Slant community chat on Discourse| 52 Recommended Products | Recommendations | Platforms | Collaborative | API |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Google Keep· · · | 167 | 18 | Android / iOS / Chrome / Web | yes | no |
| #2 Evernote· · · | 142 | 31 | Android / iOS / WP / OSX / Windows / WebOS | yes | yes |
| #3 Simplenote· · · | 86 | 12 | Android / iOS / OSX / Windows / Linux | yes | yes |
| #4 Microsoft OneNote· · · | 72 | 17 | Windows / OSX / iOS / Android / Web | Yes | – |
| #5 Mobisle Notes· · · | 27 | 3 | iOS; Android | – | – |
| #6 MindMup· · · | 20 | 0 | – | – | – |
Pro Super fast to use
The focus on a minimal interface makes everything fast to use on both web and mobile. This comes in handy for when a note needs to be jotted down quickly, as there is little to no load times or faffing about trying to get to a space where the note can finally be recorded.
Pro Easy to use
1-step to take a note on android: tap 'take a note' Web version: cursor is on the note itself
Pro Unlimited and seamless sync across all Google connected devices, from mobile to desktop
When a mobile device isn't in use, Google Keep can be accessed as a Chrome app or as a website. Basically, no matter the device being used or the OS on it, there is always a way to access the app. There is also no limitation to how many devices this can be done with, freeing up the user to alw...
Con No text formatting
No basic formatting like bold, italics. Makes it harder to do things like meeting notes. Keep is intended as a minimal and quick note taking app, but sadly for those that are looking for something more robust, the features are just not there.
Con Single-level lists only
There’s no way to set a hierarchy for your lists.
Pro Consolidates all your information
Evernote is designed to store a lot of different types of information from a lot of different sources in one place. Using the Web Clipper, native integrations, or a service such as IFTTT (If This Then That) you can use Evernote to store all your ideas, notes (both handwritten and typed), tasks, re...
Pro Native and offline-capable apps on pretty much every platform
Evernote has apps for Windows 7 and 8, Windows 10, Mac, Android, iOS (both iPhone and iPad), Blackberry, and Windows Phone. It also has a fully functional web app and chrome plug-in. No matter what device or platform you're on, you will pretty much always be able to access Evernote.
Con Free version limited to 2 devices
The free version has become very limited as a cloud based note taking app as there is now only sharing between two devices allowed.
Con No official Linux app
Evernote does not offer an official Linux app, although there are some third party alternatives available.
Pro Very simple and clean interface
Simplenote takes a minimalist approach to its interface. There are no toolbars full of formatting options or extra features like notebooks to group notes. The entire desktop interface consists solely of a sidebar with your tags and trash filters, the list of existing notes with search, a button to...
Pro "Time machine" style revision control on the notes
Each edit of a note is saved in order to allow the user to go back to a previous version of a document. This way, if mistakes are made or something is deleted, you can go back to the previous version without any hassle.
Con Search is limited to one tag
There seems to be no way to find notes that have both tag X and tag Y. This isn't a big deal until you have a large library of notes, and want to cross-search for two things at the same time to vastly narrow down your search.
Con No support for file attachments
Simplenote doesn't provide support for embedded attachments. This can limit the use for some as many other note-taking apps do support this type of feature.
Pro Text can be added anywhere like a whiteboard
OneNote allows you to arrange text freely on the digital paper mimicking the way it would be done with a real pen on real paper.
Pro Stylus and digitizer pen support
OneNote can be used on all touch capable devices via stylus or digitizer pen making for an intuitive and easy way to take notes by hand, which can often be faster or just preferred over typing.
Con Not available for Linux
There is no native Linux client for OneNote available, and most likely will never be created. Users can use the web based client, but a native app would be a better choice for those that use the app frequently.
Con Platform dependent
OneNote for Mac for example is very different from OneNote for Windows. Because Microsoft has a vested interest in making sure the Windows version is superior, the Mac version tends to lag behind in terms of functionality. Tutorials and other forms of documentation available online generally apply...
