Finding the Best Free Note Taking Apps
The best free note taking apps do more than store text. In 2025, top options include AI transcription, automatic organization, and cross-platform sync - all without paying a cent.
Whether you’re a student recording lectures, a professional capturing meetings, or someone who thinks better out loud, the right free note taking app changes how you work.
This guide compares 11 of the best note taking apps with free tiers. We tested each for transcription accuracy, AI features, platform support, and what you actually get without paying.
Quick Pick
For AI-powered note taking with generous free limits, ScreenApp offers the best balance of features and free usage. For simple text notes, Notion or Google Keep work well.
Quick Comparison: Best Free Note Taking Apps
| App | Voice AI | Free Limit | Platforms | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScreenApp | Yes | Daily use | All | AI transcription |
| Notion | Limited | Unlimited | All | Organization |
| Google Keep | No | Unlimited | All | Quick notes |
| Obsidian | No | Unlimited | Desktop/Mobile | Knowledge base |
| OneNote | Yes (basic) | Unlimited | All | Microsoft users |
| Evernote | No | Limited | All | Web clipping |
| Apple Notes | Yes (basic) | Unlimited | Apple only | Apple ecosystem |
| Bear | No | Limited | Apple only | Markdown writing |
| Joplin | No | Unlimited | All | Privacy-focused |
| Standard Notes | No | Limited | All | Encryption |
| Simplenote | No | Unlimited | All | Plain text |
1. ScreenApp - Best Free AI Note Taking App
Best for: Voice transcription, meeting notes, lecture capture
ScreenApp leads free note taking apps for AI-powered transcription. Record voice memos, upload audio files, or capture meetings - the AI converts everything to searchable text with summaries.
Free tier includes:
- Daily transcription minutes
- AI summaries and action items
- Voice recording and upload
- Cross-platform access
- No meeting bots
Why it stands out: Most free note taking apps treat audio as a premium feature. ScreenApp’s free tier gives enough daily transcription for regular use. The AI identifies speakers, extracts key points, and creates organized notes automatically.
Limitations: Daily limits apply to transcription. Heavy users need premium.
2. Notion - Best Free Organizational Note App
Best for: Structured notes, databases, team wikis
Notion’s free tier offers unlimited pages and blocks for individuals. The flexible structure handles everything from simple notes to complex project databases.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited pages for personal use
- Databases, kanban boards, calendars
- Basic AI features (limited)
- Web, desktop, and mobile apps
- Sharing and collaboration
Why it stands out: Notion’s flexibility makes it the best free note taking app for organized thinkers. Build custom templates, link notes together, and create knowledge systems.
Limitations: AI features require paid plan. Can be overwhelming for simple notes. Mobile app feels heavy.
3. Google Keep - Best Free Quick Notes App
Best for: Fast capture, reminders, simple lists
Google Keep excels at capturing thoughts quickly. The minimal interface means no friction between idea and note. Syncs instantly across all Google-connected devices.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited notes
- Labels and colors
- Reminders with location triggers
- Voice notes (basic transcription)
- Image capture with OCR
Why it stands out: Pure simplicity. Open, type, done. Google Keep is the best free note taking app when you just need to capture something fast.
Limitations: No AI summaries. Limited organization options. Not suited for long-form notes.
4. Obsidian - Best Free Knowledge Base App
Best for: Connected thinking, personal wikis, long-term knowledge
Obsidian stores notes as local markdown files with powerful linking. Build a second brain by connecting ideas across hundreds of notes.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited local notes
- Bi-directional linking
- Graph view of connections
- Community plugins
- Full data ownership
Why it stands out: No other free note taking app matches Obsidian for building connected knowledge. Your notes become a personal Wikipedia with graph visualization.
Limitations: Sync costs extra. Steeper learning curve. No built-in voice transcription.
5. Microsoft OneNote - Best Free Note App for Microsoft Users
Best for: Windows users, Office integration, handwriting
OneNote comes free with Microsoft accounts. The infinite canvas supports typed text, handwriting, images, and audio recordings with basic transcription.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited notebooks
- Audio recording with timestamps
- Handwriting recognition
- Office integration
- Cross-platform sync
Why it stands out: Best free note taking app if you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem. Handwriting and drawing features work well with tablets.
Limitations: Interface feels dated. AI features limited compared to dedicated tools. Can sync slowly.
6. Evernote - Free Tier (Limited)
Best for: Web clipping, document scanning
Evernote’s free tier has shrunk considerably but still works for basic note-taking with excellent web clipping and document scanning.
Free tier includes:
- 60MB monthly uploads
- 1 notebook sync
- Web clipper
- Document scanning
- Search within notes
Why it stands out: Web clipper remains excellent. Scanning features work well for receipts and documents.
