Top 17 Google Keep Alternatives and Competitors

The evolution of web-based tools is rapid and relentless, and it’s not unusual for once-popular products to be replaced by fresher, more advanced competitors. As cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) concepts continue to mature, it’s only logical that we are seeing an emergence of a new generation of tools that perform even better than their predecessors.

For the average user, this means occasionally having to replace old reliable apps like Google Keep with something better. Familiarity is a good thing, but when changing your preferred note-taking software means gaining better functionalities, it may be the right time to make the switch.

This article sums up the reasons in favor of switching to any of the available Google Keep alternatives. Let’s see what they are.

What is Google Keep and Why is it So Popular?

Google Keep is a free, web-based service available from a computer or smart device. It is an integral part of the Google Docs Editors Suite, along with other useful apps such as Google Sheets, Google Forms, Google Slides, etc. Its primary purpose is to take notes, and it can capture various media including text, voice, or images.

Here is the overview of the main features of Google Keep:

• Simple tool for taking textual or voice-based notes
• Full integration with other cloud-based services by Google (i.e. Google Docs)
• The choice between a single-column or multi-column view in the interface
• Color-coding of notes allows for quick finding of related notes
• Text extraction from images with OCR technology

While this software product has a few downsides as well (such as limited editing features), user opinions are mostly positive.

Is Google Keep Being Phased Out?

While Google Keep was very innovative when it first appeared a decade ago, it has aged a bit and could soon become obsolete. Its core functions are today easily replicated by a lot of different tools (including some from Google’s suite), while the updates failed to deliver any groundbreaking improvements.

Here is the overview of the limitations of Google Keep:

• You can access Google Keep on your phone, tablet, or browser only
• No notebook or folder structure
• The label limit is only 50, this is too little for people who love to take notes
• No option to select all notes at once, which means you have to select them one by one

It is only a matter of time before this app will be completely removed from Google’s online suite, so users might be wise to start looking for worthy Google Keep alternatives ahead of the schedule.

Best 17 Google Keep Alternatives

There is a wide selection of apps that can partially or completely replace the functions of Google Keep, many of them equipped with an array of advanced features.

With so many options on the table, it’s necessary to make a direct comparison between different possibilities and choose a tool that best meets your expectations.

Here is a list of 17 software products that you could use instead of Google Keep.

1. Quip

Available as a web-based interface, Windows or Mac program, as well as Android or iOS app.

This is a versatile collaboration tool that facilitates communication between multiple participants in remote locations. Its capacities for media sharing are considerable, and the real-time nature of the exchange greatly simplifies teamwork. Ideally suited for medium to large teams, Quip can save a lot of time that can be spent more productively and profitably.

Notable features:

• Users can create spreadsheets, checklists, and other documents with ease
• Real-time multimedia chat lets users communicate directly
• All team members are notified after an action is taken or a project milestone is reached
• Smart inbox allows for faster searching of documents
• All document revisions remain saved, making it possible to track the progression

Major weaknesses:

• This software is too resource-intensive to serve as a note-taking tool
• The user interface is not as streamlined as it could be

Pricing: free trial is available, starting price is $30 per month

Customer ratings:

• G2: 4.2 (1069 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4 (183 reviews)

2. Notejoy

Available as web, desktop (Windows & Mac), or mobile (Android & iOS) application.

This is another popular tool for collaborative document creation and sharing that works well for users of all experience levels. It’s very practical for taking notes during the work process and instantly showing them to other members of the team. It’s definitely an option worth exploring if you need a simple replacement for Google Keep.

Notable features:

• Users can create unlimited number of notes and organize them in libraries
• Attaching any type of media to the notes is possible
• Status of the tasks can be tracked via checklists
• Keyboard shortcuts and markup syntax facilitate faster work

Major weaknesses:

• Maximum size per upload and total storage space is limited
• In large projects, it may become difficult to locate the relevant notes

Pricing: free version available, licenses for different packages cost from $4 to $12 per user monthly

Customer ratings:

• G2: 4.3 (33 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.3 (189 reviews)

3. Bear

Available for MacOS and iOS

Owners of any Apple device should seriously think about installing this note-taking app. It’s less complex to use than most other Google Keep alternatives, but it offers more than enough functionality to make it worth the investment. Considering how affordable this app is, it’s a smart idea to give it a test run and decide whether it delivers enough value for you.

