Best Note-Taking Apps in 2026

5 options compared · Updated for 2026

Note-taking apps age poorly: sync limits, price hikes and sluggish editors drive users away. Here are the note apps worth switching to, with honest pros and cons.

Product	Starting price	Free tier	Rating
Evernote	Free (Personal $8.25/mo)	Yes	—
Obsidian	Free	Yes	4.6 ★
Notion	Free	Yes	4.5 ★
Coda	Free	Yes	4.3 ★
Anytype	Free	Yes	4.1 ★

The note-taking apps in depth

Evernote Free (Personal $8.25/mo) · free tier The note-taking pioneer — and why long-time users keep heading for the exit. Evernote hub → Obsidian Free · free tier · 4.6 ★ Local-first, Markdown notes you fully own — free for personal use. Evernote vs Obsidian → Notion Free · free tier · 4.5 ★ The all-in-one workspace that does notes, docs and databases. Evernote vs Notion → Coda Free · free tier · 4.3 ★ Docs that behave like apps, with powerful tables. Evernote vs Coda → Anytype Free · free tier · 4.1 ★ Local-first, encrypted, open-source — Notion-style building blocks. Evernote vs Anytype →

In-depth alternatives guides

4 Best Evernote Alternatives →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best note-taking apps in 2026?

Based on our hands-on comparison, Obsidian is the strongest note-taking app pick for most teams in 2026 (rated 4.6/5). Local-first, Markdown notes you fully own — free for personal use.

Is there a free note-taking app?

Yes — Evernote, Obsidian, Notion, Coda all offer a free tier. Free plans usually cap storage, seats or features, so check the limits before committing.

Why do teams switch note-taking apps?

The most common complaints: Repeated price increases — Personal is now around $8.25/mo and Professional around $20.83/mo. The free plan was slashed to just 2 devices and tight monthly limits, pushing users to pay or leave. If that sounds familiar, the alternatives above are worth a look.

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links; QikAlt may earn a commission at no cost to you. Pricing is list price as of 2026 and may change — confirm on each vendor's site.