Pro Clean, user-friendly, stylish interface
Mobisle Notes does not overwhelm the user with options like due-dates and prioritization like other apps do. It doesn't clutter the screen with buttons that are never used. The basic interface is just a plain and simple notepad. Android lacks a default notepad app. Of all the basic notepad ap...
Pro Checklists
The most common use for a notepad app is as a quick checklist. Mobisle Notes lets you switch to checklist mode with a button press, so you can easily mark things as done, rather than having to delete all the text.
Con Major limitations for free users
Free users are not able to share their notes via direct URL, they cannot sync notes over devices, and they have to deal with ads at the bottom of every note.
Pro Browser-based
Don't need to install anything, just open the website and you are set.
Pro Frictionless interface
MindMup allows focusing on thoughts and productively capture them without getting in the way.
Con Unconventional note taking style
It's a mind mapping application, not a traditional text based note storage platform.
Con Note capacity is limited
MindMup is good for mapping out thoughts that could be summarized in bullet points, but longer notes aren't as practical for this service.
Pro Very innovative search function
When searching for a phrase, the tree is narrowed to the nodes that match, while actually keeping the tree structure! The search result tree can be folded and unfolded like norma.
Pro Outline-style hierarchy with zoom
Any sublist can be viewed as a top-level list. This sounds simple but makes WorkFlowy extremely powerful. For example, the same line item, "write my book," can simultaneously be a to-do in the task list and the container for the entire working document.
Con Online only
Can't be used offline.
Con Pasted URLs are kept as-is
When you have to link to, for example, a website, you can't attach the URL of the site to a word. You have to post the full URL instead. You can't have, for example, Slant, you instead have to post http://slant.co. It's especially annoying if you have a long URL that takes up a lot of...
Pro Very flexible
It is characterized by a flexible and versatile system with adaptability to different workflows, simple and complex.
Pro Great sync support
Notes and todos can be synced with Trello, Toodledo, Simplenote, Orgmobile or tools like Git on Github, Dropbox, Google Drive, Bitbucket and Webdav with iOS and Android also can be exported to PDF, mind map, LaTeX, HTML, Docbook or txt.
Con Not really cross-platform
You can try mobileorg (that looks kind of abandoned) but there's no easy, out-of-the-box solution.
Pro Self-hosted and indefinitely accessible
All content is stored within the same html file as the interface.
Pro Easily programmable
It is relatively easy to program TiddlyWiki to do what you want. From writing simple macros to display text in a certain way, all the way to writing plugins to render and process entirely new kinds of content. So if you can code in Javascript, you are not bound by the usual limitations note-taking...
Con Steep learning curve
Not for the uninitiated, you need to learn Wiki markup, learn TiddlyWiki itself, and learn the lingo of those active on its Google+ Forum, the primary place from where support can be obtained. The people are a friendly lot though, most willing to help, but like many other of the technologically...
Con Relies on browser performance, online or offline
TiddlyWiki is a single HTML file. Thus, if you directly embed e. g large images or videos in it (instead of using the features to display externally stored images and videos) it would make the file big and performance slow.
Pro Amazing mobile interface
Unlike other mobile apps, Quip has really innovated with the text editor on mobile. They have a great interface for formatting text that stays out of your road to maximise how much room you have to type.
Pro Great editor
The editing experience in Quip is quite nuanced and pleasant. There is markdown support that formats as it is typed as well as support for checklists and the ability to make hierarchical lists. There are also controls for formatting in the UI, so it is all easily accessible.
Con No linux support
There's no linux app available.
Con Missing text editing features
Does not offer text coloring, or highlighting features.
Pro Free and open source
All the components are free, opensource, and allows self-hosting the sync server.
Pro Can be extended with add-ins
If Tomboy doesn't have the features you want out of the box, you may be able to find them here as a plug in.