Limitations: Severe free tier restrictions. 2-device limit. Many features paywalled.
7. Apple Notes - Best Free App for Apple Users
Best for: iPhone, iPad, Mac users who want simplicity
Apple Notes comes preinstalled and syncs seamlessly across Apple devices. Recent updates added voice transcription and AI features for Apple Intelligence devices.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited notes
- iCloud sync
- Voice transcription (Apple Intelligence)
- Handwriting recognition
- Folder organization
Why it stands out: Zero setup for Apple users. New AI features in iOS 18+ add smart transcription.
Limitations: Apple-only. No Windows or Android. AI features require newest devices.
8. Bear - Best Free Markdown Note App (Apple)
Best for: Writers, developers, markdown lovers on Apple
Bear’s beautiful interface makes writing enjoyable. Free tier covers basic note-taking with markdown support and excellent typography.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited notes
- Markdown support
- Tag organization
- Beautiful themes
- Focus mode
Why it stands out: Best free note taking app for writers who appreciate design. Markdown export makes content portable.
Limitations: Apple-only. Sync requires subscription. No AI features.
9. Joplin - Best Free Private Note App
Best for: Privacy-focused users, self-hosting
Open-source Joplin stores encrypted notes locally or on your own cloud storage. No vendor lock-in, full data control.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited local notes
- End-to-end encryption
- Markdown support
- Plugin ecosystem
- Self-hosting option
Why it stands out: Best free note taking app for privacy. Your data stays yours.
Limitations: No built-in sync (use Dropbox, etc.). Interface less polished. No AI features.
10. Standard Notes - Best Free Encrypted Note App
Best for: Security-conscious users
Standard Notes focuses on longevity and encryption. The 100-year company promise means your notes stay accessible.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited notes
- End-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform sync
- Plain text focus
- Long-term support
Why it stands out: Serious about encryption and longevity. Simple, secure, sustainable.
Limitations: Extensions cost extra. Very minimal feature set. No voice or AI.
11. Simplenote - Best Free Plain Text App
Best for: Minimalists, quick reference notes
Simplenote does exactly what the name suggests. Plain text notes that sync everywhere instantly.
Free tier includes:
- Unlimited notes
- Instant sync
- Version history
- Tags
- All platforms
Why it stands out: Fastest, simplest free note taking app. No distractions.
Limitations: No formatting. No images. No voice. No AI.
How to Choose the Best Free Note Taking App
For Voice and Meeting Notes
Choose ScreenApp if you need AI transcription. Record meetings, lectures, or voice memos and get organized text automatically. Other free options lack meaningful voice AI.
For Organization and Databases
Choose Notion for structured information. Build custom systems for projects, goals, or knowledge management.
For Quick Capture
Choose Google Keep for instant notes. Open, type, forget. It’s there when you need it.
For Connected Thinking
Choose Obsidian for building a personal knowledge base. Link ideas across notes and watch patterns emerge.
For Apple Users
Choose Apple Notes if you’re all-Apple. New AI features in iOS 18+ make it genuinely capable.
For Privacy
Choose Joplin or Standard Notes if you don’t trust cloud services with your thoughts.
Best Note Taking Apps: Free vs Paid
Most free note taking apps work well for basic use. Paid upgrades typically add:
- More storage - Upload limits increase
- Advanced AI - Better transcription, summaries
- Collaboration - Team features unlock
- Sync options - More devices, faster sync
- Priority support - Faster help when needed
For AI-powered transcription specifically, ScreenApp’s free tier offers more daily usage than most paid alternatives provide.
Related Resources
- Note Taking App - AI-powered note taking
- Best Mobile AI Note Taking Apps - Phone-specific options
- AI Note Taker - Video to notes conversion
- Meeting Note Taker - Automatic meeting notes
FAQ
What’s the best free note taking app overall?
For AI features and voice transcription, ScreenApp offers the most capable free tier. For general organization, Notion works well. For pure simplicity, Google Keep.
Are free note taking apps safe?
Major apps use encryption and secure cloud storage. For maximum privacy, Joplin and Standard Notes offer end-to-end encryption where even the company can’t read your notes.
Do free note taking apps have AI?
Most free tiers exclude AI features. ScreenApp is notable for including AI transcription and summaries in its free tier with daily limits.
What’s the best free note taking app for students?
Students benefit from voice transcription for lectures. ScreenApp handles lecture recording and creates study notes automatically. Notion works well for course organization.
Can I use free note taking apps for work?
Yes, though team collaboration often requires paid plans. For personal productivity, free tiers work well. For meeting notes specifically, ScreenApp captures calls without disrupting participants.