Notable features:

• Users can easily create, import, or export notes with this app
• Minimalistic interface is very conducive for first-time users
• Markdown language is used for quick text formatting
• The application includes a practical web-clipping tool

Major drawbacks:

• Only works on devices within the Apple ecosystem
• Bear doesn’t have a lot of advanced features

Pricing: free version available, Pro account costs $ 1.49 per month or $ 14.99 per year

Customer reviews:

• G2: 4.5 (42 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.3 (3 reviews)

4. Hive

Available as desktop app (Windows & Mac) or mobile platforms (Android & iOS)

As a productivity platform that supports many different channels of communication, Hive is a great option for a shared workspace. With this app it’s very easy to establish control over all processes in a large project and to keep all participants updated about the latest developments. While it may not be a direct replacement for Google Keep, this software offers some legitimate advantages.

Notable features:

• The interface supports several view modes and includes a customizable dashboard
• Built-in live chat and mail inbox enable secure and nearly instant communication
• Ready-made templates for a variety of actions empower new users
• Excellent analytic and reporting capacities contribute to better project management

Major drawbacks:

• The main focus is on project management rather than note-taking and media capturing
• Better suited for improving productivity of teams than individuals
• More expensive than some of the alternatives

Pricing: free trial available, subscriptions start at $16 per month

User ratings:

• G2: 4.6 (383 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5 (162 reviews)

5. Todoist

Available as a web browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Safari & Firefox), desktop app (Windows, Linux, MacOS), and mobile app (Android & iOS).

If you are primarily using Google Keep to set personal reminders and keep your life organized, this is one of the best apps that can help you with that. The app has been in the market since 2007 and has millions of satisfied users, so you would be joining a huge community if you install it. It will help you to never miss a deadline again, and you can use it from virtually any device.

Notable features:

• Users can make notes, set and track tasks, create to-do lists, and accomplish much more using this application
• Recurring tasks can be automated, while important ones can be prioritized
• Broad compatibility and reliable syncing between different devices
• Excellent collaboration tools and easy integration with various online platforms

Major drawbacks:

• Free users can have a maximum of five projects and their history is kept for only a week
• It is not possible to assign unique roles and access rights to different users

Pricing: free version is available, Pro version costs $4 per month, Business version costs $6 per month

User ratings:

• G2: 4.4 (733 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6 (1717 reviews)

6. Apple Notes

Available for devices with MacOS or iOS.

Anyone who owns a Mac computer or an iPhone is already familiar with Notes, a very practical app that can be used to quickly create and share short textual messages. It comes preinstalled on those devices and provides users with a simple free tool to help manage their daily schedules. If you only have modest needs, it could be the only note-taking app you keep on the device.

Notable features:

• Preinstalled tool for note-taking present on every Apple device
• Provides users with the ability to take notes and draw sketches
• To-do lists and pinned reminders improve organizational skills
• It can extract text from screenshots and turn handwriting into digital text
• Automated syncing with other devices through the iCloud account

Major drawbacks:

• Page size can’t be adjusted by the user
• Options for exporting notes outside of the Apple’s ecosystem are limited

Pricing: free (part of operating system)

User ratings:

• G2: N/A
• Capterra: N/A

7. Evernote

Available as a web-based interface, desktop application (Windows & Mac), and mobile app (Android & iOS).

In the minds of many users, Evernote is probably one of the few Google Keep alternatives that represent a clear improvement. This cross-platform software is widely used by individuals and organizations as a note-taking and task scheduling tool, and it performs admirably regardless of the mode of deployment.

If you haven’t already, you should definitely try Evernote soon!

Notable features:

• Notes created with this app can include images, lists, and other multimedia elements
• Finding saved notes is very easy thanks to excellent tagging and search functions
• Includes web clipper, document scanner, character recognition, and many other smart tools
• It can be used on two devices, with automated syncing between them

Major drawbacks:

• Online storage space for saving notes is limited
• Relatively expensive compared to other high-end note-taking apps

Pricing: free version is available, Premium personal plan is priced at $7.99 per month, while Premium professional plan costs $9.99 per month

User ratings:

• G2: 4.4 (1966 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4 (7611 reviews)

You can also check this guide on Evernote Alternatives >

8. Dropbox Paper

Available as a web browser service or an app for Android and iOS mobile platforms

With this practical app you can ensure that everything you do stays on schedule and according to plan. Dropbox Paper gives users all the tools they need to simplify their personal and professional life, all while being fun to interact with. Since this product is created by a popular online storage platform, integration with the core Dropbox package is one of its primary strengths.