Pro Plain text data format rather than proprietary
If/when the app is no longer developed, or if the user decides to no longer use the application or view/edit them on a non-supported platform, it can be done with any plain-text editor.
Pro Multiple exports
Exports to HTML and Pandoc Markdown.
Con No Android version
But if you sync using Dropbox or other, you can access the text files directly. Search and ability to navigate the directory tree will depend on what apps and tools you use. WikiMind Note is passable.
Con No pre-packaged Mac support
The user can install this app through homebrew with instructions found here, but currently there is no pre-built package available for an easier install process.
Pro Comfortable for Vim users
Has a very minimal learning curve for people already used to Vim, as the preset shortcuts are very easy to learn and don't conflict badly with other Vim behaviors.
Con Limited to use with vim only
vimwiki is a plugin for vim, so you won't be able to make use of it if you're not a vim user (and don't want to be).
Pro Clear overview without losing any details
The mind mapping format provides a clear overview of connections, hierarchies and relationships of notes. At the same time, it's possible to add more detailed notes, links, pictures and even whole files to the keywords, so that no important information gets lost.
Pro Notes can be shared and collaborated on in real-time
MindMeister allows sharing maps with an unlimited number of collaborators so it's possible to take notes and brainstorm together. Mind maps can be shared by inviting people either directly via email or by sending them a link to the map. Even people without a MindMeister account can access the...
Con Unconventional note taking style
MindMeister is a mind mapping application, not a traditional text based note storage platform.
Con No good offline mode
You can only work completely offline when using an iOS or Android device. For your browser there's only a clumsy 'offline mode' available. If you didn't hit the switch before you have the need for working offline (for instance: in a meeting, at a customer's location, in a plane,
Pro Allows focusing on one piece of information at a time
Since Gingko documents are "trees", they are always organized on the go. And since everything is written in cards, it is possible to focus on one chunk of content at a time.
Pro Easy to overview
Despite the complexity of the tree structure, it's always clear where you are, and how to quickly add your thoughts.
Know any negative aspects of this option?
Pro Only the essentials
Only basic features are added to Elephant so users aren't overloaded with the interface.
Pro Files are stored locally
Instead of moving files over the cloud, files are stored locally for extra privacy. For syncing, any cloud service can be used.
Con No mobile app
No mobile apps (can use common sync tools to edit plain files, though).
Con Light on features
While not labeled a beta, Elephant is a new note program and doesn't offer all the bells and whistles.
Pro Essential brush kit
NoteLedge comes with 6 built-in brushes (pencil, crayon, spray gun, ink brush, pigment liner and fountain pen) for versatile note-taking purposes. You can get advanced pens like vector brush, smart pen for shape recognition, marker and rainbow brush through subscription or in-app purchase.
Pro Cross-platform
NoteLedge is available on iPad, iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows Phone and Windows 8.
Pro Syncing and offline support on pretty much every platform
That includes an official open-source client for Linux (to which they accept patches), both GUI and command-line. If cross-platform support is important to you, it's hard to beat Dropbox.
Pro You can use your favorite text tools and OS's features
You can use your favorite text editor, word processor, outliner, etc. and your operating system's features such as search capability, backup system, and so on. If you want to write a script to do something with your notes, you don't need to learn a new scripting system for one app. Every...
Pro Supports a wide variety of formats
Since Google Drive is essentially a storage platform, it can be used with any file-types you may want.
Pro Usable on all major platforms
Web (Windows, Mac, Linux) Android iOs Editing documents, spreadsheets is well supported on all major platforms where Google Drive is available.
Pro Supports Markdown (their own variant)
Markdown is a plain text formatting syntax designed so that it can optionally be converted to HTML using a tool by the same name.
Pro Collaborative
Coggle allows inviting friends and colleagues to work collaboratively on notes and diagrams in real-time.
Con Unconventional note taking style
Coggle is a mind mapping application, not a traditional text based note storage platform.
Con Tree relations only; no non-parent links
Coggle's model allows a node to have multiple children, but only one parent, and no other connections of any sort.
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