Long ago, note-taking apps evolved beyond the simple role of a digital notepad. Apps currently available do much more than allow note taking. You can choose one that suits your preferences and works on your favorite devices. The following five note-taking apps can help you do much more than you thought possible from a note-taking app.
GOOGLE KEEP
Save your thoughts to your phone or your web browser using Google Keep. The free note-taking tool that works on Android, iOS, Chrome OS, and through any web browser. Create lists with a simple interface and then add images, colors, and reminders. A simple interface Google Keep integrates with Google’s feature-packed, plainly styled application suite. Users can use the app to quickly create notes, convert notes into Google Docs, create checklists, and create text from images.
You can use Keep to create notes quickly using an Android phone. You can share your notes for collaborative editing. You can also use the app to create reminders triggered by time or GPS location. As part of its simplicity, the app does not allow text formatting. If you want to use Keep for offline note-taking on the desktop, you must use the Google Chrome web browser. When your notes get old, you can archive them with a single mouse click. Other menu options include a settings panel where you can set your preferences and customize your reminder options.
APPLE NOTES
Since the release of iOS 9, Apple Notes has supported many formatting options. Working seamlessly with iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, the app offers the users many options: to draw sketches, take photos, record videos, and create checklists and sync them via iCloud. Recent feature additions make Apple Notes an impressive tool for conveniently storing and retrieving your thoughts
The app also allows you to insert documents and maps into notes, giving it impressive functionality. Create notes while on the go or at your desktop and access them from any of your Apple devices whenever you need them. The app works only within the Apple framework, so Android users will need to choose another note-taking tool. You cannot import notes from other apps, so you might face some hurdles if you have previously used a different note-taking app and want to keep all your notes in one app.
SIMPLENOTE
If you value the simplicity of writing a note on a piece of paper, you might like Simplenote. A clean, open interface lets you quickly create idea and to-do lists as well as simple notes you need for future reference. The clutter-free interface helps you focus on your thoughts, not the complexities of menus and buttons. You can download Simplenote for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Simplenote lets you tag your notes, making organizing and finding your notes easy. You can revert the app to previous versions if you happen to dislike any future updates. Using Simplenote, you can sync share, and backup notes from your web browser, Mac, iOS or Android device, or Kindle. Simplenote does not allow you attach files. You can mark down your notes, but only while online.
ONENOTE
Microsoft users have enjoyed using the old familiar OneNote either as a standalone app, which is now available for free, as a part of Microsoft Office, and it is also often found bundled if you choose one of the many Office 365 plans. The app lets you save notes to docs.com where you can upload and share your notes and discover notes left by other users. OneNote provides sharing, collaboration, and syncing tools. It also includes a table editor and has OCR capabilities. You can even attach files to your notes.
OneNote has a feature that lets you import notes from Evernote, so users of that app can switch to OneNote. Other features include shape presets, improved note-taking features, and synchronization. Features vary depending on your OS. Microsoft does not have have a version of OneNote that works on Linux.
EVERNOTE
Designed for the centralized storage of large amounts of information, Evernote provides fantastic features that include web clipping, OCR, text formatting, and voice notes. The app comes in versions native to Windows, Mac, and mobile operating systems. You can also get an Evernote plugin that works in the Google Chrome web browser. Recently added features for Evernote include the ability to save directly to browsers on iOS devices. New iPad shortcuts now make the app work like its desktop counterpart.
You might feel overwhelmed by the many features of Evernote. It has a complicated interface that might make organization difficult, but its built-in search option makes your notes accessible. The app doesn’t have an undo feature, and it only provides storage within the Evernote framework.
