Hot topics

Best note taking apps for Android: the definitive list for organizing your life

AndroidPIT Evernote 3
© nextpit

With all the note taking apps out there it is difficult to decide which one to use. There are many different apps for many different purposes, and you want to be sure you get the one that best suits your needs. The guide below gives you the nine best note taking apps for Android.

AndroidPIT Evernote 2
Here are the best note taking apps for Android. / © ANDROIDPIT

Best note taking app for multi-function use: Evernote

Evernote is one of the best note apps for Android because of its clean interface and multi-use functionality. Despite offering a large number of functions, it is still surprisingly easy to navigate. You can share notes with coworkers or classmates, attach notes right from the app, scan text in a photo, create to-do lists, save every type of note to one place and so much more. Other apps in its class have yet to compete with its balance of functionality and simplicity, and that has kept it at the top.

Evernote was primarily for casual use but changes over the last two years have made it a great app for business. Never fear though, it is still great for personal note taking because it retains its inherent simplicity. It never feels like work when you use it to take notes outside of the office.

Evernote is extremely versatile: you can make notes wherever or whenever you are, and it can sync with all your devices so you can quickly modify everything. Because of its wide-ranging functionality, it is a bit difficult to become proficient in, but it's certainly the easiest of all the big, all-encompassing note taking apps to use. 

androidpit note taking apps evernote
The smooth interface gives Evernote its clean feel. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.evernote}

Best note taking app for writers: Diaro

Sometimes inspiration comes in unusual places, and Diaro enables you to take these thoughts and transfer them to your other devices. If you sit down at a park and suddenly come up with an idea, this app lets you write freely for however long you choose. 

This app is best suited to writers because it is optimal for longer notes rather than quick memos. Its writing interface is similar to what most writers are used to in a word processor and their long text can be organized and searched easily. 

Writers often need to transfer their notes to a larger document and this is where Diaro shines. It syncs effortlessly and works across multiple platforms. It’s password protected too, so if you write a journal or a diary, then you will have peace-of-mind knowing that someone else isn’t reading your private thoughts.

androidpit note taking apps diaro
Writing on the fly is easier and more integrated with Diaro. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.pixelcrater.Diaro}

Best note taking app for collaboration: Quip

Quip is a superb collaborative app, with an easy sharing function and the ability to track changes to documents. Everyone in your group can collaborate on the same document or spreadsheet from any device, anywhere. You simply create a chat room and everyone can add their notes to the discussion.

Quip is ideal for organizations and there are many businesses that rely on it. Teams can create notifications to ensure tasks are completed. Your team can import documents from Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, etc. After you have finished collaborating, you can change the format to Word or PDF, print the notes or share them with others outside of the group.

It isn’t quick to start using but most people need it for the long haul so they are willing to invest the time into learning it. If it is mandated by an organization, there could be an expert who can give tutorials and streamline the process.

androidpit note taking apps quip
Collaboration is fast and you can track all changes. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.quip.quip}

Best note taking app for creativity: Squid

Squid lets you get creative with your notes. If you like to doodle, consider yourself a bit of a calligrapher or are just nostalgic for paper notes, then Squid is for you.

Squid is great for students because it is very easy to add quick notes or symbols to a PDF. Handwritten notes next to keywords or definitions are excellent for studying or getting ideas for a term paper but you must upgrade your account to use this feature.

It works well on a phone but is ideal for tablet use. The reasons are obvious – more space enables you to draw more and it also works great with a stylus.

androidpit note taking apps squid
A combination of creativity and note taking. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.steadfastinnovation.android.projectpapyrus}

Best note taking app for organization: Color Note

Color Note has fewer features than the other apps here. It has with a simple color-coded organization scheme. So, for example, you could use yellow for grocery reminders, and then simply look at your yellow list when you get to the store.

If you find yourself writing a lot of notes, writing a lot in the notes, need to add pictures or videos, or need a lot of sharing functions, then you may want to pick a different app.

androidpit note taking apps colornote
Sort by color or by modified time. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.socialnmobile.dictapps.notepad.color.note}

Best note taking app for MS Office integration: OneNote

OneNote is an older app (from 2003) originally created by Microsoft to make your lists easier to organize. It has since been expanded to include many multimedia features, such as recording video and audio.

In addition to being integrated with MS Office, it is great for travelers. You can clip pictures from the internet and add them to your itineraries. This could be a map or something you saw on a museum website or a travel blog. You can then add a drawing or make a note on the side with your finger.

