Apple Notes vs Einfall: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Apple Notes and Einfall comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Apple Notes wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Notion AI. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Pick Einfall if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Einfall requires payment)
- • You want free with Apple devices
- • You want good for quick notes
Einfall
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
Best for you if:
- • You want no account or sign-up required, start capturing immediately
- • You want one-time payment with no subscription, no lapsing access to your own thoughts
| At a Glance | Apple Notes | Einfall |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | 4.1/5 | 3.9/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Apple Notes or Einfall?
Choose Apple Notes if
Free note-taking for Apple users
- You want a fully free tool (Einfall requires payment)
- You want free with Apple devices
- You want good for quick notes
Choose Einfall if
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
- You want no account or sign-up required, start capturing immediately
- You want one-time payment with no subscription, no lapsing access to your own thoughts
| Feature | Apple Notes | Einfall |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.1/5 14 reviews | ★3.9/5 148 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Apple Notes itself is entirely free and incredibly generous, offering full functionality without any locked features.
Watch out
iCloud storage needed for large attachments
Strengths
- +Free with Apple devices
- +Good for quick notes
- +Decent scanning
- +Collaboration works
- +Fast sync
Weaknesses
- -Apple only
- -Limited organization
- -No Markdown
- -Basic formatting
- -Export options limited
Key features
Einfall
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
At $29.99 one-time for Unlimited, Einfall is aggressively generous compared to subscription-based capture inboxes, and the Free tier with 15 routing actions offers real utility at $0.
Watch out
Free tier includes only 15 routing actions; using a 16th requires $29.99 for Unlimited.
Strengths
- +No account or sign-up required, start capturing immediately.
- +One-time payment with no subscription, no lapsing access to your own thoughts.
- +Complete privacy: no data collection, no server, everything processed on-device.
Weaknesses
- -Only available on Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad), no web, Windows, or Android support.
- -Free tier limits routing actions to fifteen uses; after that a purchase is required to route thoughts beyond that number.
Key features
Pricing: Apple Notes vs Einfall
| Plan | Apple Notes | Einfall |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | 0.99 iCloud+ 50GB | $29.99 one-time Unlimited |
| Tier 3 | 2.99 iCloud+ 200GB | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Apple Notes pricing and Einfall pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Apple Notes is free. Einfall is freemium.
Go with: Apple Notes
Want the highest-rated option?
Apple Notes: 4.1/5 (14 reviews). Einfall: 3.9/5 (148 reviews).
Go with: Apple Notes
Value user reviews?
Apple Notes: 14 reviews (4.1/5). Einfall: 148 reviews (3.9/5).
Go with: Einfall
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Apple Notes is free. Einfall is freemium. Go with Apple Notes if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are note-taking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Apple Notes is rated higher: 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Higher user rating: 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Einfall
- Larger review base (148 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Apple Notes wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Notion AI. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Notes or Einfall better?
Apple Notes is rated in our evaluation. Apple Notes is free and Einfall is freemium.
What are Apple Notes and Einfall used for?
Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users. Einfall: Capture thoughts instantly, organize later.
What does Apple Notes cost vs Einfall?
Apple Notes is completely free. Einfall is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.