Evernote vs Apple Notes: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Evernote and Apple Notes 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 Evernote 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:
Evernote
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent web clipper for saving articles
- • You want strong search including handwritten notes
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Evernote requires payment)
- • You want free with Apple devices
- • You want good for quick notes
| At a Glance | Evernote | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Evernote or Apple Notes?
Choose Evernote if
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
- You want excellent web clipper for saving articles
- You want strong search including handwritten notes
Choose Apple Notes if
Free note-taking for Apple users
- You want a fully free tool (Evernote requires payment)
- You want free with Apple devices
- You want good for quick notes
| Feature | Evernote | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 10,296 reviews | ★4.1/5 14 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Evernote
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Evernote's pricing is expensive, especially the Starter tier at $14.99/month for very limited features.
Strengths
- +Excellent web clipper for saving articles
- +Strong search including handwritten notes
- +Cross-platform sync
- +Mature and stable platform
- +Good document scanning
Weaknesses
- -Free plan severely limited (2 devices only)
- -Expensive premium plans
- -Development has stagnated
- -Performance issues with large notebooks
- -Lost market share to Notion and others
Key features
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
Pricing: Evernote vs Apple Notes
| Plan | Evernote | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | 0 Free |
| Tier 2 | $14.99 Starter | 0.99 iCloud+ 50GB |
| Tier 3 | $19.99 Advanced | 2.99 iCloud+ 200GB |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Evernote pricing and Apple Notes pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Apple Notes is free. Evernote is freemium.
Go with: Apple Notes
Want the highest-rated option?
Evernote: 4.4/5 (10,296 reviews). Apple Notes: 4.1/5 (14 reviews).
Go with: Evernote
Value user reviews?
Evernote: 10,296 reviews (4.4/5). Apple Notes: 14 reviews (4.1/5).
Go with: Evernote
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Evernote is freemium. Apple Notes is free. 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?
Evernote is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Evernote
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (10,296 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 Evernote or Apple Notes better?
Apple Notes is rated in our evaluation. Evernote is freemium and Apple Notes is free.
What are Evernote and Apple Notes used for?
Evernote: The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years. Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users.
What does Evernote cost vs Apple Notes?
Evernote is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Apple Notes is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.