Notable features:

• Very lightweight and flexible note-taking and word-processing app
• The blank sheet interface allows users to define the layout of each project separately
• Media can be added to notes simply by embedding an URL
• This app enables real-time collaboration between geographically distributed teams

Major drawbacks:

• Old versions of documents are not saved
• Formatting tools are underwhelming compared to competitor apps
• Free users have limited online storage space available

Pricing: free with a Dropbox account, paid versions ranging from $9.99 to $20 per month

User ratings:

• G2: 4.1 (4486 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4 (149 reviews)

9. CintaNotes

Available as desktop app for Windows and portable app that can be used from USB drive

If you are primarily interested in simple note-taking, this app should be near the top of your wish list. With CintaNotes you can easily create notes from your own writing or text you find online, and access them from multiple devices. There is no learning curve with this app – you can just install it and start creating notes right away.

Notable features:

• Simple and lightweight note-taking app that anyone can use
• It’s possible to insert links and add tags to your note
• Web clipper feature is very useful for capturing online content
• Core functions can be quickly activated with designated hotkeys
• It’s possible to import notes from other apps or export them

Major drawbacks:

• Images and multimedia can’t be included in the notes
• Limited text formatting options

Pricing: basic version is available for free, Pro version costs $39 for one year or $119 for a lifetime license

User ratings:

• G2: 4.4 (11 reviews)
• Capterra: N/A

10. Microsoft OneNote

Available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android

Users who feel more comfortable using software from well-known vendors could be well-served with this product from Microsoft. This note-taking app is very reliable and has a familiar feel, since it was developed as a part of the Office package. OneNote has been available since 2003 and was continually improved since then, so this is a mature, well-rounded tool that won’t let you down.

Notable features:

• Supports note-taking with the inclusion of photos, multimedia, and links
• Notes can be organized in notebooks and kept in cloud storage
• Editing options are similar to those in MS Word and other Office applications
• It’s possible to work collaboratively on notes in real-time

Major drawbacks:

• Free users get limited storage space and can’t use some of the best features
• Search function doesn’t offer too many options

Pricing: Free version is available, full version requires a Personal plan for Microsoft365 that costs $5.99 per month, or Family plan that costs $7.99 and covers up to 6 users

User ratings:

• G2: 4.5 (1785 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6 (1207 reviews)

11. Simplenote

Available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS

Thanks to its streamlined functionalities and flexibility of deployment, Simplenote has gained the support of a large community of users. It is considered a viable Google Keep replacement for anyone that primarily works with text-based content. Other apps may look fancier and be more feature-rich, but Simplenote makes up for it with time-saving simplicity.

Notable features:

• Text-based app for note taking that requires no learning curve
• It’s possible to edit text using the Markup language
• URL’s and tags can be included in the notes
• Earlier versions of the notes remain saved and can be retrieved

Major drawbacks:

• Images or voice recordings can’t be added to notes
• Lack of advanced editing or time management features
• Notes can’t be organized into folders or notebooks

Pricing: completely free

User ratings:

• G2: 4.1 (26 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.2 (8 reviews)

12. nTask

Available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS

While this product doesn’t have the brand name recognition that compares to some other apps from this list, it offers a solid combination of usability and sophistication. Designed primarily as a collaborative tool for professional teams, it can significantly boost productivity when used the right way. Launched in 2015, nTask is quickly gaining a reputation for excellence.

Notable features:

• This software makes it easy to schedule online meetings and take notes and minutes
• Generating and managing checklists allows users to control the flow of the project
• Time management can be effectively enforced directly from a user-friendly dashboard
• Extensive file-sharing and collaboration features make this app great for teamwork
• Support for multiple languages is fueling global adoption

Major drawbacks:

• This software is particularly not well-suited for individual owners or small teams
• Attaching large files can slow down the app

Pricing: Basic version is free, Premium plan costs $2.99 per month, Business plan is priced at $7 per user monthly

User ratings:

• G2: 4.4 (16 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.1 (94 reviews)

13. Notion

Available as a web-based app, desktop program for Windows and Mac, as well as native app for both Android and iOS.

It doesn’t take long for new users to discover the advantages that set this product apart from competitors. With Notion you can effortlessly organize your virtual work environment and turn your ideas into executable plans, all while creating and sharing documents at will.

