between the applications is that OneNote is a powerful note-taking application that enables you to store all of your different thoughts and ideas into a digital database, and OneDrive is that cloud storage where that data is stored.

4. Is OneNote in the cloud?

OneNote is an incredible cloud-based note-taking application. So yes, it is connected to the cloud.

5. How do I make Evernote more secure?

Here are some of the steps that you can follow to make your Evernote application more secure.

• The first step is to purchase the paid subscription to unlock the security features
• Keep your devices up to date and synchronized
• Manage the access to your Evernote account
• Encrypt text in a note
• Add two-step verification
• Store your data locally
• Log in with your email address and a unique password
• Create a local notebook

6. Which software is better for long term users?

Well, if you are thinking about long term usage, we’d advise OneNote. It’s comparatively better than Evernote. Especially, if you are looking to expand your business without paying for new software tool licenses in near future, you should invest in OneNote.

That being said, Evernote has its advantages over OneNote, but the latter seems to be a much better option for thriving businesses at the verge of expansion.

7. Which version of Evernote/ OneNote is recommended to cross-platform users?

It depends on the version of the program that you are currently using.

Top it off with a need for cross-platform compatibility, we’d recommend OneNote once again. It takes multi-client compatibility to the next level. Of course, OneNote is Windows-centric, so you cannot switch from Windows to Linux or Mac.

But, if you are running a business with a sizeable employee count, OneNote will do the job. Don’t forget to use the Desktop version of both applications because you cannot manage everything on a smartphone.

Conclusion

So there you have it. This was our Evernote vs OneNote comparison. There isn’t much of a difference between the two applications apart from some features and pricing plans.

Both of these tools are champs when it comes to note-taking. But then again, it depends on your personal preference and requirements. To that end, if you have a favorite application other than the two, we talked about, feel free to holler in the comments section below.

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» What is Evernote?

Evernote is an app that helps users to manage and organize their schedules in an efficient manner. It aids users in arduous tasks like notetaking, task management, and archiving. The data collected can be in the form of pictures, videos, and audio recordings. These notes are backed up in the cloud which allows users to access them from any platform.

» Why do we need an alternative to Evernote?

While Evernote is a popular task management app however, there are a few ways by which it falls a bit short. For example; one cannot password protect the desktop version of this app. It also doesn’t allow the protection of particular notes.

If you are not impressed with what Evernote has to offer then no worries, below is a list of the best and most popular software that offers unique features of their own.

» List of alternatives to Evernote:

1. Google Keep

Google keep is a free software tool that allows its users to share their thoughts with their friends and families. This app is popular, not only in the industrial and entrepreneur sector but also in academics and other small management projects.

› Special Features:

• It allows users to set location-based reminders. A location-based reminder will pull up a list when you reach the designated location. • Evernote lacks in this sector as it does not have geofencing capabilities.
• It also has a feature of a time-based reminder to ensure that you never miss a thing.
• The app allows you to quickly filter and search for notes by color and other attributes like lists with images. It improves the efficiency as the user no longer needs to spend precious time looking through copious notes.
• Notes taken can be accessed from other devices that have been synced. This ensures that they are always available at your fingertips.

› Pricing:

• Google Keep is free of cost

2. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote can be seen as an upgrade to traditional notebooks. It offers its users a feel of the traditional notebook in a hassle-free digital format. OneNote is very popular in the education sector. Teachers use it to organize lesson plans in a digitalized notebook format and share it with the other staff members too. It's easy to use format makes it more popular than Evernote.

› Special Features:

• With easy navigation and search, users can find themselves exactly where they left. OneNote allows users to access their notes across all devices, this way noting down any sudden inspiration won’t go amiss.
• One can also revise notes with highlighting, type, or ink annotations.
• Users can share their ideas and create together on OneNote.
• One can also record audio notes, insert online videos, and add files.
• The OneNote Web Clipper allows users to save notes with a single click.
• Notes can also be highlighted with Important and To-Do tags.
• Users can annotate their notes and draw their thoughts using a stylus or their finger.

› Pricing:

• The OneNote app is free of cost.

3. Box Notes

Real-time collaboration serves as a foundation of exchanging notes and efficient working. It is an essential part of how we work. Its collaborative features are better than that of Evernote.

