Advances in technology have allowed the world to experience smart devices right in the grip of one hand, thanks to the mobile devices. These sophisticated devices run multiple apps that have managed to replace the traditional pen and paper in every way possible, be it taking notes, jotting down records, schedule meetings or segregating lists.
Better known as note-taking apps, these apps are utility based and are extremely handy for both individuals as well as companies. They are designed to enrich users with productivity and an organised approach towards handling day-to-day tasks.
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What benefits do these note-taking apps serve?
The note-taking apps often turn out to be a juggernaut for new businesses and individuals with their productivity. They have more than just one or two advantages to the users and are very reliable from every aspect. Here are some of the benefits of smart note-taking apps.
- They run on multiple platforms, be it smartphones, tablets or PCs. So irrespective of what device you are using, you can have access to the saved notes whenever needed.
- These note-taking apps are often collaborative, that is, you can share the notes or lists with your friends or partners.
- You will never lose them. The apps use a sign-in account, which means if you have access to the account, you will always have access to the notes.
- Finally, they are extremely easy to operate. Everything you need would be right in front of your eyes.
What features should a note-taking app ideally have?
Any note-taking app is meant to enhance the productivity of the user. Hence, there are some primary features to look forward to, including
- Support for all common platforms (smartphones, tablets and PCs)
- Easy user interface for hassle-free note taking
- Feature to take down notes in checklist format
- Reminders on any particular schedule
Best note-taking apps
| Name | Multimedia notes | Checklist | Reminder configuration |
Cross-platform |
| Evernote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OneNote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Keep | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Notes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dropbox Paper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Simplenote | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Zoho Notebook | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1. Evernote
Evernote is truly among the top note-taking apps that are available across multiple platforms like smartphone, tablet or PC. The synchronisation across the platforms is done automatically. It offers the users a plethora of features right from basic note-taking to advanced checklists, multimedia insertion and reminders.
If Evernote is run on a smartphone, it can make use of the camera to digitize everything that the users want, including documents or business cards. The notes can be segregated using tags, which makes it easier to locate them once they are needed. It even has a Web clipper extension that lets the users save webpages and annotate them with other visuals.
2. OneNote
OneNote is a product of Microsoft Office and comes as a package along with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. It is one of the best available note-taking apps to increase productivity and assist in setting individual workflow. It can be run on all the platforms, including smartphones, tablets and PCs.
It has a very flexible digital canvas that allows the users to take anything from anywhere and place it wherever necessary. It also allows users to write things on the canvas with a stylus or scan handwritten notes. The notes can be organised cleanly with tags and label to make them easily accessible each time they are needed.
3. Google Keep
Google Keep has been around for quite a long time and has been among the top picks when it comes to note-taking apps for Android smartphones. However, despite its friendliness with smartphones and tablets (both Android and iOS), it can even be used on PCs as a SaaS from Google.
Google Keep makes it very simple for the users to take down notes in many ways, be it checklists or multimedia (images or voice memos). Each of the digital sticky notes is of different colours that make it easier for the user to identify the label. The user can even collaborate on any particular note by inviting others via email.
4. Apple Notes
Apple Notes is strictly an Apple-only app but is no less than numero uno for the platform. Be it MacOS or iOS, Apple Notes makes it easy for the users to take down notes, manage checklists, insert images or schedule reminders. It requires the users to sign in to their iCloud account to use it.
Interesting, the users can use apple notes of Macs, iPhones and iPads in a synchronised manner once they are signed in for the same account. The notes can even be shared with other Apple users using their iCloud registered emails or simply their phone numbers. Though it is not available for non-Apple users, it is a boon for Apple users.
5. Dropbox Paper
Dropbox Paper is a product of Dropbox, a very popular cloud-based app. It makes working in a team extremely easy with its sharing options. The collaborative workspace has a very easy user interface, but with a lot more than just writing and editing notes. It is available for all users on Android and iOS and can even be accessed via a browser online.
What Paper does manage to do is review ideas, brainstorm and even handle meetings. It allows the users to manage to-do lists and share it, add deadline dates, etc. It can even accommodate anything, including images, GIFs, audios and YouTube videos.
Conclusion
When it comes to note-taking apps, the options are pretty healthy and are available for all the platforms. Evernote is by far one of the best apps for the purpose, and so it Google Keep. However, though Apple users would vouch for Apple Notes as being a very simple yet powerful note-taking app, its non-available on anything other than Apple devices is a major drawback.
That said, non-Apple users can get their hands on any other alternatives, including OneNote and Dropbox Paper, both of which are extremely amazing options in the said field. All of the mentioned note-taking apps offer more than what a typical personal diary once offered, but only digitally.
