Best Note-Taking Apps for Students
Our curated selection of the top 10 tools. Compare features, pricing, and find the perfect fit for your needs.
TL;DR
- 1Simplenote(7.8/10) — You're an individual or a small team looking for a completely free and straightforward note-taking solution.. Easy to use and affordable.
- 2Obsidian(8.0/10) — You're an individual or small team focused on powerful knowledge management at a low cost.. Affordable and feature-rich.
- 3Evernote(7.6/10) — Your team requires robust organization features for thoughts and tasks, with a moderate budget.. Easy to use and feature-rich.
Why Simplenote is #1 for note-taking apps for students
Consider alternatives if you prioritize:
Our Picks
Microsoft OneNote
Capture ideas, notes, and to-do lists seamlessly with Microsoft OneNote.
Simplenote
Simplenote is a free note-taking app that helps you organize your thoughts effortlessly.
Google Keep
Google Keep is a note-taking service that helps you capture and organize ideas quickly.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Rating | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplenote | Free | 4.0 | 7.8 | minimalists who want fast, free, cross-platform note-taking. |
| Obsidian | Free — Paid plans from $8/mo for additional features | 4.2 | 8.0 | knowledge workers who value data ownership and linked thinki |
| Evernote | Free — From $7.99/user/mo | 4.1 | 7.6 | individuals who need a powerful, searchable digital notebook |
| Workflowy | Free — From $4.99/user/mo | 4.1 | 7.2 | minimalists who think and organize in outlines. |
| Milanote | Free — From $9.99/user/mo | 4.3 | 7.0 | creative professionals who think and organize visually. |
Detailed Rankings
Simplenote is a free note-taking app that helps you organize your thoughts effortlessly.
Skip if: you need no support for images, files, or rich media
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking and knowledge management tool that helps you organize your thoughts.
Skip if: you need steep learning curve for non-technical users
Evernote is a powerful note-taking app that helps you organize your thoughts and tasks seamlessly.
Skip if: you need free plan has become very limited over time
Workflowy is a minimalist tool for organizing notes and tasks in a simple, nested format.
Milanote is a visual workspace for creative projects that helps you organize ideas and notes effectively.
Capture ideas, notes, and to-do lists seamlessly with Microsoft OneNote.
Google Keep is a note-taking service that helps you capture and organize ideas quickly.
Apple Notes is a powerful note-taking app for organizing your thoughts and ideas seamlessly.
Mem is an AI-powered productivity tool designed to organize notes seamlessly.
Matter is a productivity tool that helps users organize notes and tasks efficiently.
How to Choose
When choosing the right tool for “best note-taking apps for students”, consider: your team size and budget, must-have features vs nice-to-haves, integration with your existing tools, and long-term pricing scalability. Start with free trials when available — most tools on this list offer them.
Former SaaS product manager turned analyst. Personally tested 200+ tools and built the scoring methodology behind SaasHunter rankings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best note-taking apps for students?
Based on user ratings and features, Simplenote is the top pick for best note-taking apps for students. Other strong options include Obsidian, Evernote, Workflowy.
Are there free options for productivity & notes?
Yes, Simplenote, Obsidian, Evernote offer free plans in the Productivity & Notes category.
How did we rank these tools?
Tools are ranked based on keyword relevance to the use case, user ratings from the SaasHunter community, and feature coverage. Featured tools with strong ratings rank higher.
How often is this list updated?
This list is updated automatically as new tools are added and user ratings change. Pricing and feature information is refreshed regularly.
Problems These Tools Solve
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