› Special Features:

• Box Notes allows its users to brainstorm with co-workers and share their notes. Box Notes is an online note-taking app that enables teams to work together. This easy to use platform allows its users to take business notes and organize business reviews.
• It also allows them to write newsletters.
• It also improves productivity as it provides users with functions that can check status updates and provide a platform to plan projects together.
• Box Notes has a feature of live editing that allows everyone to view changes and updates easily. This improves the efficiency of work and serves as a pool of ideas to fish from.
• The Box Note desktop app is similar to the web version; it provides the same live editing features. Every note created or shared is protected.
• The notes are secured with enterprise-grade security and meet global compliance standards. This includes HIPAA and FedRAMP.

› Pricing:

• The most popular plan of Box notes is the business plan which is at $0.025 per user, per month (paid annually).

4. Simplenote

Simplenote is a free software application (the app is owned by Automatic) that provides its users with a wide range of formatting options for taking notes.

› Special Features:

• It supports Markdown. The Markdown option needs to be enabled in the settings. This feature can be used to embed images into the notes. The app allows users to arrange notes in an immaculate manner. Standard notes can be formatted in such a way that it looks neat. It saves time as users don’t have to continuously shift between the mouse and keyboard.
• The use of tags can help organize and categorize notes. Users can share notes with others by simply adding their email addresses as tags.
• The app can also be password protected if needed.
• The company does not place a limit on how many notes can be taken.
• It also has an option of notes history that can be used in case a file gets deleted accidentally.
• Another feature of Simplenote is that users can publish directly onto the web using the app.

› Pricing:

• Simplenote is free of cost

5. Dropbox Paper

The Dropbox Paper application helps users stay organized. It is an extremely popular app used by several high-end firms. The founders of retail brand Les Lunes use Dropbox Paper to manage operations across their different locations.

› Special Features:

• The task management tool can be used to assign to-dos and add due dates. • The tool can also be used to mention people. All these functions can be performed from the app itself.
• Receiving feedback has never been easier and more relaxed.
• Annotations allow users to comment on specific parts of images.
• Users can view the activity as well as use emojis.
• Dropbox papers have several smart templates, for example-a template to design the agenda of a meeting.
• Users can capture inspirations instantly using other devices. Paper’s iOS and Android apps can be used to create notes, capture images, and give feedback on the go.
• A professional-looking presentation can be created with the click on a button. The app can transform docs into presentations.

› Pricing:

• The basic version is free. Whereas Dropbox Plus is $9.99 per month(if billed annually).

6. ProofHub

ProofHub makes remotes work easier and faster. One can create notes and assign different colors. The app is popular among organizations of all sizes. It can be used in the office while working remotely or on the go. Institutions with cut-throat teams, battling several deadlines simultaneously find the app to be both efficient and easy to use.

› Special Features:

• It allows teams to get approvals on finalized work quickly and send feedbacks for on-going projects.
• Delegating tasks gets much easier as the app provides an option to assign tasks, add labels and tags, set dates, track time, etc.
• The app boasts of a beautiful file management system.
• It integrates file-sharing systems like Google Drive and Box.
• It also has several features to ease the process of project planning. Some of the widely used features are- Gantt chart for timeline view, custom workflows, and Kanban board.

› Pricing:

• Ultimate Plan starts at $89/month (billed annually).

7. Bear

At the moment, Bear works on iPad, iPhones, and Mac only. It differs from Evernote as it is only available on Apple devices whereas Evernote works on Windows operating systems as well. The app provides a wonderful platform for crafting notes and prose.

› Special Features:

• The editing and formatting options of Bear are extremely impressive and the app supports Markdown.
• It allows users to include links in the middle of their work.
• For users that belong to the software work and regularly work with several lines of codes, the app Bear is a perfect fit. One can copy and paste several lines of codes using the application. A feature that wasn’t easy to use or comfortable in Evernote.
• Tagging and navigation options of Bear are also comparatively simpler.
• The app also provides an option of interlinking. This allows users to create their wiki. Bear Pro has a wider range of themes and options for exporting.
• One can export notes as DOCX, HTML, PDF, and even JPG.
• On iOS, Bear has its native extension. One can use this extension to add images and texts to the note.

› Pricing:

• The full version of Bear is available at $1.49 per month.

8. Notejoy

Notejoy is a powerful, easy, and fun to use software application. It also supports deep integration with other apps like Google Drive and Microsoft Office.

