Apple Notes vs UpNote: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Apple Notes and UpNote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Apple Notes leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (UpNote requires payment)
UpNote
Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
Best for you if:
- • You want available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
| At a Glance | Apple Notes | UpNote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $0.99/mo, billed monthly iCloud+ 50GB plan | Free plan, paid from $1.99/mo, billed monthly Premium (Monthly) plan |
Category | Productivity Note-Taking | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.1/5 SourceForge 4.1 14 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 135 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | iCloud storage needed for large attachments | n/a |
Choose Apple Notes or UpNote?
Choose Apple Notes if
- You want a fully free tool (UpNote requires payment)
- You want free with Apple devices
- You want good for quick notes
- Budget matters ($0.99/mo, billed monthly vs $1.99/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in productivity, not note-taking
Choose UpNote if
- You want available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
- You want offers a lifetime premium purchase option, avoiding recurring subscriptions
- You work in note-taking, not productivity
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
- Pro: Free with Apple devices
- Pro: Good for quick notes
- Pro: Decent scanning
- Pro: Collaboration works
- Pro: Fast sync
Weaknesses
- Con: Apple only
- Con: Limited organization
- Con: No Markdown
- Con: Basic formatting
- Con: Export options limited
Key features
UpNote
Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
UpNote's pricing is very generous, especially with the $39.99 Lifetime option which offers exceptional value compared to typical subscription models.
Strengths
- Pro: Available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
- Pro: Offers a lifetime premium purchase option, avoiding recurring subscriptions
- Pro: Clean, clutter-free interface promotes focus
- Pro: Robust organization features for managing many notes
- Pro: Includes essential security and backup features
Weaknesses
- Con: Free version is limited to 50 notes, which might be restrictive for some users
- Con: Pricing may vary by region and sales taxes
Key features
Plans and prices: Apple Notes vs UpNote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Notes |
| apple.com/notes read Oct 7, 2026 |
| UpNote |
| getupnote.com read Oct 24, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Apple Notes pricing and UpNote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Lower entry price: $0.99/mo, billed monthly vs $1.99/mo, billed monthly
UpNote
- Choose if you want write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space
What the data shows
On the data below, Apple Notes leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 14 reviews for Apple Notes, 4.7/5 from 135 reviews for UpNote; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Apple Notes has the lower entry price: $0.99/mo, billed monthly (iCloud+ 50GB) against $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Premium (Monthly)) for UpNote.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apple Notes and UpNote compare in 2026?
On the data below, Apple Notes leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 14 reviews for Apple Notes, 4.7/5 from 135 reviews for UpNote; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Apple Notes has the lower entry price: $0.99/mo, billed monthly (iCloud+ 50GB) against $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Premium (Monthly)) for UpNote. Both have a free plan.
What are Apple Notes and UpNote used for?
Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users. UpNote: Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
What does Apple Notes cost vs UpNote?
Apple Notes's cheapest paid plan is iCloud+ 50GB at $0.99/mo, billed monthly. UpNote's cheapest paid plan is Premium (Monthly) at $1.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 24, 2026.
What's the main difference between Apple Notes and UpNote?
Apple Notes's main strength: free with Apple devices. UpNote's main strength: available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android).