It also has some features that outperform the much better-rated Evernote, such as more free storage space.

androidpit note taking apps onenote
Itineraries and lists are optimized with OneNote. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.microsoft.office.onenote}

Best note taking app for tasks: Google Keep

Google Keep is one of the best organization apps for Android, it effortlessly organizes your notes and makes them searchable. It syncs to Google Drive too, so you can access them from the cloud on any device.

Keep is supported by your Google account so it’s easy to add notes to your docs, spreadsheets, etc. Many organizations are choosing Google Drive over MS Office for a lot of their tasks, and Keep can keep you integrated with Google. That’s the real power of Keep. Often, tasks need to be completed in different places and it gives you the ability to do check in on what needs doing, wherever you might be.

Like a lot of multi-use apps, it takes some getting used to, but your note taking will be more productive once you get the hang of it.

androidpit note taking apps google keep
Organize your tasks and set an alarm to ensure they get done. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.google.android.keep}

Best note taking app for ideas: Simplenote

Once you fire up Simplenote, you'll notice one thing: there isn't much going on. That's because this app is super lightweight, both in terms of size (4.5 MB) and resource-demanding functionality. You simply type in notes, add tags if you like and hit the share button if you feel so inclined. 

You can also create a Simplenote account. Once you punch in an email address and password you'll be able to back up notes, work with them on the web and sync across different devices. Other cool features include setting up a secure PIN lock and switching between a dark or light theme (dark is reminiscent of Android 4.0).

Where Simplenote differs from other Android note apps is that it isn't concerned so much with keeping organized, or staying busy, but rather with offering a home for all your ideas and e-scribbles. Simplicity, as the name implies, is Simplenote's strength. It functions similarly to Google Keep but has a cleaner interface and loads faster. 

AndroidPIT to do list 1280
Simplenote makes note taking simpler. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.automattic.simplenote}

Best note taking app for Minimalism: Monospace

Monospace is a new (still in beta) minimalist-designed note taking app that's about as simple as it gets. If you want a note taking app with no bells and whistles then this is the ticket. Its interface reminds me of 90's Windows file folders with modern Android functions.

Creating a new note in Monospace is like any other note taking app. You just click on the button in the lower-right hand corner and a new note will pop up. You can either choose a folder or have Monospace automatically choose it. Once you're finished it records the time plus the word count. You can then export it or put it into a folder. All folders are viewed from the home screen of the app.

It has Google Drive Sync capabilities but you need a Pro account, which costs around $5. You can have your notes automatically shared between the Monospace app and your Google Drive. Unless you really need to sync with Google Drive there really is no reason to buy a Pro account. The other Pro features are uninspiring.

androidpit monospace app
Monospace was designed for simplicity. © ANDROIDPIT

What do you use Android note taking apps for? Which note taking app do you think is the best?

  Editor's choice Best smart home control center Best price-performance ratio Best sound Best sound supplement Best display
Product
Product image Amazon Echo Dot (5. Gen) 2022 Product Image Amazon Echo Hub Product Image Amazon Echo (4.Gen) Product Image Amazon Echo Studio Product Image Amazon Echo Sub Product Image Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd. Gen) Product Image
Review
Review: Amazon Echo Dot (5. Gen) 2022
Review: Amazon Echo Hub
Not yet tested
Review: Amazon Echo Studio
Not yet tested
Not yet tested
Price Compariosn
Go to comment (33)
Cory Schmidt

Cory Schmidt
Editor

A Minnesota native, Cory's background is in writing and editing. He received his BA from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and his MA from the University of Kansas. He joined the Android community in 2009 and is excited to be contributing at AndroidPIT.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
33 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 1
    Sergey Alexeev Jun 28, 2018 Link to comment

    You can also consider using ThetaPad


  • 27
    Sorin Apr 4, 2018 Link to comment

    I use OneNote, very intuitive and easy to use.
    I recommend.


  • 輝 田中 3
    輝 田中 Oct 27, 2017 Link to comment

    I used quiver before.
    However, Boostnote was easier to use, so I switched.
    This quality is amazing for free.