› Special Features:

• Notejoy’s fast search option makes it easy for users to browse through their different pieces of works.
• It allows users to insert documents right into a note and also provides checklists.
• It provides options to show the users who all have viewed their notes, participate in threaded discussions, and provide light-weight responses.
• It also uses @mention to bring someone’s attention. Notejoy offers an upgrade of Notejoy Plus and premium.
• Notejoy Plus offers unlimited users per library, priced per user. It also offers unlimited libraries and 10GB library storage.
• It provides end to end encryption and password-protected notes. It also has two-factor authentications.
• Notejoy premium has all the facilities provided by Plus in addition to 20GB library storage and team activity dashboard. It also provides an upload of 1Gb, per file.

› Pricing:

• The price ranges at $100.00 per year.

9. Notion

Notion is a user-friendly application with easy to understand instructions.

› Special Features:

• A unique feature is that it has a wiki. It serves as a database for company goals, engineering practices, and contact numbers. Notion can be used across different devices and also offers a free trial.
• The software is accessible via desktop, web, and mobile devices. This makes it easier and convenient for users to bring their work and access it anytime, anywhere.
• It allows users to manage their to-do lists and take notes. It allows them to track their bills, dues, and details in a database found on their finance page.
• The app is popular for its clean and clutter-free interface. The app is free for personal use.

› Pricing:

• Notion offers an upgrade that costs around $4to $8.

10. Milanote

Milanote is a tool that is packed with an amazing interface. It helps you organize your notes and projects. It was launched in 2017 and was #1 on Product Hunt and Designer Use. It was also on the Front Page of Hacker News. The tool can be used as both- a private space as well as a shared workspace (for collaborations).

› Special Features:

• It has a flexible drop and drag interface that allows users to arrange their notes in a manner best suited to them.
• It promotes interactions as the tool has options to view teammates and leave comments.
• It also provides a high-quality printable PDF. Milanote’s UI is completely different from that of Evernote.
• The app also lets the user design the space which is a little different from the working of Evernote.
• The Milanote Web Clipper lets you collect ideas from the internet and integrate it with your work in a single click.
• One can invite others to edit, comment only, or permit them to only view the notes.

› Pricing:

Evernote Replacement

• The tool is free to one project but can be later upgraded to $9.99 per month.

11. Zoho Notebook

Zoho notebook has a cleaner interface as compared to Evernote. It does not have a bulleted interface as Evernote does.

› Special Features:

• One can view notes using the Apple watch. This increases performance and boosts productivity.
• Zoho allows ease of movement of objects between pages and notebooks.
• It encourages users to save and share their notes online. One can also export an entire book as an HTML page.
• The versioning feature of Zoho allows its users to see various iterations made during the day.
• It also provides a timestamp for reference.
• The notebook has four types of cards to make work easier and more organized. The four types are: text card, audio card, photo card, or a checklist card.
• The lock notes feature of Zoho is extremely popular with its users (Evernote does not have this particular feature).

› Pricing:

Alternatives To Evernote 2020

• The notebook free of cost.

What is Evernote used for?

Best Alternatives To Evernote

Evernote is a popular application for note-taking and managing tasks. It can help you capture and manage to-do lists, projects, and ideas. With the help of its mobile application and web version, Evernote helps you keep track of every detail that is essential to you but you may forget. It keeps you updated on what you should do and lessen your worry to a great extent.

Is OneNote better than Evernote?

Despite being note-taking tools, OneNote and Evernote emphasize two different areas. Evernote specializes in organizing a note and search your content from the web easily. OneNote enables you to take notes from scratch and arrange them in a certain way.

Is Evernote free to use?

Yes, Evernote does have a free version. It lets you sync data between 2 devices and add at most 60 MB data per month. But advanced features like integration of other software, convert notes, and team collaboration, you need to upgrade to a paid version.

How much does Evernote cost?

Evernote has a free version enabling you to add 60 MB data per month and sync between only two devices. The Premium plan costs $8 per month to upload at most 10GB of files every month while the Business plan costs you $15 to upload 20GB data per user with a shared space of 2GB per user.

What is the best alternative to Evernote?

• Google Keep
• Microsoft OneNote
• Box Notes
• Simplenote
• Dropbox Paper
• ProofHub
• Bear
• Notejoy
• Notion
• Milanote
• Zoho Notebook