Notable features:

• Versatile tool that can be used for note-taking, project management, and much more
• Notes can include images, videos, code, or bookmarks
• Extensive customization options allow users to work in their preferred way
• A built-in wiki tool simplifies creation of business documents and policies

Major drawbacks:

• Size of uploaded files is severely limited for free users
• Setting up a project with multiple users requires considerable time and skill

Pricing: free for individual users,

User ratings:

• G2: 4.6 (925 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.8 (833 reviews)

14. ProofHub

Available as web-based app, or mobile app for iOS and Android.

This is another possibility for professional users who need tools to streamline their endeavors. ProofHub is a well-established product that’s been launched more than a decade ago, and it still remains one of the best in its class. In addition to note-taking abilities, it helps users of any skill levels to connect and collaborate with others from their preferred device.

Notable features:

• Project management solution that allows administrators to control team activities
• Kanban boards and Gannt charts provide visual insights in real time
• All the files created during a project are centrally stored and readily accessible
• Different users can be assigned roles in the project based on their participation
• Project templates simplify work and save time

Major drawbacks:

• Way too complex to be used for simple note-taking
• Recurring tasks can’t be automated
• Too expensive for individuals or small companies

Pricing: free trial is available, Essential package costs $45 monthly for any number of users, while Ultimate control package costs $89 per month

User ratings:

• G2: 4.5 (64 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5 (67 reviews)

15. Bit.ai

Available as web-based service.

To fully appreciate what this app brings to the table, you have to consider the productivity boost it can cause. Collaborative work on documents is much easier with this intuitive tool, so teams of any size can instantly share ideas and agree on the next steps. Bit.ai can be a decent replacement for Google Keep that lets you work smarter, not harder.

Notable features:

• One-stop solution for creating, organizing, and managing documents
• Documents can be embedded with rich media and links
• Excellent integration with nearly all commonly used business apps and platforms
• Users get a custom sub-domain after they register for an account

Major drawbacks:

• Document editing and formatting is only rudimentary
• There are no native apps for either Android or iPhone

Pricing: free to use for teams up to 5 members, costs $12 per month for Pro plan or $20 per month for Business plan

User ratings:

• G2: 4.2 (18 reviews)
• Capterra: 5.0 (8 reviews)

16. Zoho Connect

Available as web-based service, or mobile app for Android and iOS.

Switching to this note-taking and networking app could be a good idea for any organization. Zoho works great for individuals or teams, and it includes lots of smartly designed features. It can serve as a virtual workspace where people communicate, collaborate, and create together regardless of their current physical location.

Notable features:

• Innovative software platform primarily designed to act as internal social network for businesses
• Extensive options for communication including private messages, chat, mentions, and more
• Central document repository allows all team users to access the necessary files
• Full-text search facilitates quick and effortless content discovery

Major drawbacks:

• Poorly suited for individuals who need only to take digital notes
• More focused on communication and data sharing than document creation

Pricing: free version available, full version costs $1 per month per user for the first 500 users and $0.5 per user after that

User ratings:

• G2: 4.5 (74 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.3 (69 reviews)

17. Tettra

Available as web-based app or private cloud app.

With this flexible and user-friendly app you can boost your performance and improve the level of shared knowledge across an organization. It allows for the creation of centralized knowledge bases and smart workflows that simplify and automate repetitive actions. This tool is especially helpful to new members of a team that are trying to get up to speed in terms of understanding policies and procedures.

Notable features:

• Great tool for documenting software development or creating company wikis
• All earlier versions of documents are saved in perpetuity
• Simple interface allows new users to find everything they need quickly
• Collaborative and sharing features are at a very high level

Major drawbacks:

• Analytics features are below expectations
• Users are limited in terms of arranging documents in folders and subfolders

Pricing: Starting package for up to 10 users is free, Scaling package costs $8.33 per user monthly, while Enterprise package costs $16.66 per user per month

User ratings:

• G2: 4.5 (57 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.1 (9 reviews)

Final Words

Google Keep was considered a leading product in its class for a long time, but now it may be falling a bit behind the innovation curve. With support for this note-taking app soon to expire, it’s logical that users are actively looking for the best Google Keep alternatives and competitors.

Depending on your primary expectations and the kind of work that you typically engage in, you could find a few good recommendations in this article. While the offer is certainly very broad, it makes sense to carefully study features, drawbacks, and prices of each solution and find the product that checks all the boxes.