Notesnook vs Evernote: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Notesnook and Evernote 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: Evernote wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Pick Notesnook if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Notesnook
The open-source, zero-knowledge private note-taking app for all your thoughts and ideas.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Evernote requires payment)
- • You want strong emphasis on privacy with end-to-end and at-rest encryption
- • You want 100% open source, allowing for transparency and self-hosting
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
| At a Glance | Notesnook | Evernote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | - | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Notesnook or Evernote?
Choose Notesnook if
The open-source, zero-knowledge private note-taking app for all your thoughts and ideas.
- You want a fully free tool (Evernote requires payment)
- You want strong emphasis on privacy with end-to-end and at-rest encryption
- You want 100% open source, allowing for transparency and self-hosting
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
| Feature | Notesnook | Evernote |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 10,296 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Notesnook
The open-source, zero-knowledge private note-taking app for all your thoughts and ideas.
Notesnook's Free tier is incredibly generous, offering a vast array of features that many competitors reserve for paid plans.
Strengths
- +Strong emphasis on privacy with end-to-end and at-rest encryption.
- +100% open source, allowing for transparency and self-hosting.
- +Available on multiple platforms (desktop, web, mobile) with seamless sync.
- +Feature-rich for diverse note-taking needs.
- +Community-driven open development.
Weaknesses
- -Free plan has limitations on storage, file size, and feature usage.
- -Some advanced features like full offline mode are only available in the Pro plan.
Key features
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
Pricing: Notesnook vs Evernote
| Plan | Notesnook | Evernote |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0/ month Free | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $14.99 Starter |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $19.99 Advanced |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Notesnook pricing and Evernote pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Notesnook is free. Evernote is freemium.
Go with: Notesnook
Want the highest-rated option?
Evernote is rated 4.4/5. Notesnook has no ratings yet.
Go with: Evernote
Value user reviews?
Notesnook: no ratings yet. Evernote: 10,296 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Evernote
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Notesnook is free. Evernote is freemium. Go with Notesnook 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 4.4/5; Notesnook has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Evernote
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Notesnook
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Evernote wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom. That said, Notesnook is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notesnook or Evernote better?
Evernote is rated in our evaluation. Notesnook is free and Evernote is freemium.
What are Notesnook and Evernote used for?
Notesnook: The open-source, zero-knowledge private note-taking app for all your thoughts and ideas.. Evernote: The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years.
What does Notesnook cost vs Evernote?
Notesnook is completely free. Evernote is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.