    裕介 鈴木太郎 田中Junpei Shimotsu


  • 9
    Sveta Jun 6, 2017 Link to comment

    I think MixNote notepad notes is the best notes app for android.I’ve found that often (although a part of me wants to use a fancy, customizable application with tons of features), sticking to a simpler application is easier. My personal favorite is MixNote. The reason I like MixNote so much is because for me the voice notes and the trash are the best ones , as i am very lazy so the voice notes are better to take notes and trash makes some sense once you want to recover ur deleted notes
    Hope this helped
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.domobile.mixnote

    Sorin


  • Tery Emilson 1
    Tery Emilson Feb 16, 2017 Link to comment

    Give ShareNŌTZ a try. It offers notes, lists, reminders, as well as real-time collaboration and sharing of notebooks with friends and colleagues.
    sharenotz dot com


  • Lano Doko 1
    Lano Doko Jan 10, 2017 Link to comment

    I am using SteloNote because I love its unique design and functionality. This is a new app but you will find that it has advance features that no other apps have.


  • Ali Raza 1
    Ali Raza Oct 30, 2016 Link to comment

    my LG note is far better than all of these :P


  • Warren JB 10
    Warren JB May 16, 2016 Link to comment

    I think the problem with choosing note-taking apps is that so many of them converge on the same functions. It's like console wars if they played the same range of games - more than they already do. (Or did. I ended my tour in the console wars some time ago) You can draw and handwrite in Squid? Well you can do that in Onenote! You can write down ideas in Onenote? Well you can do that with Simplenote! You can sync across devices with Simplenote? Well you can do that with Evernote! And so on.
    That's maybe a bit too simplified, but besides whether your business flies the flag for Microsoft or Google, I'd hazard a lot of the choice comes down to how complicated you want it to be (not exactly the same as what function you want it to perform. Close, but not exact.) and whether you like the pretty colours or not.

    I use Onenote, by the way. Oooh, purple.

    Sorin


  • Alex 17
    Alex May 16, 2016 Link to comment

    I like Google keep ,its nice and simple and looks good and does the job and its completely free!

    SorinCory Schmidt


  • Lee Christina 5
    Lee Christina May 16, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks for your sharing. Its very useful :)

    SorinCory Schmidt


  • Dave Bayles 2
    Dave Bayles Apr 24, 2016 Link to comment

    I formerly used Color Note but switched to Google Keep and like the multi-platform aspect. If I'm at my laptop, I can access the app over several days to make a shopping list and then when I'm out I just check off as I go. If I'm out and an idea comes to mind, I can save it in Keep before the thought escapes me and then, there it is on my laptop when I come home. Ongoing updates have added more functionality each time. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

    Cory Schmidt


  • Michael MS 1
    Michael MS Apr 23, 2016 Link to comment

    My Notes is the best by a mile. A pleasure to use. I find the others a chore.


  • Diptangshu M. 15
    Diptangshu M. Mar 25, 2016 Link to comment

    Evernote all the way! Big fan of the Elephant here.

    SorinCory Schmidt


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Mar 22, 2016 Link to comment

    I have used colornote and Evernote and like what each has to offer. With that said, I am slowly moving away from Evernote due to its complexity and that for it to work properly requires a connection. When I travel I work offline and although there's Internet connectivity on many airlines I have found them to work mediocre at best. So I prefer to work offline and have my data on my device which colornote allows me to do. But I'll have to check out some of the others in this article.

    SorinGeorgian StanescuCory Schmidt


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt Mar 22, 2016 Link to comment

      ColorNote is an app I just can't shake :)

      SorinAlexGeorgian StanescuDean L.


    • Georgian Stanescu 11
      Georgian Stanescu Mar 25, 2016 Link to comment

      I used to use EVernote, however for my wants and needs it would require that I sign up to a price plan. I love the way they help you in the Web, but for the price????

      SorinDean L.


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Mar 22, 2016 Link to comment

    I'm extremely forgetful! Google Keep is my saviour, it's easy to list tasks or shopping lists, add photos.
    I can set alarms to remind me of my daily tasks

    I tried Evernote but don't like the UI or the need for subscription. It is bit too much.

    Peace ✌

    Sorin


  • 31
    Deactivated Account Mar 22, 2016 Link to comment

    I use Keep, it's almost simple, multi use app with easy instant sync across devices, but with all those features it's a laggy nightmare on devices with only 1gb of ram...

    Sorin


  • 2
    marknky Mar 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Keep for personal stuff, One Note for work, mainly use it almost like a wiki

    Georgian Stanescu


    • Georgian Stanescu 11
      Georgian Stanescu Mar 24, 2016 Link to comment

      a wiki? Didn't think it could be done. How can u do it?

Show all comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing