The method

How we rate

Every app on NoteTakingApps gets six scores out of ten. The overall figure is a weighted average of those six, not a separate opinion.

The six axes

  • Features

    25% of score

    Depth and breadth of what the app can do.

  • Ease of use

    20% of score

    Speed, polish and how long it takes to feel at home.

  • AI

    15% of score

    Quality and usefulness of the built-in AI, not just its presence.

  • Sync & reliability

    15% of score

    How dependably notes move between devices.

  • Value

    15% of score

    What you get for what you pay.

  • Platform coverage

    10% of score

    How many places you can actually use it.

Features carries the most weight because a note app that cannot do the job is not saved by being pretty. Ease of use comes second because an app you avoid opening is worth nothing. Platform coverage is last: a brilliant Apple-only app is still brilliant if you own a Mac.

What counts as a feature

We track 82 features across 7 groups. Each one is recorded at one of four levels rather than a plain yes or no, because “has AI” means very different things in different apps.

YesPartlyVia pluginNo
  • Yes: shipped, supported and works without workarounds.
  • Partly: it exists but is limited, gated to one platform, or clearly weaker than rivals.
  • Via plugin: only through a community add-on. It counts when you filter, but you are relying on someone’s side project.
  • No: not available at all.

When you filter by features, apps must match every feature you select, and partial or plugin support counts as a match. The cards show which level applies.

Independence

No app pays to appear here, to rank higher, or to have a rating changed. There are no sponsored slots and no affiliate deals influencing the order. If that ever changes, it will be labelled on every page it affects.

One thing you should know

NoteTakingApps is run by the team behind Grape, which is listed in this directory like every other app. It is scored against the same rubric, its review carries the same disclosure, and nothing has been removed or demoted to make room for it. Judge that claim against the table rather than the sentence.

Freshness and mistakes

This category moves quickly, particularly on AI features and pricing. All 40 apps were last checked on 19 October 2026, and each review page shows its own date. Prices are the list price in US dollars and ignore student, education and regional discounts.

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and it gets fixed, whether you build the app or just use it.