Notes App Picker
Sticky notes that follow you everywhere.
Apple Notes
FREE on iPhone/iPad/MacBest for Apple users. Voice memos, scanning, drawing all built in. Lock individual notes with Face ID.
Sync via iCloud. Improved enormously last few years.
Google Keep
FREESticky-note style. Color tags. Voice notes auto-transcribed. Works on every device.
Best free cross-platform option.
Microsoft OneNote
FREENotebook style. Free-form layout. Best for handwritten notes with stylus.
Strong if you use Office.
Notion
Free for personal; $10/mo PlusPower-user notes. Databases, templates, project planning. Steep learning curve.
Worth it for serious organizers.
Evernote
Free up to 50 notes; $15/moThe original. Strong web clipper. Has lost some shine since being acquired.
Skip unless you're already invested.
Obsidian
FREE for personal usePlain-text notes stored on your computer. Privacy-friendly. Steep curve.
For tech-curious power users.
Bear (iOS/Mac only)
$3/mo ProBeautiful, simple. Markdown formatting. Tags instead of folders.
For elegant minimalists.
What to put in notes
- Recipes and grocery lists.
- Wi-Fi password (and your kids\' Wi-Fi when you visit).
- Wine you\'ve liked / restaurants worth re-visiting.
- Birthday and anniversary gift ideas through the year.
- Doctor visit notes.
- Books and movies people recommended.
- Insurance card photos (lock the note with Face ID for security).
- Family member sizes and preferences.
Where to start
iPhone user? Apple Notes is excellent and already there. Android or mixed? Google Keep. Want hand-written notes with a stylus on iPad? Apple Notes (free) or GoodNotes (one-time $10). Don\'t over-think this — pick one, use it daily, switch later if you outgrow it.